Lowering LDL through diet alone?

From what my physician told my husband, he might lower it with exercise and losing weight/maintaining a healthy weight and if not successful he’ll be on the statin later. Sounds similar to you. It’s not the type of food you eat, just your actual weight. According to my physician.

My sisters blood pressure and cholesterol were both high and her doctor wanted to do meds for both. She refused meds and asked about other options. He encouraged her to try DASH for the blood pressure and schedule a return a month later. She did try to include walking at a moderate pace for 30 minutes 3-4 times per week but her main focus was DASH. One month later her blood pressure and cholesterol were both reduced to normal levels and she was able to avoid meds. She hadn’t expected it to have a big impact on cholesterol and was mainly concerned about the blood pressure. She was surprised to see the number go down so quickly.

My father had cholesterol problems and did have a heart attack later in life. He did ultimately have to take statins and hated the leg cramps. But most of my family history has blood pressure issues. I follow DASH loosely to support my sister. The results she shared with me about cholesterol were I think for total cholesterol. Her initial number was 217 and it dropped to 160. Her blood pressure was in the 150s and dropped to 105 a month after beginning DASH. She was very rigid with it in an effort to avoid meds. Now that several months have passed she is not as rigid but is 80-90% compliant and has still avoided medication.

The Americans Heart Association gives a pretty good breakdown, but with your blood sugar issues you’d need to make sure you talk to your doctor. Some foods that are DASH friendly (potato and fruit) might not be appropriate for people with blood sugar issues. There is a nutrition podcast n=1 that did a really thorough breakdown as well.

My father had stroke a couple years ago that he didn’t survive, but at that stage in life he had Parkinson’s and his medical history had become quite complicated.

Your doctor is right that weight loss can only do so much. My sisters doctor didn’t expect her dramatic results and quizzed her about how closely she followed the diet. After some discussion, he told her that most patients have good intentions but are not able/willing to follow the diet changes. Since you have a cardiologist, he’d be a good person to discuss it with.

I would also caution if a doctor is putting you are a medicine based solely on LDL. You made significant progress most of your numbers.

I barely moved mine and laughed at my doctor when they brought up meds. All my other numbers are perfect and i am pretty sure most of the current evidence doesn't show much, if any, reduction in heart related events by taking statins.

But in general thinks like lower red meat and Sat fats, and increasing fish, whole grains, fruits and veggies will help.