David Gillespie - Cholesterol

02 Oct 2013 12:51 AM

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Reply # 1402876 on 1334171

Anonymous

Thanks Lynette & Michelle,

I must say that "preaching to the converted" is much easier and more pleasant, than proselytizing :-)

They re both worth reading and you can buy 2-for-1 from Chrisitne's web site: http://christinecronau.com/the-fat-revolution/

Keep on keepin' on!

JohnN

29 Oct 2013 5:02 PM

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Reply # 1424065 on 1334171

Deleted user

The other thing to remember about cholesterol is that apart from not being the cause of heart disease is that the body makes it naturally and if you lower it by any means it will just make more. I am so sick of the medical fraternity pushing these statins on us.

And to all the people looking at wheat free. I have been diagnosed with Hashimotos Hypothyroidism and Adrenal Fatigue (the reason I have not been able to shift my weight by any means over the last 20 years I have found out) and have had to go gluten free and found it as easy as going sugar free. It is a little more work involved, but I make my own bread as the supermarket ones have bad oils in them and soy flour and mine tastes better anyway and just replace the flours in my favourite sugar free recipes.

Good luck to everyone. I haven't been on this site for quite a while but John will always have excellent advice on the cholesterol subject.

30 Oct 2013 1:58 AM

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Reply # 1424384 on 1334171

Anonymous

Lynette, here are my comments on yours and others posts:

1. It has been 2 years next month since I started my sugar free way of life. During that time my cholesterol readings have gone through the roof.
JN- What are your levels of Total & LDL? Check them against this lot: http://prolipid.com/cholesterol-reference-levels/normal-and-high-cholesterol-values.html. I have been around 6.0 (total) for years and have no CVD signs.
And check the ratio of Total/HDL . . . should be less than 5.0

2. The "good level has improved but the "bad" is getting higher and higher.
JN- "good" (HDL) particles are small (high density = low volume).
"bad" (LDL) particles are large (low density = high volume). These are the ones which get into the artery walls and cause swelling leading to blockage. See 7. below.

3. I am getting a bit nervous to say the least.
JN- I too have "Devil's Doubt" from time to time. Sort of like "8 million French men can't be wrong" . . but theycan! More and more GPs and even heart speialists are realizing it; e.g. check Dr Lundell: http://thecholesterollie.com/ And 4. below.

4. JN- If you missed it last Thursday do watch "Catalyst" (ABC-1 8pm Thu) - last week was an eye-opener: http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3816207.htm And don't miss this week, on statins - they do help people who have actually had a heart attack. For the other millions who are taking them they are just a very expensive blood thinner. Aspirin is a lot cheaper and just as effective.

4. maybe I am eating too much of the full fat products
JN- If your appetite-control system is working it will tell you when you have had enough , including enough fat. If you feel full at the end of each meal and if you are not putting on weight - then it's working.

5. My Doctor doesn't want to know about the sugar free idea or anything else it seems...................... Just a bit frustrating having a Doctor that is so one eyed.
JN- find another doctor :-)

6. "full fat" everything but then I am not gaining weight
JN- see 5. above.

7. Will certainly check out the going wheat free.
JN- I suggest you have a look at this lecture by:
Dr Caldwell Esselstyn: Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPeLgcyJ2Y8
He actually cured Bill Clinton's artheriosclerosis with a plant-based diet.
About the middle is a very graphic section on how coronary artery blockage actually happens - see 2. above.

I'd love to hear your reaction to all of the above when you have watched/listened/read them.

JohnN

30 Oct 2013 8:42 PM

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Reply # 1425018 on 1334171

Deleted user

Hi John

Thanks so much for all the time and effort you have put into helping me and others with your comments re cholesterol.

My first bit of news is that I received my last blood test results on Monday and my total cholesterol has finally dropped from 7.5 to 6.1 in 3 months. Needless to say I am very relieved and very pleased. The HDL is very good and the LDL has also dropped to a more acceptable level. My Dr has finally stopped pushing me to take statins. Says if I can maintain this level she will be happy.

Her explanation for the decrease is that apparently when a person stops taking statins, which I insisted on doing 18 months ago, the cholesterol levels can spike and then gradually settle down again. Hmmm. She refuses to acknowledge that going sugar free and not using polyunsaturated oils has done anything towards the improvement. Doesn't matter, I know what I know and I believe I am right and she is wrong in this area.I actually felt a bit smug when had such a good result without taking the statins. :)

Okay enough rambling. Yes I did watch Catalyst last Thursday and was pleased that it just reinforced everything that David has already written about etc. And yes, I will be watching it again tonight re statins.

I must admit I have been a bit slack and haven't ordered those books yet so I cant really comment about them yet. Must get onto that. Plus I will check out those web sites you mentioned.

Thanks again John

All the best

Lynn C

01 Nov 2013 7:08 PM

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Reply # 1426280 on 1334171

Deleted user

This discussion on cholesterol is very enlightening. Cholesterol has been the one thing that I not been able to understand for some time. My doctor assumes that I know the effects of cholesterol. My heart specialist advises me to watch my cholesterol. I am not on statins, and have not been advised to commence that treatment.

My test 10 months ago, before I decided to go sugar/fructose free, my total cholesterol then was 5.3, my triglycerides were 0.8, Measured Cholesterol Fractions were HDL 1.86 (protective) and LDL (atherogenic) was 2.65, and ratio was 2.8.

A week ago after being fructose free for approx. 3 months, my test revealed - Total-6.1, Triglycerides 0.7, HDL 1.92, and LDL 3.32, Total ratio 3.2.

I feel very well, actually better overall than I have felt for some time, though I do have coronary problems, and obesity, it is my aim to improve my general wellbeing, my weight loss has been around 6 kilos.

With what I have read thus far, I am still confused. I am going to the sites that JN advised and try and make a decision as to whether I should take further steps to improves my health. Any opinions or advise in the meantime would be greatly appreciated - Stay tuned.

02 Nov 2013 1:37 AM

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Reply # 1426395 on 1402060

Anonymous

Michelle wrote:
Hi John Neilson I just wanted to say thanks for all the helpful advice you post on this web site for us all , I know I for one really do appreciate it.

So thanks .... Michelle :)

Thanks Michelle - it's one of my passions. I fell so sad for all the obese people who are eating themselves to death, especially when the "cure" is so simple for 99% of them. And being an Adult-Asperger's-Syndrome person, I have a bit of an eye for detail. If I make mistakes Freda usually pulls me into line.

JohnN

03 Nov 2013 1:18 AM

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Reply # 1426782 on 1426280

Anonymous

chris white wrote:
This discussion on cholesterol is very enlightening. Cholesterol has been the one thing that I not been able to understand for some time. My doctor assumes that I know the effects of cholesterol. My heart specialist advises me to watch my cholesterol. I am not on statins, and have not been advised to commence that treatment.

My test 10 months ago, before I decided to go sugar/fructose free, my total cholesterol then was 5.3, my triglycerides were 0.8, Measured Cholesterol Fractions were HDL 1.86 (protective) and LDL (atherogenic) was 2.65, and ratio was 2.8.

A week ago after being fructose free for approx. 3 months, my test revealed - Total-6.1, Triglycerides 0.7, HDL 1.92, and LDL 3.32, Total ratio 3.2.

I feel very well, actually better overall than I have felt for some time, though I do have coronary problems, and obesity, it is my aim to improve my general wellbeing, my weight loss has been around 6 kilos.

With what I have read thus far, I am still confused. I am going to the sites that JN advised and try and make a decision as to whether I should take further steps to improves my health. Any opinions or advise in the meantime would be greatly appreciated - Stay tuned.

Sounds like you are doing pretty well looking at those figures. 6 kg in 10 months is pretty good. It is very much an individual thing. What is your BMI? Using an "ideal weight" calculator (google it) can be helpful if you are near it without knowing.

Whatever else your doctor says, you can't do any harm by eliminating fructose from your diet. As the old saying goes "Keep on keepin' on" :-)

If you want to understand just how cholesterol "causes" arteriosclerosis have a look at:
Dr Caldwell Esselstyn: Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPeLgcyJ2Y8. It's an hour-long lecture and the pertinent bit is about the middle.

JohnN

05 Nov 2013 6:04 AM

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Reply # 1428011 on 1334171

Deleted user

Thanks JN, I have watched the you tube bit on Dr. Esselstyn and his view of arteries. As he is an expert in his field, he offers some hope for many. My only worry with having more leafy greens etc. is that I have a problem with clots and my medication does not go well with some green leafy foods. This does not prevent me from making some changes, such as, eating more legumes and beans, less meat. Thanks for your advice. The future has never looked better for me.