Cholesterol, Adrenal Fatigue, and Hypercholesterolemia

[pampered_mom]

My mom's been seeing an NP for a number of issues all of which he thinks is related to Adrenal Fatigue. As part of the tests that they had her FP run they also did a fasting cholesterol level. My mom has always had high cholesterol levels - her mom, sister, and father do/did as well (her father died of an unknown cancer a number of years ago, they caught it too late to tell where it originated). She knows that she has high cholesterol and has only been able to keep it low if following a strict low-carb/no sugar diet. She has been on statins in the past, but has since elected to stop taking them.

I'm aware of books like Uffe's and Christopher Masterjohn's website. For the most part I wouldn't suggest that someone take statins and/or worry about their cholesterol levels all that much since for the vast majority of folks it really isn't an issue that needs to be worried about. However, in the case of what's likely moderate hypercholesterolemia is it a concern?

I pulled out my Fall 2007 issue of WT and Dr. Campbell-McBride talks about the seasonality of cholesterol levels (higher in the winter, lower in the summer) and their relation to other issues in the body. That got me wondering whether or not her Adrenal Fatigue and cholesterol levels were related since cholesterol plays a big role in hormones. If she got the Adrenal Fatigue under control would her levels decreased to some degree?

The NP wouldn't normally worry about the cholesterol levels either, but suggested that she consider taking red rice yeast extract in addition to CoQ10 (since as a "natural" statin it would also lower her CoQ10 levels in addition to the cholesterol) because he thought that she may have issues with her health insurance company down the road for not lowering her levels (not all that uncommon these days if you chose to go against the norm).

If she takes the red rice yeast extract, but continues to eat her TF diet will the dietary intake of cholesterol be protective to her brain (since statins have an impact on your brain as well)? Is that a better option to following the typical advice that accompanies statins to eat a low-fat/low cholesterol diet?

Any other thoughts?

[tanyalynn]

This is really interesting to me. I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum--I've got adrenal fatigue and ridiculously low cholesterol (138). I'll be following the discussion to see how things fit together--seems like I should be able to learn something. Do you know--is this a little high cholesterol, or way high?

One thought--I guess she's not willing to do low-carb/no sugar forever? Gotta say I would find it really tough. But it makes me wonder if something in a more typical diet is extra inflammatory to her, and avoiding it is in her long-term best interest. Has she played around with various variations on low carb--maybe GF or grain-free, but not completely low carb? We're GF now and I've wondered about my husband and triglycerides and whether this is important to him in that regard (he has more of a tendency toward the heart disease, high blood pressure type problems than I do).

No real answers, just things I've wondered on related topics.

[pampered_mom]

We're talking fairly high - in the 400 range if I can remember correctly. My mom went GFCFEF this summer with my dad since it was discovered that his seasonal allergies were related to food sensitivities. She would have been on this diet a few months before having her cholesterol levels taken. I *think* in the past she probably would have also really restricted her fat intake as well - the way my dad puts it she ate cardboard.

[Ruthla]

I would think that the low-carb, TFish diet would be much healthier long-term than a low-fat diet, whether or not she's taking any specific supplements.

It could be taht her cholesterol levels are lwoer than they were before she started the diet, or it could be that the diet is lowering them but slowly.

[Metasequoia]

I wonder if/how insulin comes into play here. Since it's a hormone it would be impacted by adrenal function.

All of these things have just recently connected for me. I love these threads where we bounce ideas off of each other.

I would do the CoQ10 regardless of the red rice yeast since it's such an important antioxidant & protector of the heart.

[Mama2Kayla]

I would love to learn more about this subject. My mother has always had really high cholesterol levels(300+) and has been on statins in the past. She went off them after having some side effects and with encouragement from me.

Recently she has been back to the doc and her levels are still really high. They are pressuring her to go on drugs again and she is finally starting to consider some alternatives.

I suspect she has some thyroid/adrenal problems. She has horrible anxiety/panic attacks and trouble sleeping. Frequent heart palpitations as well. I really worry b/c it seems like they are occurring more frequently too. Over the past few years her weight has crept up despite exercising 3-5 times a week. It is mostly around her middle too. Does this sound thyroid-ish?

Oh, and she has had like 7 root canals and has a ton of silver fillings which I am sure are doing some damage.

She has recently agreed to try and do a grain-free/low sugar diet for a few months before going back on statins. She is starting CLO/BO and I am trying to get her to cook. Her diet consists of cereal w/UP milk, lean cuisines, canned soup, diet coke and pretzels , so it is definitely a challenge

Is there anything else that may help?

Sorry to hijack, this thread caught my eye .

[tanyalynn]

Originally Posted by Mama2Kayla

I suspect she has some thyroid/adrenal problems. She has horrible anxiety/panic attacks and trouble sleeping. Frequent heart palpitations as well. I really worry b/c it seems like they are occurring more frequently too. Over the past few years her weight has crept up despite exercising 3-5 times a week. It is mostly around her middle too. Does this sound thyroid-ish?

Oh, and she has had like 7 root canals and has a ton of silver fillings which I am sure are doing some damage.

Has she looked into this, or do you think she's willing to? My thyroid and adrenal problems are directly related to my fillings. The work to fix things isn't easy, but is a lot better than the alternatives. This runs in my family--so I'm worried about my mom too (but from the standpoint of _knowing_ this is what's going on vs. considering).

I like the hair test from Doctor's Data, using Cutler's rules for interpretation of mercury toxicity, to see what's going on mercury-wise.

http://home.earthlink.net/~moriam/HOW_TO_hair_test.html

[Mama2Kayla]

Well, I brought up the fillings with her last night and she was very opposed to the idea of getting anything removed, etc. Her dentist keeps telling her that they are fine :, so she is not willing to pay that much $.

This is the same dentist who wanted to drill down my amalgam filling w/no precautions even after I told him I was nursing a 1yr old! IMO, he is a quack.

[pampered_mom]

My mom just had her mouth of amalgam removed - just in time for my two younger sisters to get engaged w/wedding dates next year. lol

Her levels really aren't that much lower than they were before - she's been eating a TF diet for a couple of years now. Her levels are pretty par for the course as far as she's concerned.

Mama2Kayla - My mom's symptoms are very similar to yours. In her case it's related to the job she retired from towards the beginning of this year. Her NP attributes the majority of them to Adrenal Fatigue. I don't believe he lumps her cholesterol in with them, though...it was just my own musing on the issue.

[tanyalynn]

Originally Posted by pampered_mom

Her levels really aren't that much lower than they were before - she's been eating a TF diet for a couple of years now. Her levels are pretty par for the course as far as she's concerned.

It definitely may not be her issue (my husband's AF isn't metals related), but what levels is she looking at? Hair doesn't always (often) show mercury directly, and I think blood tests are best for acute poisoning, not chronic.

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by TanyaLopez

It definitely may not be her issue (my husband's AF isn't metals related), but what levels is she looking at? Hair doesn't always (often) show mercury directly, and I think blood tests are best for acute poisoning, not chronic.

I was talking about her cholesterol levels, lol all this talk of levels can be confusing! :0) Heavy metals testing is one of those things they might do at some point down the road if this plan of action doesn't resolve all of her issues.