High cholesterol levels and possible lifestyle modifications

Dear Ask The Doctor: I had my lipid profile done a couple of days ago and here are my results: Triglycerides: 83 Total Cholesterol: 376 LDL: 286 VLDL: 17 HDL: 81 As you can see, it's the LDL (and total cholesterol) which is very high while everything else is very good. My biodata: Age: 27 Weight: 174lbs Height: 6 feet Bodyfat: 14-15% I've never had a lipid profile before, so I don't have a reference with which to compare. Also, I've been on a cyclic low carb diet for about 6 months. I take multivitamins and calcium everyday, alongwith whey protein after my workouts and some omega-3 pills throughout the day. The day before the test, I ate what I usually do, high fat and protein with low carbs and worked out strenuously in the evening. Before the test, I fasted for 12 hrs, having just water when I felt thirsty. Can you tell me if my test results are accurate or if there is a chance that they were affected by what I ate the day before?

Dear Jarri: You are correct regarding your lipid levels. The LDL and Total cholesterol levels are indeed very high and thus increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases depending on the other risk factors that you may be having like family history, smoking, diabetes, obesity etc. Since you fasted 12 hours before the lipid profile there is very little chance that what you ate the day before has contributed to these high levels. You most definately need to adopt some dietary and lifestyle modifications to alter these values. Some of the recommendations are : Your diet should include:Less than 30% of calories from fats and less than 10% of that should be from saturated fats, > 30 g of fibre per day and less than 300 mg of cholesterol per day. Also you mention that you work out everyday which is good and i would advice you to continue with the same. Try and decrease red meat, oily and fatty foods, shell fish from your diet. Increase your intake of fresh fruits and green vegetables along with fish , walnuts etc. These foods have been proven to be more lipid friendly. Also you would need to repeat your lipid profile in 4-6 months to see where the levels are at and whether lifestyle modicafications have helped. All the best.