Resveratrol Side Effects, Benefits, Dosage, and Research Information - My Resveratrol Experience

Most Recent Cholesterol Results! LDL/HDL ratio introduction!

The results are in!  Tied for the highest level of HDL (48) ever, increased LDL (83) unfortuantely, and a higher Total Cholesterol (161).  Still all within very good ranges!

As I continue researching more on cholesterol I've been introduced to the most recent theory of measuring cholesterol levels.  Instead of using number ranges for each category of measurment the research is showing a more accurate guide is called the LDL/HDL ratio and the Total Cholesterol/HDL ratio.

The LDL/HDL ratio can be calculated by dividing your HDL by your LDL levels.

For example using my levels from my most recent test:

LDL = 83
HDL = 48

83 divided by 48 = 1.73

The Total Cholesterol/LDL ratio can be calculated by dividing your Total Cholesterol by your HDL levels.

My Past 5 years blood tests (As promised)

As promised in my series on Cholesterol & Resveratrol I've created a page for my blood test lab results.  I will continue to update this page every time I get a blood test.

I was able to meet with my doctor today and I have to say it's a great benefit to have a Doctor who is open-minded and doesn't think I am nuts (well maybe he does, but aren't we all just a little...) when I bring up resveratrol and other supplementation.  He was actually very open to the ideas of both, had some suggestions, and was interested in learning more.

I should have the results of my next blood test in the next 7-10 days and will post them on this page.  The next set of labs will be with me on resveratrol for 3 months along with 20 mg of Lipitor.  If the results are positive, or at a minimum not any worse, I may try coming off the lipid for 2-3 months as a trial.  I'll let you know what I decide once the results are in.

 

My Personal Cholesterol Experience (Cholesterol Series: Part 3)

Writing this blog has benefited me in ways I did not imagine when I decided to start it.  Taking the time to research topics has been extremely educational and keeps me looking forward to what I might find next.

Researching cholesterol hasn't been any different.  It's an important topic that becomes even more so because high cholesterol is something that affects my life, my family members lives, and I am sure many of you out there.  This research has been educational and eye opening.

I mentioned in my first post on cholesterol I never really spent much time learning about it.  I always put it off or just let my doctor manage it without really knowing why or what high cholesterol was all about.  Well, that is different now!  I now have a foundation of knowledge and hope you do as well.

My personal cholesterol experience: 

Resveratrol vs. High Cholesterol: Does it work? (Part 2)

Over the past few weeks I've been scouring the web in search of research reports where resveratrol was tested to see what affect it had on LDL, HDL, and Triglycerides.

Let me first introduce a new term that I came across in many of the studies I reviewed.  "Hypercholesterolemia" is the fancy word being touted which translates to mean, "high blood cholesterol."  When reading studies and medical journals you will here this term being used rather freely.  For me it's harder to say it then type what it means; high cholesterol seems a bit easier but who am I to say.

A study I found most interesting is one in which both a statin and trans-resveratrol was used in testing.  Statins are cholesterol lowering medications of which the most common are Lipitor and Zocor.  The study used 5 sets of mice that were treated with either statin, trans-resveratrol, both, or nothing at all.

"Statin and Resveratrol in Combination induces Protection against Myocardial Infarction in Hypercholesterolemic Rat"  (references below)

Can Resveratrol Control Your Cholesterol Levels? (Part 1)

It amazes me every day how many different benefits are being researched in conjunction with trans-resveratrol.  As someone who is currently on medication to control cholesterol levels I am encouraged by the research in non-synthetic based treatment solutions.  The side effects of statins and other cholesterol drugs can be severe, so much so, that many people aren't able to control their levels with drugs.  With the lack of any proven negative side-effects from t-res I am hopeful it will help control cholesterol levels for those unable to take meds and for those not interested in taking synthetic drugs.

This post will be a 3 part series focusing on the following:

Part 1: What is Cholesterol?

Part 2: A review - Resveratrol related cholesterol studies.

Part 3: My personal cholesterol experience.

Interestingly enough I never really knew much about cholesterol until about a year ago.  I knew it ran "high" in my family and that there was a history of heart disease in the lineage but I never really paid much attention to it.  It was common for me to say to myself, "the doctor will just tell you what you need to do and prescribe you meds" or I would say, "your too young to be worried about this!"