High Cholesterol

[terry brown]

I just got my blood work back and my cholesterol is high 217, for the first time EVER!
About a month ago I started putting a tablespoon of coconut oil in my smoothies. Could this be the reason for the increase?
Also my calcium serum is high.
Any thoughts on this?
Thanks!
Terry

[snoops]

What is your HDL and LDL. I have high cholesterol too - higher than yours but my good(HDL) is very high and my bad (LDL) is low so the docs say its ok. My Dad had high cholesterol and so does my son. I am not convinced its a bad thing if the numbers are in good balance. Sport may have something to say because hers is very high too and she has been 100% raw for a long time I think. Speaking of sport where has she been - you there girl??

[terry brown]

thanks for the reply
my HDL is 82
LDL 119
triglycerides 80

[speltrong]

are you eating a 100% vegan diet? that seems like a very high level for a vegan diet.

[snoops]

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol-levels/CL00001

this site shows LDL, HDL and triglyceride numbers - yours seems very good except for the total which is borderline high - I wouldn't worry about it.

I wouldn't think that the coconut would affect it. Or if it did probably the benefits of coconut outweigh that small negative.

[snoops]

are you eating a 100% vegan diet? that seems like a very high level for a vegan diet.

Like I said Sport has a very high cholesterol and she has been vegan forever. I think there is a hereditary component as well. And I think your numbers can bounce around a lot. If someone was really worried they should get tested again.

[speltrong]

weird.. mine has not been over 140 since going vegan years and years ago (and it was well over 200 at one point). I have not had it tested since going raw, but I can't imagine it's changed. I personally would be freaked out if my cholesterol level was over 200.

[Arky]

High cholesterol can sometimes be associated with adrenal problems, since adrenal steroid hormones require cholesterol building blocks. Chronic stress may be an interlinked factor. (for example, see Cutler H.T.I. p.52)





High cholesterol can sometimes be associated with poor liver function, since it is the liver that modulates cholesterol levels in the body.

An interesting interview on this topic can be found here:

tinyurl.com/3rq2nmz





High cholesterol can sometimes be associated with high levels of free radicals in the bloodstream, since cholesterol is used by the body to 'repair' oxidative damage to the epithelial lining of the vascular system.

Having said that, is your cholesterol really to be considered excessive?


An interesting interview on this topic can be found here:

tinyurl.com/3eo9zlx (please note that this is not specifically vegan orientated but that is not the point anyway - the point is in the discussion of physiological mechanisms relating to cardiovascular function, and cholesterol etc., which remain identical regardless of dietary philosophy, and on which basis this interview is entirely relevant to the thread question.)



Terry, what single thing may, in some cases, link the above three things together? ;-)


.

[terry brown]

LOL Arky, I know what you are saying. You may very well be correct.
The thing is my cholesterol has been impeccable for the past 5 years that I have been having bloodwork done. So if it is what you are thinking Arky, wouldnt the numbers have been high before now?
I have been a vegan forever and raw for almost two years.
All I have done differently is add a tablespoon of coconut oil to my smooties.

[Arky]

I guess you could try abstaining from coconut oil for 6 weeks and see if new blood samples reveal any change in cholesterol levels.

Rather than 'causing' a raise in cholesterol, perhaps the coconut oil might simply be contributing useful 'building materials' to the liver, from which it may manufacture cholesterol that it wishes to manufacture anyway.


The calcium aspect you mentioned is interesting.

Calcium is considered by some to be a component of atherosclerotic plaques:

tinyurl.com/43qmp9x

Now, bear in mind that smoking is considered a high risk factor for heart disease since it is highly pro-oxidative and thus generates huge numbers of artery damaging free radicals. Although I was slightly joking at the end of my previous post, you know to what I was referring and, quite seriously, it is one possible hypothesis for what you've described. This isn't me simply having a one-track mind, it's genuinely following logic to a viable possibility; not the only possibility, but one viable possibility nonetheless.


I'm just brainstorming here, and I'm very tired (it's 3:55 am here!). Shoot the above down in flames if you like, I'll take it in good spirit. All I know at the moment is I need some sleep! :)


.

[karenisraw]

Here is an question and answer from Dr. T a raw vegan doctor in Minneapolis. He owns a raw vegan restaraunt and lectures etc. Here is the Q & A as follows:


Today's ASK Doctor T:
Question: What is the deal with coconut oil? I hear that it is "wonder oil." How is that possible considering that is among the oils highest in saturated fat?
Answer: Thank you for your question. Saturated fat is considered "bad" by some authorities only when it contains LONG CHAIN fatty acids, as is the case with animal fat (in flesh, dairy, and eggs, where it is also associated with cholesterol, another "reason" for its bad reputation - a reason that is not based on good, up-to-date science but on the drug-pushing pharmaceutical industry's desire to sell more cholesterol-lowering drugs to the unsuspecting public) .

Coconut fat contains SHORT and MEDIUM CHAIN fatty acids, making it a perfect food for gut cells, for healthy (thyroid-protective) metabolism, and for prevention of the negative effects of unstable fats in vegetable oils (coconut fat functions as a cardio-protective, immune-protective, and cellular defense antioxidant, preventing the formation of dangerous fatty acid free radicals in rancidity-prone seed oils). Also, these coconut fatty acids have good antimicrobial capabilities (inhibiting the growth of viruses, bacteria, fungus or yeast, and parasites while promoting gastro-intestinal health). They enhance the immune system as well, and improve our overall hormonal balance.
Coconut oil is perfect for improved fat-burning metabolic activity, so it is an excellent addition to any weight-loss program (remember, good fat is necessary for general health!). It is great for skin care, since "you don't want to put anything on your skin that you won't put in your mouth" - our certified-organic "Tropical Traditions" coconut oil, available at Ecopolitan (discounted price!) is a delicious food, minimally processed using traditional methods while supporting fair trade in the Philippines.

One reason saturated fat (when not derived from animals) is actually very good is that it is very stable (does not go rancid in heat, oxygen, and light). The seed industry has brain-washed us to believe that all saturated fats are bad, so that we would use their extremely unhealthy, unstable cheap oils (especially soy, corn, peanut, safflower, sunflower, and canola oils) instead of the previously highly available, highly stable coconut and palm oils.



K

[terry brown]

Karen ,thanks for the info, I love Dr T. We have seen him speak several times here in Southern Ca.

Arky I am not sure what you do for a living but I think you should be a doctor!

I appreciate all the information I get from you!

[karenisraw]

Terry,

Dr. T's website is www.ecopolitan.com. Just thought I would let you know.

k

[terry brown]

PS

Arky you said"The calcium aspect you mentioned is interesting."
I re read this thread and do not see mentioning this.

I ask because this made me think to share three other aspects of my bloodwork to see if anything came to mind.

calcium serum 10.6 high
ast (sgot) 41 high
(both of these are just a point above normal)

also ferritin levels will not go up they stay around 25 despite taking iron everyday for 6 years. (I have tried every kind of iron and mixture short of red meat)

All of my other bloodwork came back normal.

Thanks