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As far as cholesterol goes - you are not exactly correct. Cholesterol does matter. Serum cholesterol that is.
Total Cholesterol Level Category
Less than 200 mg/dL Desirable level that puts you at lower risk for coronary heart disease. A cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or higher raises your risk.
200 to 239 mg/dL Borderline high
240 mg/dL and above High blood cholesterol. A person with this level has more than twice the risk of coronary heart disease as someone whose cholesterol is below 200 mg/dL.
*Your total cholesterol score is calculated by the following: HDL + LDL + 20% of your triglyceride level.
The biggest driver of high cholesterol is genetics.
Your college professor was right insofar as saying that dietary cholesterol is not a big player but in somebody with a strong family history of heart disease it can be. A cardiologist worth his salt will do everything he/she can to get cholesterol down on a 25 year old that has just had a heart attack from blocked coronary arteries. The goal for serum cholesterol in a person with personal or family history of heart disease is 130 mg/dL. I will bet my right coronary artery that the AHA will drop target cholesterol in the general population to 150 in the next 5 years. A high protein, low dietary cholesterol diet may be required.
I make my money from people having heart disease. Our business has shriveled. There has been a 30% drop in patients having cardiac interventions in the past 6 years. This has essentially been caused by one thing - Lipitor.
If you want scientific back up, PM me and I will source studies
Eating 18 eggs a day is a recipe for disaster. Moderation is the key. I eat eggs five days a week and I agree protein is a way better breakfast than carbs.
Maybe I didn't type it right-- serum cholesterol IS important. However, cholesterol shouldn't be in the arteries, it should be in the cells for storage. CHolesterol should be about 180-220, depending on the source quoted.
Personally I"m not interested in giving my money to the pharmacutical compainies. I need that money for my chickens. I find it amazing that people will pay to take drugs when a dietary overhaul and increaing the exercise reverses much of the diseases experienced today.
I know you like literature quoted. Dr Atkins was great at listing all the studies at the end of his books, by chapter. I come from a strong scienceback ground with several prominent laboratories. HOwever, I also listen to peoples experiences because one by one , they all add up. ANd unfortunately no one will put a study together unless it is finacially beneficial, which usually means a pharmasutical company . I know such studies are inherently flawed. No truley independent studies.
Ya 18 eggs a day really respresents how desperate a person can fel about body weight. Inclusion of good vegies is very important, and berries,a nd nuts and good meats/fish. I was pointing this one persons intake to be a little funny. BUt also to point out how skewed our diet has been that many of us are very over weight and are struggling to get the weight off.
ANd my firend with RA-- I have wondered too why not stay with WW. Thru my journey of weight losss I have come to better understand human nature. Logical isn't so easy. THere needs to be other motivation. Easy to pop a pill than plan every meal every day week after week.
I have read a number of low carb diet books over the years..... Dr Atkins New Diet REvolution ( 3-4 editions) , Protein Power, THe Carbohydrate Addicts Diet, . . . and while written independendly, I was stunned to realize the the modern diet of high carbs and high fat is killing us. Bottom line is if we eat like our ancestors ate before 1890 , skip the donute, the coca-cola, the chips, the white flour, we are healthier.
Also the concensus amoung those that gather on the low carb forums is that most doctors cannot understand the low carb eating plan and therefore don't support it. Argh. . . . .so the only place I can find information is anecdotal and links to blogs like Dr Eades
What I know is this: WHen I live low carb ( right now under 30 carbs a day) I eat 3 servings of 4-6 oz of meat and 2 -3 cups of veg a day results in a great nights sleep, better mental focus, no afternoon slump and excess weight slowly dropping off. THe low carb diets are starting to become more acceptable.
IN my understanding of people, they will accept that genetics is the primary cause of high cholesterol. ANd trans late that into " it is beyond my control" . However any effect is a combo of genetics AND environment. Our standard AMerican diet stinks. A high carbohydrate diet of refined flours and lots of fats. Try switchng to eggs, beef, chicken , bacon and spinach, walnuts, parley, garlic, etc.
Oz, I can't give you much in the way of studies-- they don't exhist because no one will fund it -- no financial gain.
Sorry I"m running in circles. TIred and areas overlap and are related. Love our chats.
