Could it be the fish oil?

Bring it on · 02-08-2009, 05:07 AM

About a month ago I had my cholesterol checked after doing atkins for about 3 months. All of my numbers improved dramatically except for my ldl.

My LDL went up 20 pts. 152 to 172. I have read that Fish oil can raise your LDL by 10% or so. I am also told that it is still beneficial to take fish oil.

My questions are:

Could the fish oil have raiesed my LDL?

If so, how is it good to still take fish oil?

What is worse Trigs or LDL? One theory is that fish oil converts some of the trigs into LDL.

I don't want to give up fish oil to have my ldl come down 20 points, satisfy my doctor, to only have worse lipids floating around.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

New Grandma · 02-08-2009, 06:52 AM

Google "The Heart Scan Blog" of Dr. William Davis. Look for posts on LDL. You will see that it is not your total LDL or total Cholesterol numbers that count. You need to have the VAP test which tells you what TYPE of cholesterol particles you have. The large fluffy type pass right through and cause no problem even if you have a lot of them. If you have lots of the small, dense particles you have a problem. This is why people with ostensibly "low cholesterol" numbers have heart attacks. They have the wrong type particles.
A low carb diet always lowers triglycerides, which is a much better indicator of trouble than total cholesterol, but it also can increase the light fluffy particles which may show up as an increase.

Keep taking that fish oil! And put Dr. Davis on your "Google Reader".

Leo41 · 02-08-2009, 12:18 PM

I've seen fish oil recommended to lower cholesterol, and although I take fish oil for its anti-inflammatory qualities, my LDL has gone DONE (slowly but surely) while I've been taking it.

What are your triglycerides? You are correct that they are important, and it's only the combination of LOW HDL (<40), high LDL, AND high triglycerides that's significant, not any one number in isolation.

Check out Dr. William Davis, recommended by the previous poster, he's quite sound in his recommendations.

BTW, do you use coconut oil? THAT raised my LDL rather dramatically.

CherryCola · 02-09-2009, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo41

I've seen fish oil recommended to lower cholesterol, and although I take fish oil for its anti-inflammatory qualities, my LDL has gone DONE (slowly but surely) while I've been taking it.

Agreed. My LDL was pretty high and my doc specifically recommended Fish oil to help this.

Leo41 · 02-09-2009, 08:03 AM

Rich-

Please keep in mind that your increased LDL could be your body's TEMPORARY response to eating low carb. Dr. Atkins specifically mentions doing bloodwork after 6 months on the program--no sooner. That's because weight loss, especially new loss, can increase lipids until the body adjusts.
Since you mention being low carb for just 3 months, this may be the situation with you.

You might check with your doctor and arrange for new tests in another 3 months rather than sooner.

Bring it on · 02-10-2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo41

Rich-

Please keep in mind that your increased LDL could be your body's TEMPORARY response to eating low carb. Dr. Atkins specifically mentions doing bloodwork after 6 months on the program--no sooner. That's because weight loss, especially new loss, can increase lipids until the body adjusts.
Since you mention being low carb for just 3 months, this may be the situation with you.

You might check with your doctor and arrange for new tests in another 3 months rather than sooner.

Yes, I think that I need to give it more time. I am going to keep taking the fish oil and look into taking a test that can differentiate the types of LDL that I have.

Thanks,

02-08-2009, 05:07 AM	#1
Bring it on MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,551 Gallery: Bring it on Stats: Too much/Much Better/ Lean and Muscular WOE: Carb Rotations Start Date: November 2008	Could it be the fish oil? About a month ago I had my cholesterol checked after doing atkins for about 3 months. All of my numbers improved dramatically except for my ldl. My LDL went up 20 pts. 152 to 172. I have read that Fish oil can raise your LDL by 10% or so. I am also told that it is still beneficial to take fish oil. My questions are: Could the fish oil have raiesed my LDL? If so, how is it good to still take fish oil? What is worse Trigs or LDL? One theory is that fish oil converts some of the trigs into LDL. I don't want to give up fish oil to have my ldl come down 20 points, satisfy my doctor, to only have worse lipids floating around. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, __________________ Rich Rich's Journal http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/we...15-act-ll.html “Every man is the builder of a temple, called his body, to the god he worships, after a style purely his own, nor can he get off by hammering marble instead. We are all sculptors and painters, and our material is our own flesh and blood and bones.” Henry David Thoreau. Last edited by Bring it on; 02-08-2009 at 05:08 AM..

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02-08-2009, 06:52 AM	#2
New Grandma Junior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 10 Gallery: New Grandma	Google "The Heart Scan Blog" of Dr. William Davis. Look for posts on LDL. You will see that it is not your total LDL or total Cholesterol numbers that count. You need to have the VAP test which tells you what TYPE of cholesterol particles you have. The large fluffy type pass right through and cause no problem even if you have a lot of them. If you have lots of the small, dense particles you have a problem. This is why people with ostensibly "low cholesterol" numbers have heart attacks. They have the wrong type particles. A low carb diet always lowers triglycerides, which is a much better indicator of trouble than total cholesterol, but it also can increase the light fluffy particles which may show up as an increase. Keep taking that fish oil! And put Dr. Davis on your "Google Reader".

02-08-2009, 12:18 PM	#3
Leo41 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,445 Gallery: Leo41	I've seen fish oil recommended to lower cholesterol, and although I take fish oil for its anti-inflammatory qualities, my LDL has gone DONE (slowly but surely) while I've been taking it. What are your triglycerides? You are correct that they are important, and it's only the combination of LOW HDL (<40), high LDL, AND high triglycerides that's significant, not any one number in isolation. Check out Dr. William Davis, recommended by the previous poster, he's quite sound in his recommendations. BTW, do you use coconut oil? THAT raised my LDL rather dramatically.

02-09-2009, 08:03 AM	#5
Leo41 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,445 Gallery: Leo41	Rich- Please keep in mind that your increased LDL could be your body's TEMPORARY response to eating low carb. Dr. Atkins specifically mentions doing bloodwork after 6 months on the program--no sooner. That's because weight loss, especially new loss, can increase lipids until the body adjusts. Since you mention being low carb for just 3 months, this may be the situation with you. You might check with your doctor and arrange for new tests in another 3 months rather than sooner.