[SK6]

I posted this in the Lounge so more people will be more apt to see, read and comment.

Ok, serious problem that I need help with. After 7 months of “smart” eating and 5 months of consistent exercise and workout, I lowered my cholesterol to 204. My good cholesterol was 44. My liver tests came back normal. The doctor told me I officially lost 28 lbs. (30-35 more to go!)

Here is the problem. My triglycerides are in the 500’s. In December of last year they were 565, and now they came back at 524.

I’m getting quite concerned. And to be honest, the numbers just don’t add up. My cardio workout is on the elliptical for 30 minutes, maintaining a heart rate of 145-150. I bur approximately 370-390 calories. It has lowered my resting heart rate from 80-85 to 60. That’s just cardio, and I do that three times a week plus muscle toning and what I like to call the “gut check” station. That’s where I work my ab’s with the big ball, doing crunches and such.

From what I have researched thus far, I’m doing everything I’m supposed to do. The doctor gave a ‘script for 2 drugs, Crestor (which I have been taking) and Zetia. Note that my cholesterol test was absent the Crestor. So the lowering is due to diet and exercise.

I desperately want to get rid of the drugs altogether. But the Triglyceride situation has me quite upset.

Any thoughts ideas comments or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SkaredShtles]

Ummmmm.......... an Internet bike forum?

I might recommend something more along the lines of a trained medical professional.

Seriously - get a 2nd, 3rd, 4th opinion if you need to.

 

[Mackie]

I posted this in the Lounge so more people will be more apt to see, read and comment.

Does smart eating include monitoring the type of fat that you are getting in your foods? Lowering saturated fats is a good way to lower serum triglycerides. Subsituting monosunsaturated fats, like those from olive oil, for saturated fat - like those from meats, can reduce triglyceride levels.
Oh, and there's spotty evidence that garlic also lowers blood lipids.

Good luck with your get-healthy quest. Sounds like you are kicking ass!

 

[I Are Baboon]

Beer is my answer to everything.

 

[SkaredShtles]

Beer is my answer to everything.

You know, I'm not quite sure why I didn't think of beer..........

 

[SK6]

Yeah so far. I love garlic; however, I need to increase my garlic intake. I use olive oil at home ALL THE TIME! It also has a better flavor, but that’s just one mans opinion.

I’ve cut out for a large part the trans fat. It’s hard to find any thing though that’s not got hydrogenated oil as an ingredient.

I’m working on getting my referral to a specialist, but I need to get educated quickly on this subject, or more educated. The reason for posting on a mountain biking forum I thought would be relatively evident, but apparently NOT! j/k!

I know there are many people in here who monitor their intake of foods, and also know bout this subject matter as this sport is conducive to a healthier lifestyle.

 

[SkaredShtles]

<snip>
this sport is conducive to a healthier lifestyle.

It is?? I thought it was more conducive to a beer drinking lifestyle........

 

[SK6]

Beer is my answer to everything.

Great answer!!!

I'll call the doc now and let her know I solved the problem!

I have dramatically reduce alcohol intake.

 

[SK6]

It is?? I thought it was more conducive to a beer drinking lifestyle........

I'd like to refer you to IAB's beer diet comment. Thank you very much, and have a nice day.





LOL!!!!!

 

[SkaredShtles]

I'd like to refer you to IAB's beer diet comment. Thank you very much, and have a nice day.





LOL!!!!!

So how much beer do you drink? I'm pretty sure IAB is onto something...........

 

[narlus]

along w/ beer, bacon is also the answer.

 

[SkaredShtles]

along w/ beer, bacon is also the answer.

Yeah. This internet bike forum is *just* the place to seek medical advice regarding triglyceride levels.

 

[SK6]

So how much beer do you drink? I'm pretty sure IAB is onto something...........

I've cut back to only one case per 2 days.......

 

[SK6]

Yeah. This internet bike forum is *just* the place to seek medical advice regarding triglyceride levels.

I knew it would. For me it was the obvious answer.

And from the replies, it is easy to see why I drew that conclusion.

LOL!

 

[DRB]

You know, I'm not quite sure why I didn't think of beer..........

Probably because its not work friendly.

As for the problem. Alcohol is not your friend. Your liver converts that to blood fat. Eat more fish specifically salmon or mackerel. Daily if possible. The omega 3 fatty acids are what you are looking for. Say bye bye to red meat and dairy. If you smoke stop it. Sugar is not your friend. Carbohyrdates are not your friend. Salad tons of salad. Green leafy salads.

 

[I Are Baboon]

along w/ beer, bacon is also the answer.

Really, what else do you need.

 

[ummbikes]

As far as drinking, why not try a glass of merlot with dinner? I seem to recall that moderate alcohol intake has some benefit. Also, some people just have high numbers. The numbers are good to watch, but not always an indicator of actual health.

You should ask Toshi, he probably really knows, or could help you find the information.

 

[SK6]

Probably because its not work friendly.

As for the problem. Alcohol is not your friend. Your liver converts that to blood fat. Eat more fish specifically salmon or mackerel. Daily if possible. The omega 3 fatty acids are what you are looking for. Say bye bye to red meat and dairy. If you smoke stop it. Sugar is not your friend. Carbohyrdates are not your friend. Salad tons of salad. Green leafy salads.

Actually, my red meat intake is cut back to only 2 to 3 meals per week. The dairy thing is interesting though. I’ve seen conflicting information on this. My dairy intake is not at all a lot. Maybe one bowl of cereal a week….

While I understand the cutting back and the advice you gave, which by the way thank you, if my calorie and cardio burn is above the minimum limit, where the hell are the carbs going?

Thanks again for all the ideas and suggestions…

 

[stevew]

Say bye bye to red meat and dairy. If you smoke stop it[never have] . Sugar is not your friend. Carbohyrdates are not your friend. Salad tons of salad. Green leafy salads[damn rabbit food] .

I guess I do not want to be healthy then.

I think most of NC is ignoring this nugget of wisdom. More room for you when they keel over.

 

[TreeSaw]

Really, what else do you need.

Well, sometimes a good bourbon or and other times a nice small brick of really good, high quality bitter-sweet dark chocolate

 

[SK6]

Oh yeah, I quit smoking for 2 years, smoked for a year and a half, and quit 1 year ago.

And.......some added extra fun, my blood suger is normal...102

 

[robdamanii]

Actually, my red meat intake is cut back to only 2 to 3 meals per week. The dairy thing is interesting though. I’ve seen conflicting information on this. My dairy intake is not at all a lot. Maybe one bowl of cereal a week….

While I understand the cutting back and the advice you gave, which by the way thank you, if my calorie and cardio burn is above the minimum limit, where the hell are the carbs going?

Thanks again for all the ideas and suggestions…

Best way to burn fat is to exercise at moderate intensity for long periods of time.

For example, when you're biking (and you probably know all this already) and you go mashing up a hill, you get that burning in your legs. That's anaerobic metabolism resulting in lactic acid. If you're spinning along the flats, breathing nice and deep, and you're moving and working, but not feeling any burning, THEN you're aerobically burning fat. Carbs are quick energy, fats are long term stored energy.

If you're looking to reduce those triglyceride numbers, indeed, monounsaturated fats are good for you. Anything with omega 3 in it will also help in the breakdown of fat molecules. But remember, if you're going to break it down and put it in the blood, it needs to be removed from the blood somehow. If it's possible, increase your aerobic workouts in length and increase your intake of omega 3 foods.

I'd try to recommend more but....Damnit I wish I had my training manuals handy...

 

[BUCKET]

Does genetics have anything to do with your high triglycerides? I know it plays a part in blood pressure and cholesterol.

I think you need to smoke more pot, and drink more beer! Who needs brain cells anyway.

Anyway - I hope it works out for ya.

Are you coming to WG or Snowshoe anytime soon?

 

[sunny]

Hey sirknight6,

My dad has a library of natural health info... I sent you a PM.

-sunny

 

[SK6]

Does genetics have anything to do with your high triglycerides? I know it plays a part in blood pressure and cholesterol.

I think you need to smoke more pot, and drink more beer! Who needs brain cells anyway.

Anyway - I hope it works out for ya.

Are you coming to WG or Snowshoe anytime soon?

I'm hoping to head up to WG in like 2 weeks. I had an absolute blast at SS and wish it was closer.

Pot would work....got any? LOL!!

I have to ask my dad, but I have to beleive that genetics plays a big roll in this.

If my dad is an a$$hole, then.......

 

[BUCKET]

I'm hoping to head up to WG in like 2 weeks. I had an absolute blast at SS and wish it was closer.

Cool - shoot me a PM around that time so I'll remember to be there.

 

[DRB]

Actually, my red meat intake is cut back to only 2 to 3 meals per week. The dairy thing is interesting though. I’ve seen conflicting information on this. My dairy intake is not at all a lot. Maybe one bowl of cereal a week….

While I understand the cutting back and the advice you gave, which by the way thank you, if my calorie and cardio burn is above the minimum limit, where the hell are the carbs going?

Thanks again for all the ideas and suggestions…

No there shouldn't be any conflicting information about dairy but I do need to clarify. By dairy I mean full fat dairy. Cheese and butter being the two biggies. Skim milk is okay but the rest is contributing to the problem. The carbohydrates you are taking in need to be whole grain. Refined carbs are all sorts of trouble.

You are the high end of the scale, not someone who is sorta on the line. That level points to the need to some major modification of diet.

Very simplistic but good.

http://www.umassmed.edu/behavmed/nutrition/hearthealth/lowering.pdf

http://www.dietitian.com/triglyce.html

 

[SK6]

I have been eating smarter for sure, and am dropping weight. I guess I have to go to the gym EVERYDAY for cardio workout.

I choose to eat smart, as opposed to crash diet or eating rabbit food. I found that a healthy balance must be maintained. The reasoning behind it is simply a quality off life.

I have a problem with the BMI as well. According to it, I’m obese. However, it says I need to weigh approximately 145 to 169 lbs. I have to be honest, that is way to light for my build and stature. 190 is a maintainable and good weight for me.

So far 26 lbs. is good. I’m at 230 right now. I already do feel better, and am active, but apparently not enough. I figured I will continue to do my 3 day a week routine, as muscle tone is necessary, however, like I said, I’ll go 5 times a week to do strictly cardio. My immediate goal is to drop below 200.

Now, as far as the weight loss is concerned, we need to factor in the fact that I am building muscle, and dropping fat, and that the weight loss doesn’t correctly indicate that transition.

I would have to guess that part of it is hereditary. Seriously giving up beer is not an option. Actually, I drink maybe 2-3 beers/wk, tops. My true vice is Crown and ginger ale. So, I’m guessing, that will certainly put on a lot of the “bad” sugars.

 

[LordOpie]

Eat more fish!!

 

[robdamanii]

I have been eating smarter for sure, and am dropping weight. I guess I have to go to the gym EVERYDAY for cardio workout.

I choose to eat smart, as opposed to crash diet or eating rabbit food. I found that a healthy balance must be maintained. The reasoning behind it is simply a quality off life.

I have a problem with the BMI as well. According to it, I’m obese. However, it says I need to weigh approximately 145 to 169 lbs. I have to be honest, that is way to light for my build and stature. 190 is a maintainable and good weight for me.

So far 26 lbs. is good. I’m at 230 right now. I already do feel better, and am active, but apparently not enough. I figured I will continue to do my 3 day a week routine, as muscle tone is necessary, however, like I said, I’ll go 5 times a week to do strictly cardio. My immediate goal is to drop below 200.

Now, as far as the weight loss is concerned, we need to factor in the fact that I am building muscle, and dropping fat, and that the weight loss doesn’t correctly indicate that transition.

I would have to guess that part of it is hereditary. Seriously giving up beer is not an option. Actually, I drink maybe 2-3 beers/wk, tops. My true vice is Crown and ginger ale. So, I’m guessing, that will certainly put on a lot of the “bad” sugars.

There is a significant problem with BMI in that it is an "ideal" for the Mesomorphic population, not anyone of any different build.

BMI is generally a crock of Bravo Sierra, at least according to all my professors it was.

 

[SK6]

Well, its official, doctor informs me that its hereditary based on a few factors; the main one being the improved health, weight, cholesterol, blood sugar and liver functions. :mumble:

So Sh*t! :angry: