Looking for tips on raising my HDL

reedawn · 01-05-2010, 03:35 PM

I just recently started excercising regularly and I am in the process of losing weight, what els can I do to improve my HDL number. All my other numbers are great, except for hsCRP,but not sure what that one is all about. I'll find out more at my upcoming doc appt.

A friend suggested a spoonful of olive oil or coconut oil every day to help with the HDL. Any thought, or suggestions?

Leo41 · 01-06-2010, 12:15 PM

That CRP, a measure of inflammation, is supposed to be more critical in predicting heart issues than cholesterol, so you need to work at that.

My HDL has always been high, but I noticed when I began fish oil supplements (I also eat a lot of fish), it went even higher, so if you don't supplement with fish oil, you might consider it.

I've also heard that eliminating ALL grains is helpful.

Keep in mind that a lot of these numbers may be part of your genetic inheritance, and, if they are, you might not be able to do a lot about them without medication.

But I'd certainly try to improve things with diet and exercise before I took any medication.

chiody · 01-07-2010, 09:22 AM

Remember, the addition of exercise will take some time for your HDL to improve....

Chelveston · 01-07-2010, 02:55 PM

You could consume 1-2 alcoholic drinks per day. Alcohol is known to increase HDL.

Alcohol consumption stimulates early steps in reverse cholesterol transport -- van der Gaag et al. 42 (12): 2077 -- Journal of Lipid Research

reedawn · 01-08-2010, 08:19 AM

Interesting about the alcoholic drinks. Might it slow down my wieght loss though?

Cartman · 01-08-2010, 01:17 PM

Coconut oil will help increase HDL and also increase your metabolism for weight loss. High intensity strength training less then 30minutes 3 times a week is also good for HDL.

Drinking more water weight in pounds divide 2 is the amount of ounces you need per day. Drinking more water increases your metabolism as well!

Drink 2 cups of water 15-30minutes before each meal, take small sips..

Drinking 2-3 times a week fine. Drinking everyday not good as this increases your Trig numbers!

texascarl · 01-11-2010, 07:29 AM

Over the counter brand Slo-niacin will increase HDL. This type of niacin causes facial 'flushing' as a side effect at first, so I take it at bedtime (who cares if my face is red while I sleep?). I take 2 of the 500 mg size, with my daily baby aspirin and other night time meds. I buy them cheaply @ Costco.
My cardiologist-guru says not to use the 'no flush' niacin, won't work for what we're trying to do. (That reminds me, I always let my doctor know the supplements I'm taking)
If you start taking niacin, be sure you exercise regularly as one side effect is that it will raise your blood sugar unless you 'work it off' w/exercise. Will raise HDL/lower trigylcerides, tho. Esp. effective on the tri. if you cut out wheat products at the same time, again, per my cardio-guru.

01-05-2010, 03:35 PM	#1
reedawn Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Washington State Posts: 466 Gallery: reedawn Stats: 331/279/175 March 2010-then pregnant :) WOE: Lower carb & water aerobics while pregnant. Start Date: July 2009	Looking for tips on raising my HDL I just recently started excercising regularly and I am in the process of losing weight, what els can I do to improve my HDL number. All my other numbers are great, except for hsCRP,but not sure what that one is all about. I'll find out more at my upcoming doc appt. A friend suggested a spoonful of olive oil or coconut oil every day to help with the HDL. Any thought, or suggestions?

01-08-2010, 01:17 PM	#6
Cartman Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1 Gallery: Cartman	Coconut oil will help increase HDL and also increase your metabolism for weight loss. High intensity strength training less then 30minutes 3 times a week is also good for HDL. Drinking more water weight in pounds divide 2 is the amount of ounces you need per day. Drinking more water increases your metabolism as well! Drink 2 cups of water 15-30minutes before each meal, take small sips.. Drinking 2-3 times a week fine. Drinking everyday not good as this increases your Trig numbers! Last edited by Cartman; 01-08-2010 at 01:19 PM..

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01-06-2010, 12:15 PM	#2
Leo41 Senior LCF member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 8,425 Gallery: Leo41 Stats: 340 then/145 now WOE: Low carb/calorie cycling	That CRP, a measure of inflammation, is supposed to be more critical in predicting heart issues than cholesterol, so you need to work at that. My HDL has always been high, but I noticed when I began fish oil supplements (I also eat a lot of fish), it went even higher, so if you don't supplement with fish oil, you might consider it. I've also heard that eliminating ALL grains is helpful. Keep in mind that a lot of these numbers may be part of your genetic inheritance, and, if they are, you might not be able to do a lot about them without medication. But I'd certainly try to improve things with diet and exercise before I took any medication.

01-07-2010, 09:22 AM	#3
chiody Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2,663 Gallery: chiody Stats: 245/153/165 6'0" Diabetic T2, No Meds 22 yrs. WOE: LC/Paleo/IF (Maintenance) HbA1C 4.5 2011	Remember, the addition of exercise will take some time for your HDL to improve....

01-07-2010, 02:55 PM	#4
Chelveston Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 651 Gallery: Chelveston Stats: Health at every size WOE: Atkins Start Date: restart Jan '09	You could consume 1-2 alcoholic drinks per day. Alcohol is known to increase HDL. Alcohol consumption stimulates early steps in reverse cholesterol transport -- van der Gaag et al. 42 (12): 2077 -- Journal of Lipid Research

01-08-2010, 08:19 AM	#5
reedawn Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Washington State Posts: 466 Gallery: reedawn Stats: 331/279/175 March 2010-then pregnant :) WOE: Lower carb & water aerobics while pregnant. Start Date: July 2009	Interesting about the alcoholic drinks. Might it slow down my wieght loss though?

01-11-2010, 07:29 AM	#7
texascarl Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Kansas City Posts: 67 Gallery: texascarl	Over the counter brand Slo-niacin will increase HDL. This type of niacin causes facial 'flushing' as a side effect at first, so I take it at bedtime (who cares if my face is red while I sleep?). I take 2 of the 500 mg size, with my daily baby aspirin and other night time meds. I buy them cheaply @ Costco. My cardiologist-guru says not to use the 'no flush' niacin, won't work for what we're trying to do. (That reminds me, I always let my doctor know the supplements I'm taking) If you start taking niacin, be sure you exercise regularly as one side effect is that it will raise your blood sugar unless you 'work it off' w/exercise. Will raise HDL/lower trigylcerides, tho. Esp. effective on the tri. if you cut out wheat products at the same time, again, per my cardio-guru.