Thought I understood now I'm confused (again)
ali59oc
Posts: 130 Member
Hi and thanks in advance. I am stunned at how much cholesterol I'm eating. Am I slipping back into "bad fat" thinking? The cholesterol I'm taking in doesn't really mean the cholesterol in my blood stream right? I'm supposed to see my doctor the end of the month and I don't want her go off on me. Could someone please look at my diary and see if I'm doing this right? I feel great, think I'm in ketosis (smelly!), but can't seem to eat as much as I think I should be. It just won't go in.
Thank you!
Thank you!
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Replies
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I'm interested in the replies you get for this as well. I've been a little concerned about the cholesterol levels on mine too.0
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Cholesterol is confusing right now. The total cholesterol isn't as predictive of heart disease as we once thought. You should ask about highly sensitive CRP as well as lipoprotein analysis (apoB and LDL-p). Most people don't need to worry about cholesterol on LCHF, but about a third of people will have their LDL-P go up and those people maybe shouldn't do LCHF.
Good luck!0 -
Last year when I was doing HFLC (high fat, low carb), my blood work was completely normal. My doctor was proud of me for losing weight and really trying, and was also impressed that my blood work returned normal after I told him what I ate in a typical day. Just remember, your body is now burning fat (from you, from your diet) for fuel instead of carbs.
Your diary looks fine, I would suggest trying to eat MORE. Eat higher calorie foods...eggs, bacon, any fatty meat in general. I've found I eat a lot of mayonnaise on a daily basis and it helps get the calories up
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I've had the same confusion recently. My health is overall doing MUCH better on keto, but my cholesterol numbers changed. LDL is higher, HDL is lower, but the triglycerides are so low that I think it brings down my total number making it seem alright. I'm not sure how to handle it either, but I think because the jury's still out on what dietary cholesterol does to the body, I'm erring on the side of caution now. I'm replacing butter for olive oil, staying away from coconut oil and too much beef, going more towards the route of avocados, fish, and nuts. Maybe making these changes will work for you.
Then again, you don't know your lab results yet so you can't make these assumptions. Maybe wait and see how the labs look and then make any changes if necessary? Also, keep in mind that my numbers may have gone up because I'm keto relatively short term right now (read abstract below), but I'm too controlling of my health to sit and wait to see if they go down on their own.
Studies are definitely available to read online. There were a couple done in the 70s that showed that after a short period of LCHF diets, cholesterol numbers skyrocketed. This is after a couple of weeks, sometimes a couple of months. Then there are other studies (one linked below) that showed that after prolonged LCHF use, meaning 52-56 weeks, cholesterol numbers decreased to a healthy number.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2716748/Long-term effects of a ketogenic diet in obese patients
Abstract.
BACKGROUND:
Although various studies have examined the short-term effects of a ketogenic diet in reducing weight in obese patients, its long-term effects on various physical and biochemical parameters are not known.
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the effects of a 24-week ketogenic diet (consisting of 30 g carbohydrate, 1 g/kg body weight protein, 20% saturated fat, and 80% polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat) in obese patients.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
In the present study, 83 obese patients (39 men and 44 women) with a body mass index greater than 35 kg/m2, and high glucose and cholesterol levels were selected. The body weight, body mass index, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood sugar, urea and creatinine levels were determined before and after the administration of the ketogenic diet. Changes in these parameters were monitored after eight, 16 and 24 weeks of treatment.
RESULTS:
The weight and body mass index of the patients decreased significantly (P<0.0001). The level of total cholesterol decreased from week 1 to week 24. HDL cholesterol levels significantly increased, whereas LDL cholesterol levels significantly decreased after treatment. The level of triglycerides decreased significantly following 24 weeks of treatment. The level of blood glucose significantly decreased. The changes in the level of urea and creatinine were not statistically significant.
CONCLUSIONS:
The present study shows the beneficial effects of a long-term ketogenic diet. It significantly reduced the body weight and body mass index of the patients. Furthermore, it decreased the level of triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and blood glucose, and increased the level of HDL cholesterol. Administering a ketogenic diet for a relatively longer period of time did not produce any significant side effects in the patients. Therefore, the present study confirms that it is safe to use a ketogenic diet for a longer period of time than previously demonstrated.0 -
Thanks everyone! About 13 years ago I went on Atkins and my blood cholesterol skyrocketed. My doctor actually called me and said stop whatever it is you are doing NOW. Since then my cholesterol is fine but my tryglycerides are very difficult to control. They were literally off the charts (>600) but everything else was fine. I plan to have my doc (different one) to a full blood panel to see where I am. Hopefully we will both be happy with the results.
As for eating more, I am so full all the time! And I have been so used to low fat this, low fat that, that full fat foods (especially dairy) make me nauseous. I do ok with fat from meat (who doesn't love bacon) and the avocado/tuna for lunch is my favorite! I will try harder to eat more.
Thanks again!0 -
I would also cut back a little on the protein also.0
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From everything I read when you first start a LCHF diet your cholesterol can skyrocket due to your body still making the higher amount it needed to make when you were not eating so much cholesterol. If you have been on this type of diet for less than a couple months then you shouldn’t expect any cholesterol tests to be good, and if possible should postpone any test so your doctor doesn’t go crazy at your results. After your body adjusts to the diet you should expect your triglycerides to be much lower and your ratio of HDL to LDL to be better.
Also, looking at your diary I would try to eat more fat then protein. Just add more of the fats that you like and work up to trying new fats that you have been avoiding in the past. As you get over the idea that fat is bad your tastes might slowly change.0 -
Hi Ali! The first things I noticed when I looked at your food diary were margarine and non-stick spray. Eeek! Yes, they are fats but they are made in factories and are NOT good for you at all. Would you consider cooking with virgin coconut oil, real butter (Kerrygold is a good brand), tallow, bacon fat, or any other rendered fat/lard? All of those products come from products found in nature and our body knows how to process them.
Also, you really are not eating much at all. Most of us need 1200 calories just to lay in bed all day or for basic human function. Try cooking with those healthy fats and adding butter to your veggies. Balancedbites.com and marksdailyapple.com are just two of the many great websites that are available that discuss eating real, nutritious, healthy food.
Good luck!0 -
Whoops - I should've added this earlier. Check out the book Cholesterol Clarity by Jimmy Moore. I imagine that since you are eating LCHF that you may have heard of Jimmy Moore and if not, you should check out his blogs and podcasts.
http://www.amazon.com/Cholesterol-Clarity-What-Wrong-Numbers-ebook/dp/B00ESMDGE80 -
Thanks for the advice. The low-fat stuff is because of my husband. He had open heart surgery 2 years ago and is supposed to be on a low fat diet. I actually went to my doctor today and she thinks he could do the LCHF IF he would cut down on the carbs. This is next to impossible for him. And if I brought butter into the house, he would eat ALL OF IT.
Another good thing about going to the doc is she halved my blood pressure medicine because my bp is now LOW!!! She said in three months if I've lost more weight, she will take me off one of them completely. I am so excited! This is what I wanted, to be healthy! I can't wait for my labs to come in, i really want off my triglyceride meds. And I asked her about the cholesterol and she said she didn't know, and looking at me really confused her thinking about all fat, bad. She's just beginning a low carb diet herself so I can't wait to see how/if she changes her mind on some of this.0 -
HI,
Let us know what you find out.
My cholesterol soared after 3 months eating High Fat/Low carb----the first time in my life that it has been high and/or a problem. My doctor suggested whatever I'm doing I stop......now I'm trying to just eat high vegetable fat [olive oil]....but am confused and nervous about it but still high fat/low carb. I did lower my protein to see if that helps.
Be forewarned---a while ago when I posted my lab results I had at least one very bizarre and intense response attacking me--whew--this is usually such a friendly board--I hope that doesn't happen to you--I think this poster is very attached to High Fat/Low Carb and can't stand any questions about it.
Any kind and supportive souls who would like to respond to my raised cholesterol are welcome--but keep it friendly.
Again, let us know what you find out. Good luck.0 -
Another good thing about going to the doc is she halved my blood pressure medicine because my bp is now LOW!!! She said in three months if I've lost more weight, she will take me off one of them completely. I am so excited!
Yay!! So glad to hear!0 -
I think the main thing with your diary is definitely the lack of calories, it's almost dangerously low...
On Low Carb High Fat, the average person looks to eat about 1700-1800 to lose weight, so the calories could definitely go up.
You say you're not a fan of full fat dairy products and that your husband would likely eat the butter (Who blames him?!)...
Have you thought about a bulletproof drink in the morning, using Coconut Oil instead of Butter?
Coconut Oil is quite hard to consume by itself for those that aren't used to it (And you'll struggle the first few days probably, try drinking the hot drink over an hour or so.), but this means that you'll gain the good ol' calories, and your husband isn't likely to divuldge.
I won't lie to you, it IS hard to get used to... but give it a go? Look up the benefits of coconut oil and you'll see what you'll be doing for yourself too, theres about 100 uses for it!
Otherwise, I could only recommend perhaps more mayonnaise on lunch/dinner, or perhaps look into making some fat bombs?
It takes a while to find a recipe that will suit your taste buds, but when you get it right, I'm sure you'll see the benefits
My favourite personally is from the page linked below, and if you're used to low fat foods, it's got a healthier zing to it until you adjust to what you're eating
http://buttoni.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/lemon-coconut-fat-bombs/0 -
Hi, just joined this group. Can I ask-I am only 4'10" and am supposed to eat 1200 calories a day to lose weight. I have been trying to follow the Paleo/Primal diet for a while (with some cheats here and there) and know that I am supposed to eat more protein, veggies and fruit. There are a lot of calories in meat and my caloric intake would be much higher than recommended. Would I still lose the weight?
I noticed that you mentioned to increase her caloric intake and that is why I am posting here. I would appreciate any help. Thanks.0 -
Hi, just joined this group. Can I ask-I am only 4'10" and am supposed to eat 1200 calories a day to lose weight. I have been trying to follow the Paleo/Primal diet for a while (with some cheats here and there) and know that I am supposed to eat more protein, veggies and fruit. There are a lot of calories in meat and my caloric intake would be much higher than recommended. Would I still lose the weight?
I noticed that you mentioned to increase her caloric intake and that is why I am posting here. I would appreciate any help. Thanks.
Paleo/Primal is completely different from Keto/LCHF (Low Carb, High Fat), and you may want to research Keto/LCHF, but in a nutshell, it's difficult to answer your question. There are all kinds of calculators for the macro goals (macro nutrients being carbohydrates, protein and fat). If you're being told to eat more "protein, veggies and fruit," my initial guess is that your gut instinct is right and adding more protein that will increase your caloric intake beyond your daily weight loss goal will likely stunt loss. On the other hand, if you were following more of a Keto/LCHF diet and macros, you'd likely not have this question because you would have the goals for every macro nutrient, and those goals add up to your total daily intake. I'm not sure if this is making sense, but it sounds like you may be interested in Keto/LCHF, and I encourage you to study around about it. It's really fascinating once you start to totally grasp it all, but it can also be complicated and cumbersome at first.
Good luck!0
