Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Cholesterol and AS connection?

My eye doc ordered a bunch a lab work a couple months ago. He sent me all the results in the mail. It seems my total cholesterol is 275, and my bad is 145!

I think he was saying there is a connection between heart/brain imflammation and these levels. My fasting gluclose was elevated, but my sugars are normal. My iron was way too high too.

I know this isnt diet related. I eat an excellent diet of organic, whole foods, take large amounts of fish oil, excersize, drink green tea, etc.

I am slightly confused by the whole cholesterol thing. I never thought it would be an issue at 26.

Jamie

Hi, Jamie:

I don't know of a direct connection between AS and elevated cholesterol, but there could be a connection between cardiovascular disease and CRP; the cholesterol may form dangerous plaque in the presence of inflammation.

Some of the NSD crowd have reduced cholesterol by reducing grains; apparently it is not the fats we eat, but the way our liver responds to high starch intake that causes the higher levels of cholesterol.

Best Regards,
John



"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?"
Charles Babbage

Jamie, it's entirely possible that your high cholesterol problem could be genetic. It is possible to control this through diet and I would suggest working with a naturopath to find the best diet for you.

The only reason I know this is that my mom, who has never been a high fat consumer, was diagnosed with high cholesterol a few years ago. She was told she'd be on drugs for it for the rest of her life, which made her go to a naturopath. Her levels were lowered within three months on the diet he gave her and she's managed to maintain it ever since at acceptable levels.

Hugs,

Kat



"Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall." - Confucius

I've got very high triglycerides and a ugly cholesterol count. Have had for years even after a year of a tuna diet ....yuck. Seems dirt has no effect except I'd probably have a high level of mercury after all the fish! Anyway I'm supposed to be on medicine but stopped all meds a couple of years ago. Whats a naturopath?

A naturopathic doctor is one who specializes in herbals and alternative medicine. They are not generally medical school trained (although some GPs do get extra training to become a naturopath as well as a medical doctor), but they do go through alot of schooling to become a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (that's what it says on my naturopath's certificate).

This page gives a really good description of what they do. Naturopathy

Unfortunately, while my naturopath was able to ease my AS to a huge degree, because no-one knows the cause of AS, it was difficult for her to treat the cause. She worked with trial and error just as our rheumys do. However, it's because of her that I dropped cow dairy and wheat from my diet and started testing other grains to see what also triggered flare in me. She's also the one who put me on Bio-K, flaxseed oil, herbal anti-inflammatories, and high quality supplements.

So, there you are.

Hugs,

Kat



"Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall." - Confucius