So, As a part of my regular plan to get fit, I started a low carb eating plan a few weeks ago. Prior to that, I had watched my bread and pasta intake. Well, today I had my cholesterol tested and it is up 50 points from one year ago (when it was very low). My doctor now wants to give me a new diet (cholesterol lowering) to follow. Has anyone ever been on one of these plans and still been able to do Atkins?

yes, it's call the South Beach Diet. Atkins modified. It's more of a low cal/low fat. But, it's all about lowering cholesterol as well as weight.

Chicago - it's not enough to just look at the total cholesterol. How is your HDL in comparison to LDL, and what about your triglicerides (those are the nasties). Ask your doctor to do a complete lipids profile, and ask him/her to explain your HDL/LDL ratio as well (you want your HDL to be higher than LDL). Many of us have experienced an increase in total cholesterol, but an increase in HDL (good) and a decrease in triglicerides (very good). Doc owes you more of an explanation.

Jen
175/129/120

A friend of wine was on Atkins and her Cholesterol went up pretty good for a month or two but then came way down below normal actaully.. along with her BP.

Not sure what to think... what does your doc think about the Atkins in the long run?

Mike
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260/249/210 - Started 1/5/2004
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CB&T...
Do you have the Atkins book? In my paperback copy of Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution (aka DANDR), on p119, the question is asked, <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>"My cholesterol has gone up since I started doing Atkins. What can I do about it?" <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>The possible solutions, to paraphrase, were:
1)Are you following the rules of Induction correctly?
2)It may be a temporary increase, cholesterol rising due to body breaking down stored fat for energy. Total chol. should drop w/i 2 months
3)If you've been on ANA for a while and chol. levels are still high, add or increase exercise, cut back on processed meats (bacon, sausage, cold cuts) and limit hard cheese
4)Look at triglyceride levels. In some, cholesterol rises when there's a significant drop in triglycerides. If triglyceride drop is&gt;LDL increase then overall lipid profile may be improved even though showing and "increase" in total chol. levels
Atkins recommends pantethine, essential oils, garlic and fiber as supplements.
Of course you still need to discuss this with your MD. And if you haven't read the book, then you need to! (And take it to the Dr's office with you)


"Do, or do not. There is no 'try'."
- Yoda ('The Empire Strikes Back')
Start Atkins 9.1.03
225/198/130ish
Valentine's Day Goal: 180

I do have both an early copy and the latest Atkin's books and have read them.

Comparing this morning to 1 year ago.
2003 2004
Triglyc 144 146
Total 174 225
HDL 35 44
LDL 110 151
Ratio 4.1 5.1

We are planning discussion on this, a year ago he told me we needed to raise the HDL because it was below average... Which has happened, but along with it is the LDL... The ratio a year ago was also below average (4.5 or less).

So, I am going to see what he is talking about and how I can modify what he wants me to look at and how I can continue this WOL.

I will pick up a copy of South Beach and take a look at it. I have a few hours on the Amtrack tongiht.

Eep. I can see why your doc in concerned.

Jen
175/129/120

Yes, so that is why I was asking the questions.. I am planning on seeing him on Monday...

Good. Definitely do that. Will you let us know how it pans out?

Jen
175/129/120