New Here!

[Frank Hagan]

Since I'm starting to participate here, I thought I'd introduce myself.

I'm 53 and have been struggling to get triglycerides (TG) down for a while (I have several of the markers for "metabolic syndrome"). The one prescription drug I tried, Tricor, gave me a rash, so my doctor suggested niacin, exercise and a low carb diet. Several months of niacin didn't really do much; TG went down to 344 from 440, but stayed there. On March 11 I got Protein Power and decided to give it a try. My blood test 6 weeks later showed my TG down to 105, as well as improvement in A1c and other blood levels. I also had some other benefits: my GURD went away and I'm off Prilosec, and I started to lose weight.

Huh? I'm not hungry, how can I be losing weight?

My doc is happy with the results so far and, while he has concerns about the amount of fat intake, he's taking a wait and see approach. He asked if I wanted to stay on the diet to lose weight, so that's my new goal.

Its hard not to become TOO enthused about the diet. After doing the low-fat diet for three years (10 years ago), this one is a pleasure to be on. I no longer have to say my diet plan is "If it tastes good, spit it out." I love what I'm eating now, and the only thing I really miss is not the "usual suspects" ... ice cream, donuts, etc. ... but fruit. I'm looking forward to when I can increase carbs and have the luxury of eating a full apple, or a bananna.

[Mitra]

Welcome, Frank. It's great to hear your enthusiasm, and how well it's going :). Nice blog, too.

[Belfrybat]

Welcome. I ate fruit all the time I was on the weight loss phase, but due to another health condition I couldn't go below 50 ECC for any length of time. Lost slower, but still got to goal and my health markers were good. I usually ate two fruits a day -- half apple, berries, peach, plum, kiwi, occasional canteloupe. Since I'm diabetic and test blood sugars, I found those fruit not to raise bgs. very much. Bananas and watermelon sent bgs. into orbit, so even though I'm on maintenance, I stay away from them. Helps also to eat fruit with a fatty protein.

[SandyHanson]

I no longer have to say my diet plan is "If it tastes good, spit it out."

:lol: When my husband first received his bad blood test results, primarily 550 triglycerides, the nurse went over diet changes he should make. Part way through her explanations he said "In other words, if it tastes good, spit it out." She gave him a strange look, then laughed. They're used to my husband and his smart a$$ remarks.:D

[Frank Hagan]

Welcome. I ate fruit all the time I was on the weight loss phase, but due to another health condition I couldn't go below 50 ECC for any length of time. Lost slower, but still got to goal and my health markers were good. I usually ate two fruits a day -- half apple, berries, peach, plum, kiwi, occasional canteloupe. Since I'm diabetic and test blood sugars, I found those fruit not to raise bgs. very much. Bananas and watermelon sent bgs. into orbit, so even though I'm on maintenance, I stay away from them. Helps also to eat fruit with a fatty protein.

That's great information. I was worried about apples since they don't have much fiber to deduct from the total carbs, and I'm concerned about the insulin response. As I get closer to my goal I'll probably add in some more fruit.

[mcsblues]

Hey Frank,

Great you have a doctor enlightened enough to suggest a low carb diet ... then when your numbers improve out of sight ... he starts getting concerned about your fat intake??:confused::p

You mentioned your A1c - are you a diabetic? Especially if so, there is no other way to eat - and losing weight while not feeling hungry as well as all the other health benefits that make you feel fantastic are all part of the deal! Welcome to the low carb world.:)

[Frank Hagan]

:lol: When my husband first received his bad blood test results, primarily 550 triglycerides, the nurse went over diet changes he should make. Part way through her explanations he said "In other words, if it tastes good, spit it out." She gave him a strange look, then laughed. They're used to my husband and his smart a$$ remarks.:D

That's often the reaction I get too! It works against you sometimes ... during one slightly uncomfortable "procedure" my doctor said "Frank, you don't seem to be joking too much now." I told him I was thinking about Congress.

[Frank Hagan]

Great you have a doctor enlightened enough to suggest a low carb diet ... then when your numbers improve out of sight ... he starts getting concerned about your fat intake??:confused::p

You mentioned your A1c - are you a diabetic? Especially if so, there is no other way to eat - and losing weight while not feeling hungry as well as all the other health benefits that make you feel fantastic are all part of the deal! Welcome to the low carb world.:)

He expressed what I would call a "general concern" about too much fat in a low carb diet, but didn't try to dissuade me from continuing it. He said reducing the animal fats is something to consider in balancing out the diet if the amount of fat causes problems. I suspect that will be his recommendation if my LDL goes too high (although Dr. Eades just blogged about how the calculation of LDL can be inaccurate if the triglycerides are lower than 100, and a direct measurement often shows LDL not as high as the calculation shows with low carbers.)

I'm not diabetic, but I have several of the risk factors for "metabolic syndrome" ... overweight, high triglycerides, low HDL, and borderline high blood pressure. My brother is diabetic, and is insulin dependent now.

My A1c was 6.2 in 2008. On 4/21, after six weeks eating low carb it was down to 5.5, but my glucose reading was still 105. I'm interested to see what happens with my next blood test, toward the end of next month.

[mcsblues]

Ah well, perhaps you will be the one to convince him that "animal fats" tend to be the good ones! Your A1C will probably be lower again - you are losing weight and feeling great and I'm guessing you have more energy as well? Hard for anyone to find fault with that regardless of what a bad estimate of LDL might say. And if it is still an issue with your MD you might like to ask him why he isn't also interested in what type of LDL you have (as Mike would also point out).

[Frank Hagan]

Ah well, perhaps you will be the one to convince him that "animal fats" tend to be the good ones! Your A1C will probably be lower again - you are losing weight and feeling great and I'm guessing you have more energy as well? Hard for anyone to find fault with that regardless of what a bad estimate of LDL might say. And if it is still an issue with your MD you might like to ask him why he isn't also interested in what type of LDL you have (as Mike would also point out).

Good points, thanks! Seeing the A1c go down more would be good, but I'd like to get the glucose under 100 also. I couldn't figure out why it "increased" from 103 to 105 after six weeks on the diet (I think that's within the normal range for variation on a blood test, so those numbers are probably really the same). I would think that would go down first, rather than the "long term" A1c number.

I'm "resistant" to trying drug regimens, so it took a while for me to get my total chloresterol down under 226 (its was 160 at last test, and 135 before I started the low carb diet; rather than statins I used fish oil and oatmeal to lower it). The triglycerides were next on the list, and now its focusing on raising the HDL (low carb diet is the means to that as well.) LDL rising is the only possible short coming.

[mcsblues]

An isolated fasting BG test won't tell you a lot, and there are reasons why some people's fasting number is elevated somewhat, but glucose control is better during the day. If you are interested a home test kit is cheap and also gives you the opportunity to monitor your response to new foods - especially helpful if you plan to raise your carb intake to some degree when your weight loss goal is met.

A TC of 160 low, and certainly 135 is very low. If you are resistant to drug intervention (a wise stance) you might not be aware that 225 would have been right in the middle or "healthy normal" before drug companies got involved in moving the goal posts ... I think we can assume more for financial gain, rather than for any supposed health benefit.

Have you read any of the PP books? I suggest PPLP is a good place to start on a whole range of health concerns - the cholesterol/lipid hypothesis is covered very well, and it might make you think again about using oatmeal or any other non drug therapy.

[Frank Hagan]

A TC of 160 low, and certainly 135 is very low. If you are resistant to drug intervention (a wise stance) you might not be aware that 225 would have been right in the middle or "healthy normal" before drug companies got involved in moving the goal posts ... I think we can assume more for financial gain, rather than for any supposed health benefit.

Have you read any of the PP books? I suggest PPLP is a good place to start on a whole range of health concerns - the cholesterol/lipid hypothesis is covered very well, and it might make you think again about using oatmeal or any other non drug therapy.

I have PP, and I just re-read the section on TC tonight; the total number is not as important as the ratio between it and HDL and LDL. I'm also reading Good Calories, Bad Calories, and the author repeats that advice, as well as giving a lot of info on the overall mortality rates, etc. It is, as they say, a journey!

[mcsblues]

I think Mike has probably moved on a bit since PP (that was more than 10 years ago). And yes, a very low total doesn't look good on the all cause mortality graph - not something any 'statinator' would admit. Both Mike and Gary would have mentioned Framingham - where those who lowered their cholesterol had higher rates of CHD and all cause mortality (much to the "disappointment" of the researchers - who had the hearts set on the opposite).

PPLP is next on your reading list then! ;) (it is also a much better read than the other two)

[Frank Hagan]

Thanks, Malcom! PPLP is "Protein Power Life Plan", right? I'll pick it up this weekend (gotta love those Borders 40% off coupons!)