Low HDL-->

[Dr. JK]

I know that heart diseease is associated with high LDL, but what about low HDL, what are the health risks/implications?

Also, has anyone ever had any problems directly related to low HDL?

Thanks for the feedback

 

[thx9000]

I don't know of any health risks directly related to low HDL, but the risks of high LDL or high total cholesterol are greatly increased by low HDL.

 

[geoffgarst]

Low HDL (good cholesterol) is associated with increased risk of heart disease and strokes, but this generally when you have low HDL and high triglycerides. These are the differences in the two:

Two types of lipoproteins and their quantity in the blood are main factors in heart disease risk:

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-- This "bad" cholesterol is the form in which cholesterol is carried into the blood and is the main cause of harmful fatty buildup in arteries. The higher the LDL cholesterol levels in the blood, the greater the heart disease risk.

• High-density lipoprotein (HDL)-- This " good " cholesterol carries blood cholesterol back to the liver, where it can be eliminated. HDL helps prevent a cholesterol buildup in blood vessels. Low HDL levels increase heart disease risk.

Though high total and LDL cholesterol levels, along with low HDL cholesterol, can increase heart disease risk, they are among several other risk factors. These include cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and physical inactivity .If any of these is present in addition to high blood cholesterol, the risk of heart disease is even greater.

Hope this helps,

PS: Karma is always welcome.

 

[Laser0001]

I was told the ratio between the HDL to LDL was a better guage
of risk factor. My HDL was 33 But my LDL was only 80. This was considered an acceptable ratio.

 

[40butpumpin]

if you're really worried about your cv state of health, get a c-reactive protein test. i don't know how much at risk you really are, however, if you're really concerned that you are in a high risk group, then get yourself on some nattokinase for protection against heart attack or stroke. in the mean time, read this about HDL...

I found this in this months (12/02) LEF publication at www.lef.org

Is Conventional Medicine Finally Catching Up?

...A few pages later in this same issue of JAMA, a startling new finding showed that garlic prevents arterial occlusion by the same mechanism as HDL-cholesterol.2,3,4 Previous studies demonstrated that garlic protects against arteriosclerosis, but it was not clear how it does so 5-11

One way arterial occlusion occurs is when LDL-cholesterol binds with molecules secreted from the inner lining of the artery, forming tiny plaques that can accumulate and harden. HDL-cholesterol inhibits this process by absorbing excess plaque-forming molecules.12,13

According to the JAMA report, garlic extract works the same way as HDL cholesterol, but more potently. The researchers who conducted the study stated that, in concentrations relative to man, "garlic extract was 2.5 times more effective in inhibiting plaque formation than was HDL-cholesterol."

What the JAMA authors did not discuss was the positive impact that high-HDL confers on longevity. A common trait of people living to age 100 is high levels of HDL-cholesterol in their blood.14 It is not easy, however, to significantly elevate HDL levels. Even with the proper drugs and supplements, it is extremely difficult to raise HDL more than 27%. In some people, it is hard to get HDL levels to nudge upward at all. The fact that garlic extract was shown to be 2.5 times more effective in inhibiting arterial plaque formation than HDL represents a potential breakthrough in the prevention of the most common disease afflicting civilized man, i.e. plugged-up arteries.

The JAMA editors cautioned against supplementing with garlic because the potencies of active constituents vary so greatly between brands. Life Extension does not agree with this position based upon the fact that standardized aged-garlic extract under the Kyolic brand name is readily available to consumers. Previous studies confirm the protective effect of Kyolic garlic extract on the arterial wall.5,8

The best news is that the Kyolic company has finally come out with a high-potency caplet that enables most people to swallow just one a day to obtain 1000 mg of standardized aged garlic extract. For more than a decade, Life Extension had asked the makers of Kyolic for a high-potency supplement so that users would not have to swallow so many capsules. Based on the research reports we have reviewed, it would appear that one 1000 mg Kyolic caplet should be taken for every 1.1 pounds of food eaten a day...

For longer life,

William Faloon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

References

1. JAMA, September 18, 2002, 288(11):1342.

2. Garlic Prevents Plaque, JAMA, September 18, 2002, 285(11): 1342.

3. Siegel, et. al., Effect of Garlic on Arteriosclerosis, presentation at NIH workshop on herbs and heart disease, August 2002.

4. Siegel, G., A Primary Lesion Model for Arteriosclerosis Microplaque Formation, Int. J. Angiol, 2000, 9: 129-134.

5. Efendy et.al., The Effect of the Aged Garlic Extract, 'Kyolic', on the Development of Experimental Atheriosclerosis, Atherosclerosis, 1997, 132: 37-42.

6. Fogarty, M., Garlic's Potential Role in Reducing Heart Disease, BJCP, March/April 1993, 47(2): 64-65.

7. Campbell, JH et. al., Molecular Basis By Which Garlic Suppresses Atherosclerosis, J. of Nutrition, March 2001 Suppl, 131(3S): 1006S-1009S.

8. Borek, Antioxidant Health Effects of Aged Garlic Extract, J. of Nutrition, March 2001 Suppl., 131(3S): 1010S-1015S.

9. Lau, Benj., Suppression of LDL Oxidation by Garlic, J. of Nutrition, March 2001 Suppl., 131(3S): 985S-988S.

10. Slowing et. al., Study of Garlic Extracts and Fractions on Cholesterol-Fed Rats, J. of Nutrition, March 2001 Suppl., 131(3S): 994S-999S.

11. Ho et. al., S-Allyl Cysteine Reduces Oxidant Level in Cells Involved in the Atherogenic Process, Phytomedicine, 2001, 8(1): 39-46.

12. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 15th ed., 2001, The Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis, 1377-1382.

13. Stein, et. al., Internal Medicine, 1988, 1889.

 

[Dr. JK]

Low LDL & HDL

I had my choloesterol & blood pressure checked through work, routine thing.

My blood pressure was low to normal and my choloesterol was low. The test could not tell me if both LDL & HDL are low or just the HDL.

I am concerned cause I have been on winny for a long time and was wondering if what risks am I at..

 

[drveejay11]

Well...if you have been on Winy for a long time bro.........I can tell you that your HDL is PROBABLY low!!!! Winny is notorious for wrecking HDL profiles.

Just because your overal Lipid assay was low (which is good of course) it does NOT paint the entire picture!!! It's actually deceiving--- kind of like......just because some dude is 5'10 175 pounds......doesn't mean he is in great shape!!! You're missing some vital info.

You NEED to have youe entire Lipid profile assessed......your HDL:total CHOLESTEROL ratio is MUCH more important that a LOW total CHOL reading.

If your HDL'S low:

http://boards.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=241544&highlight=assault

 

[Dr. JK]

Low HDL

I have already assumed that I have low HDL. What I want to know is what kind of implications can result dierctly from low HDL, if LDL is low as well.

 

[DrJMW]

The LDL:HDL is the most important indicator, not the absolute values. You want your ratio to be below 3.00. Most people with ratios below three also tend to ahve normal total cholesterol readings as well as normal LDL and HDL. But the LDL:HDL ratio is the most telling.

 

[celica]

what can one take to raise hdl ?

 

[thx9000]

what can one take to raise hdl ?

Take garlic. Lots of garlic, it may be even more effective than HDL at helping prevent plaque formation from LDL. The aged garlic extract is the way to go (aka Kyolic).

Eat lots of EFA's (Omega 3's and 6's). Ie: eat fish, flax, etc. Avoid saturated fats and simple carbs.

 

[Fonz]

Well...if you have been on Winy for a long time bro.........I can tell you that your HDL is PROBABLY low!!!! Winny is notorious for wrecking HDL profiles.

Just because your overal Lipid assay was low (which is good of course) it does NOT paint the entire picture!!! It's actually deceiving--- kind of like......just because some dude is 5'10 175 pounds......doesn't mean he is in great shape!!! You're missing some vital info.

You NEED to have youe entire Lipid profile assessed......your HDL:total CHOLESTEROL ratio is MUCH more important that a LOW total CHOL reading.

If your HDL'S low:

http://boards.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=241544&highlight=assault

I was going to write an article on cholesterol control while on AAS. Basically a collation of various threads combined with my own blood tests to show that you can control chol/HDL/LDL/Triglyceride levels with the right supplementation.
Its on the back burner now though. Damn school work.
Hopefully, I'll get around to writing it during christmas break.
I have so much information its downright scary.....lol

Fonz

 

[drveejay11]

Slacker!!! LOL...........

Looking forward to it brother.

 

[galaxy]

How bout you just give me the list of supps to take Fonz? As long as your not telling me to eat dog doo I ll do what you say. You have my respect..............galaxy

 

[40butpumpin]

it is very difficult to raise HDL. the best thing you can do for yourself, as thx9000 has already stated, is take garlic, which will protect you in the same way that HDL will.

 

[Generic MALE]

The most potent thing to date shown to raise HDL is niacin (not niacinamide). Avoid the time released niacin as it is associated with liver toxicity - but all niacin in higher amounts can raise liver enzyme levels. The safest form of niacin is Inositol hexaniacinate - it also will not give you the typical flush associated with niacin. Niacin can increase insulin resistence which is bad if you are a type 2 diabetic or taking HGH.

Policosanol is good as well as gugglesterones along with a high fiber diet.

 

[DrJMW]

Few ways to optimize HDL:LDL ratio:

1. Low carb diet ala Atkins (high protein, low carb (below 60g daily, moderate fat). Atkins et al have reported optimal ratios in four to five weeks.

2. Optimal (not excessive) AAS/HRT. It has been shown that the user who optimizes his Testos. levels (high normal range) and eats a high protein, moderate clean carb, low fat diet can optimize his ratios.

3. Optimal GH levels.

4. Glucophage, but as a measure during maintenance or fat loss.

 

[40butpumpin]

Few ways to optimize HDL:LDL ratio:

1. Low carb diet ala Atkins (high protein, low carb (below 60g daily, moderate fat). Atkins et al have reported optimal ratios in four to five weeks.

2. Optimal (not excessive) AAS/HRT. It has been shown that the user who optimizes his Testos. levels (high normal range) and eats a high protein, moderate clean carb, low fat diet can optimize his ratios.

3. Optimal GH levels.

4. Glucophage, but as a measure during maintenance or fat loss.

indeed, nice post Doc.