Lower Cholesterol – If HDL is high do you worry about an elevated LDL level?
Here’s another question I asked Dr. Cynthia Shelby-Lane and her answer.
Lisa Nelson RD: If you have a patient with a high HDL level, let’s say an HDL greater than 80; are you concerned if their LDL level is elevated??
Dr. Shelby-Lane: New research has revealed that LDL or “bad” cholesterol inhibits the breakdown of fat in adipocytes, or fat cells, thus suggesting that it is a regulator of fat stores.
This new knowledge gives you three important areas to work on to not only boost your HDL number but to also boost your HDL quality. It is interesting indeed that HDL-building nutrients like niacin and pantethine also help lower triglycerides and improve cardiovascular health, giving more proof to this new field of emerging HDL science.
Key nutrients that support HDL are:
- Niacin: Niacin has been shown to directly boost your levels of apoA-I while lowering triglycerides. I recommend non-flushing inositol hexanicotinate.
- Pantethine: Pantethine provides the energy to help form HDL, while also providing energy to assist triglyceride and LDL cholesterol metabolism.
- Phosphatidyl Serine: This nutrient contains a mix of the key phospholipids that are often lacking in the diet and are needed to construct the healthy cell membrane of HDL.
Along with HDL-building nutrients it is vital to take anti-inflammatory nutrients to calm down immune cells that are inducing free radical damage to the apoA-I protein. The basis of this approach is a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Many nutrients may be of assistance. Some top choices include grape seed extract, resveratrol, tocotrienols (vitamin E), vitamin C, DHA, pomegranate, and blueberries. Stress management and getting adequate sleep are essential.
Ensure your fasting blood sugar never gets above 90. If it is, use “anti-glycating” nutrients that help protect your HDL from sugar-induced damage. Top choices include R-alpha lipoic acid, grape seed extracts, and resveratrol.
HDL cholesterol is a pivotal molecule that protects your circulation and directly manages its health. It is no longer adequate to simply have an HDL score above 40. You need high quality HDL – HDL that is energized and ready for duty.
Lisa Nelson RD: So, if you have an individual with an HDL of 88, do you take action if their LDL level is elevated at 145? Or are you less concerned, due to the protective effects of the high HDL level?
Dr. Shelby-Lane: This requires further testing with an expanded lipid profile to determine risk and treatment options. (See my answer to question number 7 to learn more about the expanded lipid profile test.)
February is American Heart Month. In recognition of American Heart Month you can access Heart Health Made Easy at a 25% savings. Learn more about this take action guide to lower cholesterol and blood pressure at http://www.hearthealthmadeeasy.com.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps
Lower Cholesterol – Do you need to treat a low HDL level?
Here’s another question I asked Dr. Cynthia Shelby-Lane and her answer.
Lisa Nelson RD: Should individuals with low HDL levels receive treatment even if all other levels are normal?
Dr. Shelby-Lane: According to ScienceDaily (May 29, 2005) — High circulating levels of the “good cholesterol” HDL are associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. HDL helps the liver excrete extra cholesterol by binding to a receptor in the liver called scavenger receptor-BI (SR-BI). However, the signaling events between HDL and SR-BI that afforded heart healthy benefits were not known.
In a study appearing online on March 24, 2005, in advance of the April 1, 2005 print edition of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Philip Shaul and colleagues from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center examine the following pathway:
The authors show that HDL activates an enzyme called eNOS and sets off a cellular signal that depends on cholesterol efflux and two intact domains of SR-BI — the transmembrane domain and its cytoplasmic tail. These regions of SR-BI may serve as “cholesterol sensors” which set into motion cellular events to activate eNOS. This may be the mechanism responsible for the ability of HDL to reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
Lisa Nelson RD: Again, let’s clarify. If an individual has low HDL levels they should seek treatment even if all other cholesterol levels are normal. Correct? Correct?
Dr. Shelby-Lane: Again, a low HDL is an isolated risk factor and should be included in the overall health picture, and can be modified with diet, nutrition, and some newer drugs.
February is American Heart Month. In recognition of American Heart Month you can access Heart Health Made Easy at a 25% savings. Learn more about this take action guide to lower cholesterol and blood pressure at http://www.hearthealthmadeeasy.com.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps
Heart Health – Is fish oil safe?
Fish oil supplements are a great alternative for people that do not eat fish often to boost their omega 3 intake and promote heart health.
There’s been some media speculation about possible contaminants, such as mercury, within fish oil supplements. However, good news if you supplement fish oil, there are minimal contaminants within the supplements!
There have been several studies, specifically a report by ConsumerLab.com and Harvard Medical School, finding no mercury or PCBs within over 40 popular fish oil supplements. Fish oil is typically taken from fish, such as cod and sardines, that do not contain high levels of mercury. Also, many manufacturers distill the fish oil to remove contaminants.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Image courtesy of Praisaeng / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Lower Cholesterol – Top Omega 3 Sources to Lower Cholesterol
If you have been following along, you know from the article "Get a Grip on Fatty Acids" that the right ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids promotes a lower cholesterol.
The goal is not to cut omega 6 fatty acids (such as corn oil, beef, and chicken) completely from the diet, but to achieve a ratio of 4:1 or 1:1 omega 6 to omega 3. In order to attain this ratio you need to increase your omega 3 intake.
Your options for doing this:
1. Eat fish at least twice a week.
If you like fish, this would be my first choice. Fish contains DHA. Research is starting to indicate health benefits, such as lower cholesterol, lower triglycerides, and higher HDL (good) cholesterol, linked to DHA alone. Be aware of mercury content of fish, especially if you are pregnant.
2. Take a fish oil supplement.
Start with the smallest bottle you can find and make sure you do not have the unpleasant side effect of burping with a fishy aftertaste. Not everyone has this problem, so you may be fine. To decrease likelihood of this problem I recommend taking the supplement and then eating. That way something is "on top" of the fish oil. Fish oil has a tendency to go rancid, so keep supplement refrigerated, especially if you buy a bottle of 250 or more.
3. Flaxseed.
You can buy flaxseed two different ways – whole seed or ground. In order for the body to utilize the omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed must be ground. If the flaxseed is not ground it passes straight through the body without being absorbed. Flaxseed is high in fiber, so by ingesting whole flaxseed you have increased your fiber intake, which is beneficial, but if you grind your flaxseed you will have the added benefit of increasing your omega-3 fatty acid intake and lowering cholesterol.
4. Flaxseed oil supplement.
Provides the omega 3 fatty acid ALA in a simple supplement. Now, ALA is not as effective as DHA and EPA at lowering cholesterol, but still results in an improved ratio of omega 3 to omega 6. Again, may go rancid so refrigerate.
5. Add omega 3 nut and seed sources to your daily intake.
Especially walnuts, pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, and sesame seeds. Nuts are high calorie, so watch your intake. If you gain weight, you are not doing your heart any favors!
Access the ecourse How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps HERE.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Reduce Heart Disease – What are the benefits of supplementing CoQ10?
The benefits of CoQ10 are numerous:
- Prevent heart disease
- Slows the aging process
- Lowers blood pressure
- Boosts energy
- Increases strength
- Builds up the immune system
- Improves the nervous system
- Protects against gum disease
- Counteracts negative side effects of some cholesterol medications
Consult your MD to determine if supplementing CoQ10 is the right treatment option for your situation.
February is American Heart Month. In recognition of American Heart Month you can access Heart Health Made Easy at a 25% savings. Learn more about this take action guide to lower cholesterol and blood pressure at http://www.hearthealthmadeeasy.com.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
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Omega Q Plus supports:
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Heart Health and Weight Loss – Has the economy changed your eating habits?
The Consumer Spending Behavior Study conducted September 2008 reported some interesting statistics:
- 43% were eating out less often than they used to.
- 39% were eating at less expensive restaurants.
- 35% had started packing a lunch for work.
- 35% were eating at fast-food restaurants less often.
- 32% had started using coupons.
- 32% had started eating more leftovers.
- 32% were buying more store-label groceries instead of name brands.
- 30% were ordering less food when they went out to eat.
- 22% were drinking tap water instead of soda and noncarbonated drinks.
- Less than 10% had switched to a less expensive brand of alcohol or beer.
Have you changed your eating habits?
February is American Heart Month. In recognition of American Heart Month you can access Heart Health Made Easy at a 25% savings. Learn more about this take action guide to lower cholesterol and blood pressure at http://www.hearthealthmadeeasy.com.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Be Heart Healthy and Lose Weight
