INCREASING Cholesterol

For the past 6 months I've been following the eating guidelines of from the SouthBeach Diet. Mainly limiting Carb intake , complex carbs if any at all, increasing protien (low fat, fish, chicken, low fat cheese, eggs, yogurt , almonds, etc..) veggies and fruits. I've gotten on a daily exercise regiment of either walking, bikings or swimming. (5x week) I've lost a total of 37 lbs. Now for the surprise: My total cholesterol went from 150 to 250. My lipids LDL was 84 and went to 138, HDL (healthy lipids) stayed at 50,  triglycerides 184 to 223. I've had the blood work done twice with the same type results. I have an appointment set up with my doctor for my annual physical on July 7th. But, I just wanted to know if anyone has had this happen to them? or does anyone have any idea what could be causing this? NOTE: all my exercise, eating and weight loss would lead you to believe the blood results should be better.

Any info is appreciated....... THANKS

Problem with South Beach is it emphasizes low fat, which may not be what is best for you.   There's a lot of research indicating saturated fat is not evil, but beneficial. I'd switch to Atkins and redo bloodwork. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/10/13/health/main577832. shtml

Jersey....have you had your bloodwork done since starting Atkins?  I've been curious as to how your lipid panel looks.  Just wondering.

If she hasn't, I have. February is pre-atkins and May is post/ongoing-atkins. February 2008 --------------- Glucose        :   101 A1c            :   5.3 Cholesterol    :   212 HDL            :   36 HDL Assoc Risk :   1.49 LDL            :   145 CHOL. Ratio    :   1.0 CHOL/HDL       :   5.89 Triglycerides  :   155 May 2008 (Awaiting Faxed Results) --------------- HDL            :   40 LDL            :   147 Triglycerides  :   66 Vitamin D      :   39 B1, B12        :   Normal

Wow....those triglycerides are impressive! I'll trade you my HDL (44) and LDL (91) for your triglycerides....LOL

Lol, nice HDL/LDL!   My doctor wanted to put me on lipitor. I told him to stick it where the sun don't shine.  I'm like DUDE did you NOT notice that my triglycerides went from 155 down to 66??? HELLOOOOO that's a 89 point drop!!  My HDL went up too. LDL went up slight as well but insignificant.

I have not, Sherrie.  I will in October.  No sense doing bloodwork more than once a year, IMO. So far I've been lucky--at my highest weight my cholesterol was healthy.  Interesting to read from Neecee re: chondroiton--I take.  May stop now.

Wow....those results would shock me too.  Will be anxious to see what your MD has to say about it all. Any change in medication?

It may be plain old genetics...my MIL is a skinny lil thing with blood cholo over 300 without medication.  If you have started any over the counter supplements, this can cause it.  Here's a few I am aware of:  1.  chrondrotin (or other joint pain things - this caused my DH's cholo to go crazy and he had to stop),  2.  sleep aids, etc 3.  Increased caffeine (excedrin, Rock Star drinks, etc)

There's an interesting study out there that food cholesterol has NOTHING to do with body cholesterol.  So, I for one believe it's 100% genetics.  However, I do think exercise has something to do with healthy cholesterol.