Lowering cholesterol with diet

alteredsteve175

So my doctor wants me to start taking Lipitor to reduce my cholesterol. I'd like to try fine tuning the diet first. Looking for anyone who has experience or suggestions for lowering cholesterol levels with diet modifications.

Thank you.

Farback

I recently adopted the ketogenic diet on the advice of my doctor. This was mainly to address slightly high blood sugar, my blood lipid numbers are good due to being on a statin for four years coupled with clean eating habits and lots of exercise. I had a heart attack in 2014, and have been very serious about my health.

This diet has been around for a long time, but has recently become a bit of a fad; something that will change when all the Oprah people move on to the next mindless thing. It is a very effective tool to look after your health. I'd recommend giving it a look. Check out ketoreset.com.

alteredsteve175

Interesting, Farback. I've done keto before, but I seem to have more energy when I eat some carbs, so I am currently eating 20 to 30% carbs. Weighing and tracking everything.

The doc mentioned a plant based diet, but I'm not ready to stop eating meat.

The research continues.

whatsgood4me

Over time I slowly increased the amount of fiber in my diet and started eating primarily lean meats. That, along with exercise, and changing how much water I drink shifted my total cholesterol from about 255 down to about 175. It also moved my LDL from about 169 to 80. It took about a year to get there, but my results have been consistent for the past 3 years.

Now I get 40-50 grams of fiber in my diet (higher than recommended, and don't dare try to quickly boost your fiber intake that high), and I drink about a gallon of water a day (more in the summer). I enjoy a good steak and ribs and roast pork on occasion, but I treat them as something special - not every day meals.

I also totally agree with the Ketogenic diet. It provides a lot of health and weight management benefits, even if you're not diabetic. I doubt I'll ever give up eating meat, but my diet does lean vegetarian. So far I'm quite happy with the results.

Good luck!

RodaRose

I thought science has taught us that cholesterol (meat, animal fat. . . ) does not cause cholesterol in the body although dietary carbs can. Omega threes are good. Fiber is great.

RodaRose

'Apologize for not being able to to find a good scientific article now. 'Will try later or tomorrow. My father did poorly on Lipitor -- side effects were awful and finally a young doctor up to speed took him off it.

MostlyWater

I think people eat oats to help with that. Losing weight and exercising helps too.

alteredsteve175

RodaRose wrote: »

'Apologize for not being able to to find a good scientific article now. 'Will try later or tomorrow. My father did poorly on Lipitor -- side effects were awful and finally a young doctor up to speed took him off it.

Thanks, @RodaRose. I am still searching as well.

RodaRose

1) This one says weight loss works for men and women who have both low HDL cholesterol levels and elevated LDL cholesterol levels.http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199807023390103

2) The NCEP Step 2 diet failed to lower LDL cholesterol levels in men or women with high-risk lipoprotein levels who did not engage in aerobic exercise. This finding highlights the importance of physical activity in the treatment of elevated LDL cholesterol levels.
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199807023390103

3) Yes to Oatmeal: http://www.eufic.org/en/healthy-living/article/eating-oat-beta-glucan-regularly-helps-maintain-normal-blood-cholesterol

4) This one is anti-statins. 'Puts emphasis on low glycemic load. Suggests brisk walking 30 minutes four days a week. https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/opinion/insight/the-cholesterol-and-calorie-hypotheses-are-both-dead-it-is-time-to-focus-on-the-real-culprit-insulin-resistance/20203046.article

alteredsteve175

RodaRose wrote: »

1) This one says weight loss works for men and women who have both low HDL cholesterol levels and elevated LDL cholesterol levels.http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199807023390103

2) The NCEP Step 2 diet failed to lower LDL cholesterol levels in men or women with high-risk lipoprotein levels who did not engage in aerobic exercise. This finding highlights the importance of physical activity in the treatment of elevated LDL cholesterol levels.
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199807023390103

3) Yes to Oatmeal: http://www.eufic.org/en/healthy-living/article/eating-oat-beta-glucan-regularly-helps-maintain-normal-blood-cholesterol

4) This one is anti-statins. 'Puts emphasis on low glycemic load. Suggests brisk walking 30 minutes four days a week. https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/opinion/insight/the-cholesterol-and-calorie-hypotheses-are-both-dead-it-is-time-to-focus-on-the-real-culprit-insulin-resistance/20203046.article

Thanks, @RodaRose. I will read these over the weekend. You are the ACES!

RodaRose

They do not 100% percent agree with each other. But I do find them hopeful.