Anyone lower cholesterol here?

Yes, 63yo male here.  I’ve been on keto since mid-Oct 2019 (14 months now).

dropped my A1C from 7.7 to 5.0 and my cholesterol has dropped from high (had to take meds) to mid-range normal numbers (no longer taking meds).  Also dropped 65 pounds, but the blood improvements is what is most important to me.

I started by tracking Net Carbs, but switched to tracking Total Carbs as my research informs me that too many things can leak in with net carbs (others may have different opinions, but it worked for me).  I have my macros set to 18 total carbs, but I’m typically well below ten.

 Also: NO, repeat NO cheating E-V-E-R.  Have to keep things real and I ask myself every day, ‘How bad do I want this?’   No ‘Keto Snacks’ as a keto snack is still a snack and any snack (research suggests any food) at snack time will trigger an insulin response.

I wasn’t a believer in fasting at first, but eased my way in to intermittent fasting as I read more and I never eat breakfast (IF 18:6) with no problems.  Started 3-day fasts last month and completed my most recent fast just this Wednesday evening (fast from after Sunday dinner and break it Wednesday dinner).  Typically drop six pounds, but again, more interested in the blood results.

hope this helps, and if you might have any questions, ask them.

Keto On!

I do not eat chia seed or flax.  I keep my foods clean and simple: good fatty beef, chicken (prefer thighs as they have more fat), pork of all kinds.  Lots of butter, evoo or avocado oil.  Salad with homemade oil and vinegar, broccoli and asparagus.  Cheeses too.   I learned here on the forum about buying grated cheese: they sprinkle it with a starch (typically potato starch) to keep it from sticking together and that jacks up the carbs so we grate our own cheese just before using.

hope this helps.

I’ve never found a need for supplements or fiber powders.  I looked in to Metamucil a long time ago, but too many carbs (remember: I track total carbs).  My veggies give me enough fiber and increased water does the rest.

Hi Lisa,

61 Started Keto June 2020. Down 40lbs. The first 90 days, I was diligent about everything that passed my lips. I’m gentler on myself now. Although losing the weight is fun, Dr Daughter was more concerned about how the zombie apocalypse would effect me. I’m still taking my Statin & in a future moment, I’m happy to stop taking them. I’ll give you my labs. The first # is from March 2020 the 2nd # is Dec 2020

Chol...203...144

Trigly...155...97

non HDL...151...99

HDL...52 (aug 38 added more greens) ...45

GLUCOSE... 110...86

white blood count 5.6...7.6. (Fighting the zombie virus 😁)

not sure if my first post posted...

I do add MCT(medium chain triglyceride) powder & collagen powder to my coffee every morning. Please don’t ask me to explain because I can’t. Lol 😂 I had researched before I started and knew I wanted to incorporate.  I don’t feel any supplements are necessary however my hair has grown 6-8 inches in 6 months 😉

I used to use coconut oil too, until my research taught me that MCT oils cannot be stored and must be burned first (think ‘they’re going to the head of the line’).  So when you consume them, they’ll increase your ketone levels, but (to me) it’s a false narrative; you consume them and they burn, but your body’s not necessarily doing anything.  The idea (again, to me) is to burn stored fat.  Burning recently consumed MCTs is not that. 

I respect your current research & it may or may not be relevant to a woman’s metabolism.

I was sharing MY experience on the Keto diet. Since I incorporated both since my journey in June 2020 and wanted to be honest with OP.

My coffee journey is more interesting 😁

I would drink my coffee with 1/4 cp of 1/2&1/2. The thought of butter in my coffee was off putting  so using collagen & MCT has replaced the feel of my beloved 1/2 & 1/2 😁

This journey is so personal for each of us. 

Trish Absolutely agree.  While the science behind it remains what it is, we’re all free to make up our own minds as to what we choose to do.  Never inferred otherwise.  Enjoy!  :-)