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Originally Posted by BirdDancer
I’m home from an appointment with my nephrologist (kidney doctor) who I'll refer to as "nephro". It was funner than usual because there were medical students observing and helping. I like that opportunity to put on a show.  Dr. Nephro said I was a “particularly interesting patient” because of my illnesses (namely bipolar disorder). At one point, he asked me who my “shrink” is. I responded “Shrink?!?! I hate that word! You mean my psychiatrist?” I said that with humor, but I actually meant it. I remember an old psychologist saying he liked the word "shrink". I didn’t buy his reasons. I still find the word offensive. What do you think?
Well, my blood test results were as bad as I thought they would be. My triglycerides were waaaaaaay higher than in past years. Nephro told me to cut down on the carbs, so I told him that I wouldn’t stop at the Dunkin Donuts on my way home. My total cholesterol was predictably high, but ever so slightly lower than last time. The LDL was worse (and high), but the HDL was not only better, but even normal. What am I doing right with the HDL vs. the LDL and total cholesterol? My glucose was in the high range, but only by 1 mg/dL. That’s still not good considering that it had been normal for years. Too many Christmas cookies, I guess! My kidney function is unchanged, which Nephro said is a very good thing. He said that I likely drink plenty of water, which I do. He even drew the medical students’ attention to the fact that my sodium levels are especially good compared to other patients of his. He also mentioned a contrast between that and the likely sodium levels of people on Lithium. I only go to the nephrologist because of Lithium-induced kidney damage. He says it's been about 6 years since my Lithium was discontinued.
Nephro asked me about the last time I had a Tegretol level. I had to admit that though I love my psychiatrist, he is delinquent about ordering this test. I understand since I have no signs of Tegretol toxicity. The last time I had double vision, Pdoc reduced my dose and all was well again. As for other blood tests, between my GP and Nephro, there seems no need for more. I always give Pdoc copies of test results. Nevertheless, Nephro said he’d be seeing my Pdoc in a few days. I wonder if he'll remember to mention the Tegretol level issue. If he does, I hope he doesn’t tell Pdoc that I referred to him as “delinquent” about it.
I can do very low saturated fat, but very low carb, not for too long. I will lower my carbs and try to switch to whole grains for the ones I do eat. I'm not into deprivation, but I realize that high fat-high sugar "treats" should be occasional, and not daily. |
I see you as such a talented baker and cook, I'd think it might be quite a challenge to cut out carbs. I can't imagine truly wanting to do so.
One thing I had noted rather early once low-fat foods had hit the market: the lower the fat, the more carbs were increased. The opposite was generally true, as well: the fewer the carbs, the greater the fat.
I used to cook and bake a lot. Once I was married, I'd realized that if I'd continued to do both just the way H enjoyed them, we'd both become huge!
Instead, I'd started to interest him in eating differently and certainly more consciously.
Longer story short: In our cases, we'd found it much easier to cut carbs (sugar) by increasing fat, especially healthy fats.
I'd recently had a debate with my pdoc about fish oil, for example. We each had our arguments as to why DHA and/or EPA was most important to brain health. We each were absolutely sure we were correct. Upon further research, it is now believed that both components are very helpful to the brain, including for cognitive deficits as well as to the prevention of depression and to the promotion of mood stability. Many systemic bodily benefits were also listed, the promotion of HDL, just being one of the positive effects.
I do recall fish oil being highly promoted by "holistic" doctors 30 years ago, while allopathic doctors were publicly denouncing the use of fish oil. I had to chuckle when a study soon came out, showing that 86% of cardiologists within the Harvard Health Group (providers of a very large health care conglomerate in the Greater Boston Area) were taking fish oil on a daily basis.
Enough about fish oil! Sorry about the rambling.
There are other healthy oils, as well.
(One study showed that when people are craving chocolate, for example, they are often craving fat. Their chocolate cravings could be curbed by using an alternative source of fat, with the goal being to avoid the carbs/sugars in the chocolate. When I have chocolate cravings, I find cheese, for example, ends the craving Cheese is not the most ideal source of fat: I am just using this for an example.
Some people increase their intake of healthy fats via making their own salad dressings with ingredients like: flax oil, etc. (I use flax oil and raw apple cider vinegar, incorporating other ingredients.) Some infuse a polyunsaturated oil with garlic and dip bread in the oil as a part of their meal.
We are seeing "MCT" oil just about everywhere now, when it used to cost an incredible amount of money and could only be found in shops catering to very serious body-builders. I now see it in department stores! I have rambled far too much on the virtues of healthy oils. I won't go into MCT oil just now. Do look into it!
I thank you, BirdDancer, for tolerating my ramblings on "healthy fats."
I do hope you find answers to your health concerns! After all, you have at least one book to write/publish, and possibly more?
