High Choresterol & high HDL or Good Number & Low HDL...

Question
Ok, I am just 37 yrs old, I have not had my cholesterol tested in 2 yrs, the last time it was tested was for life insurance and my number was 269, but the HDL was 69, and the ratio wasnt too bad.  Then I dieted - tried to eat no fat or very little,  basically hated to eat anything, and got my number down to 199, but my HDL plumented to 46 ! and my ratio was WORSE.  A few things about me....I am skinny to begin with only weighing about 120, no diabetes in my family, pretty active with 5 kids, family members all seem to live a long time, most all in their 80's & they never took cholesterol drugs.  Although my dad is 55 now and he is taking them, it IS genetic I guess, but still his parents & aunt & Uncles are living a long time and they didn't or don't take anything. My eating habits aren't good obviously.  It's one of the hardest habits to break I have found in my entire life.   I fear taking these drugs, they can cause muscle problems & liver trouble, is it worth the risk? How Young is TOOO young to start on statins?  Thank you.  

Answer
Renee,

Statins are approved for children as young as 13 years old.  So, kids are taking them!

First of all, statins are very, VERY safe.  There is NOT ONE documented case of "liver problems" from statins.  This is an urban myth based on theoretical possibility.  Since statins decrease cholesterol production in the liver, then the liver must be at risk...wrong, this has never been the case in reality.  Even people with liver disease have taken statins with no problems.  Also, "muscle problems" are rare, about 1 in 1000 to 1 in 10000 people.  These cases are 99% of the time temporary and not serious.  If a person takes a statin and develops muscle pain or weakness their doctor should do a simple blood test to see of the muscles are affected and stop the statin if necessary.  If so, 9 out of 10 people can re-start the statin and never develop problems again.  The vast majority of people who experience adverse effects from statins are elderly, in poor health and taking multiple medications, and this group is still a small group compared to millions of people taking statins.  In conclusion, the chances of having a serious reaction from a statin are literally 1 in a million.  The chances of death from heart disease in America are almost 50%.

As for your diet, I have a couple of suggestions.  First, eating a fat-free diet is not a good idea and almost impossible, as you know.  Unsaturated fats (fats from plants) are the GOOD fats and, for the most part, are good for you.  Sure, they have a lot of calories, but unsaturated fats are vital to health.  Saturated fats (fats from animals) are the BAD fats.  Trans-fatty acids (fats from margarine and fried foods) are also bad for you.  Saturated fats and trans-fatty acids increase your cholesterol and LDL (bad lipid).  So, avoid saturated and trans-fats and eat unsaturated fats instead.

To learn more about diet and cholesterol, go to:
http://home.comcast.net/~lipid-clinic/diet.html

I hope this helps and best of luck.

Todd
www.lipid-clinic.com

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