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Gain in Muscle - Higher Collesterol?

rsquade Posts: 152 Joined: 2003/01/06	2004/06/07, 09:32 AM Hmmmm - just got some collesterol results from the doctor and had unexpected results. I've gained 18 pounds of muscle during the past 2+ years - Hooray - but my collesterol counts have moved into the "bad range": from 184 to 241 (goal of 200). LDL from 115 to 135. I eat cleanly, cardio and resistance (obviously) training 5 days a week. My overall health is outstanding - great EKG - I'm 47 years old - so what gives? I thought I was doing it all right. My doctor says its due to the muscle gain. I've asked his advice - now I'm asking this community, too. Now what do I do? Ease off my workouts and drop some muscle? Ugh.
princesslodgey Posts: 1,748 Joined: 2004/02/21	2004/06/07, 11:33 AM Eat more oily fish (tuna, mackerel salmon) - this increases HDL (your good cholesterol) and cuts your risk of heart problems. Did you get an HDL result with your cholesterol test?
rsquade Posts: 152 Joined: 2003/01/06	2004/06/07, 02:36 PM I'm a can of tuna day guy and always eat fish when I go out. A trainer suggested more fiber. By inference, my HDL went from 69 to 106 - 53%, LDL from 115 to 135 - 17%, with total 184 to 241 - 30%. Total goal should be under 200, LDL should be under 130. My doctor recommends "low fat diet more exercise and perhaps some weight loss". I don't take in much fat now and I exercise 5 days a week. I guess I'll trim more fat from my diet - there goes the peanut butter. Thanks
david_s81 Posts: 543 Joined: 2004/04/09	2004/06/07, 08:08 PM I heard oatmeal is a good way to cut cholestorol, but I'm no expert. -------------- A broken clock is right twice a day
cwsupplychain Posts: 12 Joined: 2004/05/12	2004/06/07, 08:21 PM Definitely try and eat a small handfull of almonds every day. They're high in fat but it's good fat and a handfull a day can really help lower the bad and raise the good cholesterol.
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2004/06/07, 10:47 PM Walnuts are also a very good choice, highest ratio of Omega 3-6 of any nut. Take in a good amount of Omega 3's, from flax oil or fish oil. Oatmeal is also great. Canned tuna has no good fats. Tuna steaks on the other hand are great. As far as supplements also, a very cheap one is Nicotinic acid. It is one of the 3 forms of Niacin. Or if you don't like the "flush" it can cause, inositol hexaniacinate(IHN) has the same cholesterol lowering effects as nicotinic acid without the flush, plus improves circulation. 50 mg. daily as part of a balanced B-Complex formula for overall health, 500 mg. of niacin(prefferably as IHN 3 times daily to lower cholesterol and help circulatory disorders.:big_smile: -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.... bb1fit@freetrainers.com
princesslodgey Posts: 1,748 Joined: 2004/02/21	2004/06/08, 04:28 AM In UK we say that total cholesterol is less important than the total cholesterol:HDL cholesterol ratio as HDL is protective. So don't cut out the PB - this will increase your total cholesterol to HDL ratio! Cholesterol results are also put in the context of your general health - so if you are a non-smoker, non-diabetic with a normal blood pressure, your chances of heart disease are still pretty low, even if your cholesterol is high. The other supplement I would consider(and I think everyone should be taking this!) is folic acid. There is emerging evidence that this could possibly be as good as aspirin for protecting the heart(with less side effects). Why doesn't everyone know about this already? Because as a food supplement rather than a drug, pharmaceutical companies don't stand to make major profits so it is much lower profile. *gets off soapbox* :)