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Weight Loss Forum / Low Carb / March 2004Great News! New Cholesterol & BG Results!
As many of you know, I was diagnosed as diabetic in December, when a fasting blood test shoed blood glucose level of 135 and HbA1c of 9.0. My cholesterol was high and triglycerides had crept back up to the deadly level again. I made a pact at the time with my new Doctor -- who is pro-lowcarb - that she woudl give me 90 days with no meds to try to rimprove all the indicators with diet and supplements. I returned to my own version of fairly strict low carb eating, and this time watched excess calories as well. I had my 90-day return blood tests Tuesday, and she just called me with the results. Here they are: 12/15/04 3/9/04 Weight: 270 232 ( -38 pounds) Fasting BG: 135 90 (- 45 !) HbA1c: 9.0 6.0 (- 3.0!) Total Cholesterol: 234 188 (- 46 points!) HDL Cholesterol: 37 38 (+ 1) LDL Cholesterol: * 106 VLDL " * 44 Triglycerides: 625 219 (- 406 points!) * LDL and VLDL could not be measured previously because triglycerides were so high. My doctor pointed out that there is still a ways to go in further lowering triglycerides and LDL as well as raising HDL, but overall this was impressive. She told me that I'm "unique" in being able to control my blood sugars through diet (and nutritional supplements) alone, as well as dramatically lower triglycerides and total cholesterol also without medications. She said I'm her "best patient." (*blushing*) I really believe that it's more than just my low-carb eating plan that has made these dramatic improvements in just 90 days; it's a combination of food choices as well as vitamins and nutritional supplements. For instance, I take a high-potency B complex daily along with 500mg timed-release niacin. Also for cholesterol I take daily antioxidants (E, A and C), as well as garlic and flax oil. Other supplements I take each day include L-Carnitine, grape seed extract, chromium picolinate, magnesium, zinc, selenium, green tea extract and CoQ10. Plus a multivitamin. (I recently added 1 tsp of cinnamon to my regimen; I talked this over with the doc and she also was aware of the studies showing that a small amount of daily cinnamon can reduce cholesterol and triglycerides). I eat meats, chicken, fish and cheeses with no regard to saturated/unsaturated fat content, but rather watch the quantity of what I eat. I eat plenty of healthy veggies with each meal and I vary my menus; I never go hungry! I allow myself a "treat" each day (such as a big glass of Hoods Carb Countdown Chocolate milk, or a couple of tablespoons of Breyers Carb Smart ice cream, etc.). I've truly been enjoying my way of eating for the past few months, and for the first time in nearly 3 years of low-carbing I feel that I can really do this for a lifetime. It's become not a burden, but a joy! And getting result like I had today -- well, if that isan't motivation to continue I don't know what is! Still no meds for me for cholesterol or diabetes!!! The only negative is that my blood pressure has increased. It had lowered fairly dramatically a couple of months ago, and I was taken off one of my meds. Now it's back up. Could be from all the rapid changes in my body. At any rate, instead of putting me back on the other med (a diuretic) , the doc took me off of my remaining two at my request (clonidine and a beta blocker) and instead is substituting one capsule a day of a calcium channel blocker/ace inhibitot combination -- Lotrel. I didn't like what I had read about Atenolol possiblt causing insulin resistance. I am so blessed to have found a doctor who not on ly is pro-lowcarb, but also is happy to have her patience have some input into their treatment. My challenge now for the next 90 days is to continue with my regimen, and add a very mild exercise program. Since I'm 52 years old, still overweight and have a history of a stoke, I'm not going to go out and start pupming iron or running! However, there are sensible exercises I can do; particularly walking. This is more of a challenge than it might seem since I have a slight disability from my stroke and walk with the aid of an AFO (ankle -foot brace). But I can do this. If I can be diabetec and not have to take medications, who knows -- maybe I can put my mind to getting rid of the brace next, the same way that I threw away my cane 2 years ago. I feel today that the sky's the limit! Sorry this was so long. Can you tell I'm, happy? :-)  SignaturePeter website: http://users.thelink.net/marengo Great job. Add substantial exercise and watch your HDL increase. Also, I am also considering CoQ10 and would like to know what is your reasoning behind taking it. Regarding blood pressure, you have a hope that you can see it lowered once you get to normal weight. You probably already know that. i | Great job. Add substantial exercise and watch your HDL increase. | [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] | | i Thanks for the encouragement, Ig. I explained in my post I hve to take the exercise slowly because of my stroke history, but I am starting a moderate, careful exercise program this week. As far as the CoQ10 goes -- I did a lot of research on various nutrients, vitamins and micronutrients before settling on the combination of supplements that I take. The Coenzyme -Q10 is one of those fairly "new" discoveries (at least many of its possible benefits are newly discovered) that hasn't really been extensively tested or proven yet. But initial studies show it to be a very powerful antioxidant that can possibly prevent oxidation of cholesterol, helping to preclude arterial plaque buildup and its associated CV diseases. Another of its alleged properties still under initial examination is that it decreases insulin resistance and helps stabilize blood sugars. There are many, many more supposed benefits of tis ubiquitous "Vitamin Q." I decided it was worth a shot, although it's pretty pricey. The unfortunate thing is that I started my current combination of nutritional supplements all at once 90 days ago, so I don't know which one is giving me such great, rapid benefits -- or whether maybe it's the combination that I've chosen. You're absolutely right about the HDL; that's wh I'm beginning my exercise program next. Will start gradually and build up. And yes, I fully expect my blood pressure to stabilize when I reach my ideal weight. It's hard to say though, because a good part of my BP problem was caused by the d*mned brain stem stroke that I had in 1998. The brain stem controls many "life support systems" like blood pressure, body temperature, digestion and breathing. So some of t BP problems -- although not all -- are from my brain telling my body to do the wrong things. I've overcome a tremendous amount in this area, though, and am confident that I can beat the high BP also. THrough low-carbing it's already much better than it was 3 years ago. SignaturePeter website: http://users.thelink.net/marengo >| Great job. Add substantial exercise and watch your HDL increase. >| [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > exercise slowly because of my stroke history, but I am starting a moderate, > careful exercise program this week. I would think that, say, walking does not pose much of a stroke risk. And you can do a lot of it, and it will improve your ldl. > As far as the CoQ10 goes -- I did a lot of research on various nutrients, > vitamins and micronutrients before settling on the combination of [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > is giving me such great, rapid benefits -- or whether maybe it's the > combination that I've chosen. Thanks. I just started researching into it. I take vitamin E at this time. > You're absolutely right about the HDL; that's wh I'm beginning my exercise > program next. Will start gradually and build up. Sure. Things like walking should be easy to build up quickly. And HDL is greatly helped by walking. > And yes, I fully expect > my blood pressure to stabilize when I reach my ideal weight. I would only "hope" for it. Not certainly, but likely to improve. > It's hard to say though, because a good part of my BP problem was > caused by the d*mned brain stem stroke that I had in 1998. The > brain stem controls many "life support systems" like blood pressure, > body temperature, digestion and breathing. So some of t BP problems > -- although not all -- are from my brain telling my body to do the > wrong things. I am a little bit surprised by this statement, but I hope that you got it on good authority. > I've overcome a tremendous amount in this area, > though, and am confident that I can beat the high BP also. THrough > low-carbing it's already much better than it was 3 years ago. When I was at 223 lbs, BMI 31, my BP was 145-150/80-90 or so. Nowadays it is 120-127/67-72, I am at 173lbs, BMI 24. I still check my BP often and record it. i i || It's hard to say though, because a good part of my BP problem was || caused by the d*mned brain stem stroke that I had in 1998. The || brain stem controls many "life support systems" like blood pressure, || body temperature, digestion and breathing. So some of t BP problems || -- although not all -- are from my brain telling my body to do the || wrong things. | I am a little bit surprised by this statement, but I hope that you got | it on good authority. I was under care of a neurologist during 3 months of hospitalization for the brain stem stroke and for 2 years afterwards. Initially, all of the sytems I mentioned were affected. Fortunately, after the brain swelling subsided a few weeks after the initial damage to the brain stem, many cleared up on their own: digestion, breathing, swallowing, speech and heart rate returned to normal. My body temperature remained low (it doesn't seem to have any adverse effects, but my "normal" temperature now is around 96.4 degrees). Aside from the usual muscle spacticity and weakness associated with strokes, the other symptom that never normalized that was caused by the stroke was the erratic blood pressure. It took months (actually well over a year) of various treatments to get it stabilized, but it's remained high. I had a period a few months after I first started low-carbing three years ago when it dropped, but it gradually increased again. The same thing happened a couple of months ago when I returned to very strict low-carb eating along with calorie reduction. My blood pressure initially dropped enough so that my doctor took me off of one of my blood pressure meds. But then it started climing again, despite the improvement in all other health indicators: blood lipid levels, weight and blood glucose. There's still something at work there that's likely associated with the damage from the stroke: It seems that as with my low body temperature, somehow my body now apparently thinks that my "normal" blood pressure should be higher -- and keeps creeping back up to that higher level no matter what I do. Because I gained a lot of weight after the stroke, I'm hoping that at least part of this high BP may be associated with the weight gain rather than the stroke, because it will be ultimately treatable if that's the case. I can only wait and see what's going to happen as I approach my ideal weight. I'm optimistic though. SignaturePeter website: http://users.thelink.net/marengo |Also, I am also considering CoQ10 and would like to know | what is your reasoning behind taking it. p.s. Here's a link to some great, plain-English information on CoQ10: http://tinyurl.com/279r5 SignaturePeter website: http://users.thelink.net/marengo >|Also, I am also considering CoQ10 and would like to know | what is your > reasoning behind taking it. > > p.s. Here's a link to some great, plain-English information on CoQ10: > http://tinyurl.com/279r5 Basically, it sounds like a great supplement. Since I have 40-50 years to live though, I have to be concerned about long term effects. i >|Also, I am also considering CoQ10 and would like to know | what is your > reasoning behind taking it. > > p.s. Here's a link to some great, plain-English information on CoQ10: > http://tinyurl.com/279r5 great link by the way... i | great link by the way... | | i Isn't it? I research all my supplements on that site; it's really helpful for deciding on what to take for various conditions, and dosages. SignaturePeter website: http://users.thelink.net/marengo >| great link by the way... >| >| i > Isn't it? I research all my supplements on that site; it's really helpful > for deciding on what to take for various conditions, and dosages. I have two questions. 1. Does taking CoQ10 inhibit body's own production of it, in a way so that it is difficult to discontinue taking it 2. Is it, in fact, absorbable when eaten. i oh peter! i'm so happy for you! great news! proud of you for sticking to it! great job! your numbers are amazing! **When I was young we used to go 'skinny dipping'. Now I just 'chunky dunk'. witchy :: As many of you know, I was diagnosed as diabetic in December, when a :: fasting blood test shoed blood glucose level of 135 and HbA1c of [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] :: cholesterol also without medications. She said I'm her "best :: patient." (*blushing*) I think she meant among her patients. Exercise will up your HDL and lower your Trigs. :: I really believe that it's more than just my low-carb eating plan :: that has made these dramatic improvements in just 90 days; it's a [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] :: extract, chromium picolinate, magnesium, zinc, selenium, green tea :: extract and CoQ10. Plus a multivitamin. I take a multivitamin, CoQ10, Alpha Lipoic Acid (a small dose), 3 g of L-carntine, 3 g of acetyl-L-carnitine, and vitamin C. :: My challenge now for the next 90 days is to continue with my :: regimen, and add a very mild exercise program. Since I'm 52 years :: old, still overweight and have a history of a stoke, I'm not going :: to go out and start pupming iron or running! However, there are :: sensible exercises I can do; particularly walking. Good idea....walking is a great exercise to start with. This is more of :: a challenge than it might seem since I have a slight disability from :: my stroke and walk with the aid of an AFO (ankle -foot brace). But :: I can do this. If I can be diabetec and not have to take :: medications, who knows -- maybe I can put my mind to getting rid of :: the brace next, the same way that I threw away my cane 2 years ago. :: I feel today that the sky's the limit! Great! ||| My doctor ... told me that I'm "unique" in being able to ||| control my blood sugars through diet (and nutritional supplements) ||| alone, as well as dramatically lower triglycerides and total ||| cholesterol also without medications.| | I think she meant among her patients. Exercise will up your HDL and lower | your Trigs. Yep. Actually, it's not that her other patients aren't able to control their blood sugar and cholesterol without meds, it's that they apparently aren't willing to do so. How's that for a reversal? A doctor (PA, actually) who tries to promote low-carb eating as healthy and her patients resist it! FWIW, I asked her if I should try to cut back more on saturated fats, since I've been eating without regard to the fat type. She said, "no," to keep doing exactly as I have been doing, only begin adding the mild exercise. SignaturePeter website: http://users.thelink.net/marengo Peter, your determination in stroke recovery and dedication to bettering your health are very inspirational! I am very happy for you, and wish you the best of luck in starting an exercise program. Walking is such good exercise, but watch out for the blisters! Mark. > As many of you know, I was diagnosed as diabetic in December, when a fasting > blood test shoed blood glucose level of 135 and HbA1c of 9.0. My [quoted text clipped - 76 lines] > > Sorry this was so long. Can you tell I'm, happy? :-) Congratulations! Great test results, and I belt you feel a ton better. SignatureBob in CT Remove ".x" to reply | Peter, | your determination in stroke recovery and dedication to bettering your | health are very inspirational! | Mark. Thanks for the kind words, Mark. SignaturePeter website: http://users.thelink.net/marengo Great news Peter! You should be very proud of yourself. Pat yourself on the back once for me. Congratulations; Marty Peter, Congrats!!!!!! As far as the blood pressure goes, low carbing will not control my blood pressure at all. Ask your doctor why she isn't putting you on an ACE inhibitor or an ARB. They are recommended for diabetics because they have a very strong kidney-preserving effect. The ARB worked dramatically for me when a diuretic didn't work at all to control my blood pressure _while low carbing_. ARB and ACE inhibitors work on a different system. Since you, like me, aren't seeing that BP drop from the diet, perhaps the down regulation of the vasopressin would work for you? That's what ACE Inhibitors and ARBs both do. Lisinopril is the one most people use. I experienced facial swelling with it which is why I'm on the much more expensive ARB. It works great with no perceivable side effects. -- Jenny - Low Carbing for 4 years. At goal for weight. Type 2 diabetes, hba1c 5.2. Cut the carbs to respond to my email address! Low carb facts and figures, my weight-loss photos, tips, recipes, strategies for dealing with diabetes and more at http://www.geocities.com/jenny_the_bean/ Looking for help controlling your blood sugar? Visit http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/Newly%20Diagnosed.htm > As many of you know, I was diagnosed as diabetic in December, when a fasting > blood test shoed blood glucose level of 135 and HbA1c of 9.0. My [quoted text clipped - 79 lines] > Peter > website: http://users.thelink.net/marengo | Peter, | [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] | | -- Jenny - Low Carbing for 4 years. At goal for weight. Type 2 diabetes, Jenny, In my post I mentioned that I'm being weaned off the beta blocker (at my request) and instead am being switched to an Ace inhibitor/caclium channel blocker combination for the exact reasons that you cited. I'm not very familiar with ARBs. As much as I hate to say it, because I have no health insurance I've been trying to find the combination of BP medications that both work and are affordable. The catapres (clonidine transdermal patch, an alpha-2 adrenergic blocker) works wonderfully for me, because it directly helps regulate the signals from the brain stem's cells that control the BP -- the area that was damaged by my stroke 6 years ago. However, it costs $140/month for that drug alone, and that's ridiculous. Add doctor's visits at $120 along with lab work, other meds et al, you can see why I'm so willing to do whatever I have to to control these things with as little -- or at least as low-cost -- medications as possible! SignaturePeter website: http://users.thelink.net/marengo Peter, The health insurance situation in the U.S. is the single worst problem most of us face. Which is why the right wing has deflected everyone's attention to the gay marriage issue which doesn't cost them a dime and keeps people from remembering what they really need to look for in a legislator. Lisinopril is a generic ACE inhibitor. It was Zestril when under patent. It isn't too expensive, I believe. I hope it works for you. But given what you wrote elsewhere about the brain stem issues, I can see where you have to go very slowly. Can your doctor give you bags full of the free samples the legal drug pushers leave with him? Ask him! Back when I had utterly crappy coverage and some major problems, my doctor used to be very helpful this way. -- Jenny - Low Carbing for 4 years. At goal for weight. Type 2 diabetes, hba1c 5.2. Cut the carbs to respond to my email address! Low carb facts and figures, my weight-loss photos, tips, recipes, strategies for dealing with diabetes and more at http://www.geocities.com/jenny_the_bean/ Looking for help controlling your blood sugar? Visit http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/Newly%20Diagnosed.htm > | Peter, > | [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > Peter > website: http://users.thelink.net/marengo >I had my 90-day return blood tests Tuesday, and she just called me with the >results. Here they are: > > 12/15/04 3/9/04 > >Weight: 270 232 ( -38 pounds) Less than 4 months. That was quick! Mine went from 238 to 174, but it took about a year. Biker >>I had my 90-day return blood tests Tuesday, and she just called me with the >>results. Here they are: [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >Less than 4 months. That was quick! Mine went from 238 to 174, but it >took about a year. I copied the wrong line from your post. Shoulda been this one.... Total Cholesterol: 234 188 (- 46 points!) Anyway, great results!!! Biker >Sorry this was so long. Can you tell I'm, happy? :-) Peter congrats on the great improvements.. You have much to be proud of.. Keep up the good work.. As always YMMV and this is JMO Jeanne Type 2 Diagnosed 05/28/02 194/164/120 Way to go, Peter! Piedlourde >Sorry this was so long. Can you tell I'm, happy? :-) Very impressive news, well done! -- Lexin (300/224/182) (5'7) LC since 9 June 2003 > As many of you know, I was diagnosed as diabetic in December, when a fasting > blood test shoed blood glucose level of 135 and HbA1c of 9.0. My [quoted text clipped - 76 lines] > > Sorry this was so long. Can you tell I'm, happy? :-) Peter we should all be as diligant as you!!! Way to go! Feel my cyber hug?{{{{{{{{{{{P E T E R}}}}}}}}}}}}}} Laureen Way to go Peter!! I think you've found the way that LC works best with your body. -- Tara www.dazzled.com/lowcarb - my homepage > As many of you know, I was diagnosed as diabetic in December, when a fasting > blood test shoed blood glucose level of 135 and HbA1c of 9.0. My [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > > I really believe that it's more than just my low-carb eating plan that has > made these dramatic improvements in just 90 days; it's a combination of food > choices as well as vitamins and nutritional supplements. For instance, I [quoted text clipped - 43 lines] > Peter > website: http://users.thelink.net/marengo Congrats Peter. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy! SignatureBear Grrrrrrrrrrrr :o) 297/264.5/210 http://home.earthlink.net/~polarbear50/ > As many of you know, I was diagnosed as diabetic in December, when a fasting > blood test shoed blood glucose level of 135 and HbA1c of 9.0. My [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > > I really believe that it's more than just my low-carb eating plan that has > made these dramatic improvements in just 90 days; it's a combination of food > choices as well as vitamins and nutritional supplements. For instance, I [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > > Sorry this was so long. Can you tell I'm, happy? :-) |
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