HOw weird is this cardiac profile?

[ThinkAware]

I've been doing atkins for about a month, and had my cardiac profile don when i went in for my yearly gyn visit. It came back as follows:

Total: 257
Trig: 114
HDL: 57
LDL: 177

I know my total is high. What do you all think? Should I cut out red meat and butter, and continue with olive oil and other sources of atkins friendly protein? What did you do? I realize that your contributions are your opnions, and I won't hold it t anyone! Just looking for a hand. I am 152 lbs, down from 162, and goal is 130 at 5'5. 31 years old. female.

[Sherri]

Re: HOw weird is this cardiac profile?

Hi there,
If I were you, i'd give Atkins woe another 2 months, then get those numbers checked again. I get mine done every 12 weeks.
Your Triglycerides are in an acceptable range as well as you HDL.
As far as fats are concerned, rather than cutting out red meat and butter, try adding more MUFAS (monounsaturated fats). As in olive oil, nut oils, olives, 1/2 avacado, nuts(if in that rung). These are all heart healthy fats and are Atkins acceptable.
Also, are you in a exercise routine? Exercise will certainly boost your HDL number and help lower you TC (total cholesterol) and LDL.
Are you Supplementing? I take Omega 3 fish oils. I notice they help improve my numbers as well. Garlic is another great supplement for cholesterol. Red Yeast Rice is another great supplement to help with cholesterol numbers and LDL numbers.
I would certainly give it more time and add the healthy MUFAS along with stepping up the exercise. Supplementing is part of the 3 legged stool of Atkins. woe(way of eating)-exercise-supplements.
Those three will build a healthy foundation for your Atkins journey.

Sincerely, Sherri

[sallyseachange]

Re: HOw weird is this cardiac profile?

I agree with Sherri, you need to give it more time. Dr A suggests that people don't test for at least six weeks after starting the programme because the numbers can be elevated or out of whack until you get settled into this way of eating. I'd give it no less than two/three months from start, before testing.

Exercise is a great way of improving the numbers. Don't worry and hang in there!

[2big4mysize]

Re: HOw weird is this cardiac profile?

actually it is meaningless without your LDL brokenout into the bad VLDL and the safe stuff. low carbers make more of the fluffy LDL which doesn't make arterial plaques so if your VLDL is where your truglycerides indicate it is 20.8 then you are very close to a healthy cholesterol. Your HDL is doing very good. DO you have any pre atkins tests from last yr or the yr before to compare your improvement too?

[atkinsgal08]

Re: HOw weird is this cardiac profile?

You can't tell with only a month. 3-6 will give you a better gauge.

And there's nothing wrong with red meat or butter.

Check out:

Atkins Cardiovascular Health Articles