Cholesterol Guidelines

Many of today’s fad diets revolve around modifying insulin resistance by consuming low-carbohydrate, high-protein foods and also advocate eating foods high in saturated fats and dairy products. This type of diet is likely to contain high levels of insecticides, pesticides, and radiation, which in the long run may increase your risk of cancer of the bowel, prostate, and breast and can increase your heart risk factors.

Also, as you start to lose weight and your body is forced to break down stored fat for energy, your good cholesterol levels may be challenged and it may become difficult to keep them within the recognized cholesterol guidelines. This may be an artificial rise in cholesterol, however, it is a good idea to be cautious and work with a physician if you decide to start one of these diets.

Based on this, I suggest that anyone trying to lose weight adhere to a diet akin to my Pan-Asian Modified Mediterranean diet, making sure to eat fresh fish at least two to three times a week. You’d can also enjoy fresh fruits, legumes, cold-water fish such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel or fish oils, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which blocks the inflammatory and blood-clotting capabilities of Lp(a).

I’d also urge you to omit saturated fats. Instead, choose monounsaturated fats like olive oil and polyunsaturated fats like alpha-linolenic acid, found in flaxseed.

For more information on ways to achieve healthy cholesterol, visit www.drsinatra.com.

Comments for Low-Carb Diets Can Make It Difficult To Achieve Healthy Cholesterol

Saturday, June 19, 2010 by Mark Humphrey:: Now I am embarrassed about submitting my earlier comment about saturated fat. Re-reading "The Sinatra Solution" led me to page 119 and Reactive Oxygen Species ROS, which are apparently highly active in saturated fat. I had read elsewhere that saturated fat was chemically stable, because of hydrogen bonds. But, of course, it is subject to oxidation when it is heated, and from other processes after we eat it. Also, saturated fat may not be implicated in heart disease, but there are other health risks that may be closely associated with high consumption. I don't know but I assume, based on your comments in your blood pressure book, that sat fat has been associated with other diseases. If you come across studies that support or refute Colin Peterson's idea that animal proteins (all 1,900 or so of them?) turn on cancer, I'd read your comment with great interest. I jumped off the deep end, temporarily. Back to vegs fish and some fruit, low carbs. Bye bye bacon.