Something New: Cholesterol

[Mister D]

Yesterday my doctor called to tell me my cholesterol had spiked. I get my blood tested every 90 days and have for two decades. My good cholesterol is high as it almost always is. But this time my bad cholesterol was unusually high.

So I started researching cholesterol. I found something interesting. Our processed foods contain large amounts of a manufactured kind of estrogen. When our bodies try to collect it and excrete it it can cause cholesterol levels to rise. What have I DONE DIFFERENTLY LATELY?

Six months ago I discovered a frozen meat lasagna. Since then I have been eating it twice weekly. I have also been eating two pizzas weekly.

I think it is time for a change.

A man in his late 60s existing on frozen lasagna and two pizzas a week has high cholesterol? I refuse to believe it.

[Cletus]

A man in his late 60s existing on frozen lasagna and two pizzas a week has high cholesterol? I refuse to believe it.

He could drop his estrogen levels by stopping the "transition therapy".

Of course, that would probably affect his bra size.

[MisterVeritis]

High estrogen levels in our food could explain a lot about modern society

It is not straightforward. The estrogen found in processed food is not the same as that which is found in all people. It breaks down differently.

[Peter1469]

Wow. Sorry to hear that. Also I didn't know statins could be that dangerous. I once heard that your cholesterol could be very high but if you did not have damaged/nicked up arteries. That sounded profound until I realized that everyone who's been here a few decades probably has damaged arteries because free radicals and life.

I think cholesterol has been wrongly demonized. 25% of your body's cholesterol is in your brain and low cholesterol is linked to increased risks of depression and brain diseases (ask Joe* about that).

With that said, there is something to be said about the ratios of the types of cholesterol, like there is in the transfatty acid world. You don't want your LDL to be high while your HDL is low.

[Peter1469]

It is not straightforward. The estrogen found in processed food is not the same as that which is found in all people. It breaks down differently.

Probably because it isn't estrogen, but chemicals that react in the body like estrogen does. But that is a separate problem from high cholesterol which is likely caused by the HFCS and the transfatty acids that make up so much of ultra-processed foods.

[MisterVeritis]

I think cholesterol has been wrongly demonized. 25% of your body's cholesterol is in your brain and low cholesterol is linked to increased risks of depression and brain diseases (ask Joe* about that).

With that said, there is something to be said about the ratios of the types of cholesterol, like there is in the transfatty acid world. You don't want your LDL to be high while your HDL is low.

In my neuroanatomy course the professor mentioned that cholesterol is one of the required, "cheap" building blocks for all neurotransmitters.

For me my LDL count increased by almost 50.

[MisterVeritis]

Probably because it isn't estrogen, but chemicals that react in the body like estrogen does. But that is a separate problem from high cholesterol which is likely caused by the HFCS and the transfatty acids that make up so much of ultra-processed foods.

True. The article I found mentioned that it is not the same molecule.

I won't have time today but next week I will do more searching and reading.

[MisterVeritis]

He could drop his estrogen levels by stopping the "transition therapy".

Of course, that would probably affect his bra size.

I posted this on the serious side. If you are unable to remain serious please leave this thread.

[MisterVeritis]

A man in his late 60s existing on frozen lasagna and two pizzas a week has high cholesterol? I refuse to believe it.

For the reading challenged I made no claim to existing solely on two Lasagnas and two pizzas per week. But those were my dietary changes in the last six months.

[Peter1469]

In my neuroanatomy course the professor mentioned that cholesterol is one of the required, "cheap" building blocks for all neurotransmitters.

For me my LDL count increased by almost 50.

Sounds like your dietary changes will fix that fast enough.