Low HDL cholesterol

[princesslinda]

Hello everyone:
Just curious as to how many of you have problems with low HDL. My total cholesterol was within normal limits, but my HDL was only 24...they want it 50 or above. I was told to get plenty of aerobic exercise and recheck it in 6 months. I've been using the treadmill or stationary bike regularly and have also added fish oil supplements and red wine to my regimen. Just wanted to see if others have had this problem and how it was eventually resolved. I have read that statins are more for LDL problems, so i'm concerned, as I certainly don't want a heart attack in addition to diabetes.

I'm overweight, but have lost 40 lbs recently and am continuing to try and eat healthy and keep moving.

Any advice/experiences you care to share would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Linda

[mzizgayle]

Hello Linda...I just started taking pravastatin for my cholesterol since doctor wanted all to be in the guidlines. I do not have a problem with HDL, mine is 59 at the last test, tho my LDL was 144, cholesterol was 217 A lot of times, just watching diet and losing weight, Exercising will increase your HDL.

Congrats on the weight loss.

[Harold]

A couple of years after dx my lipids went nuts, LDL high HDL low. What I found that helped the most was just five vigorous minutes a day on the AeroDyne brought my HDL's back into the normal range. Supplements did nothing for it, well maybe a point or two.

[DonnieD]

I have borderline low HDL (45 last test), but it isn't a large problem because my LDL is good (85).

Eating certain kinds of cold water fish (like salmon), high in Omega-3 essential fatty acids are best for improving HDL. I personally dislike all fish, so I take an Omega-3 suppliment made by Nordic Naturals, recommended by my nutritonist.

I can't say for sure, but I'm thinking that not all fish oil supliments have the same level of Omega-3 ... and depending on your results, you may want to do some brand research.

[princesslinda]

Thanks for your comments everyone. Harold-will definitely keep up the exercise. Donnie-thanks for the info on fish oil. I am really anticipating an improvement in my next cholesterol check. Didn't know if low HDL and diabetes went hand in hand or not.

[Harold]

DonnieD is correct, not all fish oils have the same effect. Cold water fish are supposed to be the best. Black Walnuts are supposed to be as good, but you will have to fight the squirrels for them.

Yes type 2 Diabetes does have an effect on lipids. Look up syndrom X (http://health.howstuffworks.com/diabetes-and-syndrome-x-ga2.htm).

[princesslinda]

Harold:
Thanks for the great article on Syndrome X. It's amazing how many things are affected by diabetes....scary too.

Black walnuts are supposed to help? I live in the country and we have walnut trees along the roads...I assume the green fruits that fall off are black walnuts? As a kid, we'd pick them up and stain our hands...may have to start picking them up again!:laugh:

Seriously, I do appreciate all the advice. I'm hoping for some positive results, and certainly hope the HDL doesn't drop any lower!

[rwmetcalf]

Hi Harold,

Black Walnuts are supposed to be as good, but you will have to fight the squirrels for them

Is it just black walnuts, or are all walnuts good? I've heard walnuts are good but this is the first I've heard black walnuts.

Thanks,
Roger

[rrs18]

My total cholesterol is usually between 100 and 140. It is very hard to get your HDL up very much at that level and mine was 34 or so. The MD said it should be higher. Exercise and red wine is the answer.

The fact of the matter is I could hardly drink more red wine and exercise is good but if you've had a cardiac event where you were clinically dead, a lot of exercise is unlikely to happen. Oh, and my hobby is wine making. And i like a glass of white wine on ocassion.

Sooo, i bought some grape extract capsules. They contain lots of reservatrol, the good stuff in red wine. My HDL went up by 6 points to 40. Everyone is happy. MY ration HDL/total is 3.7

Works for me.

[princesslinda]

Thanks for the info RRS. Will have to look for some grape extract capsules. I've been having red wine several times during the week, sleeping like a baby. Won't be having the blood tested until the end of the month. I'm interested in what the results will be.

Also, since you're into wines, care to give me the names of some of your favorite reds? We've tried several different ones and it is fun comparing.

[sweetcheeks]

my HDL is 33, my LDL went down to where it should be, my doc said either your born with HDL or your not lol

and the only thing could help it is excercise... so i'll go with that as of wednesday...

i've had very bad experiences with any dietery supplements other than my normal meds... so i wont try anymore

[Roy Gardiner]

I've wondered about this cholesterol business. Mine has always been high. Last year '06 the doc who diagnosed diabetes also said I had a heart murmur, oh was I happy that day, so I had a electron beam tomography test, effectively a super-definition X-ray.

It said that my heart not only had less calcification than expected at my age but in fact had none at all - expected for a 20 year old. And 'arteries like motorways'.

So now what? Do I worry about cholesterol? I think not.

Perhaps such a test might benefit others; high cholesterol only indicates heart disease after all.