how to reduce high cholesterol ?

Saab_2015

I used to think I am fairly active and in good shape but a heath check has shown me to have high Cholesterol.

So I think I need to Improve my diet .. reading a lot of mixed things but bad it 172.

Any tips to reduce or success stories from anyone who was in the same pickle as me appreciated.

ninerbuff

Dietary cholesterol has been recently shown not to affect cholesterol levels. It basically comes down to genetics and weight. Getting your weight to a normal level first should help if you're overweight.

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crita50

what are your HDL, LDL, and Triglycerides? Also, what is your HLD/LDL Ratio?

Saab_2015

I only spoke to the doctor over the phone so don't have all the figures but once I do will let you know - I've been googling it so atleast I now know what your talking about. I thought I was healthier

cwolfman13

I wouldn't consider 172 to be high necessarily. You need to also look at your LDL:HDL. My total is over 200, but my LDL is 93 so not really an issue.

jgnatca

There's genetics which you can't escape. People also underestimate the power of stress to affect your cholesterol levels. So try a little meditation as well.

The DASH diet is the best option we have out there.

kimny72

cwolfman13 wrote: »

I wouldn't consider 172 to be high necessarily. You need to also look at your LDL:HDL. My total is over 200, but my LDL is 93 so not really an issue.

This is what I was thinking. My cholesterol was in the 170's but my HDL was high and my LDL was really low. Since I am a healthy weight and had no other factors for lifestyle diseases, I was told not to worry about it. Both my parents have similar situations.

Honestly, if you are overweight the best thing to do would be to get down to a healthy weight and see how your numbers respond. Unless of course your doctor suggested you make some additional changes!

quebot

I was told a couple of years ago that my levels were high. I decided to reduce stress in as much as I could control and change some things up in my life. This includes a morning cup of tea and meditation, magnesium supplements, walking instead of tough/ stressful workouts, journaling about the things outside of my control, planning ahead and sticking to my schedule, setting alarms to keep me on task and to help me avoid running late, occasional stress relief yoga at the end of a hard day, and making sure that I get enough sleep.

Eta: Forgot to mention, it has helped. Numbers are lower, and so is my blood pressure.

rj0150684

I had high cholesterol and my doctor recommended eating more fish. Some fresh salmon and flounder, but mostly canned sardines and kippered herring. Numbers came back into line.

R_U_B_E_N_S

I got heart problems related to genetic colesterol and my Doc got me some tablets plus told me to take those extras: Danacol Yogourts, milk with omega3 and walnuts! good luck on getting it lower!!

sgt1372

Losing 40# of weight (by means of calorie control) and exercise (mainly lifting, hiking and rowing) were the primary reasons my cholesterol levels dropped from historically unhealthy to "ideal" levels for the 1st time in my life just 6 months ago.

BTW, I still ate well marbeled NY steaks and other fatty foods but did so w/a specific calorie limit and macro goals in mind, which restricted the type of food that I ate which I would characterize as generally "healthy" but not "clean" or organic by any means.

nvmomketo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZu52duIqno

AmyOutOfControl

My cholesterol and triglycerides dropped with a 35 pound weight loss and running 5 times a week. My total cholesterol level originally was over 350 (and triglycerides over 400). My total cholesterol level is borderline now - around 200.

172 is actually a normal result - Unless your doctor was just talking about LDL levels?

https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/11-foods-that-lower-cholesterol

psuLemon

Under 200 is normal. And the better indicator is non hdl cholesterol.

And losing weight and exercise is the best thing to improve cholesterol. My triglycerides went from 220 to 40 on a fairly high carb diet.