Understanding Low HDL Despite a Healthy, Low-Fat Diet

Question
While my over Cholesteral level is good at 150...my HDL is 41 (low average) What foods can I eat to improve my HDL? My Chol/HDL ratio is 3.7 (which I believe is good also). My LDL is 99 and Triglycerides is 42. I am an avid runner and eat pretty healthy...low fat and low cholesterol diet. Any suggestions on my diet or food intake to improve my HDL?

Thanks

Answer
Jeff,

Your "low fat and low cholesterol diet" is exactly why you have HDL=41. You might want to increase your intake of essential fatty acids like omega-3 (fatty cold-water fish or supplements), nuts, seeds, olive oil, oils of tree nuts, grape-seed oil. Carbohydrate restriction would also increase your HDL levels.

Tanya Zilberter