LDL Cholesterol is calculated by the Friedewald formula:
LDL + HDL + [Trigs/5] = total.
But because LDL is so small (either Pattern A or Pattern B) in comparison to the other particles, what they usually do is calculate your LDL. They measure your HDL, your Trigs and your Total - so the equation becomes:
Total - (HDL + [Trigs/5]) = LDL.
(Note: Pattern is the "Fluffy, harmless, beachball" type as Dr. Sears refers to them, and
Pattern B is the even smaller dense type (think of BB pellets).)
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This formula works fine as long as your triglycerides are at least 100 and below 400, but outside of that range things get wonky. And the main problem is, when your triglycerides are below 100, as it often is for folks like us who avoid most if not all low glycemic carbs (grains and sugars),
the Friedewald formula overestimates LDL levels!
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Because this equation miscalculates LDL if you drop below 100 Triglycerides, some experts recommend that you always, always demand a VAP test, which is a direct measurement of the LDL. People who restrict low-glycemic carbs usually have very low triglycerides, which means that we're going to have problems if the lab uses the Friedewald equation to calculate our LDL levels. And according to Dr. Mary Vernon, "These labs in which the LDL is calculated are not accurate if your triglycerides are below 100... The equation used to calculate these numbers makes assumptions which are not accurate when triglycerides are low."
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However, there is a newer equation, called the Iranian Equation, that does a better job of calculating LDL when trigs are below 100. That equation is:
(Total/1.19) + (Trig/1.9) - (HDL/1.1) -38 = LDL
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So, next time you have your cholesterol numbers, plug into the Iranian equation IF your Triglycerides are below 100.

This Iranian one puts my LDL at 91. That would be very cool indeed!

Good Afternoon,

I checked on my husband's previous lab work (January 26th, 2011) and the results were as follows:

Fasting Insulin was 82 mg/dl > unsure how to convert that to uU/ml to determine level in chart in Toxic Fat on page 83

TG/HDL ratio was 131/31 > = 4.22580645 [>4 = dangerous level according to Toxic Fat, page 83]

But I still don't know how to convert it? Any advice, please?

Thanks.

Not sure which figure you are trying to convert.

The TG/HDL can be improved by:
-following Zone Diet with good adherence
-fish oil
-exercise
(and probably a number of other things, but these 3 are what comes to mind)

The reference range for the fasting insulin should be available on the lab test, maybe that would be helpful for you, at least you have a baseline and then the next time the test is run, you can at least see improvement, regardless of the scale being used.

I was going to come on today and post that my blood work came back from physical. Sugar is beautiful, it was never high but it could have been in the future. My Triglycerides are good, my HDL is great, but my LDL has gone up. I am waiting on the paper to have the numbers. The doctor called me to tell me if I can't get the LDL down in 4 months she wants to start talking drugs. I do not want that in any way shape or form. So now I am wondering if having to eat lower fat is going to throw everything off. I am also wondering what my TG level is. I was trying to write everything down, but Dr called at night and woke me up. LOL I know I am not sticking to the zone like most of you, but I am trying. If I start eating lower fat I am going to really screw with things. How does everyone deal with something like high cholesterol levels?

Hi Ann, you mentioned you don't stick to the Zone. That would be a good place to start. If you eat less fat than the minimum for Zone balance you will have difficulty getting in and staying in the Zone. If you're already eating that amount, I would not recommend going lower. LDL levels are afected by tge type if fat you eat. The less omega 6 fat you eat the better. If you really want to see a change in LDL, try the Zonw fast plan. My LDL dropped significantly when I switched to it. Zone foods are virtually void of AA. Also good would BR to find out your Triglyceride and HDL results. Divide the trig by the HDL. Under 2 is good and undicates your LDL particles are the mire fluffy larger type that doesn't pose a problem to toyr cardiovascular aystem. Under 1 is even better.

Ann, first of all, don't worry!

Hang in there until you get all of the results. I think that putting the numbers in perspective will help.

Are you taking any fish oil?

Just on the side, the opposite thing happened to me a few months ago. My HDL went down (despite my adherence to the Zone and regular exercizing). We did the lab tests through a company that administers our health risk assessment, and the gal that counseled me on raising my HDL was trying to tell me that this was an "abnormal" result and that I should be eating more almonds, using olive oil, and exercising more... and I will tell you that I ALWAYS use olive oil, I probably eat too many almonds, and I had been exercising regularly, having ridden almost 1000 miles on my bike over the summer. In any case, long story short, she didn't look at the whole picture. My LDL was also lower, along with my triglycerides, and so the ratios really did not put me in any high risk category. I was JUST FINE!

So, lets see your numbers, and then will see where you are at!

Ann,

Sorry for the typos!

Sue no problem with the typos. I followed what you said. :-) I can't do the zone fast program because I can't afford that. Just barely affording the healthy food I am eating now. I can't follow the plan strictly because I would have to bring my own food every where. I don't know anyone else who eats like this. How do you go out with friends or go to parties? I don't want to get too off subject so I need to get the numbers for everything so maybe it will look better then what it sounds.
CranberryCat I just started back on my fish oil. Hopefully that will help bring the number down. The doctor said only eat lean meat, chicken, turkey, fish. We don't eat much red meat but I don't cook fish because my husband won't eat it. Except tuna in a can. We switched to all egg substitute, and use only olive oil. My father had high cholesterol and was on meds. Dr is thinking it might be genetics at work. I need to try everything else before resorting to that poison. As soon as I get the numbers in front of me i will post them. thanks

Ann,

Sounds like you have a good start. Try to stay away from the red meat for now, that will definitely help. Surprisingly, your cholesterol numbers will change for the better following the Zone, and not just because of eating the right fats. Leveling off your insulin levels will be of utmost importance.

BTW, I don't bring my own food everywhere. I make due in lots of places. Sure I do bring my lunch to work. But, if I am going out for the day, I often don't pack anything to eat. I basically just make smarter choices when I am out there.

More and more, convenience stores offer healthier selections, like fruits. One of our local stores offers boiled eggs, string cheese, a variety of fruit, and these options are better choices than choosing the chips, cookies, or candy bars.

I don't go out for parties all that often, but it might help to eat something Zoned before you get there. And, most host/hostesses will put out some veggies/dip or fruit as part of the selection. Better yet, why not bring something for all to share at the party? A favorite of mine is hummus deviled eggs. People love them and will envy you at your creativity!

I am going to a party tomorrow night, my dad's 70th birthday. We are taking him out to dinner. I plan on eating normally throughout the day, and will likely choose a seafood selection, side salad, pass on the bread basket, and ask for veggies on the side rather than potatoes. I should have room in there for a glass of wine. I am not a huge fan of cake, but will probably have a few bites.

Hope that helps some, you don't need to feel like you are an alien for eating in the Zone!

Hi Ann,

I eat out, go to meetings, party's, picnics, vacations, everywhere, and am able to eat in the Zone. No one I know, besides my family, eats this way either, but that doesn't stop me. I don't take my own food everywhere I go, but I do keep single servings of almonds and a Zone bar or Zone cookie in my bag, for emergencies. All you need to do is take some of the leanest protein you can find (the size and thickness of your palm) then load the rest of your plate with veggies and add a little olive oil, or guacamole. If there aren't any good fats in sight I resort to my almonds. Most restaurants will give you olive oil if you ask. in fact, most restaurants will gladly substitute veggies for fries, potatoes rice and pasta. A soup or salad is another way to add good carbs when eating out. I've even ordered extra sides of more veggies when the servings are very small. You'll be better off saying no to the complimentary bread basket, chips, etc. If all that's nearby are fast food places, choose salads, chili, etc. Many places offer fruit and if not they will usually come up with some if you ask. Lately I've been ordering Greek salads when I eat out. They usually have a substantial amount of very Zone friendless veggies. I ask them to hold the feta (I rarely eat cheese) and I add shrimp, salmon or chicken to it. These always prevent hunger for me and they're delicious. BBQ's and gatherings with buffets, where everyone brings something to share, are probably the easiest places to load your plate with a delicious zone meal. Cochise the lean protein offerings ( chicken, turkey burgers, fish) and enjoy veggie salads for your carbohydrates. The more you eat easy from home the warier it will be to choose a Zone balanced meal away from home.

Cochise? Lol! My smartphone must have flunked spell check class.

Sue I'm glad you clued me in on cochise. You had me up until there. LOL In the next couple days I think I will start a thread about how to make choices at picnics and cookouts. I know I can't be the only one whose friends and family eat chips, hotdogs, macaroni and potato salad all summer. It's the food I love. I feel like an addict needing to go into rehab. Both your and CranberryCats suggestions were great. I really do feel so much better eating this way. Off to the recipe section to find something different to feed my husband this morning. thank you for all your patience.

Oh, Ann, I hear you, girlfriend! My family eats all of that crap in the summer, too.

I don't eat hotdogs, personally, but if its a cook out, we generally bring our "meat" of choice. I enjoy the turkey bratwurst or Italian sausages that are made by Jennie-O, they work out ok. Burgers made of extra lean beef. Skip the bun, or get some of those thin buns (not favorable, but they do when you just don't want to go without a bun). I take very small portions of the macaroni and potato salads, and will fill up on veggies. I sometimes will bring a marinated veggie salad with a few pieces of pasta tossed in (Dreamfields-low glycemic).

Chips pose a real problem for me, so I just have to stay away from them. Yes, I am an addict! The first step is admitting it!! LOL

Not favorable and far from ideal, especially if one eliminates sugar and minimizes grains, and esp flours like my wife and I do.
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However, occasionally, unless one is Gluten sensitive or Celiac, JOSEPH's Oat Flax and Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins are okay,
if one wants a substitute bread replacement. 12 grams carbs minus 4 grams fiber = 8 Net grams carbs or 1 unfavorable block.
Better yet are large lettuce leaves.
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Though my wife and I usually just skip the bun altogether.
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Though expensive, I wonder how long the fresh baked Zone breads would keep in the freezer?
Techie?
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I do a business trip once a year where the Zone foods are better than most alternatives available to me at the hotel and nearby restaurants: either fast food or high end expensive. The per diem covers the more expensive Zone foods and the shipping. I just order so they arrive 1 or 2 days before my trip.
Freeze the perishable, pack in luggage at last minute before leaving for the airport,a nd they stay cold for the 7 to 8 hours flight + travel time. Then unpack, and place in the pre-ordered refrigerator in my room. They stay fresh for the trip. I think I had one brownie (no longer made, sadly) start getting fuzz on it the last day of my annual week long business trip, the first year Zone foods were available. But that year I didn't keep it in the refrigerator.
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So my question to Techie at Zone is how long would/do Zone fresh baked foods last frozen until they need to be defrosted for use?
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For next year's business trip, I'll order some extra food for home use, since most of the (high) cost (of Zone foods) will be covered by the trip's per Diem.
I've already strategically ordered this year's trip's food: they should be arriving Wednesday, shipping Monday, for a 6 AM flight out West on Friday morning.

Hi Ann,

cochise = choose So sorry about that! :)

You’re definitely not the only one whose family eats potato salad, macaroni salad and hot dogs. Those are the staples at all the family parties I’d go to, too. My extended family has a cottage on a nearby lake, where we all gather for every summer holiday, summer birthdays, etc. The standard fare has always been exactly what you stated, plus chicken, and sad to admit, but back in the day (pre-Zone and 100 pounds heavier), I was the family queen of potato salad(making it!). It was requested of me for every party. I'd make a big one for every party using an 8 pound bag of potatoes, a dozen whole eggs, and 1 1/2 quarts of mayonnaise. Yikes! I ate my share, too. Ok, so fast forward to now, the regulars still bring their usual macaroni salads, Jell-O, frosted brownies, chocolate cake, tubs of sour cream dip with chips, etc. I now respectfully decline to make potato salad (they still keep asking me to bring it) and instead I bring something veggie. My veggies, a piece of chicken, and samplings of various other good carbs, when I can find them there, provide me with my Zone meal. And, when there's simply nothing decent but my contribution, that's when I breakout my emergency Zone bar. :)

To get even more inspired for your "rehab" (like your analogy!) read "Toxic Fat" and listen to Barry Sears online. It'll definitely spur you on to success. Once you really know what those foods are doing to you, they might just become a lot less enticing and enjoyable. It worked for me. As the saying goes, knowledge is power.


One of my stories published in the Zone ezine last year was about summer eating (Enjoy Delicious Summer Eating, by Sue Knorr) . You can read it here: http://www.zonediet.com/Portals/0/r...letter.pdf

Ann,

just another perspective,

knowledge is power, but sometimes even knowledge does not prevent mishaps from happening. I feel that having the knowledge is helpful in making you think about your choices, but knowledge won't prevent you from making those not-so-good choices. Sometimes it does take a little bit more mind-over-matter. There are times that we all struggle with making those smart choices. Those 'favorites" are going to present themselves now and then, and sometimes you will find yourself allowing yourself to "forget" all of it, cast it all aside, and dive in. Don't worry that you might slip up now and again. Just jump back in when you can.

Some people are able to go all out with this, while others struggle with huge changes and really do much better with smaller, slower steps. Change is not always that easy, bad habits are hard to break. When I started this journey, I really just started out by making one change in my diet, which was to go 1 month without eating ice cream (my big vice at the time). As I went along, I found that the one thing was easy to change, and that I felt capable of adding on more changes, and so I built on as I went along. Pretty soon, I was following more and more of a Zone lifestyle.