Insulin stimulates a key enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase to manufacture
cholesterol, while glucagon inhibits it. People who have a chronically elevated
insulin level almost always have a high cholesterol level. Glucagon, on the other
hand, does the exact opposite and acts like a cholesterollowering drug. These
two hormones will be in perfect balance on the Perfect 10 Diet as you eat more
natural fats.
Let’s say you follow the Perfect 10 Diet with a preference toward French
cuisine; that’s perfectly okay with me. As a matter of fact, it’s better for your sex
hormones, and you don’t have to worry about your cholesterol. The French have
higher cholesterol than Americans, but have fewer heart attacks. Here’s why:
your bad cholesterol, C-LDL, may go up because you’re eating more cheese and
butter, but so will your good cholesterol, C-HDL; therefore, the effect is neutral.
The ratio is what’s important, not the total cholesterol level alone. If you have
enough HDL, you can remove Figure 16.2: Comparing Different Diets
the excess cholesterol left by LDL. Any elevation of LDL is on the fluffy or
large LDL, which does not clog the arteries. An optimal ratio of LDL to HDL
should be below 3. In the same time, your triglycerides level will fall down
precipitously when you cut sugar from your diet. That’s what I like to see as a
doctor.
On the other hand, if you follow a low-fat/high-carbohydrate diet, both your
LDL and HDL will go down (Fig. 16.2). At the same time, your triglycerides
level will rise because of the excess sugar. Your LDL will be mostly small type
because of the excess sugar, and this type of small LDL clogs your arteries.
Thus, a low-fat diet increases your chance of developing heart disease.
Which Cholesterol Profile Would You Rather Have?
The cholesterol profile is more favorable on a highfat/lowcarb diet than on a
low-fat/high-carbohydrate diet. From Figure 16.2, you can see that you’re less
likely to be on a cholesterol drug when you follow a highfat/ lowcarb diet, even
if it’s skewed toward saturated fat.