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High LDL Cholesterol

I am writing this letter because we received an abnormal Cholesterol Report from the lab. LDL is the "bad" cholesterol, and the HDL is the “Good” cholesterol which protects from the bad effects of the LDL cholesterol. The high LDL cholesterol is the cause of most heart attacks, high blood pressure and strokes. Regular exercise and good nutrition would help to improve the high LDL levels. We can repeat this test (Lipid Profile) once a year to follow up your progress. HDL is the good cholesterol which plays a protective role in your body. HDL levels below 40 mg/dl can also be a risk factor for heart disease. Optimally, HDL levels should be greater than 60 mg/dl. For HDL levels lower than this, consider exercising for 30 minutes daily.

Medications:

If your LDL is very high and is not responding to diet, exercise and supplements, we may have to give medications (Statins) to decrease the levels.

Test Child Normal Normal
Total Cholesterol less than 170 mg/dL Less than 200 mg/dL
LDL levels (Bad Cholesterol) less than 100 mg/dL Less than 100 mg/dl
HDL levels (Good Cholesterol) greater than or equal to 40 mg/dL Above 60 mg/dl
Triglyceride levels less than or equal to 150 mg/dL 150­199mg/dl

Quick tips about your cholesterol and health:

  • Include "good" fats, such as omega­3 fats and monounsaturated fats (canola oil, olive oil, walnuts, fish, and flax seed supplements). These protect us from high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
  • Avoid bad fats (fast food: French fries, burgers, milk shakes, etc)
  • The biggest culprit in the LDL cholesterol is the Refined Carbohydrates like: French Fries, Mashed Potatoes, desserts, Ice Creams and the sodas like Coke & Pepsi. By buying the right foods like the Brown Rice, Whole Grain Pasta you can increase the fiber in your diet that will decrease the bad LDL Cholesterol.
  • Your risk of heart disease increases up to 3 times when you have a parent or sibling who has had a heart attack by age 55 in men or 65 in women.
  • 30 minutes of walking 5 days a week can lower your LDL level, raise your HDL level, and help you maintain a healthy weight. So if you have high cholesterol, get moving!

In most cases, the high LDL cholesterol is genetic. No matter what kind of diet you are on, it may not lower the LDL cholesterol significantly (But it is important to decrease the red meat and increase vegetables chicken and fish). Recent literature suggests that taking Flax Seed Oil by mouth would help the bad LDL cholesterol to decrease over prolonged period of usage. The flax seed oil has some objectionable smell to it. I suggest that you can mix it with a shake or milk to hide the taste. I am providing some dosage guidelines here. It is available in Sams Club,Costco, GNC and other food supplement stores.

Age Product Dosage
12 to Adult Organic Flaxseed Oil gel 1000mg 3 softgels twice daily
6 to 12 years Organic Flaxseed Oil gel 1000mg 2 softgels twice daily
12 to Adult Organic Flaxseed Oil (Liquid) 1 Tablespoon (3 tsp) twice daily
6 to 12 years Organic Flaxseed Oil (Liquid) 2 teaspoons twice daily
Dextroampetamine Organic Flaxseed Oil (Liquid) 1 teaspoon twice daily

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*This information is intended for use by my patients as part of my lab test information and patient communication program. For other readers of this article, I inform that this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. I hereby disclaim any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.