miteslur's Journal, 16 July 2008

HDL is primarily concentrated around exercise, cardio, to be specific. Good to be under 6 on the A1C! I don't think diet is related too much to the HDL, as much as the exercise, especially if you are eating well... if memory serves me, the docs told hubby that drinking was a factor, too. ? 

I recently had a 67 (high) on my HDL which I was very happy about. I think all the oatmeal and almonds I eat help alot! Here's some information I got from an article on About.com. How to raise your HDL: Aerobic exercise 20-30 minutes per day; lose weight; stop smoking; cut out trans fatty acids; drink 1-2 alcoholic drinks daily; increase monounsaturated fats; add soluble fiber to your diet. Cranberry juice has been shown to increase HDL levels. Fish and other foods containing omega-3 fatty acids can also increase HDL levels. In postmenopausal women (but not, apparently, in men or pre-menopausal women) calcium supplementation can increase HDL levels. What about a low-fat diet? While Americans traditionally have ingested too much fat in the diet, and while limiting total fat in the diet is useful not only for cholesterol control but also for weight reduction, evidence is emerging that too little fat in the diet can be dangerous. A diet in which fat has all but been eliminated can result in a deficit in the essential fatty acids - certain fatty acids that are essential to life, but which the body cannot manufacture itself. Furthermore, ultra-low-fat diets have been reported to result in a significant reduction in HDL cholesterol in some individuals.  

Thanks for the VERY useful info., KeelyBo! I have made the decision that I need to re-commit to going to the gym at LEAST every other day, no matter what. The idea of a heart attack scares the crap out of me. I don't want that sort of wake up call! I'd rather pay attention to the numbers, now! 

By the way, KellyBo...67 for an HDL is awesome!!!