Need to raise cholesterol and vitamin D

sarahkanzalone

So had all my labs drawn and turns out my good cholesterol is too low. My bad cholesterol is also low but was told I need to raise the good one. Any advice on this? Foods to eat?

Also my vitamin D was low, it was at 12, he wants to get it to at least 20. I am on vitamin D supplement now but any recommendations on this as well would be helpful.

I am vegetarian and lactose intolerant as well

sarahkanzalone

Guacamole I like.... The suns not always realistic I live in Chicago and work 11a-8pm (often going in earlier than that) this time of year that's pretty much when the sun is out also it's still cold so I'm bundled up when I'm out..... Hoping to add more sun time when it finally decides to warm up outside

RodaRose

The good cholesterol can be increased with exercise.

ronjsteele1

He wants you to get your D to 20? Can I suggest you do some research on your own? Newer standards suggest that a healthy D that will help prevent illness is closer to 70! I've been taking 10,000ius a day of D3 for 5+ years and *still* have only gone from 19 to 55. Might be worthwhile to do some reading and question your doctor.

LKArgh

First, you need to find out why your good cholesterol is low. So, if no additional tests were done, get a new appointment and discuss possible causes. To give you an example, for me, low good cholesterol is the first sign my thyroid meds need adjustment.
Assuming there is no other factor you can control (like other medical condition causing this or medication contributing to the problem), the basic thing you can do is increase physical activity, lower carbs (especially if you also are insulin resistant) and lose weight if you are overweight.
If I remember correctly, and I am not 100% sure about it, you definitely need to ask your dr, if your diet is low in fat, and both HDL and LDL are low, then this is a case where there might be no reason for concern.

fishshark

ronjsteele1 wrote: »

He wants you to get your D to 20? Can I suggest you do some research on your own? Newer standards suggest that a healthy D that will help prevent illness is closer to 70! I've been taking 10,000ius a day of D3 for 5+ years and *still* have only gone from 19 to 55. Might be worthwhile to do some reading and question your doctor.

my level is 20 and my dr considers that very low and would like to see me at 50-60. I used to be at 8 (and live in San Diego) so at least thats better. I take vitamin D and try to get some sun thats pretty much all I can do.

Gianfranco_R

sarahkanzalone wrote: »

So had all my labs drawn and turns out my good cholesterol is too low. My bad cholesterol is also low but was told I need to raise the good one. Any advice on this? Foods to eat?

Also my vitamin D was low, it was at 12, he wants to get it to at least 20. I am on vitamin D supplement now but any recommendations on this as well would be helpful.

I am vegetarian and lactose intolerant as well

Being in need to raise HDL cholesterol and vitamin D, I would eat fatty fish, like salmon, mackerel, sardines, but you are vegetarian...
Anyway, I think it is better you work with a registered dietitian

dopeysmelly

Exercise helps to raise HDL. But it's the ratio of Total cholesterol to HDL that's important, not just the absolute number of HDL. If you're total cholesterol is low, then it might not be an issue, in fact, you might have absolutely perfect numbers (which your doc may not be used to seeing, quite frankly). Just get in touch with your doc and ask for more detailed guidance, and make sure you ask for a set of target numbers, including the Total C/HDL ratio.

MelaniaTrump

Curious. Do you take a multivitamin daily? Many vegetarians do since they can be low in b vitamins.
Wondering if the amount in a multi can keep numbers normal or if someone aged 26, really needs to supplement with vit D on top of taking a multivitamin.

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

Fkaxseeds are good to help with the cholesterol. You can buy it ground with VitD added to it also.

sarahkanzalone

JanetYellen wrote: »

Curious. Do you take a multivitamin daily? Many vegetarians do since they can be low in b vitamins.
Wondering if the amount in a multi can keep numbers normal or if someone aged 26, really needs to supplement with vit D on top of taking a multivitamin.

He also prescribed a specific multivitamin for me as well

I think 20 is the number he is looking for at next blood draw not the final number we are aiming for.

My HDL is under 40 which I guess puts me at increased health risks. It's likely due to former (until about 6 weeks ago) sedentary life and smoking.... I'm going to call and pick up the copies of labs and look them over in more detail

Sassie_Lassie

Vitamin D is fat soluble so you need to make sure you take it with food. How many IU's are you taking?

JanetYellen wrote: »

Curious. Do you take a multivitamin daily? Many vegetarians do since they can be low in b vitamins.
Wondering if the amount in a multi can keep numbers normal or if someone aged 26, really needs to supplement with vit D on top of taking a multivitamin.

What does age have to do with whether or not someone supplements with vitamin D? It's an extremely important vitamin and seeing as her levels are so incredibly low I don't see how just taking a daily multi would rectify that. My daily multi only has 2,000 IU's of D in it which is woefully inadequate.

sarahkanzalone

My Vitamin D is 2000, pharmacy had to order the multivitamin he wants me on so not sure how much is in there should find out today

MelaniaTrump

Oh, I agree. To rectify she needs a high dose of vit d.
But as I understand, she never took a multi vitamin before this, and never drank milk, cheese, etc.
And I wonder, if a multivitamin could keep at least a serious vit d deficiency at bay.
Curious. Also agree, a goal of 20 blood level is minimal goal /inadequate / pitiful.
Age has a bit to do with it, since seniors have more trouble absorbing vitamin D.

lemurcat12

If you live in a northern climate (I'm in Chicago too), it's probably best to supplement D in the winter and maybe spring and fall. That's what my doctor recommends. (And I know you are already doing that -- I am skeptical about supplements, but this one one thing I do.)

sarahkanzalone

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »

Fkaxseeds are good to help with the cholesterol. You can buy it ground with VitD added to it also.

Would some where like trader joes or whole foods have this? Or Amazon?

MelaniaTrump

Before taking a food with added vitamin D, consult your doctor.
How about just plain flaxmeal? Available at walmart.
They are by the wheat flour, top shelf.
I think Target has it by the vitamins/ protein bars.
CVS and I think walgreeens also sell this. (you'll pay more).
* Flaxmeal is ground flaxseeds. Better absorbency.

lemurcat12

JanetYellen wrote: »

Before taking a food with added vitamin D, consult your doctor.

The most common such food is milk. Seriously, she should call her doctor before drinking milk?

Sassie_Lassie

JanetYellen wrote: »

Before taking a food with added vitamin D, consult your doctor.
How about just plain flaxmeal? Available at walmart.

Considering it was her doctor that told her she needs to get her vitamin D levels up I'm fairly certain s/he would be ok with her eating foods that contain said nutrient.

trbilbao

You can raise your good cholesterol by using olive oil when making salad dressing and cooking, eating walnuts, almonds, olives, avocados and the "healthy" fats - look for Omega 3 . I too am vitamin D deficient and I live in Sunny So Cal so sometimes the sun is not enough. I added a supplement. I am also adding some tuna (sushi and canned) for the vitamin D. I googled foods high in vitamin D and mostly fish comes up. I don't really like dairy but that is also on the list so I try to get some yogurt in. My cholesterol is high because I actually have lots of good cholesterol and am sure it is due to the fact that I do eat plenty of foods with Omega 3 ( nuts, avocados and use primarily olive oil) - Good luck, hope you can get that D up!

MelaniaTrump

I have never seen flaxseeds or flaxmeal with vitamin D added.
I did not know the amount.
When it's natural in foods - yes. When it's added, you need to be a smart consumer.
Also, I did not know if it's added D3, or other form the doctor may not agree with.

I have coated chicken in flaxmeal and used large amounts. Also in making breads.
I am glad that mine does not contain ADDED vitamin d or any other added vitamins that are not naturally in the food.

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »

Fkaxseeds are good to help with the cholesterol. You can buy it ground with VitD added to it also.

perkymommy

I keep liquid Vit D in the house.

jgnatca

You can only absorb so much vitamin D at once so it pays to stretch it out, like 1,000 in the morning and 1,000 again at night.

For vegetarian healthy fats, start using more olive oil, and add avocados.

sarahkanzalone

Going to look into getting some of those things to add some more healthy fats to my diet. It's hard on 1200 Cals but my health is more important so might just have to slow down weight loss. No point in being skinny and not healthy. Also going to add another day at the gym to see if that helps.

Started today by adding some avacado to my morning smoothie which made the texture even better without much impact on taste

sarahkanzalone

Also thank you everyone for replies and advice!

ReaderGirl3

ronjsteele1 wrote: »

He wants you to get your D to 20? Can I suggest you do some research on your own? Newer standards suggest that a healthy D that will help prevent illness is closer to 70! I've been taking 10,000ius a day of D3 for 5+ years and *still* have only gone from 19 to 55. Might be worthwhile to do some reading and question your doctor.

This. 20 is still really low. A high dose D3 supplement should help, you can get a prescription or just buy one at the grocery store (this is what my doctor told me to do because it's a lot cheaper if you have crappy insurance).