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Blood pressure and cholesterol levels
It looks like I will not be able to get my cholesterol results from 2017 after all. I just got an email after mailing in a signed medical release. I had already spoken to my Human Resources department and quest diagnostics and was referred to the actual labs that drew my blood.
“We received your request for copies of your laboratory results. Unfortunately, we are unable to help you.
Upon checking, we found the testing ordered for you was for a Biometrix Screening. Those labs are sent out to Quest Diagnostics for testing. Mid America simply acts as a draw site for those tests, and never receives lab results. Please contact Quest Diagnostics directly at”
Going by memory my total cholesterol in 2017 was 260 and it is now 180. My triglycerides and LDL were both over 150 but I don’t remember the exact numbers. Now my triglycerides are 67 and my LDL is 109 so both have improved. I stated earlier that I would post my old results when I got them but since that isn’t going to be possible I wanted to explain.
Above was Bella!
Quote from ggenereux on January 11, 2019, 3:49 pmI’m curious if anyone is tracking their blood pressure and / or cholesterol levels while on a low vitamin A diet?
Thanks
Hi Grant,
my cholesterol in the upper high range taken 2/12/19. I’ve been on a low A diet over 6 weeks now but have not re-tested yet.
total 262
direct ldl 156
triglycerides 142
hdl 86
I’m concerned about eating all the red meat in this low A diet raising my cholesterol.
Should I be worried about red meat?
Also would you have any suggestions on lowering my cholesterol besides eliminating A which I’m already doing?
TIA
John
Hi John,
Each person needs to decide what’s best for them.
I believe red meat has been very wrongly vilified, and is actually one of the best foods people can consume to lower their cholesterol and safely manage vitamin A. Of course, red meat does NOT include liver.
Also, the key understanding about the essential amino acids provided by meat protein, is well, they are essential. Dietary protein is also critical in building the needed RBPs. And, I now think the RBPs are really vitamin A antibodies.
Personally, I’m still sticking almost exclusively to red meat (fat steak or roast), rice, black beans, salt, and some vitamin C.
The only other suggestions I have at this time are trying to get regular moderate exercise and restful sleeps.
Thanks Grant
Hi Grant,
Thank you. I’ll continue with red meat for the RBP’s. What happens to the RBP’s once it binds to retinol? Does it get secreted?
Also is there a location on your blog where you list the specifics of your diet and how they’ve changed over time? I saw someone referencing your diet over time and wondered how they got that information.
Lastly a friend wondered what happened to your no VA experiment after you’re (guinea pigs?) died? Despite the explanation of how they died he was still very concerned, especially with not finding another continued experiment on YouTube.
John
Hi John,
Yes, I am assuming that the RBPs eventually get expelled.
My diet is listed in the last chapter of P4P.
The only significant change that I’ve made in my diet was switching out the red kidney beans for black beans.
I now occasionally eat white bread (no milk or dairy). I don’t have a bad reaction to bread, but I find that my digestion is just more regular and I feel lighter when I don’t have bread.
Very occasionally I’ll eat some almonds too.
The only other thing that changed is that I now just seem to need to eat less. I’m now down to eating less than one cup of rice (measured dry) per day. I still eat about 6-8 OZ of bison / beef per day and about 8 OZ of black beans. I find that to be a lot of food.
I was unable to start a second animal experiment, just due to needing to travel too often, and other accommodation issues. Additionally, I’ve since come across another zero vitamin A study (~1970) done on rats where the animals were fine in to about their 33rd week with no signs of VAD.
But, at least one other person has started another VAD experiment, with mice. It is currently underway.
Hi Grant,
Thanks again. And keep up the great work!
Quote from ggenereux on April 10, 2019, 4:39 pmThe only other thing that changed is that I now just seem to need to eat less. I’m now down to eating less than one cup of rice (measured dry) per day. I still eat about 6-8 OZ of bison / beef per day and about 8 OZ of black beans. I find that to be a lot of food.
Interesting. I would be curious to know if your thyroid levels have changed at all as well. I still have a voracious appetite, which is good, since for me, vitamin A toxicity resulted in weight loss (I have since gained weight). Also, my blood pressure has always been 90/60, sometimes lower, even when eating tons of vitamin A and taking supplements.
@eliza1275 That's interesting about your blood pressure. Mine is similar. I've had problems with low blood pressure for years. I do better with more salt in my diet which helps increase my blood volume and therefore my blood pressure.
My blood pressure has always been on the lower side also.
My thyroid is on the low side m, tested 2 months ago just before the peak of my symptoms.
TSH 1.13 (Three years ago it was 2.6)
t4 free 1.4
t3 free 2.6
t3 total 79
My head symptoms and sleephave gotten better except my hands and feet joints are aching with pins and needles.
Looking to test again soon.