joy
04-27-2005, 07:06 PM
I am ecstatic to share the results of bloodwork done last week!
Here's some background: I've spent the past 7-8 years eating a "healthy" SAD diet (lean meats, lots of veggies, grains, some very indulgent desserts, no soda or junk food) and doing regular exercise (weight training and cardio 3x per week, yoga 2x per week, hiking/climbing weekly). My weight always hovered around 115 (I'm 5'6"), while my cholesterol and triglycerides rose steadily. I gradually made my diet healthier (SAD healthier), but the numbers continued to rise. I tried Atkins, the Zone, the Maker's Diet, low-fat diets, and being Vegetarian, but nothing seemed to change it. I still felt good, but knew the levels were detrimental to long-term health.
Eight months ago, at age 25, my cholesterol was 327. Yes, that's 327, which placed me in the category of 400-pound teamsters rather than waify 20-somethings! I am not certain of the respective HDL and LDL levels, but this put me at high risk for developing coronary heart disease. I was scared and desperate, and didn't want to go on statin drugs. Six months ago, I did 30 days raw, followed by several months off and on (20-30 days raw + 1-2 weeks of SAD). I am now on day 25 of the Raw Challenge, at 100%.
The only significant change between my last bloodwork and now is diet. I have lost very little weight (perhaps 2 pounds), and if anything, I exercise slightly less than before. Let me say that again: Going raw was the only factor to significantly influence these tests.
Test:
Total Cholesterol
8 months ago: 327
Now: 202
Considered Normal: <200
HDL (good) Cholesterol
8 months ago: unknown
Now: 80
Considered Normal: >40
*High HDL levels actually reduce other risk factors. As mine is very high, my risk for coronary heart disease is now considered very low.
LDL (bad) Cholesterol
8 months ago: unknown
Now: 110
Considered Normal: 100-129
Triglycerides
8 months ago: over 300
Now: 61
Considered Normal: <150
*I have never had triglyceride levels under 150, ever.
The odd thing is, on a diet in which people constantly ask, "Where do you get your calcium?" and "What about protein?" My calcium and blood protein levels are right at the high end of normal. Iron is also high. My husband's levels were also normal, and after 25 days of raw food, he looks amazing :).
Although I may at some point, I do not currently supplement. These results are fantastic proof to me that a raw diet has been the saving grace in my lipid profile. Thank God! I feel though I've experienced a kind of tangible mercy through living this way.
I can't wait to see things improve even more ;)
Here's some background: I've spent the past 7-8 years eating a "healthy" SAD diet (lean meats, lots of veggies, grains, some very indulgent desserts, no soda or junk food) and doing regular exercise (weight training and cardio 3x per week, yoga 2x per week, hiking/climbing weekly). My weight always hovered around 115 (I'm 5'6"), while my cholesterol and triglycerides rose steadily. I gradually made my diet healthier (SAD healthier), but the numbers continued to rise. I tried Atkins, the Zone, the Maker's Diet, low-fat diets, and being Vegetarian, but nothing seemed to change it. I still felt good, but knew the levels were detrimental to long-term health.
Eight months ago, at age 25, my cholesterol was 327. Yes, that's 327, which placed me in the category of 400-pound teamsters rather than waify 20-somethings! I am not certain of the respective HDL and LDL levels, but this put me at high risk for developing coronary heart disease. I was scared and desperate, and didn't want to go on statin drugs. Six months ago, I did 30 days raw, followed by several months off and on (20-30 days raw + 1-2 weeks of SAD). I am now on day 25 of the Raw Challenge, at 100%.
The only significant change between my last bloodwork and now is diet. I have lost very little weight (perhaps 2 pounds), and if anything, I exercise slightly less than before. Let me say that again: Going raw was the only factor to significantly influence these tests.
Test:
Total Cholesterol
8 months ago: 327
Now: 202
Considered Normal: <200
HDL (good) Cholesterol
8 months ago: unknown
Now: 80
Considered Normal: >40
*High HDL levels actually reduce other risk factors. As mine is very high, my risk for coronary heart disease is now considered very low.
LDL (bad) Cholesterol
8 months ago: unknown
Now: 110
Considered Normal: 100-129
Triglycerides
8 months ago: over 300
Now: 61
Considered Normal: <150
*I have never had triglyceride levels under 150, ever.
The odd thing is, on a diet in which people constantly ask, "Where do you get your calcium?" and "What about protein?" My calcium and blood protein levels are right at the high end of normal. Iron is also high. My husband's levels were also normal, and after 25 days of raw food, he looks amazing :).
Although I may at some point, I do not currently supplement. These results are fantastic proof to me that a raw diet has been the saving grace in my lipid profile. Thank God! I feel though I've experienced a kind of tangible mercy through living this way.
I can't wait to see things improve even more ;)