News, 'Normal' levels of bad cholesterol may be too high. (blood, doctor)

[JD59]

The bottom isn't just dropping out of the stock market. It's also giving way in a critical measure of heart risk.

Two new studies indicate that the threshold of what doctors consider "normal" levels of bad cholesterol, or LDL, may be too high, leaving thousands of people vulnerable to heart attacks and strokes.

'Normal' levels of bad cholesterol may be too high - USATODAY.com

[CleanCutHippie]

Sigh....the ad was basically an advertisment for statins. The goal is to have everyone on these drugs. Of course if you exercise, eat a diet low in bad carbs and high in quality fats you won't need to worry about that.

[Six Foot Three]

Originally Posted by CleanCutHippie

Sigh....the ad was basically an advertisment for statins. The goal is to have everyone on these drugs. Of course if you exercise, eat a diet low in bad carbs and high in quality fats you won't need to worry about that.

Yeap my first thought exactly about that being a statin ad when i saw the thread title. I'd be more concerned with Triglycerides and C-Reactive Protein (Artery inflammation) levels.

[sgresident]

what really influences the LDL? I would like more answers. I hate that they just want to throw drugs at people.

[CleanCutHippie]

Originally Posted by sgresident

what really influences the LDL? I would like more answers. I hate that they just want to throw drugs at people.

Cholesterol is produced by your liver. High cholesterol is genetic. Dietery intake of cholesterol has very little impact on serum levels.

However eating carbs and trans fat will have a very negative impact on your blood cholesterol levels. If you cut back on bad or uneccessary carbs and processed food you lower you LDL and triglycerides. Fruits and vegetables are the only carbs I consume on a regular basis for this reason. Even with fruit I stick with those low in sugar/starch such as berries.