Cyclist`s and Cholesterol/health - more interesting than you`d think...

[@Pionirish]

Great video Dan. Thanks for this. Very well thought out and it really struck a chord. Around 10 years ago (before I started cycling again after a 20yr hiatus) I had a similar result. As other risk factors were low the doctor recommended not taking statins and not to worry and I've pretty much ignored it since. Your video has motivated me to make an appointment this morning to get checked again to see if the cycling has made any difference (I'm guessing not) or whether I should start looking at diet. I really hope more cycling is the prescription not less cheese!

[@vintagevelos9517]

Great stuff, glad it helped - definatly get checked as the levels and risk go up with age. More cycling is always a good option... Dan

[@jayneteale9782]

Refined sugar way worse than cheese,my dad was an elite cyclist won races and time trials but had six spoons of sugar in tea it was his fuel of choice,but he died of arteriosclerosis.

[@myfrequencies1912]

How is it worse? Because of your anecdote?

[@vintagevelos9517]

Refined sugars and highly processed foods are a huge problem, Dan

[@myfrequencies1912]

@@vintagevelos9517 The sugar, or the crap foods the refined sugar is typically added to? I don't see anyone out there eating pure sugar, refined or otherwise. It's always cake, biscuits, donuts, pastries. All of which contain high levels of processed FAT as well as sugar.

[@rogelio6993]

In the 1960s, research funded by the sugar industry blamed saturated fats for heart disease, downplaying sugar's role, shaping dietary guidelines. Reference: Sugar Industry and Coronary Heart Disease Research, A Historical Analysis of Internal Industry Documents. Cristin E Kearns, Laura A Schmidt, Stanton A Glantz, Published in final edited form as: JAMA Intern Med. 2016 Nov 1;176(11):1680-1685.

[@swites]

Meat and dairy industry has invested huge amounts of money in this aspect over the last 100yrs, but they get a free pass? Anyway, Nonsense. Saturated fat raises LDL cholesterol. Easily repeatable and a linear relationship. People born with genetic conditions where their bodies produce excessive amounts of cholesterol die much earlier from heart disease than people who don't have it. Conversely people who have opposite genetic conditions where they have ridiculously low levels of blood LDL cholesterol just don't get heart disease.

[@vintagevelos9517]

The sugar industry has a lot to answer for, Dan

[@markfly480]

Ive looked into exactly this having had a high LDL level. What they dont break down is whether the LDL is 'large fluffy' or 'small dense'. The 'small dense' is bad but 'large fluffy' is not, and it all depends on your triglyceride level. Triglycerides depends on carbs and sugar. So that's the thing to restrict. Low triglycerides and moderate HDL is the key - if you research around this you will see. Good luck

[@vintagevelos9517]

It does get complicated quickly, though lowering your Triglycerides does seem to be a big win, Dan

[@TheRadDadShow]

The problem with Western style diets is the prevalent use of seed oils in high processed foods and the overconsumption of sugars usually in the form of high fructose corn syrup. Our bodies are switching their energy source from proteins, fiber and carbohydrates over to seed oils and high doses of sugar. In addition, lots of people have undiagnosed allergies and intolerances to dairy and gluten, which in turn cause inflammatory responses in the body. NAFLD, high cholesterol and pre-diabetic blood sugar levels are all related to our western dietary habits, but are often misunderstood conditions among the medical field, usually delt with statins instead of dietary changes like you mentioned in the video. What I recommend is an approach where through a process of elimination and reintroduction, foods are evaluated for their harmful effects on the body. Eliminating dairy in the form of milk and gluten has been a game changer for me personally. My blood pressure and cholesterol are at normal levels, my resting heart rate is at 46bpm, and I have a normal bmi reading for the first time in my adult life. Also, eating 3 servings of veggies a day, eliminating alcohol completely and limiting processed foods and sugar have been a geat help. Thanks for the informative video. Love old bikes too!😂

[@vintagevelos9517]

For sure refined sugar diets are a big problem, Dan

[@paulcurotto3884]

Hi Dan, great video loads of proper information. I would also suggest that all males reading this over the age of 50 get a prostate test too. I had a bit of a worry after having the PSA blood test done but after a scan everything was confirmed as ok 👍 which is good, but it could have gone an entirely different route if I hadn’t been checked out. So please go and get checked out gents. Happy new year and looking forward to more of your great videos in 2025.

[@vintagevelos9517]

Great point - I had the prostate test (and its done as part of your bloods, no need to worry about the old school test) with the initial bloods - all good there but I`ll repeat once a year and keep an eye on the PSA levels - early is gold with that sort of thing, Dan

[@alexanderlawson1649]

In October this year(2024), I experieced chest pain and nausea while cycling. A few weeks later I was diagnosed with Angina and of course high cholesterol. I am now taking drugs daily and hoping that the situation can be improved. I have cycled regularly thro life, don't smoke and am normal weight. Its the last thing I expected to happen to me.

[@vintagevelos9517]

Thats tough to read, problem with anything Cholesterol relates you get very few warning signs - hopefully the drugs will sort it - guessing you had a full heart and artery scan? Good luck with the treatment, Dan

[@irondistance4313]

thanks for sharing, we can all do better with diet and we need to stay ontop of your health

[@vintagevelos9517]

Yep, and I thought I was doing well! Dan

[@carlhalpin9051]

Still enjoy my 953 Reynolds more than a bowl of porridge !

[@Pionirish]

The reason I never won the Tour de France in the 80s was clearly because I hate porridge and for no other reason!

[@chrisosborne6957]

Good stuff Dan, made me feel bad as I was watching with a fist full of Roses and a glass of red. Who did you you the tests with?

[@smaug3045]

Nothing wrong with the internet getting information. Just try and make sure it is a good source. Dr Sten Ekberg talks about cholesterol and it is very interesting. Like someone already mentioned, sugar and bad carbs are your enemy not natural fats.

[@vintagevelos9517]

Mmmm..... Caveat Empor with everything I read on the net when it comes to this sort of thing - by all means educate yourself but don`t overlook consulting a bonified medical professional face to face, Dan

[@PixieDixie-r5v]

Thinking to do the test. too. Could you , Dan, give the info where to do it? thank's! Happy new year too!

[@vintagevelos9517]

I used Bluecrest, they do tests all around the UK but there are plenty of other testers available, Dan

[@PixieDixie-r5v]

@@vintagevelos9517 Thank you!

[@johnflynn4923]

An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Look after your arteries, you'll miss them when they're gone!

[@vintagevelos9517]

Everything this guy said, Dan

[@swites]

Great stuff! Gad to hear you got your LDL down! My partner has genetically high cholesterol from her father (he had heart attack, a cardiac arrest a quadruple bypass and quite frankly it's a miracle he's still alive. Was a keen cyclist and multi-sporter most of his adult life, and actually had a cardiac arrest on his bike). Anyway we're both long term vegan and my cholesterol is 1.4 LDL and 3.4 tot. And I keep my sat fat pretty low as have many heart attacks and strokes in my family. However my partner with the same diet has an LDL of 4 as that's just what her body makes. So she can't get it down any more through diet unfortunately :(

[@andycreese85]

Is she on a statin?

[@swites]

@@andycreese85 Not yet as her Dr says its right on the borderline of where she usually prescribes. If it gets any worse she will have to though.

[@vintagevelos9517]

@@andycreese85Family genetics have a lot of influence on levels, Dan

[@andycreese85]

@@vintagevelos9517 yeah I get that, but diet can only do so much when there's a genetic component to the elevated levels, so a statin would be of benefit. People with familial hypercholesterolemia manage their condition effectively with statins.

[@vintagevelos9517]

@@andycreese85 Yep, your correct there, Dan

[@SunLam]

I think everyone reacts differently to foods. If I limit my intake of sugar and starches my cholesterol levels are within normal range. My wife on the other hand seems to be triggered by sat. fats. This is good advice get checked out and keep our vintage bodies in good working order.

[@vintagevelos9517]

The deeper you dive the more complicated it becomes - I`ve tried to keep it simple but thats the best advice - get a test, Dan

[@JohnRadford-iy7db]

Zeus was a copy of campagnola i think it was Italian or Spanish company. Had some hubs way back beautiful

[@vintagevelos9517]

Yep, Spanish firm that made everything for their bikes including the dropouts - built up and videoed a Zeus 2000 build and did a ride video putting it up against a Colnago Super last year I think, Dan

[@mattwright3768]

Sugar and carbs are the bad ones not fats

[@myfrequencies1912]

How long have you been eating a low/no carb diet? What's your body fat like?

[@vintagevelos9517]

@@myfrequencies1912 a healthy, balanced diet is key - refined sugars are another video altogether - plus this video is based around my actual results, Dan

[@myfrequencies1912]

​@@vintagevelos9517 i always ask the carb bashers this question. If I get any response at all they are almost always blaming carbs/sugar but not eliminating them from their diet, often not even trying to restrict them. That's an excuse any way you slice it. & I say this as a guy who has tried very low carb, also high carb, plant based blah blah blah. Theory is fine, experience is always better. With regards to the point of your video, that's very cool that you got such clear results in such a short time & with some scientific backing too.

[@michaelbonade4667]

Committed Cyclist… Most Cyclists could BE Committed 🤣

[@vintagevelos9517]

😁😁😁

[@mariahamilton5305]

All right for you, you could swap out cheese! I'd been vegan for 30 years! Turned out the ground coffee habit might have been contributing... Have switched to paper-filtered. Bugger all else I can give up tho so fingers crossed!!

[@andypettitt1344]

@@taichihead42rubbish,I havent eaten meat for 40 years and Im as fit as when I was in my 20s

[@vintagevelos9517]

Any history of heart issues in the family - that can push your levels right up, Dan

[@SteveSmith-bq9rk]

It's inflammation that blocks arteries and destroys joints. Reduce carbs (seed oils, alcohol, cake, sweets and energy drinks) before looking at anything else. NHS guidance on diets is highly questionable. I reduced carbs about five years ago and I've found it good for all sorts of chronic ailments - it got rid of that last bit of tummy flab too!

[@888jucu]

Elevated LDL cholesterol is the single necessary ingredient for the genesis and progression of ASCVD. Factors such as inflammation, high BP, diabetes etc are all accelerants to ASCVD but without elevated LDLc you wont get ASCVD.

[@myfrequencies1912]

Says "carbs" then lists junk food. (Almost all of which contain high amounts of processed fats as well). Back to school fella. Or alternatively: produce the results, then provide the evidence. So many people preach the THEORY that "carbs are bad" but how many actually follow a low or no carb diet? Very few. 99/100 times it's a fat person making excuses.

[@vintagevelos9517]

I`ll just stick with what the Doctors tell me - they are also the ones that save your life if you should have a heart attack... Dan

[@SteveSmith-bq9rk]

@@myfrequencies1912 Keep taking your meds, you'll be fine - fella.

[@Marcel-ib1wp]

Everything in moderation, except pulses.

[@twenisix]

Go natural and oriental go red yeast rice 👍

[@vintagevelos9517]

I`d consider red rice yeast rice if I felt Statins were my only option but as the diet tweaks are working I`ll stick with that - red yeast rice is a bit of an unregulated wild west as well, dan

[@reinholdachleitner2069]

Great topic but I definitely won't be switching to anything Goat but I have Jungle Oats every morning so I'm sure it balances my red meat and dairy consumption.💯✌🏻🚴‍♂️

[@vintagevelos9517]

Don`t get me wrong, a love a good steak... Dan

[@TheFissionchips]

I did try to post some YT channels you should check out but alas YT censors references to the low carb/keto/ carnivore doctor channels. a clue to what they don't want you to see.

[@888jucu]

YT blocks much of what I say also so I wouldn't read into it too much. The carnivore crowd maybe able to alleviate IBS and other allergic reactions by way of extreme elimination diet etc but bring to plate one of the most heart unhealthy diets that is out there