LifeCare Chiropractic

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HDL cholesterol

ELEVATED CRP LEVELS RESULTS IN ELEVATED CHOLESTEROL LEVELS – (05-23-05)

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Lipid Response to a Low-Fat Diet with or without Soy is Modified by C-Reactive Protein

In this study, the authors found that, if a patient has elevated CRP levels, than the AHA-type diet may actually result in elevated cholesterol levels.

This really reminds us that a “one size fits all” approach is not always the best way to go.  It also illustrates the point that many of us make–avoiding one class of macronutrients is not always a good idea.  It is very possible that a high-omega 3 fatty acid diet with high fiber would produce drastically different results.

Interestingly, however, there was a 13.5% increase in apolipoprotein levels which the authors threw into the “negative” category.  This would indicate a much better quality HDL cholesterol with this type of diet.

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BENEFICIAL EFFECTS ON CHOLESTEROL CONCENTRATIONS – (11-05-07)

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Continuous intake of polyphenolic compounds containing cocoa powder reduces LDL oxidative susceptibility and has beneficial effects on plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations

A major paradigm shift has occurred w/in the pharmaceutical company lately. For the past however many years, pharma companies have put out “blockbuster” drugs–high dollar drugs like Celebrex and Neurontin that, in reality, don’t add much new to the treatment possibilities. The development of these drugs is very expensive, but the payoff is vast. But a funny thing happened on the way to the bank.

The most recent of these drugs that was believed to be a blockbuster in CVD treatment was to raise HDL levels. The human trials were a dismal failure, leading some to speculate that the end of the blockbuster days were over. Can’t say I’d lose any sleep. One the far end of the scale from the blockbuster, high cost drug, in this study we find that good ‘ole fashioned cocoa powered raised HDL levels by 24%, all without killing a single study participant.

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FAVORABLE EFFECT OF BERRY CONSUMPTION – (08-25-08)

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Favorable Effect of Berry Consumption on Platelet Function, Blood Pressure and HDL Cholesterol

When is comes to high phytonutrient value and protection of mitochondria, berries definitely are found high on the list. And, when you think about it, increasing your intake of berries is not exactly painful. A cup of wild blueberries daily can go a long way.

In this particular study, we found increases in HDL levels with berry intake. Interestingly, there are not many direct pathways I can think of that would increase HDL levels with increasing polyphenol intake from berries. Which brings to mind the subject of surrogate endpoints. Recently, human clinical trials of a drug designed to raise HDL levels was canceled when patients in the study were dying on the drug, despite higher HDL levels.

The use of surrogate end markers (instead of looking at death, we look at lab values that are linking to higher death rates, such as HDL cholesterol in this case). The trial was not the first to find that a drug designed specifically to affect surrogate endpoints has resulted in higher death rates. So maybe, just maybe, the fact that higher HDL levels seem to protect against heart disease is because HDL levels are merely a reflection of the health of the entire patient, and when they are healthy, HDL levels go up–rather then being healthy because HDL levels are elevated.

So, back to this study, maybe the HDL levels have gone up because the polyphenols from the berries are improving the entire health of the patient, resulting in the by-product of higher HDL levels.

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