Big Bad Cholesterol

I also had genetic high cholesterol from a young age (246 total cholesterol at age 19, normal weight, even with perfect diet only went down.to 215). My doctor told me that exercise can help with not only lowering bad cholesterol but also raising good cholesterol levels, which protects your arteries from plaque build up. Eating healthy fats such as omega-3s will help, the avocado is good, also try to incorporate oily fish a couple times a week, such as salmon. My sister is the only one in my family with semi-normal cholesterol, and she is the biggest fish eater.
Recent research shows that dietary cholesterol does not affect your blood cholesterol as much as trans fat and saturated fat does, so work on limiting those. When you do eat high fat foods, pairing it with fiber can help limit absorption.
Unfortunately some people genetically manufacture too much bad cholesterol regardless of diet, but you can help control it with exercise and good healthy fats. Hope this helps and good luck!

My understanding is that dietary contributes little to your overall cholesterol. I am not a doctor, so if your doctor has told you to watch your dietary cholesterol, then by all means follow doctor's orders.

With that said, you're only going to get cholesterol through consuming animal products. Some foods are higher than others. Shell fish is a big one. This includes shrimp, which are tasty little cholesterol bombs. I think seafood in general tends to be high. Eggs are another common source of dietary cholesterol, at least in the yolks. Bacon, red meat, and fatty dairy (which includes cheese and butter) are others. This doesn't mean these foods are bad and you should never eat them. Just be aware, plan accordingly, and eat in moderation.

My cholesterol was also starting to climb at my last doctor's visit. I was told this is most likely linked to the high amount of diet soda I had been drinking. I had no idea aspartame could raise cholesterol levels. I am working to get my Diet Coke habit under control. I'm not planning on stopping completely, but I am looking to reduce how much I drink.

Good luck and congrats on the upcoming nuptials!

JackieMarie1989jgw wrote: »

I also had genetic high cholesterol from a young age (246 total cholesterol at age 19, normal weight, even with perfect diet only went down.to 215). My doctor told me that exercise can help with not only lowering bad cholesterol but also raising good cholesterol levels, which protects your arteries from plaque build up. Eating healthy fats such as omega-3s will help, the avocado is good, also try to incorporate oily fish a couple times a week, such as salmon. My sister is the only one in my family with semi-normal cholesterol, and she is the biggest fish eater.
Recent research shows that dietary cholesterol does not affect your blood cholesterol as much as trans fat and saturated fat does, so work on limiting those. When you do eat high fat foods, pairing it with fiber can help limit absorption.
Unfortunately some people genetically manufacture too much bad cholesterol regardless of diet, but you can help control it with exercise and good healthy fats. Hope this helps and good luck!

This..

JanetYellen wrote: »

Take out the grits and use plain quick oats made with low fat milk.
Many grits packages still have hydrogeneted fats. Read all the ingredients.
Quaker grits still has it in some http://www.quakeroats.com/products/hot-cereals/grits/instant-grits-cheese.aspx , then click on nutrition info
I stopped drinking slim fast when I looked at it and it had 19 grams of sugar.

Plain grits wouldn't have fat at all. You found that by picking a package of cheese grits.

Here's a more standard selection: http://alberscorn.com/products/

If someone mentioned rolled oats and legumes then ignore this post. Otherwise, rolled oats and legumes. Anyone? Bueller?

Genetics can play a huge role in your cholesterol. My hubby is an example. I cook all of our meals about 90% of the time so I know what goes in his mouth and yet his cholesterol is 230. Because his diet is clean, it is primarily genetics because both his mom and dad have high cholesterol. However, the ratio of HDL and LDL is great and his triglycerides are normal so the doctor is not worried.

My cholesterol was 202 but again, my HDL was 72 which was great and my triglycerides were under 100. Supposedly the LDL part of cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol. However, there are actually "good" and "bad" LDL too. If LDL particles are large and fluffy, then you don't have anything to worry about. However, if the LDL particles are small and compact, this is bad and is the stuff that accumulates in your vessels to create plaque build-up putting you at risk of stroke, heart attack, etc. Many doctors do not test the LDL particle size when ordering blood work so you will have to ask for it. (I believe the test is called NMR Lipo profile) ... another thing that should be tested for are inflammation markers like C-reactive protein. Systemic inflammation in the body which can be caused by health conditions and diet are also good indicators that something hinky is going on.

I am sorry I am writing a book here and what I put is in very basic layman's terms but it is what I understood when I met with my doctor and a nutritionist at my gym. Basically, my doctor told me to keep doing what I am doing - eat right, exercise, etc. and my diet is high in the good fats such as olive and coconut oil and I even eat the fat on a steak or pork chop and the chicken skin too. There are healthy components in animal fat (as long as it isn't charred or burned) ...

Statin drugs and regular exercise cut my cholesterol numbers by 67%. I don't worry about dietary cholesterol because it's effect is negligible.