Lowering cholesterol

[fire_breeze]

Yikes, alcohol, really? I'm not a major drinker but I do partake about once a week. Good to
know.

Have never smoked.

I personally wouldn't worry about it if you drink moderately. A former roommate of mine had elevated cholesterol; he managed to bring it down by, among other small lifestyle changes, cutting out his afterwork beer, but he still drank one glass of wine at dinner. His levels are now within the normal range and he still has his glass almost every night.

Good luck.

 

[StevenWill]

203

is really not that high. Mine was 241 so I started eating beans and rice, red wine and lots of fresh vegetables. I also eat 40-50 grams of fiber a day. I started walking more too. Nice months later, I was at 190.

 

[silverwhisper]

etoile, you don't mention the context in which your cholesterol was tested. was it a doctor's visit, or some kind of employer-sponsored health fair-type thing?

in the former case, the doc should've given you some pointers re: how to reduce your bad cholesterol and increase your good cholesterol. in the latter, there should have been some kind of handouts, that sort of thing.

from what sources are you getting protein? obviously, cheese would be one way, although you're reducing that. beans are usually a good way to go in that regard.

according to webMD, the key 4 methods that experts recommend in reducing cholesterol are: 1) healthy diet, 2) exercise, 3) weight reduction and 4) medication (in certain instances).

also: etoile, do you cook much? if you do, that gives you much greater control over your diet than relying on prepared foods.

ed

 

[Etoile]

It was a lab visit with the results sent to my doctor. She just told me that the level was 203 and that was high. Didn't really give me much other info. I'm concerned that I wasn't fasting at the time, so I'm planning to get it done at a "minute clinic" that offers it here for $40, just to see if the number is very different from when I wasn't fasting.

I get a lot of protein from "fake meats" which are pretty low in cholesterol. I don't cook at all, actually, and I feel I have MORE control that way, because I can read the nutrition facts off the box.

 

[silverwhisper]

etoile quoth:
it was a lab visit with the results sent to my doctor. she just told me that the level was 203 and that was high. didn't really give me much other info. i'm concerned that i wasn't fasting at the time, so i'm planning to get it done at a "minute clinic" that offers it here for $40, just to see if the number is very different from when i wasn't fasting.

your doc didn't give you any concrete suggestions? might i suggest a call to get some pointers? and yeah, i definitely agree with your idea to get a second test.

etoile quoth:
i get a lot of protein from "fake meats" which are pretty low in cholesterol. i don't cook at all, actually, and i feel i have more control that way, because i can read the nutrition facts off the box.

it might surprise you to learn this, but you can usually do better than packaged foods WRT your nutrition by cooking. :>

ed

 

[Etoile]

Yes, but you see...I don't cook! LOL

 

[silverwhisper]

well, in that case, nevermind! :>

ed

 

[Hoosier262]

I feel for you.

I am 47 and in June had my 2nd heart attack. I have 5 stents and doc says no more, next time your getting cracked open.

Most of my problems are heriditry in nature, doc says there really isn't much one can do about it. Sure he tells me if it tastes good you can't eat it, and to excercise, etc.

I have taken just about every cholestrol med known to mankind, but the side affects are TERRIBLE. Muscle pain that is so bad with some of them that it is almost impossible to function. Doc had me take them every other day to try to control the side effects, not much help if any.

I eat fish (I HATE FISH) and always have, I eat veggies, I limit my intake of naughty stuff like fats, chips, junk foods.

I have found more releif and benefit from natural products than I have with script meds. Take the time and do some research into herbs, it is worth the time and effort not to have to resort to script meds.

Good Luck to You

 

[shiny5437]

I have taken just about every cholestrol med known to mankind, but the side affects are TERRIBLE. Muscle pain that is so bad with some of them that it is almost impossible to function. Doc had me take them every other day to try to control the side effects, not much help if any.

Hoosier, I'm sorry to hear you've been unlucky with the side effects for your lipid lowering meds. However, just to present a balanced view I'd like to say that most people tolerate statins etc very well with no side effects and are very important drugs in reducing cholesterol (and heart attacks etc).

Plus the benefits of statins have been shown in randomised control trials whilst herbs have not.

 

[heartforhire]

Deleted

 

[GentleStrong1]

Reduce Cholosterol - More Tips!

Amber had good advice above.... Here is some tips that REALLY HELPED me.

Background: Total cholosterol 215 to 230 for 5 to 6 years --- I kept making small commitments to the doctor on my diet - but failed in keeping them.

New doctor comes along - sees my 218 number (2 months ago) and says "We need to do something about this (he is serious).." I reply "Let me work on it for 3 months and lets' retest at that point (without any drugs)".

Doctor (a DO) recommended:

1 - Red Rice Yeast supplements
2 - Niacin
3 - Flax Seed Oil

I got serious about this, since the Statin drugs have side effects and I "knew" I needed to make changes. Here is what I did:

1 - Started new exercise regime to seriously "get fit". Ride bicycle to work 5 miles and back (another 5 miles) on somewhat hilly biking trail. Excerise time: 1 hour - to - 1 hour 15 minutes. Started this in first week of June. Do this 4 or 5 times a week.

2 - Take the supplements doctor advised EVERY DAY, plus others for good health.

3 - ELIMINATED certain foods completely (for me - it was all or none - else fall back into bad habits). Eliminated pizza, french fries, fried onion rings, fried chicken - anything with high fat content was eliminated.

4 - CONTINUED to eat meat (chicken, beef) and eggs - since body was demanding protein from additional exercise.

Results: at 8 weeks: Cholosteral came in at 192, weight is 215 (dropped 10 lbs), and doctor is pleased. Triglercides is lower - even though I consume acohol on a regular basis still. The alcohol has more of an effect of increasing the suger level...

So I am pleased... Doctor is pleased.... I now vigourously get on that mountain bike for the ride - knowing - it helps - and at age 52 - I am building my cardio & getting stronger.

 

[Etoile]

Congrats on your improvement, GentleStrong1!