Cholesterol

[ric]

Greetings all,
For the past two years here in Thailand my cholesterol has been rising (from 166 to 177 and now 209) and I can't figure out why. It remained stable for many years back in the US. I'm not over weight, not diabetic, go to the gym every other day to walk 5 miles on the treadmill, only consume at most, 2 beers per day and basically watch the food I eat.
In a recent conversation with a good friend and his Thai wife I learned that here in Thailand food is cooked in palm oil (a "heavy" oil not good for you) because it is abundant and inexpensive. He said he switched to vegetable oil as soon as he learned of this.
I hate the thought of not eating at my small local Thai restaurants. I'm sure they won't cook my food separately in vegetable oil. I can't cook, so I'm even thinking about hiring a cook to at least cook the evening meal for me in my apartment.
I'm posting this to see if anyone has had this experience. And no, I don't want a girfriend or wife. I like my freedom and a variety of the pretty Thai ladies. Besides, a g/f or wife would probably turn out to be more expensive than a cook !
I thank you for your reply.

[richard]

I'm led to believe (my doc) that is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. How do know which is which? Blood test? and what is high or low?

[ric]

Richard,
LDL is bad cholesterol and HDL is good cholesterol. Simple blood work can indicate your cholesterol levels. There are charts to show the range of what your "ideal" cholesterol should be. Basically LDL should be below 130. HDL should be higher than 40. And total cholesterol range should be between 125 and 200. There is also a cholesterol ratio that should be less than 5.0

[Lung Per]

Most of the cooking oils you get i Thailand are fat oils and will add to your cholesterol values. As you say it's probably impossible to find a Thai kitchen that uses non-fat oil, e.g. Olive Oil. Getting a cook for only cooking evening meals for you is probably difficult, not to say impossible. Your best solution would be to invite your occassional LT or STgirlfriend to cook for you to your specifications befor you hit the sheets. Many bargirls will happily oblige. Good luck!

[deepee]

ric,
I too have had problems with my cholesterol at times and started using rice bran oil for home cooking .
Some studies have suggested RBO can actually assist with cholesterol problems, my levels have improved since we started using it .
As this is a by-product of rice production it surprises me that more is not heard of it especially in Thailand.
It's taste does not over power dishes like palm oil or olive oil for that matter.
Macro sell it in 2 litre bottles if you want to try some. I am a little dubious about the quality tho and prefer the export graded and certified early pressed brands.The best oil comes from husks no older than a few hours old , beyond that time the oil quality declines rapidly.

[MrPlum]

I think these levels are set low to capture as many people as possible and enrich the 'low fat' industry along with the drug companies that profit from it.

People who demand 'solid evidence' in other areas will guzzle pills without a second thought. Where is the solid evidence that 'high' cholesterol levels, above 200, are harmful?

I do agree that refined and rancid oils are unhealthy, just as all 'industrial' foods are unhealthy. I avoid them myself but a good exercise program can compensate for a multitude of 'sins'. There is an obvious trend so I'd keep an eye on it.

If you like Thai food, then do as the Thais do. Eat those dark leafy greens. They are nature's 'clean-up crew'!

[Babylon]

An option I would look at, is if you have a regular small Thai restaurant that you like / you are known, is buy a bottle of oil you want to use, and ask them to use it when preparing your food, when you eat in or take away. I am sure they will oblige for a loyal customer and you can leave the oil there for convenience? Gives you the flexibility, without to many obligations.

[bcrglobal]

Marginally off-topic: Dragon Fruit.

It fights cholesterol, as well as high blood pressure. The white is easy to find, and tastes good......the red is harder to find, but tastes ubelievable. Best eaten cold from the fridge and chopped.

[johnnymac]

Also a little off topic Ric - plant stanol esters - i.e. Benecol or the like and also in lots of foodstuffs.

My cholesterol went marginally above 5 and tried them. A couple of months later I was retested and it had lowered to 4.2.

You can get them in Tescos in Market Village.

[Homer]

People who demand 'solid evidence' in other areas will guzzle pills without a second thought. Where is the solid evidence that 'high' cholesterol levels, above 200, are harmful?

It doesn't exist. There is solid evidence that Americans with the most or all of a set of risk factors (high blood pressure, obesity, lack of exercise, diets high in all the bad stuff, and smoke) are at a much greater risk for heart diseases and stroke. The AMA knew the percentage of people they could convince to do any part of eat better, exercise more and stop smoking was too close to zero. So they advocated controlling cholesterol by drugs which dovetailed nicely to their cozy relationship with pharmaceutical companies.

It gets worse. Most of those who do make a valid and sustained effort to do all the things that will lower cholesterol see only small declines. This is because the body makes about 90% of it's cholesterol (don't remember the exact number).

[Takiap]

Where is the solid evidence that 'high' cholesterol levels, above 200, are harmful?

Exactly! The Thais don't give two hoots about cholesterol, and yet they don't come close to western countries in terms of strokes and etc. Personally I couldn't care less what my cholesterol levels are, and I certainly wouldn't be taking drugs to control it, hence the reason why I don't even bother getting tested. As you've pointed out Mr P, there is no evidence at all to suggest high cholesterol levels are harmful.

OP........while I can't offer any guarantees, I don't believe palm oil is any more unhealthy than sunflower oil for example. It's just a matter of competing industries. I think the foods we eat play a far greater role, especially if you're indulging in "industrial" foods.

My advice.......eat whatever appeals to you, and whatever you feel comfortable with.



Just recently I read an anti-dairy article which among other things, stated that humans are should not be drinking cows milk, since no other living species drinks the milk of another species. Of course as we all know, many species will drink cows milk, but they don't, since they can't get to it. The same article advocated drinking soy milk , although for the life of me, I can't think of a single other species that drinks soy milk, and personally, I don't blame them either


For me, the choice is easy........I would much rather live for 50, 60, or 70 years, than survive for 100 years.

[richard]

Where is the solid evidence that 'high' cholesterol levels, above 200, are harmful?

For me, the choice is easy........I would much rather live for 50, 60, or 70 years, than survive for 100 years.

[dtaai-maai]

For me, the choice is easy........I would much rather live for 50, 60, or 70 years, than survive for 100 years.

Of course I know exactly what you mean, and I'm inclined to agree, but it's not really up to you, is it? And I can't help thinking that it's the sort of comment thrown out by someone in fairly good health with a reasonable prospect of at least 20-30 years ahead of them.
I certainly hope that's the case, Takiap!

[Lung Per]

I think these levels are set low to capture as many people as possible and enrich the 'low fat' industry along with the drug companies that profit from it.

People who demand 'solid evidence' in other areas will guzzle pills without a second thought. Where is the solid evidence that 'high' cholesterol levels, above 200, are harmful?

I do agree that refined and rancid oils are unhealthy, just as all 'industrial' foods are unhealthy. I avoid them myself but a good exercise program can compensate for a multitude of 'sins'. There is an obvious trend so I'd keep an eye on it.

If you like Thai food, then do as the Thais do. Eat those dark leafy greens. They are nature's 'clean-up crew'!

I could not agree more completely!

[Homer]

For me, the choice is easy........I would much rather live for 50, 60, or 70 years, than survive for 100 years.

I've been hearing some variation of that all my adult life as a defensive response from people after they realized just how dedicated I was to what most consider a healthy diet. What they don't understand is the better one cares for one's body the longer it stays in good condition.