hi, I have finally some bloodwork done. My total Cholesterol is 167, HDL 75 and TRIG 63. TRIG/HDL ratio is therefore 0,84. This after 5 months of Enerzona FO equivalent to 8 caps SearsLab FO per day. This amount of FO was suggested by the people at the Enerzona center considering the amount of exercise I'm doing. What would the experts here suggest? Shall I reduce FO to an equivalent of 4 caps SearsLab FO per day? Thanks. Paola

Hi! Thought you may find this question to Dr. Sears of interest:: [quote:9eb5e550fc]Posted 07/23/2003 Asked By: James H. "AA/EPA numbers" After reading and outlining the "OmegaRx Zone" book -- which, by the way, in my clinical judgement is the best eating plan book I have read -- I ordered the AA/EPA study on myself. My Trig/HDL ratio taken on the same day was .65. My AA/EPA was 4.56. Why the disconnect? The Trig/HDL ratio would suggest, in my understanding of your work, that my AA/EPA ration ought to be closer to 1.5. Any thoughts? James H, Dear James, The TG/HDL ratio is more reflective of insulin control since the TG/HDL ratio is a marker of metabolic syndrome. It true that fish oil will lower TG levels, but if they are already low due to good insulin control, then the impact on the TG/HDL ratio will not be as great. After doing more than 2,000 tests, we are finding a number of individuals with good to excellent TG/HDL ratios, but with relatively high AA/EPA ratios that still require more fish oil to bring them into an appropriate range. Dr. Barry Sears[/quote:9eb5e550fc] Although, I would like to add that my TG/HDL ratio is .77 and my AA/EPA came back at 1.94 while taking 4-6 capsules of PGFO daily. crumbelina :P

Thank you Crumbelina. Very interesting. ciao Paola

[quote:dedb038df1="ppecchiols"]hi, I have finally some bloodwork done. My total Cholesterol is 167, HDL 75 and TRIG 63. TRIG/HDL ratio is therefore 0,84. This after 5 months of Enerzona FO equivalent to 8 caps SearsLab FO per day. This amount of FO was suggested by the people at the Enerzona center considering the amount of exercise I'm doing. What would the experts here suggest? Shall I reduce FO to an equivalent of 4 caps SearsLab FO per day? Thanks. Paola[/quote:dedb038df1] IMO you should stick with 8 capsules as your results are excellent. If you find that you drop below a ratio of .30, then I would cut back on your fish oil. The gold test is the AA:EPA ratio, but as Crumbelina posted one can still have a high AA:EPA ratio and a low TRI:HDL ratio.

Thank you Anne-Marie. Paola

How do you get this blood work done? Do you ask the doctor and exactly what do you ask for? I am having major problems that are getting me down. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Marianne

[quote:6e13a7b46f="mkleminski"]How do you get this blood work done? Do you ask the doctor and exactly what do you ask for? I am having major problems that are getting me down. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Marianne[/quote:6e13a7b46f] Hi, You'll find a link with the info you're looking for on the home page of this site. Sue

[color=red:a8563a3d15]Hi Everyone! I just got the results from my first blood work since starting the ZONE in February. Sorry, I don't have any information on where I was previous to the ZONE. BTW, I have been taking 2 - 3 capsules per day of Natural Factors FO since October. HERE WE GO!!! :) Blood Pressure 120/84 Resting Heart Rate 80 Total Cholesterol 152 LDL 82 HDL 61 TRIG 45 TRIG/HDL ratio .74 Fasting Blood Glucose 88 YEAH!! Doctor says that I coudn't have better test results! I still have 20-30 lbs to lose, I can only imagine that BP and RHR will improve!! I am thrilled! [size=18:a8563a3d15]Thank you, DR. SEARS!! [/size:a8563a3d15] Michelle[/color:a8563a3d15]

Wow! Really fabulous results! Congratulations. Charlie

Thank you, Charlie :D Michelle

Here are my results: triglycerides 0.44 HDL 1.15 LDL 0.98 I take 5g/d of health from the sun liquid fish oil. So far so good.

Hi Michelle [quote:8813848523="yikerszikers"][color=red:8813848523]Hi Everyone! I just got the results from my first blood work since starting the ZONE in February. Sorry, I don't have any information on where I was previous to the ZONE. BTW, I have been taking 2 - 3 capsules per day of Natural Factors FO since October. HERE WE GO!!! :) Blood Pressure 120/84 Resting Heart Rate 80 Total Cholesterol 152 LDL 82 HDL 61 TRIG 45 TRIG/HDL ratio .74 Fasting Blood Glucose 88 YEAH!! Doctor says that I coudn't have better test results! I still have 20-30 lbs to lose, I can only imagine that BP and RHR will improve!! I am thrilled! [size=18:8813848523]Thank you, DR. SEARS!! [/size:8813848523] Michelle[/color:8813848523][/quote:8813848523] Congratulations on your results. Clearly, you are in good health. My observations. With resting pulse at 80 you are very unfit. This has nothing to do with diet but more cardio exercise is required for optimum health. You are suplimenting with health grade FO and have NO benchmark test. Accordingly we do not know if the imitation PGFO helped your result or not. You credit Dr. Sears for the sucess please advise why you do not use his product ? If health is the goal, please get the "gold test" AA:EPA ratio. Please keep us informed. White Light

[quote:9899a81105="mkleminski"]How do you get this blood work done? Do you ask the doctor and exactly what do you ask for? I am having major problems that are getting me down. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Marianne[/quote:9899a81105] If you live in Canada, simply get a prescription from your physician and take to MDS Labs. The test is now approved by Health Canada :lol:

[quote:c40b30a0d6="White Light"]Hi Michelle Congratulations on your results. Clearly, you are in good health. My observations. With resting pulse at 80 you are very unfit. This has nothing to do with diet but more cardio exercise is required for optimum health. You are suplimenting with health grade FO and have NO benchmark test. Accordingly we do not know if the imitation PGFO helped your result or not. You credit Dr. Sears for the sucess please advise why you do not use his product ? If health is the goal, please get the "gold test" AA:EPA ratio. Please keep us informed. White Light[/quote:c40b30a0d6] Thank you, White Light, for your constructive observations. I am aware that my BP and RHR need improvement. Yes, more exercise (and weight loss) will improve that. I agree that I really do need to incorporate an exercise regimen into my lifestyle! I have been involved in getting my business off the ground, in addition to a full-time job and wife and mother of three. ( I know "Obstacles are challenges for winners, excuses for losers" :) ) I wrote a note down, just this week, to drive the distance to downtown (small town) from our house so that I can begin running, and know how far I am going. I also want to encourage my children to participate along with me. I want to teach them to have a more active lifestyle (something I did NOT get from my folks.) As far as the FO goes, NF is what I can afford right now. Donna (starz) is a friend of mine (thanks to the forums :) ) and a Dr. Sears affiliate. I have gotten a pleading from her to explore the true benefits versus the cost of Dr. Sears PGFO. "Small steps" is all I can say. My grocery bill has doubled (shopping the perimeter, instead of the "junk" aisles) since starting the zone, a cost that I am more than willing to absorb because of the obvious health benefits. I started the FO in October, because of Donna's persuasion. NF was what I could afford. I decided that if my test results were NOT as good as I felt they should be, then I would give the Dr. Sears PGFO a try. But they were, and Christmas is here, and I can't justify the extra cost. I WILL, though. I am getting there. I have the link that Donna emailed me for ordering Dr. Sears PGFO saved in my inbox. That is my next step. As far as AA:EPA testing. I cannot afford that $300 test. I do not plan on being on NF FO for a long time, so impurities do not concern me. I am feeling the benefits and I know that I am taking the right dose for me. Thank you for your support and interest in my optimal health :) Michelle

Michelle, I think you're doing just great! Can't stress that enough. Regarding the Fish Oil, you're taking a number of capsules that would be acceptable for health grade, and I'm quite sure the Natural Factors is much purer than that. [i:28b8bcc67e](I was also taking the Natural Factors fish oil at about the same dose when my bloodwork got done.) [/i:28b8bcc67e] If you stay with that dose, how can anybody argue with the results? Regarding your exercise, some ordinary walking and some fast walking is a gentle way to get started. If you institute a "training program", remember to introduce new elements that you can easily repeat the next day, and the next day, and the next day. Give yourself time, and things will fall into place. You're doing beautifully. Keep up the great work! Charlie

[color=blue:ee2c21c4a9]Thank you, again, Charlie, for your very kind words. I have been trying to incorporate an exercise routine into my lifestyle, I keep getting side-tracked. We have a membership to a health club 15 minutes away. I have started up again and again, only to fall off. That is why I thought of atleast walking around town, if not getting to the health club. I need to practice what I preach and organize my time better and schedule my work-outs instead of just saying "whenever I get the chance". That is what I will do this weekend. It is important to me. It is said that once you do something 21 days in a row it is then a habit, part of your regular routine. I will schedule a work-out for the next 21 days. I got up to 14 days the last time. I will take a brisk walk (have to this time of year in WI) tomorrow after work, in your honor! Thank you, also, for sharing your NF experience. I want to believe that the way I feel is an indication of its purity. It is good to hear confirmation of that. I never got the chance to visit your part of the state when I lived in MA. I can only imagine how beautiful it must be. I LOVE the ocean -(aquarian 8) ). I hope you know how special your words are, even though I hardly know you! Warmly, Michelle[/color:ee2c21c4a9]

10 minutes walking in the morning, 10 minutes at lunch, and 10 minutes at night makes 30 minutes. Which can be just as good. Charlie

[quote:c0e868f139="cduane"]Regarding the Fish Oil, you're taking a number of capsules that would be acceptable for health grade, and I'm quite sure the Natural Factors is much purer than that. [i:c0e868f139](I was also taking the Natural Factors fish oil at about the same dose when my bloodwork got done.) [/i:c0e868f139] If you stay with that dose, how can anybody argue with the results?Charlie[/quote:c0e868f139] Good work, Michelle! I, too, use only NF FO, and will for a long time, at least until all four teens are in and out of college. (Another 8-9 years). I, too, have had excellent results with NF FO! And I did have test results from both pre-SEARS diet and pre-NF FO. and post results three months later - to prove it. I'm due for another check in mid-Jan, will let you know. Several of us have contacted NF and received info (albeit from themselves) on their purity and according to them, the numbers do far exceed FDA requirements and far exceed typical Health Food Grade.

Hi John- Thank you for your words of support! And for another confirmation of the good quality of NF FO! I look forward to seeing your next test results in January! Time to jump on the treadmill :) Michelle

Hi Michelle, [quote:86dcc3f1bd="yikerszikers"]Hi John- Thank you for your words of support! And for another confirmation of the good quality of NF FO! I look forward to seeing your next test results in January! Time to jump on the treadmill :) Michelle[/quote:86dcc3f1bd] With respect. John is in NO position to confirm the good quality of NF Fish oil. Please ask the good people ar DR. Sears. It may pay to ask "off the record" as I hear official comment could prejudice the court case. IMO trusting the claims of a company that FALSELY claims to have invented PGFO is dangerous to your health. I do however respect your right to individual choice. White Light

[quote:cb0b063390="White Light"] IMO trusting the claims of a company that FALSELY claims to have invented PGFO is dangerous to your health. I do however respect your right to individual choice. White Light[/quote:cb0b063390] I don't recall any where that NF claimed to have "INVENTED" or "ORIGINATED" Pharmaceutical Grade. And all I did was report MY results! I did NOT claim to be an authority. There is nothing wrong with MY reporting MY results. That does not mean I am claiming to be an authority. Get over yourself and relax. Way too uptight.

health grade, in between, and pharmaceutical grade FO [b:07f7d637fc]good, better, best[/b:07f7d637fc] [b:07f7d637fc]good[/b:07f7d637fc] 4 health grade fish oil capsules daily are better than none for most people. There's an indication that health grade can raise LDL cholesterol. Nevertheless, health grade was state of the art a short while ago. [b:07f7d637fc]better[/b:07f7d637fc] 2 Natural Factors fish oil capsules have equivalent EPA to 4 health grade fish oil. They claim to be pharmaceutical grade. They probably are more clean of contaminants than health grade. There have been good bloodwork reports on this site of people taking low doses of Natural Factors. [b:07f7d637fc]best[/b:07f7d637fc] 2 [i:07f7d637fc][b:07f7d637fc]certified[/b:07f7d637fc][/i:07f7d637fc] pharmaceutical grade fish oil capsules have equivalent EPA to 4 health grade fish oil. Certified pharmaceutical grade fish oil can be taken in high doses with confidence. Dr. Sears now recommends 4 PGFO for starters, and higher doses for remedial treatments or athletes. Dr. Sears' PGFO and Clearwater PGFO are two of the independently tested certified brands. [i:07f7d637fc]note:[/i:07f7d637fc] I have bought and used all the types and brands mentioned above. I see the good in all of them. I tried to take double the recommended dose of health grade fish oil, and got a high LDL cholesterol report. But 2 to 4 health grade FO were okay. Charlie

Good Job Charlie! Exactly what I am thinking, too.

Hi Charlie, [quote:32f9a98088] [/quote="cduane"]health grade, in between, and pharmaceutical grade FO [b:32f9a98088]good, better, best[/b:32f9a98088] [b:32f9a98088]good[/b:32f9a98088] 4 health grade fish oil capsules daily are better than none for most people. There's an indication that health grade can raise LDL cholesterol. Nevertheless, health grade was state of the art a short while ago. [b:32f9a98088]better[/b:32f9a98088] 2 Natural Factors fish oil capsules have equivalent EPA to 4 health grade fish oil. They claim to be pharmaceutical grade. They probably are more clean of contaminants than health grade. There have been good bloodwork reports on this site of people taking low doses of Natural Factors. [b:32f9a98088]best[/b:32f9a98088] 2 [i:32f9a98088][b:32f9a98088]certified[/b:32f9a98088][/i:32f9a98088] pharmaceutical grade fish oil capsules have equivalent EPA to 4 health grade fish oil. Certified pharmaceutical grade fish oil can be taken in high doses with confidence. Dr. Sears now recommends 4 PGFO for starters, and higher doses for remedial treatments or athletes. Dr. Sears' PGFO and Clearwater PGFO are two of the independently tested certified brands. [i:32f9a98088]note:[/i:32f9a98088] I have bought and used all the types and brands mentioned above. I see the good in all of them. I tried to take double the recommended dose of health grade fish oil, and got a high LDL cholesterol report. But 2 to 4 health grade FO were okay. Charlie[/quote:32f9a98088] I have the greatest respect for you, and know you have posted this with the genuine intention to be helpful. I know you are aware I have also previously used the Natural Factors product and on the face of it it appears better than average health grade. In addition to their false claim to have invented PGFO please investigate this: Check their web site, do they sell in Canada (answer will be yes) Check out http://search.hc-sc.gc.ca/cgi-bin/q...ive/simple this list all approved products, can you fing Natural factors ?? Without a DIN (Drug Identification Number) the product is illegal. Even 18:12 health grade submitt to IFOS testing so you can see BOTH purity and potency. You really must wonder WHY they will not submitt to independent international testing, while they deliberatly break the law!! Personally, I do not now trust any of their claims. I am thrilled that you have taken the step to upgrade to genuine Clearwater PGFO. Your health will be better for it. At $ 180 for 12*120 NF is 12.5 c a cap. Clearwater at $200 for 12*90caps is effectively 18.5c Based on 4 a day the extra cost is 24c to me it is well worth it. Additional alternitive, 3 caps of genuine PGFO a day is vastly superior to 4 of health grade NF. This is only 5c a day ($18 a YEAR) more IMHO now that Clearwater is priced to all walks of life, there is no need or justification for anyone to use health grade ever again. Clearwater is even cost effective against zone club member prices at zone perfect. White Light

Hi WL, is there room for both our statements to be true? Yes, I have bought Anne-Marie's brand, not only for the product, but because of her personal quality and responsiveness. On the technical level, all these numbers make my eyes glaze over (and I'm more persistent than most). Best, Charlie btw, Thank you for your long-time forum contributions - they have helped me. :D