I have been eating two eggs scrambled with cheese and two to three strips of bacon for breakfast (or dishes such as one-pan sausage and egg breakfast) for over three months. I also eat a good deal of red meat and pork. I also try to consume saturated fat, such as coconut oil and lard (for example, I'll cook onions or brussel sprouts in bacon grease) when possible. I have been limiting my intake of carbohydrates and try to avoid breads, sweets, and starchy vegetables thereby obtaining a higher percentage of my calories from fat. I do eat a lot of vegetables such as brussel sprouts, asparagus, broccoli, lettuce, spinach, and bok choy.
I have been interested to see how this has affected my blood cholesterol levels. In past tests, taken when I was eating a "healthy" diet with whole grains, low fat, little red meat, etc., etc. my numbers were as follows:
In 2001, my total cholesterol was 115. I don't have the HDL/LDL breakdown, but I recall that my HDL (the "good" cholesterol) was below the acceptable range, which is bad.
On May 26, 2006, a blood test showed my total cholesterol as 126. My HDL was 35 and my LDL, 75. Again, my HDL was below the desireable range of 40 or greater.
In September 2006, the blood test I took when applying for life insurance showed the following: total cholesterol of 125, HDL 41, and LDL 59. The report showed my total cholesterol as being "abnormal" since it is below the "usual clinical range" of 140-199.
I wanted to go ahead and get these numbers posted so that when I get a post-low carb/high fat diet reading, the baseline will have been established.
Studies seem to indicate that saturated fat consumption increases HDL cholesterol in your blood, therefore, my prediction is that my total cholesterol will be significantly higher, but my HDL/LDL ratio will be improved and my HDL will be in the normal range, or at the high end of the range. I do not have a blood test scheduled yet, but I'll share the results once I have them.
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