Sugarless4life, Fawn, Others...What do you make of these

pixiegirl01 · 09-15-2008, 09:24 AM

As some of you may remember, my DH (42) had bypass surgery in June. He just had follow-up bloodwork done last week, and these are the results. Also, keep in mind, he is on lipitor and lopressor (and the surgeon at the hospital after the surgery said these would be lifetime meds at this point).

His bloodwork results are:

HDL - 37 (according to Dr, should be >40) (This one seems really low for the "good cholesterol" to me?)

LDL - 62 (according to Dr, should be <130)

Total - 115 (according to Dr, should be 125-200)

Ratio - 3.1 (according to Dr, should be < or = 5.0)

Triglycerides - 80 (according to Dr, should be <150)

sugarless4life · 09-15-2008, 10:51 AM

Hi Angie !

The best way to raise HDL would be cardiovascular exercise (with doctor's approval of course). Also fish oil supplements, or better yet, the fish high in Omega 3s will also improve the HDL. I would suggest checking into taking odorless garlic and perhaps flush-free niacin, both of which are good to raise HDL levels.

The best ratio (the one most experts agree is more important) is LDL divided by HDL, which in your DH's case is 1.68. Anything less than 3.3 is considered very low risk for CHD. The ratio you posted is TC divided by HDL, which, as the doctor said should be under 5....a good formula too, just not as heavily weighted as the LDL divided by HDL ratio.

His triglycerides are excellent! Does he LC too ? Did they measure his blood glucose?

Betty

pixiegirl01 · 09-15-2008, 11:27 AM

Thanks so much, Betty. I am on him all the time to take the Fish Oil capsules I bought (not sure he believes me) before he even had surgery (family history of heart disease). And, we just started walking (more vigorously) last week. (He's had only 3 office visits in 3 months - the first one was longer than 6 weeks out of the hospital

and the last was just to take blood - didn't even see the cardiologist - but that's another post.)

He actually lost 30 lbs in about 6 weeks doing LC last year.

Right now, he's doing low(er) carb, but not really LC. The reason? After not really feeling confident on which way to go, being torn about what the doctors and nutritionist was saying as opposed to how much better eating LC makes you feel, I did a lot of research online and got him to read some of the Eades, and we'd decided LC would be the better way to go (as opposed to the low fat/high carb diet the doctors and nutritionist recommended).

Well, the day we decided this, we both do really well all day and then end up going to Johnny Carino's (Italian place) for dinner. I believe I had their chicken caesar (sans the croutons). What does he get??? The bowtie festival!

So, since I can't really trust him to stick to LC all the time, and I know mixing low carb/high fat with high carb/high fat will lead to disaster, it's just been lower carb. He usually eats Total raisin bran and a banana for breakfast (the doctors have scared him about eating eggs, which I think eggs raising cholesterol is absolute baloney); a sandwich or leftovers for lunch; and then I usually make some sort of protein and veggies for dinner.

His glucose was 91, which I think could be improved.

Chantel · 09-15-2008, 03:16 PM

Pixiegirlm,
I recommend you take a little time and check out this cardio docs blog.

That raison bran he is eating is going to raise his LDL according this doc.
In addition, he may fair better with slow-rush niacin as this doc claims flush free is a scam. (Read his blog under niacin)

Sounds like he really needs to get off wheat processed products?

The Heart Scan Blog

I wonder if the docs recommend baby asprin and vit D ( oil based).

Hopefully he will come around to eggs being harmless. He is doing more damage bythe bread and the cereal.

Hoping he continues to strive for good health

______________
from this doc...
Flush-free or No-flush niacin is a complete, unadulterated, completely ineffective SCAM.

Flush-free or no-flush niacin is not a substitute for niacin. Joe is yet another example of how dangerous this scam can be. It turned one of our great success stories into a failure.

Please, please, please do not fall for this misleading and potentially dangerous scam product. While the product itself is not intrinsically dangerous, it denies you the benefits of the real thing: niacin.

Thankfully, the mistake in Joe's program was caught before a heart attack or other catastrophe. He did manage to pass a stress test, though with a flagrantly out-of-control blood pressure response. We'll get him back on track--but with niacin, the real thing.
__________

The Heart Scan Blog: No-flush niacin kills

This is a good blog and I have learned a lot from him. My DH and I are going to get our heart scan and see where we also can improve.

pixiegirl01 · 09-15-2008, 06:18 PM

Thanks so much, Chantel. Yes, I agree... I think the raisin bran is worse for him than eggs. (I did pick the Total brand because it started out with "whole wheat" as the first ingredient... however, it also has HFCS in it, which is looking more and more like a contributor to heart disease). I think once we get into cooler weather, oatmeal will replace the raisin bran (he calls it "cardboard" anyway). (Sorry, I haven't read the blog you posted yet, so hoping it doesn't say anything bad about oatmeal.)

It's very scary when someone you love goes in for a cardiac cath, and then gets scheduled for bypass surgery the very next morning... and then, the doctors and surgeons and nutritionists are ALL pushing low-fat. It just makes you question and doubt. But, I just don't believe processed food with ingredients you can barely pronounce could be better for you.

Oh, yes, he is also on a low dose (baby) aspirin now.

Thanks for the well wishes

and posting the information! I hope you and your DH get good news with your heart scans and also continue to strive for good health too!

ETA: I just found the "Oat vs. Wheat" entry: The Heart Scan Blog: Oat vs. wheat (we'll definitely be getting rid of the raisin bran - we definitely don't want the small LDL particles to increase!)

fawn · 09-15-2008, 07:22 PM

Heart disease runs in my DH family his Dad died at 49, Grandpa at 43

I have my DH on:
coconut oil (This will be your fluffy particle builder) also helps DH assimilate other EFA's more efficiently
ToCoQ10 100mg(with mixed d-tocopherols...not dl because that is synthetic.)
N Acetyl Cystene
Cod Liver Oil 2000mg daily
Vitamin C (high doses of acerola cherry would be good for DH)
flax seeds 2tbs.
walnuts 2tbs.
sunflower seeds 1 tbs.

Wheat is definitely not a health food. He needs real whole foods and he also NEEDS the lecithin and the choline as well as omega 3 value in the eggs. The egg is the perfect food only lacking vitamin C.

Remember that when refined foods are consumed, de-void of their natural vitamins, the human body pulls from other areas of the body to assimilate the processed foods. This puts you at a nutritional deficit to begin with.....

Dr's and nutritionists are driving me crazy with these heart health recommendations! I'm actually a bit surprised as well that he wants him on a dose of niacin while on the statins??? Niacin can cause some muscular issues. I worry about lipitor to begin with but combining it with Niacin? Check out this link Lipitor, Neuromuscular Degeneration, and Recovery

I don't want to scare you pixie, I really don't but those processed foods will contribute to heart disease but more importantly........

VEGETABLE OILS THIS IS BIG! I'M ON ALL CAPS TO RE-ITTERATE THE NECESSETY OF STEERING CLEAR. They are rancid, deliver free radicals to the human frame upon consumption, cause inflammation and make the cell wall floppy.

Also, the first documented heart attack was after 1920.

Pixie, it's not the fat ok? This is the heart health diet for my husband who again, has history of heart disease.

Here's his numbers and he eats exactly as I do (except his Friday night I have given him)

Total: 182
HDL 59
LDL 116

Don't leave this in the hands of the Dr. or your husband for that matter. If he's not doing some research, I recommend that you do. This is slightly alarming to me.

I have a PDF of an article written by the administrator of my nutrition school. It's new assessments in heart disease. He is awesome and really knows his stuff.....all cites are included as well. Did I send this to you? I'd actually love to share it with all but haven't a clue how to post it. It's long.

Chantel · 09-15-2008, 07:54 PM

You are welcome -and thanbks for the well wishes,

And what I think is a good choice is steel cut oats. I make a huge batch with flax for the DH.Remember, not the processed, quick instant oatmeal. But the real deal.
Cereal with wheat and hfcs....yikes. lol - total garbage.

Keep reading, learning. Its vital

Fawn,
I would love to see that article. I am not techie savvy so i dont know how you would do it.

I also make DH a combo of dark skin raw nuts - heck we all eat that. So walnuts, almonds, a little bit of pecan and cashews for interest. A great snack all around.

Good thread

fawn · 09-15-2008, 09:43 PM

Chantel, I can e-mail you if you'd like. pm me.

Yes, the nuts go in our shake. It's evolved with my education.

pixiegirl01 · 09-16-2008, 04:32 AM

Thanks for all the info ladies!

Fawn, no, the doctor did not tell him to take niacin while on statins... I think someone else just mentioned that. And, we never, ever eat vegetable oil - always EVOO, SmartBalance and butter. I had sent my email for the article, but if you sent it, it didn't go through - let me know if you need me to re-send my addy again.

DH loves nuts, so that's not a problem to work them into his diet. Same with the oats. And I've reminded him that he needs to be sure and take the fish oil... small steps. (It's just his fast food and restaurant choices that send me into a tailspin. Luckily, we live out in the burbs where there's not that much to choose from.

)

Thanks again everyone! (Ok, off to hide the raisin bran)

pixiegirl01 · 09-16-2008, 05:39 AM

p.s. After I had some more coffee, I got the vegetable oil reference... HFCS = vegetable oil - so I should say we never cook with vegetable oil or intentionally add it to our food. I read labels, but the stuff is EVERYWHERE!

Chantel · 09-16-2008, 08:39 AM

Good luck..baby steps is a start. Its a challenge to get DH on board.

fawn · 09-16-2008, 09:13 AM

Angie, I thought I sent it to you! I'm sorry! I'll send it again.

Stay away from the niacin with lipitor. Can he request an alternative statin? Do some research on that one. Controversial to say the least. My Dad was on it and ended up with terrible muscular pain that can cause permanent damage.

I really don't want to pick your choices apart but smart balance is a blend of vegetable oils. If you can get DH on organic butter, you have a perfect omega balance that encourages heart health.

hummingbird11 · 09-17-2008, 02:57 AM

Hi Fawn, I would love to read the article too!
please email to me (you have my email address but I will PM it as well)

my husband also has an extensive family history of heart disease + genetic high cholesterol & high triglycerides + he just tested pre-diabetic at 109 (fasting glucose). in the past, he was always in the 90's.

we've been low carbing since late March. he's lost 15 lbs; slim/active/very health conscious eater.

he was on Lipitor; then Tricor; and for the past year: Advicor & Lovaza.
(Advicor supposed to be the least damaging to the liver)

he tried flush-free Niacin for awhile, but it really didn't work for him. he still had the hot flashes & dizzyness + it did nothing for his triglycerides, which were dangerously high pre-Tricor. but the Tricor worried us; so his allergist/endocrinologist/internist placed him on a Advicor & Lovaza combo and it's brought his TRIG's down.

I'm going to place him on your DH's "heart healthy" supplement plan:

coconut oil ~ how much?
ToCoQ10 100mg (with mixed d-tocopherols...not dl because that is synthetic)
N Acetyl Cystene ~ how much?
Cod Liver Oil 2000mg daily
Vitamin C w/ high doses of acerola cherry ~ how much?
flax seeds 2tbs.
walnuts 2tbs.
sunflower seeds 1tbs.
(I assume RAW on all of the nuts?)

We are testing his glucose 3x's a day (per BS 101's advice).

Any other suggestions most welcome and appreciated!

ETA: hubby has placed himself on Policosanol and Plant Sterol Esthers - any thoughts?
I have him/us taking Omega 3 and CoQ10 (+ we eat fatty fish 2x's a week + grassfed beef)
our CoQ10 is NOW brand and says: Vitamin E (from Mixed Tocopherols) - is this right one?

Quote:

Originally Posted by fawn

I have a PDF of an article written by the administrator of my nutrition school. It's new assessments in heart disease. He is awesome and really knows his stuff.....all cites are included as well. Did I send this to you? I'd actually love to share it with all but haven't a clue how to post it. It's long.

fawn · 09-17-2008, 11:55 AM

coconut oil ~ how much? 3tbs. per day
ToCoQ10 100mg (with mixed d-tocopherols...not dl because that is synthetic) 100 mg 1x day
N Acetyl Cystene ~ how much? 600 mg 1 x day
Cod Liver Oil 2000mg daily 2x 1000
Vitamin C w/ high doses of acerola cherry ~ how much? 1000 mg 1x daily 5000 when sick
flax seeds 2tbs.
walnuts 2tbs.
sunflower seeds 1tbs.
(I assume RAW on all of the nuts?) All Raw always, added 2 brazil nuts for each of us for our selenium value. I blend the nuts with our shake Diane.

I have a lot of work to do in educating myself with diabetes. So BS101 is definitely your go to girl on that subject. I am no expert.

Looking at his history though as well as his tri's, he should be very picky about what he puts in his mouth....it's nice to hear that he's a health conscious eater! Is your now brand of coQ10 d tocopherols or dl tocopherols? I use NSI brand.

You know, something else I wanted to mention to Diane, Angie, et al, is the fact that Dr's are recommending you limit eggs when one of the most important elements of heart health is lecithin which is found in the egg yolk.

hummingbird11 · 09-17-2008, 12:05 PM

thanks so much, Fawn!

any other supplement brands you recommend? esp for the Cod Liver Oil. it will have to be a gel cap; he won't take it by the spoonful. I usually order from Netrition (and use a few NOW products) but I also like Nordic Naturals but am 100% open to your suggestions since I know you've done the research/homework!

when you have time, please let me know what you think of the rest of his supplements/Rx?

just your thoughts, promise I won't hold you to anything (!), I know this is all so speculative, but I really do trust and respect your educated and helpful perspective!

TIA!

ETA: re: our CoQ10 is NOW brand...it doesn't specify?
just says states on label: Vitamin E (from Mixed Tocopherols)
says nothing about d or dl (but I will research further)
next time I will order NSI brand, thanks!

so...
d = natural (where does it come from?)
dl - synthetic (ignorant question, but why is this "bad"?)

Quote:

Originally Posted by fawn

coconut oil ~ how much? 3tbs. per day
ToCoQ10 100mg (with mixed d-tocopherols...not dl because that is synthetic) 100 mg 1x day
N Acetyl Cystene ~ how much? 600 mg 1 x day
Cod Liver Oil 2000mg daily 2x 1000
Vitamin C w/ high doses of acerola cherry ~ how much? 1000 mg 1x daily 5000 when sick
flax seeds 2tbs.
walnuts 2tbs.
sunflower seeds 1tbs.
(I assume RAW on all of the nuts?) All Raw always, added 2 brazil nuts for each of us for our selenium value. I blend the nuts with our shake Diane.

I have a lot of work to do in educating myself with diabetes. So BS101 is definitely your go to girl on that subject. I am no expert.

Looking at his history though as well as his tri's, he should be very picky about what he puts in his mouth....it's nice to hear that he's a health conscious eater! Is your now brand of coQ10 d tocopherols or dl tocopherols? I use NSI brand.

You know, something else I wanted to mention to Diane, Angie, et al, is the fact that Dr's are recommending you limit eggs when one of the most important elements of heart health is lecithin which is found in the egg yolk.

Margot 65 · 09-17-2008, 12:11 PM

Nordic Naturals is teh suck IMO (taste, not quality...)

I eat a lot of gross things most people would not consider so for me to say that......

Carlson's is superior.. in taste/texture without a doubt. They have a 'Children's Blend' which I thought would be more palatable, but the Adult lemon is actually lighter and tastier.

Get some for yourself if anything, and let him try it.. he might get over his reluctance. They make make a capsule form I haven't checked.

lisabinil · 09-17-2008, 12:15 PM

I second the Carlsons-my 15 yr old will even take this.

hummingbird11 · 09-17-2008, 12:18 PM

Morning Prozak & Lisa! thanks for the suggestion!

we take Nordic Naturals Omega 3 capsules (not liquid) so no taste!
Plus they have strawberry and lemon flavored capsules too...
(I had samples; these smell & taste great too)

But are you speaking specifically of Cod Liver Oil?
Is liquid that much more beneficial than capsule?

We eat 2 servings fatty fish + 2 servings grass-fed beef per week.
(the rest is chicken; turkey; lamb; other seafood; not in to pork)

Given that, does he/we need to take Omega 3 AND Cod Liver Oil?
Or just one or the other?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prozak

Nordic Naturals is teh suck IMO (taste, not quality...)

I eat a lot of gross things most people would not consider so for me to say that......

Carlson's is superior.. in taste/texture without a doubt. They have a 'Children's Blend' which I thought would be more palatable, but the Adult lemon is actually lighter and tastier.

Get some for yourself if anything, and let him try it.. he might get over his reluctance. They make make a capsule form I haven't checked.

Margot 65 · 09-17-2008, 12:31 PM

Oh, I think it is just cheaper in the liquid form... and because we really SHOULD be taking twice the recommended dose the $$ adds up.

Of course when you move to Hawaii you also have the benefit of the sun all year round (I need to take 2tsp/day in the summer and will up that to 3/tsp in the winter where we only get 6 hours of weak sunlight a day)....

I do think the CLO is enough especially if you are eating yummy fish that often.

You see.... CLO comes from the Northern deep cold waters, where sunlight is scarce, people who lived in the tropics got lots of sunlight, but they had the benefit of the saturated fats in coconut.

BTW, fish oil is low in saturated fats, because of the fact those sat fats become solid in cold temps... imagine a fish with solid fat!! I love fat trivia LOL

Oh and ETA: I personally prefer the CLO over the fish oils... less chance of contamination for one thing

hummingbird11 · 09-17-2008, 12:44 PM

gotcha, thanks! but isn't CLO a fish oil (too)?

please tell me more re: why you prefer CLO over other fish oils?
(why/how less contaminated?)

TIA!

and um, if McPalin gets elected; we're moving to Italy instead of Hawaii!

same climate as N Calif so we'll need to continue with CLO!
(no coconuts)

lisabinil · 09-17-2008, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hummingbird11

gotcha, thanks! but isn't CLO a fish oil (too)?

please tell me more re: why you prefer CLO over other fish oils?
(why/how less contaminated?)

TIA!

and um, if McPalin gets elected; we're moving to Italy instead of Hawaii!

same climate as N Calif so we'll need to continue with CLO!
(no coconuts)

CLO has Vitamin A & D where the regular fish oils do not.

09-15-2008, 09:24 AM	#1
pixiegirl01 Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: HOTlanta burbs! Posts: 4,679 Gallery: pixiegirl01 Stats: 150/122 (135)/125 5'2" (41YO) WOE: Low carb babeeeee!! Start Date: 04/17/2006	Sugarless4life, Fawn, Others...What do you make of these As some of you may remember, my DH (42) had bypass surgery in June. He just had follow-up bloodwork done last week, and these are the results. Also, keep in mind, he is on lipitor and lopressor (and the surgeon at the hospital after the surgery said these would be lifetime meds at this point). His bloodwork results are: HDL - 37 (according to Dr, should be >40) (This one seems really low for the "good cholesterol" to me?) LDL - 62 (according to Dr, should be <130) Total - 115 (according to Dr, should be 125-200) Ratio - 3.1 (according to Dr, should be < or = 5.0) Triglycerides - 80 (according to Dr, should be <150) __________________ Angie Callanetics ... I'm a believer!

09-15-2008, 10:51 AM	#2
sugarless4life Atkins Ambassador Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 9,964 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: sugarless4life Stats: 5'3 / 101 pounds / 53 yo /maintaining for 6 years WOE: Lost it with Atkins / RUNNING to keep it off! Start Date: January 19, 2002 - 7 YEARS ON ATKINS	Hi Angie ! The best way to raise HDL would be cardiovascular exercise (with doctor's approval of course). Also fish oil supplements, or better yet, the fish high in Omega 3s will also improve the HDL. I would suggest checking into taking odorless garlic and perhaps flush-free niacin, both of which are good to raise HDL levels. The best ratio (the one most experts agree is more important) is LDL divided by HDL, which in your DH's case is 1.68. Anything less than 3.3 is considered very low risk for CHD. The ratio you posted is TC divided by HDL, which, as the doctor said should be under 5....a good formula too, just not as heavily weighted as the LDL divided by HDL ratio. His triglycerides are excellent! Does he LC too ? Did they measure his blood glucose? Betty __________________ Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness. ~Edward Stanley

09-15-2008, 11:27 AM	#3
pixiegirl01 Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: HOTlanta burbs! Posts: 4,679 Gallery: pixiegirl01 Stats: 150/122 (135)/125 5'2" (41YO) WOE: Low carb babeeeee!! Start Date: 04/17/2006	Thanks so much, Betty. I am on him all the time to take the Fish Oil capsules I bought (not sure he believes me) before he even had surgery (family history of heart disease). And, we just started walking (more vigorously) last week. (He's had only 3 office visits in 3 months - the first one was longer than 6 weeks out of the hospital and the last was just to take blood - didn't even see the cardiologist - but that's another post.) He actually lost 30 lbs in about 6 weeks doing LC last year. Right now, he's doing low(er) carb, but not really LC. The reason? After not really feeling confident on which way to go, being torn about what the doctors and nutritionist was saying as opposed to how much better eating LC makes you feel, I did a lot of research online and got him to read some of the Eades, and we'd decided LC would be the better way to go (as opposed to the low fat/high carb diet the doctors and nutritionist recommended). Well, the day we decided this, we both do really well all day and then end up going to Johnny Carino's (Italian place) for dinner. I believe I had their chicken caesar (sans the croutons). What does he get??? The bowtie festival! So, since I can't really trust him to stick to LC all the time, and I know mixing low carb/high fat with high carb/high fat will lead to disaster, it's just been lower carb. He usually eats Total raisin bran and a banana for breakfast (the doctors have scared him about eating eggs, which I think eggs raising cholesterol is absolute baloney); a sandwich or leftovers for lunch; and then I usually make some sort of protein and veggies for dinner. His glucose was 91, which I think could be improved. Last edited by pixiegirl01 : 09-15-2008 at 11:35 AM.

09-15-2008, 03:16 PM	#4
Chantel Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 10,250 Gallery: Chantel Stats: 240/163/150ish WOE: A Mish Mosh WOE! Start Date: July 2000	Pixiegirlm, I recommend you take a little time and check out this cardio docs blog. That raison bran he is eating is going to raise his LDL according this doc. In addition, he may fair better with slow-rush niacin as this doc claims flush free is a scam. (Read his blog under niacin) Sounds like he really needs to get off wheat processed products? The Heart Scan Blog I wonder if the docs recommend baby asprin and vit D ( oil based). Hopefully he will come around to eggs being harmless. He is doing more damage bythe bread and the cereal. Hoping he continues to strive for good health ______________ from this doc... Flush-free or No-flush niacin is a complete, unadulterated, completely ineffective SCAM. Flush-free or no-flush niacin is not a substitute for niacin. Joe is yet another example of how dangerous this scam can be. It turned one of our great success stories into a failure. Please, please, please do not fall for this misleading and potentially dangerous scam product. While the product itself is not intrinsically dangerous, it denies you the benefits of the real thing: niacin. Thankfully, the mistake in Joe's program was caught before a heart attack or other catastrophe. He did manage to pass a stress test, though with a flagrantly out-of-control blood pressure response. We'll get him back on track--but with niacin, the real thing. __________ The Heart Scan Blog: No-flush niacin kills This is a good blog and I have learned a lot from him. My DH and I are going to get our heart scan and see where we also can improve. __________________ Knowledge is Power http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/ My journey... http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/we...l#post11376854

09-15-2008, 06:18 PM	#5
pixiegirl01 Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: HOTlanta burbs! Posts: 4,679 Gallery: pixiegirl01 Stats: 150/122 (135)/125 5'2" (41YO) WOE: Low carb babeeeee!! Start Date: 04/17/2006	Thanks so much, Chantel. Yes, I agree... I think the raisin bran is worse for him than eggs. (I did pick the Total brand because it started out with "whole wheat" as the first ingredient... however, it also has HFCS in it, which is looking more and more like a contributor to heart disease). I think once we get into cooler weather, oatmeal will replace the raisin bran (he calls it "cardboard" anyway). (Sorry, I haven't read the blog you posted yet, so hoping it doesn't say anything bad about oatmeal.) It's very scary when someone you love goes in for a cardiac cath, and then gets scheduled for bypass surgery the very next morning... and then, the doctors and surgeons and nutritionists are ALL pushing low-fat. It just makes you question and doubt. But, I just don't believe processed food with ingredients you can barely pronounce could be better for you. Oh, yes, he is also on a low dose (baby) aspirin now. Thanks for the well wishes and posting the information! I hope you and your DH get good news with your heart scans and also continue to strive for good health too! ETA: I just found the "Oat vs. Wheat" entry: The Heart Scan Blog: Oat vs. wheat (we'll definitely be getting rid of the raisin bran - we definitely don't want the small LDL particles to increase!) Last edited by pixiegirl01 : 09-15-2008 at 06:25 PM.

09-15-2008, 07:22 PM	#6
fawn Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 9,513 Gallery: fawn Stats: 210/120 WOE: Eating For Health Start Date: 2/2000	Heart disease runs in my DH family his Dad died at 49, Grandpa at 43 I have my DH on: coconut oil (This will be your fluffy particle builder) also helps DH assimilate other EFA's more efficiently ToCoQ10 100mg(with mixed d-tocopherols...not dl because that is synthetic.) N Acetyl Cystene Cod Liver Oil 2000mg daily Vitamin C (high doses of acerola cherry would be good for DH) flax seeds 2tbs. walnuts 2tbs. sunflower seeds 1 tbs. Wheat is definitely not a health food. He needs real whole foods and he also NEEDS the lecithin and the choline as well as omega 3 value in the eggs. The egg is the perfect food only lacking vitamin C. Remember that when refined foods are consumed, de-void of their natural vitamins, the human body pulls from other areas of the body to assimilate the processed foods. This puts you at a nutritional deficit to begin with..... Dr's and nutritionists are driving me crazy with these heart health recommendations! I'm actually a bit surprised as well that he wants him on a dose of niacin while on the statins??? Niacin can cause some muscular issues. I worry about lipitor to begin with but combining it with Niacin? Check out this link Lipitor, Neuromuscular Degeneration, and Recovery I don't want to scare you pixie, I really don't but those processed foods will contribute to heart disease but more importantly........ VEGETABLE OILS THIS IS BIG! I'M ON ALL CAPS TO RE-ITTERATE THE NECESSETY OF STEERING CLEAR. They are rancid, deliver free radicals to the human frame upon consumption, cause inflammation and make the cell wall floppy. Also, the first documented heart attack was after 1920. Pixie, it's not the fat ok? This is the heart health diet for my husband who again, has history of heart disease. Here's his numbers and he eats exactly as I do (except his Friday night I have given him) Total: 182 HDL 59 LDL 116 Don't leave this in the hands of the Dr. or your husband for that matter. If he's not doing some research, I recommend that you do. This is slightly alarming to me. I have a PDF of an article written by the administrator of my nutrition school. It's new assessments in heart disease. He is awesome and really knows his stuff.....all cites are included as well. Did I send this to you? I'd actually love to share it with all but haven't a clue how to post it. It's long. __________________ 210/120 Maintenance It's as simple as removing the refined foods from your life permanently. With that, discover what nature's bounty has to offer organically, seasonally and locally. "The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patient in the care of the human frame, in the diet and in the cause and prevention of disease" Thomas Edison Last edited by fawn : 09-15-2008 at 07:25 PM.

09-15-2008, 07:54 PM	#7
Chantel Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 10,250 Gallery: Chantel Stats: 240/163/150ish WOE: A Mish Mosh WOE! Start Date: July 2000	You are welcome -and thanbks for the well wishes, And what I think is a good choice is steel cut oats. I make a huge batch with flax for the DH.Remember, not the processed, quick instant oatmeal. But the real deal. Cereal with wheat and hfcs....yikes. lol - total garbage. Keep reading, learning. Its vital Fawn, I would love to see that article. I am not techie savvy so i dont know how you would do it. I also make DH a combo of dark skin raw nuts - heck we all eat that. So walnuts, almonds, a little bit of pecan and cashews for interest. A great snack all around. Good thread

09-15-2008, 09:43 PM	#8
fawn Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 9,513 Gallery: fawn Stats: 210/120 WOE: Eating For Health Start Date: 2/2000	Chantel, I can e-mail you if you'd like. pm me. Yes, the nuts go in our shake. It's evolved with my education.

09-16-2008, 04:32 AM	#9
pixiegirl01 Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: HOTlanta burbs! Posts: 4,679 Gallery: pixiegirl01 Stats: 150/122 (135)/125 5'2" (41YO) WOE: Low carb babeeeee!! Start Date: 04/17/2006	Thanks for all the info ladies! Fawn, no, the doctor did not tell him to take niacin while on statins... I think someone else just mentioned that. And, we never, ever eat vegetable oil - always EVOO, SmartBalance and butter. I had sent my email for the article, but if you sent it, it didn't go through - let me know if you need me to re-send my addy again. DH loves nuts, so that's not a problem to work them into his diet. Same with the oats. And I've reminded him that he needs to be sure and take the fish oil... small steps. (It's just his fast food and restaurant choices that send me into a tailspin. Luckily, we live out in the burbs where there's not that much to choose from. ) Thanks again everyone! (Ok, off to hide the raisin bran)

09-16-2008, 05:39 AM	#10
pixiegirl01 Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: HOTlanta burbs! Posts: 4,679 Gallery: pixiegirl01 Stats: 150/122 (135)/125 5'2" (41YO) WOE: Low carb babeeeee!! Start Date: 04/17/2006	p.s. After I had some more coffee, I got the vegetable oil reference... HFCS = vegetable oil - so I should say we never cook with vegetable oil or intentionally add it to our food. I read labels, but the stuff is EVERYWHERE!

09-16-2008, 08:39 AM	#11
Chantel Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 10,250 Gallery: Chantel Stats: 240/163/150ish WOE: A Mish Mosh WOE! Start Date: July 2000	Good luck..baby steps is a start. Its a challenge to get DH on board.

09-16-2008, 09:13 AM	#12
fawn Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 9,513 Gallery: fawn Stats: 210/120 WOE: Eating For Health Start Date: 2/2000	Angie, I thought I sent it to you! I'm sorry! I'll send it again. Stay away from the niacin with lipitor. Can he request an alternative statin? Do some research on that one. Controversial to say the least. My Dad was on it and ended up with terrible muscular pain that can cause permanent damage. I really don't want to pick your choices apart but smart balance is a blend of vegetable oils. If you can get DH on organic butter, you have a perfect omega balance that encourages heart health.

09-17-2008, 11:55 AM	#14
fawn Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 9,513 Gallery: fawn Stats: 210/120 WOE: Eating For Health Start Date: 2/2000	coconut oil ~ how much? 3tbs. per day ToCoQ10 100mg (with mixed d-tocopherols...not dl because that is synthetic) 100 mg 1x day N Acetyl Cystene ~ how much? 600 mg 1 x day Cod Liver Oil 2000mg daily 2x 1000 Vitamin C w/ high doses of acerola cherry ~ how much? 1000 mg 1x daily 5000 when sick flax seeds 2tbs. walnuts 2tbs. sunflower seeds 1tbs. (I assume RAW on all of the nuts?) All Raw always, added 2 brazil nuts for each of us for our selenium value. I blend the nuts with our shake Diane. I have a lot of work to do in educating myself with diabetes. So BS101 is definitely your go to girl on that subject. I am no expert. Looking at his history though as well as his tri's, he should be very picky about what he puts in his mouth....it's nice to hear that he's a health conscious eater! Is your now brand of coQ10 d tocopherols or dl tocopherols? I use NSI brand. You know, something else I wanted to mention to Diane, Angie, et al, is the fact that Dr's are recommending you limit eggs when one of the most important elements of heart health is lecithin which is found in the egg yolk. Last edited by fawn : 09-17-2008 at 12:01 PM.

09-17-2008, 12:11 PM	#16
Margot 65 Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Canada Eh! Posts: 3,530 Gallery: Margot 65 Stats: 210/167/TBD WOE: Hi Fat/Low Carb & Grain Free Start Date: March 2008 (after pregnancy gain)	Nordic Naturals is teh suck IMO (taste, not quality...) I eat a lot of gross things most people would not consider so for me to say that...... Carlson's is superior.. in taste/texture without a doubt. They have a 'Children's Blend' which I thought would be more palatable, but the Adult lemon is actually lighter and tastier. Get some for yourself if anything, and let him try it.. he might get over his reluctance. They make make a capsule form I haven't checked.

09-17-2008, 12:15 PM	#17
lisabinil Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: suburbs of Chicago Posts: 9,769 Gallery: lisabinil Stats: 214/185/180 287 in 00 WOE: higher carb Atkins for optimum health Start Date: SBD 3/5/07,Atkins 4/18/07	I second the Carlsons-my 15 yr old will even take this.

09-17-2008, 12:31 PM	#19
Margot 65 Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Canada Eh! Posts: 3,530 Gallery: Margot 65 Stats: 210/167/TBD WOE: Hi Fat/Low Carb & Grain Free Start Date: March 2008 (after pregnancy gain)	Oh, I think it is just cheaper in the liquid form... and because we really SHOULD be taking twice the recommended dose the $$ adds up. Of course when you move to Hawaii you also have the benefit of the sun all year round (I need to take 2tsp/day in the summer and will up that to 3/tsp in the winter where we only get 6 hours of weak sunlight a day).... I do think the CLO is enough especially if you are eating yummy fish that often. You see.... CLO comes from the Northern deep cold waters, where sunlight is scarce, people who lived in the tropics got lots of sunlight, but they had the benefit of the saturated fats in coconut. BTW, fish oil is low in saturated fats, because of the fact those sat fats become solid in cold temps... imagine a fish with solid fat!! I love fat trivia LOL Oh and ETA: I personally prefer the CLO over the fish oils... less chance of contamination for one thing __________________ Formerly known as Prozak

09-17-2008, 12:44 PM	#20
hummingbird11 Social Butterfly Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texan w/ Hawaiian Soul loving life in Northern California! :) Posts: 5,579 Gallery: hummingbird11 Stats: 175/???/145 ~ 5'8" ~ 45 yy WOE: CTFLC; Cycle 1; Week 1 Start Date: 01/05/09	gotcha, thanks! but isn't CLO a fish oil (too)? please tell me more re: why you prefer CLO over other fish oils? (why/how less contaminated?) TIA! and um, if McPalin gets elected; we're moving to Italy instead of Hawaii! same climate as N Calif so we'll need to continue with CLO! (no coconuts)