To any BTD skeptics:

Behold my improved cholesterol results after steadily increasing adherance to the Type A non-secretor diet in two years time. Let me also give you a background of where I was in life when my first results were taken. It was October of 2002. I had just graduated in May. During my 3rd and 4th years of pharmacy school I exercised like crazy (jogged or other cardio and also lifted weights). I ate a lot of Amy's Kitchen vegetarian dinners. Upon graduation I exercised a lot less but still ate about the same as I was already eating. I found out my secretor status in the fall. I still ate quite a lot of dairy and wheat though I did add on more soy.

Fasting Lipid Panel via Fairview Riverside Clinic, Oct 2002 (normal range within parentheses):

Total Cholesterol: 214 (115-199)

Triglycerides: 74 (40-199)

LDL-aka bad cholesterol: 99 (0-129)

VLDL-aka very bad cholesterol: 15 (7-32)

HDL-aka good cholesterol: 74 (over 35)

After reading Live Right, I began cutting out milk and wheat as best as I could. I still cheat every once in a while, but consciously cheat. I try to live in moderation and not get too tied up in being perfect, but strive to choose BTD-friendly alternatives when available. Here's what's happening.....

Fasting Lipid Panel via Health Partners Uptown Clinic, Sept. 29, 2004:

Total Cholesterol: 164 (down 50 points!)

Triglycerides: 28 (down 46 points!)

LDL: 77 (down 22 points!)

VLDL: not tested at this lab due to different clinic, but assuming this may have gone down, too, since total is down!

HDL: 81 (up 7 points!)

I had my fasting lipid panel done because I wanted to confirm the results of the State Fair cholesterol. As you may have read in a previous blog, my total was 173 and my HDL was 68 as done in that non-fasting state. I am so excited to see how well my fasting results improved!

Strangely enough, these results are mainly due to food. I exercise less than I used to (though I do have a job that requires long hours of standing), but I just try to follow the formula for healthy A living and it's working well for me!

More to come in my blog as I have spent a wonderful weekend off and on with fellow A bloggers Jim and Jennifer! Stay tuned and be well!