Aye, I’ve just followed up on that premise; Low-density lipoprotein.
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Oh, no.
My head is about to explode from information overload. I can here myself saying …
… "I am a robot
I am a row boat
I am a ro bottt
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High triglycerides are the real problem, not LDL. “High triglycerides can be caused by factors such as obesity, a diet high in sugars and unhealthy fats, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, and certain medical conditions like diabetes and hypothyroidism. Genetics can also play a role in increasing triglyceride levels.”
We need to aim for low triglycerides and high HDL to lower CVD risk.
My TG to HDL ratio has always been very good but it’s better now than it’s ever been at 0.71 which is optimal. I still had a stroke though…………nothing wrong with my heart, but there’s something wrong somewhere otherwise why hypertension? Think it could be something to do with damaged blood vessels, in particular one of the layers - the glycocalyx. I’m using Fucoidan supplements with a diet rich in poly phenols to help repair this layer and thus improve vascular health. “The glycocalyx can be damaged by various factors, including inflammation, hyperglycemia, ischemia-reperfusion, viral infections, and oxidative stress. This damage can lead to increased vascular permeability and contribute to various diseases.” This statement has probably applied to most people at some time so I’m assuming It also applies to me.
This is where I’m currently at and what I’m exploring. Amongst other things 
Trace
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I’ve had some success in reducing my blood pressure after targeting visceral fat. Before my TIA few people would have said I was particularly overweight for a man in his 60s, but I was heading in the wrong direction and my meds were struggling to control my blood pressure. Visceral fat is thought to contribute to lots of conditions including hypertension (thought as in links have been found, but the reasons are less well understood) so after a bit of advice I set out to reduce it. My approach has been to restrict (but not cut out) carbs and to introduce some resistance exercise (I was already gettIng some aerobic). It seems to be working, my blood pressure is now normal and I’m hoping to be able to stop taking my small dose of candesartan soon. I’ll stress that what has worked for me isn’t necessarily the answer for someone else, but I suppose my point is that the body is a complex system and the obvious answers given by health professionals aren’t always going to work on their own. So keep exploring.
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It’s the fashion to target visceral fat, but in reality we have no control over which bits of ourselves we lose fat from, and it’s possible to be lean all over and still have visceral fat.
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it is a vital, and easily damaged layer - you might want to look into sulphur ; I’ve just put up a new post re S
Yes, sulphur, primarily in the form of sulfate , is absolutely critical for the structure and function of the glycocalyx. It’s not an optional component but a fundamental building block.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how sulphur helps the glycocalyx:
1. Sulphur as Sulfate is a Key Structural Component
The most important sulphur-containing molecules in the glycocalyx are glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) , the long, sugary polymers that give the glycocalyx its “fuzzy” coat.
- Heparan Sulfate (HS) and Chondroitin Sulfate (CS) are the two major GAGs in the endothelial glycocalyx. As their names imply, they are heavily sulfated . The sulfate groups (SO₄²⁻) are attached to the sugar chains.
- Function of the Sulfate Groups:
- Negative Charge: Sulfate groups carry a strong negative charge. This creates a high-density anionic layer that repels blood cells (preventing adhesion) and regulates the passage of molecules based on their charge.
- Hydration: The charged sulfate groups attract and tightly bind a layer of water molecules, forming a hydrogel-like barrier. This is essential for the glycocalyx’s role as a vascular permeability barrier and lubricant.
- Molecular Recognition: The specific pattern of sulfation (where and how many sulfate groups are attached) acts like a barcode. It allows the glycocalyx to selectively bind and sequester specific proteins like growth factors, enzymes, and antioxidants, regulating their activity and signaling.
Without adequate sulphation, GAGs lose their negative charge, hydration shell, and precise molecular docking capabilities, leading to a dysfunctional glycocalyx.
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I have it in my head that your name is Phil or Paul but I may be wrong, so I’ll stick with Harymanjaro
I think you have made some excellent points in your response to Trace and you have stated that “what has worked for me isn’t necessarily the answer for someone else” which of course is true.
That said, it is my belief that the many rather than the few might benefit from your approach. Clearly you have been concerned about this after identifying you were headed in the wrong direction. I am pleased you sought advice and found some that directed you in the new direction which is to look at visceral fat. I don’t know how you got this advice, but my suspicion is that this is not advice that is readily available or indeed sought. I suspect many might be content with the BP lowering meds and even if they struggled to control the BP they would just carry on taking the Meds and the GP would likely be “happy” with that.
I think what you have done is the way forward and the less reliant you are on medications the better off you are in the long run. It isn’t easy and I wouldn’t want to suggest or pretend that it is but I believe it can be done and you are living proof.
I take my hat off to you sir!
Thanks @ManjiB, you’re right that the advice I sought isn’t that readily available - a private cardiologist who specialises in the metabolic causes of cardiovascular disease. So I’m fortunate on three levels there - I could afford private treatment (just), I found someone who was able to provide the help I needed and it seemed to be effective. I’m becoming increasingly frustrated at the inequality of it all, to be honest, but that’s partly why I’m happy to share what I learn in the hope that someone else can benefit. Always with the caveat that it seems to have worked for me, but…
It’s Paul, by the way 
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Totally with you on this Paul
Wrt the inequality frustrations, this is hugely frustrating and on all fronts.
The rich get richer, the poor get poorer etc. etc.
I have turned to stoicism to try to deal with these things and then to do the best we can with what we’ve got. With the help from wonderful people such as those on this forum, we can help ourselves and help others.
There is always someone looking out for us.
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Very true, @Dexster, though I’ve been told that resistance and high intensity intervals are effective at favouring visceral fat loss over subcutaneous. I have no idea how that could be, though, and I’m slightly sceptical. Also, high intensity exercise is beyond the ability of some people, so other strategies are really needed. As for visceral fat currently being in fashion, also true but the evidence does seem to be growing and even the NHS is starting to see height to waist ratio as at least as important as BMI. I very much hope that it’s in fashion for a good reason, and that people will benefit.
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