| Elevated Lipid Levels
GMHC'S Nutrition & Wellness Program
What Are Elevated Lipid Levels?
When cholesterol and triglyceride levels exceed the normal, healthy
ranges.
Acceptable levels are:
- Total cholesterol less than 200 mg/dl
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) "bad cholesterol" less than 130
mg/dl
- Triglycerides no greater than 190 mg/dl
Fasting lipid profiles are more accurate.
What May Affect Lipid Levels?
- Micronutrient (vitamins and minerals) status
- Heredity
- Hormones
- Organ function (pancreas and liver)
- Diet
- Some medications
- HIV/AIDS
What Are Potential Problems Related To Elevated Lipid Levels?
- Risk for diseases: e.g., stroke and pancreatitis
What Can I Do About Elevated Lipid Levels?
- Diet changes
- Medication prescribed by your physician, if necessary
- Exercise
Dietary Interventions
- Reduce the amount of total dietary fat to 20-25% of total calories.
- Increase intake of high-fiber foods such as whole wheat bread,
beans, brown rice, bran cereal, psyllium (Metamucil), and vegetables.
- Increase use of monounsaturated oils such as olive and canola
oils and omega-3 fatty acids from certain fish (salmon, tuna,
halibut, rainbow trout, sardines, and anchovies) and flax seed
oil.
- Reduce consumption of simple sugars (sodas, sweets, etc.) and
refined starches (white bread, white rice, pasta, and others made
from white flour).
- Consume a variety of fruits and vegetables for their protective
antioxidant and phytochemical constituents.
- Choose lean, high quality protein sources such as chicken, turkey,
lean beef, fish, low-fat cottage cheese, and beans.
- Limit alcohol consumption to no greater than 2 ounces of wine,
beer, or distilled spirits daily.
- Increase aerobic exercise (20-30 minutes fast walk, 3-4 times/week).
Complementary Approaches To Reducing Elevated Lipid Levels
- Fish oils supplements (5-9 grams/day) may be helpful. However,
if you have low platelet counts it is advisable to use fish oil
supplements with caution, as they may "thin" the blood, causing
spontaneous bleeding.
- Carnitine in a dose of 2-3 grams per day may help reduce triglyceride
levels. Carnitine is an important factor in allowing the body
to create energy from fat. Production of carnitine in the body
is dependent on Vitamin B6, niacin, iron, and Vitamin C, which
have been found to be low in HIV/AIDS patients.
- Antioxidants can protect the arteries of the heart against the
build-up of fatty deposits which can lead to cardiovascular disease.
These supplements can also help to maintain normal triglyceride
levels by reversing conditions that may cause an increase of these
lipid levels. The supplementation regimen includes beta-carotene,
Vitamin C (2,000-6,000 mg daily), Vitamin E (400-800 IU daily),
N-acetyl cysteine (1500-2000 mg daily), and selenium (200mcg).
- Coenzyme Q-10 (100-300 mg daily), a highly potent antioxidant
may also reduce lipid levels.
- Some cholesterol-lowering herbs may be helpful: guggulipid (700-750
mg, standardized to 10% guggulsterones) and garlic (400-600 mg
raw garlic concentrate).
© 2003 Gay Men's Health Crisis |
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