OT-Triglycerides

I had my lipid panel done by my family doctor and my triglycerides are 267. My cholesterol is 149, HDL is 34 and LDL is 61.6. I cannot take fish oil because of an allergy. Instead I eat walnuts everyday.

I was surprised that my doctor said these results indicate a too restrictive diet and I need to add fats like olive oil. Also said not coconut because it increases triglycerides. I do drink coconut milk and eat coconut macaroons. He said that there is a balance between cholesterol and triglycerides and that if cholesterol is too low that it raises triglycerides.

When I did research on this it looks like carbs raise triglycerides and coconut oil and such is good for you. I am confused! I do eat potatoes and rice and oatmeal a lot. However if I decrease carbs too much my blood sugar is less stable and drops.

Looking for any suggestions and thoughts on this :) thank you!

Jonny Bowden has some nice wisdom for those with triglyceride/cholesterol issues, so I would google him and take a look at his work - he authored The Great Cholesterol Myth.

I think the modern paradox is that cholesterol is touted as evil, but it's a hormone the body needs to function. Things like butter, eggs raise the good cholesterol (HDL) which ironically is a negative risk factor in heart disease.

I think the common wisdom is that fructose, refined carbs and sugar will raise triglycerides and are the true culprits in heart disease. These, along with processed foods and omega-6 oils raise the bad cholesterol (LDL-B).

Best.

Hey UCandme -

There could also be other factors that raise triglycerides - prednisone / medication usage, stress levels, supplements, etc. It might even be genetic, so I wouldn't be too hard on yourself.

When you make rice, do you eat it with fiber and fats to prevent blood sugar spikes? Here's a nice guide on how to minimize it. It's by the author of the Perfect Health Diet, which IMO is the best diet for IBD there is. Rice and potatoes are great source of RS, but one needs to make them a certain way to feel satiated.

It's also turning out that full fat foods like whole milk and yogurt increase satiety levels and decrease diabetes risk (they really had it backwards).

Anecdotal, but one review said the Perfect Health Diet book helped reduce triglycerides.

Best.

Post Edited (Guardian7) : 1/24/2015 7:21:16 AM (GMT-7)

I was eating complex carbs but my triglycerides plunged when I stopped eating sugar and candy, and supplemented with fish oil. But I see you cannot eat fish oil.

Flax oil is an excellent substitute for fish oil in order to get your omega-3s, ask Kazburn.

Hey UCandMe -

Although I don't follow a particular diet, I am a firm believer in eating as clean as possible for overall health (though I am guilty of sugar, ice-cream and chocolate binges). Seems like you are already on point with this and taking the right steps. I do, however, try to follow these supplement/nutrition recs here. I found them to be very accurate in identifying my deficiencies. Egg yolks always go well w/ sandwiches.

What I like about the perfect health diet is that it is lenient with carbs and people with IBD need the nutrition with some of what they call the "safe starches" - plantains, potatoes, rice, taro, etc. I think it is a good blueprint to work from (gluten and junk food elimination), though food is very individual. It does exclude certain food groups like dairy and legumes, though I eat those as well.

As for fermented foods, I recommend them as they were really therapeutic and helped me digest mung beans (these are from an indian recipe my family makes). A local farmer's market sells fermented kale, carrots and cabbage called kale-chi and it really eased a lot of things for me. From my understanding, ferments contain the most live organisms. The key is to start small and work yourself up to a tablespoon before meals.

I am sure you will be able to add dairy in at some point. I think whey protein would be a good place to begin, as it does not have casein or lactose. I was surprised to see Mark Sisson, the father of the paleo movement, endorsing it here. Seems like the research is really stacking up for its use. It has the potential to help reduce your triglycerides as well.

Edit: Seems like whey protein has been found to lower cholesterol and triglycerides. Study here

Best.

Post Edited (Guardian7) : 1/25/2015 12:21:41 PM (GMT-7)

Hello again.

There are different types whey protein - isolate, concentrate and a few other kinds. I know some here recommend Mercola Whey because it is properly sourced. I have the life extension whey protein from New Zealand cause the cows are grassfed, but I feel there are too many additives in it and it might be causing some gas issues.

Regardless, I feel a noticeable difference when taking it - my appetite is reduced and I sleep much better. I am going to start up whey protein shakes w/ egg yolks and bananas for breakfast.

I would start with isolate (lactose free) and work up to proper tolerance levels. There are many brands on amazon and you'd have to look at the reviews. I know optimum nutrition and Now foods sell popular and recommend ones. There is also Tera's goat whey for people with cow dairy issues.

Best.

I'm concerned about your HDL levels. They are very low. Mine were 42 when I got out of my last flare almost 3 years ago, but are now at 55. I'm 10 lbs lighter, exercise more and don't eat any grains. HDL under 40 puts you at considerable risk for heart disease. My triglycerides are 70. I've said this a lot on here, but read Wheat Belly. He explains it all very well. My breakfast every morning is flax seed/chia seed "oatmeal." It really has helped boost my omega 3s and agrees with my stomach. Also, google cholesterol ratios. They're are lots of different calculators that will compute them for you after you plug in your numbers. It's important to know ratios as much as the numbers.

Hey UcandMe -

I think any whey protein should be fine (as long as they are properly sourced) - the brand you linked appears to be good. I usually go all out and start big. You might want to do a tablespoon and work up to the standard scoop that they include. Measure your symptoms and see if you react to it or not. There was one user here (therearemiracles) who could not tolerate it at first but her body adjusted to it after a few days of taking it, and it seemed to help her.

As far as wheat belly - it talks about how modern processing / hybridization of certain crops (mainly wheat) has made foods a poison for our bodies. There are some recent studies showing wheat to cause IBS symptoms and increase inflammation, so what he said in that book is being vindicated with the upcoming research on wheat. We also know that non-organic wheat is sprayed with glyposate, a chemical that is linked to numerous health conditions (IBD included).

Best.

Grain free is a very individual choice. I try to include all food groups, but wheat seems to give me mental issues (anxiety, brain fog, etc), so I feel much better without it. My colon can tolerate it but I just prefer to be on my mental A-game when I am doing things.

I suggest listening to your body for all of this - no one sized fits all. As for fruits - berries seem to impact blood sugar the least and they appear to be the healthiest, though you may have to look the table up and see which fruits are blood sugar friendly and there are many. I know grapes and raisins spike blood sugar.

I also believe that protein intake regulates and normalizes blood sugar, so you may need to measure that when eating meals.

Best.

Post Edited (Guardian7) : 1/27/2015 4:23:10 PM (GMT-7)

Kdragon09..... I looked up the kerogen if diet and it looks intense. I did the calculator and it had me eating only 21 grams of carbs :( I like your balance better. I think I may do a gradual change of starting with one low carb meal, then two, then three, then snacks and see how I do. I need to get more food ideas.

I definitely have more of a plan thanks to the responses I've gotten!

I am going to increase fermented foods
Get on a regular exercise routine
Lower carbs
Increase health fats
Add whey protein to diet

My blood work gets checked again in three months.

Old mike..... Thank for posing. It's amazing how many ways IBD effects us :(

Have you found anything helpful in In improving your numbers?