Increase in Cholesterol with Paleo

[Erik Hayes]

Stats:
5'10" , 160lbs, 8-10% BF
Crossfit + periodized lifting

Diet the last 2 years- Loosely approximated zone portions, 3-4X fat, Meat, veggies, fruit, a lot of dairy, limited grains and legumes. Average Total Cholesterol taken 4 times = 175mg/dl, triglycerides 35, HDL-67, LDL-101, VLDL-7.

I went strict Paleo and 2 weeks later, my cholesterol came back at 231mg/dl. No other numbers. Is this spike common?

Any thoughts. I am not concerned I'm all of a sudden gonna have a coronary, I'm just curious is there is an adaptation period to Paleo that causes this.

[Steven Low]

Not getting enough Vitamin D can cause high cholesterol.

The body can synthesize its own cholesterol and doesn't rely much on dietary intake for this, so it is likely it's something else or genetic from what I can understand.

[Mike ODonnell]

We need all the numbers....total doesn't tell the whole picture....not too mention the whole "high cholesterol gives you heart disease" is a well believed myth....

Cholesterol is an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and several other factors.....so why it goes up and down can have many different factors in regards and outside of food.

[Tony Ferous]

i like Stevens point...check out the vitaminDcouncil site.
You body could be hiking its cholesterol in the hope you will get out in the sun so it can maximize D synthesis.
Could be something else entirely though ;-)

[Mike ODonnell]

If it is a spike in 2 weeks of changing up the foods....it may have something to do with the quality (or lack of) of what kinds of foods you are eating....giving the body a reason to produce more.

[Erik Hayes]

I haven't dove in to V-D literature yet, I will. I am outside quite a bit and definitely didn't decrease my time outside dramatically compared to before. It seems to me this food shift is what caused the change, maybe it was the meal I ate before I went in. I believe I remember somebody saying your body increases cholesterol temporarily when switching to low carb, an adjustment period. I can't remember where I heard that, probably Robb Wolf.

Breakfast- Eggs most mornings with TJ chicken sausage, 50/50 organic omega 3 eggs and egg white substitute always with dark leafy greens, handful of nuts.
Snack- 1 protein supp. scoop with water (isopure w/ sucralose) handful of nuts,
Lunch- meat over mixed salad with olive oil,
snack- some protein and more nuts,
Dinner- meat and veggies or salad or both, salad dressing can be sketchy sometimes. Meats are probably equal % of the following- grass fed beef, organic chicken and safeway quality anything.

1-2 pieces of fruit/day

Supplement 2-3 grams Omega 3 (costco brand), cheap protein powder ( I have since stopped this). I have also decreased my nut intake dramatically the last month, more coconut.

[Erik Hayes]

http://www.performancemenu.com/forum...ead.php?t=3932

This thread is showing similar results. Increased LDL on Paleo. I will follow up with more lab values in a month to see how it goes.

[Garrett Smith]

Lipid panels need to be done fasting.

Where in strict Paleo do artificial sweeteners fit in?