Cholesterol lowering food
Heather417
Posts: 31 Member
hello everyone....
I just got my results from my blood work and it seems like all is well except my cholesterol is creeping up.
My doc isn't giving me any meds yet and wants me to try on my own first. My problem is that I already avoid the foods high in cholesterol. Maybe not enough exercise?
What suggestions do you have? Anyone like me?
I just got my results from my blood work and it seems like all is well except my cholesterol is creeping up.
My doc isn't giving me any meds yet and wants me to try on my own first. My problem is that I already avoid the foods high in cholesterol. Maybe not enough exercise?
What suggestions do you have? Anyone like me?
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Replies
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Heather417 wrote: »hello everyone....
I just got my results from my blood work and it seems like all is well except my cholesterol is creeping up.
My doc isn't giving me any meds yet and wants me to try on my own first. My problem is that I already avoid the foods high in cholesterol. Maybe not enough exercise?
What suggestions do you have? Anyone like me?
What did your doctor tell you to do?0 -
Losing weight often lowers your cholesterol.0
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queenliz99 wrote: »Heather417 wrote: »hello everyone....
I just got my results from my blood work and it seems like all is well except my cholesterol is creeping up.
My doc isn't giving me any meds yet and wants me to try on my own first. My problem is that I already avoid the foods high in cholesterol. Maybe not enough exercise?
What suggestions do you have? Anyone like me?
What did your doctor tell you to do?
They said that they were going to mail me a list of foods to avoid and some other helpful info......but I was hoping someone here has been through a similar situation.
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Exercise can improve cholesterol.
Fish oil has slight evidence for it improving cholesterol.
Generally changing diet where so that more saturated fats are replaced with unsaturated fats has evidence for it.0 -
Avoid animal fats (limit butter, choose low fat dairy, lean meats), avoid palm oil, avoid fried food, limit sea food (shrimps, squid etc), limit egg yolks, limit red meat. Avoid soda and snacks with too much sugar.
Try to eat lots of fiber, so lots of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, beans and lentils etc. Ideally half or more of what you eat should come from these food groups. Try to eat fish or chicken instead of red meat, especially fish high in omega3 fatty acids, like sardines, salmon, tuna or trout. Use olive oil instead of butter or other saturated fats, ideally extra virgin olive oil. Sesame oil is also a good choice and also corn oil.
Increase your physical activity, and if you are overweight, work on limiting calories.
Oh, and you will get probably some replies on how eggs and butter and coconut oil and bacon are all great and do not affect your cholesterol. While this is a very popular view on this site, I have yet to find a dr in real life who agrees.0 -
I believe the opposite is true. If you lower your carbs (mainly foods from grains and those with added sugar) your triglycerides will go down (triglycerides are linked to heart disease) and your HDL will go up. Your LDL count may go down or stay the same but their composition will most likely change to the fluffier LDL rather than the vLDL.
Try reading The Great Cholesterol Myth.
Best wishes.0 -
The NIH has now acknowledged that there is no demonstrated linkage between dietary cholesterol and serum cholesterol.0
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I believe the opposite is true. If you lower your carbs (mainly foods from grains and those with added sugar) your triglycerides will go down (triglycerides are linked to heart disease) and your HDL will go up. Your LDL count may go down or stay the same but their composition will most likely change to the fluffier LDL rather than the vLDL.
Try reading The Great Cholesterol Myth.
Best wishes.
This ^^^^^^
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Depends on what's wrong with it I think too.. Trygs, LDL?
Anyway, I was told to eat low fat (which I already was, to an extent) and to eat nuts and oatmeal. My trygs are good, my LDL is high but so is my HDL so my ratio is normal (although on the high end).0 -
I believe the opposite is true. If you lower your carbs (mainly foods from grains and those with added sugar) your triglycerides will go down (triglycerides are linked to heart disease) and your HDL will go up. Your LDL count may go down or stay the same but their composition will most likely change to the fluffier LDL rather than the vLDL.
Try reading The Great Cholesterol Myth.
Best wishes.
These guys still disagreed about the evil carbs, just 10 days ago...
http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/5-foods-that-fight-high-cholesterol
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyEating/The-American-Heart-Associations-Diet-and-Lifestyle-Recommendations_UCM_305855_Article.jsp
But no, they are not telling people to eat cookies and drink soda either.
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my cholesterol is through the roof. this past week, my dr put me on a very strict diet to attempt to lower my cholesterol w/o meds.
NO alcohol
NO pasta
NO bread
NO sugar (such as a donut, cake, etc.)
NO potatoes
NO soda
+4grams Omega-3 per day
i can eat any and all veggies/fruits and should focus on chicken, fish & turkey; red meat only occasionally.0 -
Dietary cholesterol does not affect cholesterol in your bloodstream. Soluble fiber helps lower cholesterol by binding LDL cholesterol (not HDL) it in your lower intestine, and preventing it from being reabsorbed. Your liver filters cholesterol from your bloodstream, and puts it into your large intestine. From your large intestine, its either re-absorbed into your bloodstream or excreted with other waste. Fiber binds some of it and prevents it from being re-absorbed, so you just poop it out. So basically, don't lower your carbs. Try to get more of them from soluble-fiber-rich foods such as oats, beans, seeds, fruits and vegetables. THIS is the current science. I don't have a citation handy for you, but you can google something like "effect of soluble fiber on cholesterol."0
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I believe the opposite is true. If you lower your carbs (mainly foods from grains and those with added sugar) your triglycerides will go down (triglycerides are linked to heart disease) and your HDL will go up. Your LDL count may go down or stay the same but their composition will most likely change to the fluffier LDL rather than the vLDL.
Try reading The Great Cholesterol Myth.
Best wishes.
These guys still disagreed about the evil carbs, just 10 days ago...
http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/5-foods-that-fight-high-cholesterol
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyEating/The-American-Heart-Associations-Diet-and-Lifestyle-Recommendations_UCM_305855_Article.jsp
But no, they are not telling people to eat cookies and drink soda either.
Carbs aren't evil. Do you believe that or are you just trying to make fun of people who limit their carbs as a personal choice, or for medical reasons?0 -
I believe the opposite is true. If you lower your carbs (mainly foods from grains and those with added sugar) your triglycerides will go down (triglycerides are linked to heart disease) and your HDL will go up. Your LDL count may go down or stay the same but their composition will most likely change to the fluffier LDL rather than the vLDL.
Try reading The Great Cholesterol Myth.
Best wishes.
These guys still disagreed about the evil carbs, just 10 days ago...
http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/5-foods-that-fight-high-cholesterol
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyEating/The-American-Heart-Associations-Diet-and-Lifestyle-Recommendations_UCM_305855_Article.jsp
But no, they are not telling people to eat cookies and drink soda either.
Carbs aren't evil. Do you believe that or are you just trying to make fun of people who limit their carbs as a personal choice, or for medical reasons?
I am not making fun of people. I am sick of reading how limiting carbs, all carbs, is the solution to everything, and the cure for every illness known to mankind. It is as ridiculous as claiming avoiding dairy is the solution to all problems, or avoiding foods of a certain colour is the answer. Which are both also very popular views on these forums.0 -
you will get probably some replies on how eggs and butter and coconut oil and bacon are all great and do not affect your cholesterol. While this is a very popular view on this site, I have yet to find a dr in real life who agrees.
This I do have a citation for. The updated 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, issued by the Dept of Health and Human Services, stated unequivocally that "Cholesterol is not considered a nutrient of concern for overconsumption." This recommendation is based on a wide review of research over the last few decades. It doesn't matter how much of it you eat. Some doctors may have trouble overcoming 40 years of previous belief, but that means only that they are out of date with regard to this issue.
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How interesting some of these comments are. There are scientific links and studies that say that monounsaturated fats will increase your HDL cholesterol, and that eating higher amounts of fiber will help decrease your LDL cholesterol. Moderate amounts of saturated fats are not bad for you, and fact new studies are showing that eating dietary fats help your body burn its own fats for energy while in a calorie deficit.
Losing weight is the best way to improve cholesterol numbers.
I eat a moderate amount of carbs and saturated fats, along with monounsaturated fats, with good amounts of fiber in my diet. I have excellent cholesterol numbers. My husband changed his diet to match mine and his numbers are improving, especially as he loses weight.0 -
I believe the opposite is true. If you lower your carbs (mainly foods from grains and those with added sugar) your triglycerides will go down (triglycerides are linked to heart disease) and your HDL will go up. Your LDL count may go down or stay the same but their composition will most likely change to the fluffier LDL rather than the vLDL.
Try reading The Great Cholesterol Myth.
Best wishes.
These guys still disagreed about the evil carbs, just 10 days ago...
http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/5-foods-that-fight-high-cholesterol
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyEating/The-American-Heart-Associations-Diet-and-Lifestyle-Recommendations_UCM_305855_Article.jsp
But no, they are not telling people to eat cookies and drink soda either.
Carbs aren't evil. Do you believe that or are you just trying to make fun of people who limit their carbs as a personal choice, or for medical reasons?
This is MFP; there is no middle ground - either you eat all the carbs or you are demonising them.
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tennisdude2004 wrote: »I believe the opposite is true. If you lower your carbs (mainly foods from grains and those with added sugar) your triglycerides will go down (triglycerides are linked to heart disease) and your HDL will go up. Your LDL count may go down or stay the same but their composition will most likely change to the fluffier LDL rather than the vLDL.
Try reading The Great Cholesterol Myth.
Best wishes.
These guys still disagreed about the evil carbs, just 10 days ago...
http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/5-foods-that-fight-high-cholesterol
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyEating/The-American-Heart-Associations-Diet-and-Lifestyle-Recommendations_UCM_305855_Article.jsp
But no, they are not telling people to eat cookies and drink soda either.
Carbs aren't evil. Do you believe that or are you just trying to make fun of people who limit their carbs as a personal choice, or for medical reasons?
This is MFP; there is no middle ground - either you eat all the carbs or you are demonising them.
These kind of flippant comments are half of the problem. Serious conversations about macro balance and weight loss are impossible when mockery is rampant.0 -
There is a strong connection between how we handle stress and cholesterol.
http://www.everydayhealth.com/cholesterol/experts-how-does-stress-contribute-to-cholesterol.aspx0 -
Wow thanks guys! Lots of info.
My good cholesterol is high and that's why my doctor didn't feel the need to put me on meds as the ratio of good to bad cholesterol was acceptable.
Also looking at everything you guys are saying, I think my issue is red meat. We very rarely eat fish and often choose red meat over chicken.
Otherwise I'm careful about everything else especially now that I'm losing weight. I'm a firm believer in moderation when it comes to food groups.0 -
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This content has been removed.
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There is a strong connection between how we handle stress and cholesterol.
http://www.everydayhealth.com/cholesterol/experts-how-does-stress-contribute-to-cholesterol.aspx
Very interesting!! I've been extremely stressed the passed year.0 -
oyChihuahua wrote: »I lowered mine substantially by increasing my exercise to daily for an hour or greater. I don't observe any special dietary restrictions - I enjoy carbs, sugar, meat, eggs, veggies and fruit. I have cardiac history and ongoing heart valve issues. My cardiologist said my levels dropped below his own - he's half my age. I ran into him 6 months ago - he said he started going to bootcamp workouts too! Guess he's now convinced it's exercise too.
Best wishes with improving your health!
That's awesome! Good for you! I bet your doctor shares your story with his other patients.0 -
I dropped my cholesterol 30 points by eating oatmeal for breakfast, a good source of soluble fiber.0
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katzenfluff wrote: »I dropped my cholesterol 30 points by eating oatmeal for breakfast, a good source of soluble fiber.
I'll try that! Thanks.0 -
tennisdude2004 wrote: »I believe the opposite is true. If you lower your carbs (mainly foods from grains and those with added sugar) your triglycerides will go down (triglycerides are linked to heart disease) and your HDL will go up. Your LDL count may go down or stay the same but their composition will most likely change to the fluffier LDL rather than the vLDL.
Try reading The Great Cholesterol Myth.
Best wishes.
These guys still disagreed about the evil carbs, just 10 days ago...
http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/5-foods-that-fight-high-cholesterol
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyEating/The-American-Heart-Associations-Diet-and-Lifestyle-Recommendations_UCM_305855_Article.jsp
But no, they are not telling people to eat cookies and drink soda either.
Carbs aren't evil. Do you believe that or are you just trying to make fun of people who limit their carbs as a personal choice, or for medical reasons?
This is MFP; there is no middle ground - either you eat all the carbs or you are demonising them.
These kind of flippant comments are half of the problem. Serious conversations about macro balance and weight loss are impossible when mockery is rampant.
Apologies!
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Your body makes some cholesterol on its own regardless of what you eat.
Lose weight and exercise.0 -
I believe the opposite is true. If you lower your carbs (mainly foods from grains and those with added sugar) your triglycerides will go down (triglycerides are linked to heart disease) and your HDL will go up. Your LDL count may go down or stay the same but their composition will most likely change to the fluffier LDL rather than the vLDL.
Try reading The Great Cholesterol Myth.
Best wishes.
These guys still disagreed about the evil carbs, just 10 days ago...
http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/5-foods-that-fight-high-cholesterol
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyEating/The-American-Heart-Associations-Diet-and-Lifestyle-Recommendations_UCM_305855_Article.jsp
But no, they are not telling people to eat cookies and drink soda either.
Carbs aren't evil. Do you believe that or are you just trying to make fun of people who limit their carbs as a personal choice, or for medical reasons?
I am not making fun of people. I am sick of reading how limiting carbs, all carbs, is the solution to everything, and the cure for every illness known to mankind. It is as ridiculous as claiming avoiding dairy is the solution to all problems, or avoiding foods of a certain colour is the answer. Which are both also very popular views on these forums.
Sometimes limiting carbs or dairy IS the cure to a person's problems or illnesses. If you disagree with a statement just state that rather than discussing "evil carbs".
I find this attitude crops up too often too.tennisdude2004 wrote: »I believe the opposite is true. If you lower your carbs (mainly foods from grains and those with added sugar) your triglycerides will go down (triglycerides are linked to heart disease) and your HDL will go up. Your LDL count may go down or stay the same but their composition will most likely change to the fluffier LDL rather than the vLDL.
Try reading The Great Cholesterol Myth.
Best wishes.
These guys still disagreed about the evil carbs, just 10 days ago...
http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/5-foods-that-fight-high-cholesterol
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyEating/The-American-Heart-Associations-Diet-and-Lifestyle-Recommendations_UCM_305855_Article.jsp
But no, they are not telling people to eat cookies and drink soda either.
Carbs aren't evil. Do you believe that or are you just trying to make fun of people who limit their carbs as a personal choice, or for medical reasons?
This is MFP; there is no middle ground - either you eat all the carbs or you are demonising them.
- Like the avatar. LOL
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Heather417 wrote: »hello everyone....
I just got my results from my blood work and it seems like all is well except my cholesterol is creeping up.
My doc isn't giving me any meds yet and wants me to try on my own first. My problem is that I already avoid the foods high in cholesterol. Maybe not enough exercise?
What suggestions do you have? Anyone like me?
What foods are you avoiding? There is NO POINT in avoiding foods that are high in cholesterol, that won't help you (because your body makes its own cholesterol and that's the stuff that matters).
What you need to do is avoid foods that contain FAT, because that's what your body uses to make its own cholesterol. Doing more exercise will help. Eating anything made with oats will help (porridge, muffins etc). Losing weight will help a lot, which is why people who need to lower ther cholesterol may be told to cut back on carbs - not because they have anything to do with cholesterol, but because sugary carbs like cakes etc stop you losing weight.
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