Reply #3: Get rid of trans-fats, for a start

[Dogmudgeon]

For reasons we don't yet entirely understand, trans-fat (hydrogenates, mainly) cause tremendous increases in LDL. This phenomenon was first observed decades ago, but largely ignored until recently. The causal factor is probably in one or more of the prostaglandin pathways, but that's just a guess on my part.

Reducing xenoestrogens would help, but other than the ones that come from soybean and rapeseed (canola) oil, most xenoestrogens are pollutants, and the Free Enterprise System would never submit to a clean-up effort. Tofu, Tempeh, Soy Sauce, and similar fermented and "metabolized" soy products are pretty low in xenoestrogens -- it's the fresh soybeans themselves that are loaded with them.

Moderate exercise and stress reduction also help, but since most people don't consider things like untreated chronic allergies and infections to be stress, it's much easier for the Press to make fun of fatties, even though the correlation (weight with lipid fraction change) is somewhat weaker, and probably secondary to insulin resistance.

Speaking of those bad fatties and insulin resistance, if you're just starting to gain weight, you may be developing it. Insulin resistance is powerful biochemical stress factor that eventually leads to the "Deadly Quartet" of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and sleep apnea. Eat less sugar and watch more comedies! Mild to moderate exercise is a stress-reducer, too. More sex also helps, but only the stress-reducing kind. (Pronging the Mayor's engaged daughter would NOT fall into that category!)

Extreme exercise brings down weight, but it can cause a lot of damage on its own, metabolic as well as breaks and tears. If you're a serious athlete, thorough medical self-education is a must! And actually, if you are at all medically literate, it would be a good idea to keep up with your reading of medical issues.

If you can dedicate even an hour a week to learning the jargon and the basics, you will be able to follow most journal articles within a few months. The improvement in your understanding of biomedical issues and reduction in anxiety about your health will be well worth it!

--p!
No Insurance = No Treatment for Chronic Infection
Thanks, Mr. Bush!