Cholesterol probs?

Hey!

I have been using full-fat things (olive oil, creamy dressings, mayo, cream cheese, frozen yogurt, pb, the dark meat of chicken, etc) as part of my weight gain because they are so calorie dense, while still eating a good amount of fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Last week I was doing a health fair at an elementary school, and just for fun I tested my blood sugar and cholesterol levels. The blood sugar was completely normal (yay--used to always be low), but my cholesterol was 203! Granted, I had just eaten a bowl of oatmeal made with milk and pb, had eaten some fried chicken the day before, and the machine was not the most accurate one in the world...but I got online and saw that high cholesterol is common in anorexics due to a high cortisol level. Has anyone else had this problem? Did it resolve? Should I maybe go for lower fat stuff and just eat more of those to equal the same amount of cals? The funny thing is, I really like the "real" stuff now...and don't want to have to go back to the nasty no-taste low-fat foods...lol. Any help/advice would be really appreciated!

hmm i don't have any solid advice but i remember when i had been eating 200 calories a day of plain vegetables, i went into hopsital and they measured my cholestoral and it was actually really high. the reason? my body had been eating its own fat and muscle to survive and so what i was consuming (ie, myself) was v. high in cholestoral. i guess what i'm trying to say is until you're at a healthy weight, perhaps don't worry too much about it.. you're always going to have to eat more fats when gaining.. get 'the basics' of health first then worry about the rest? hope this helps, xxxxxxx good luck!

High cholesterol is actually fairly common, especially in the most underweight anorexics because the body begins to digest organs. The liver is one that is eaten and, as you know, where cholesterol is produced. Even vegan anorexics who consume no cholesterol may have this problem. Like Mashed said, don't worry about your saturated fat intake for the time being. Once you are at a healthy weight the situation will likely resolve itself.

Thanks for the replies guys...I guess I am just now waking up to how hard I was on my body, and it kind of scares me. For some reason, even though I knew/read what anorexia could do, I always assumed it "wouldn't happen to me" because I could always find someone "sicker" than I was. Now I just pray I can wake my reproductive system back up and convince my body to send fat somewhere other than my abdomen :)

If you weren't fasting for at least 12 hours, then the test for cholesterol won't be accurate.  Any food (even a cup of coffee) will increase your serum cholesterol and make your values look higher than a fasting reading.   Also, if you have a high HDL (good cholesterol) then your overall total cholesterol number can look a little high. 

I would take the time to talk to a practitioner about your health concerns, if you haven't already.  

From what I remember, you really can't eat before a cholesterol test because it will affect the results. Also, it sounds like the machine was not very accurate, and it didn't differentiate between good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL). To put things in perspective, anything under 200 is good--so you're not dangerously high, even if the machine is accurate (which I doubt it was). I've had cholesterol readings over 200 before, but since my bad cholesterol number was low and the good number was high my doctor told me it wasn't a problem at all. Of course, if you're worried I would ask your doctor to check your cholesterol for you!

If its only 203 after consuming food and plus a non fasting test or "real blood" test I wouldn't be too worried.  Sure 200 is borderline for needing meds, but if you are trying to get your body back to a respectable weight and eating good foods then I'd say your level is probably good.

First of all, let me just say how happy I am that you are trying to gain weight and get healthy! What you should be watching out for though when you consume these high calorie foods is the secret/hidden ingredients lurking within them! Peanut Butter, Mayo, Cream Cheese & Creamy Dressings all have tans fats, saturated fats & high fructose corn syrup in them which can contribute tremendously to high cholesterol. There is a HUGE myth out there that EATING cholesterol gives you high cholesterol - this is completely false, what gives you high cholesterol is eating partially hydrogenated foods/trans fats (like all the ones you have mentioned) --> The only good food on your list of high calorie foods is Olive Oil! That oil is so nutritious and will definitely give you some good healthy weight, just as long as you use enough. You should try and consume more high fat fish while you are at it too... That will help decrease your bad LDL (cholesterol) while raising your good cholesterol (HDL)... Other high calorie but healthy foods you should eat are flaxseed oil and flax seeds in general, macadamia nut oil, hemp seeds, free-ranged meats (if you can find them), and whole grains that have 3 grams + of fiber per serving! Watch for added sugars, etc to all your foods! While I know you want to gain weight, I want you to gain it in a healthy fashion, and eating terrible foods will NOT do that! 

Giasbash6260: With complete respect, after looking at your diet listed on your profile, I am somewhat worried for you---only veggies and meat?! I can't believe your mom is letting you do this, especially since you say she is an MD. What about calcium and carbs? Without enough carbs you overwork your liver, and stress your renal system...please get some sound nutritional advice soon, because this regimen is only prolonging your recovery! Remember: "All things in moderation, except for moderation"! Food is meant to be enjoyed so we can have energy to pursue life--not analyzing the minute characteristics of our meals. While I know you mean well, I have had to fight very hard against my "healthy-obsession" beliefes which have held me back from weight gain, and I am only now becoming less preoccupied. Remember: there are no bad foods..it is what we do with them that makes the difference!