I can't keep up: Good Cholesterol, Bad Cholesterol

tomomatic
tomomatic Posts: 1,794 Member
edited October 2 in Food and Nutrition
I don't know about how everyone else feels but to me it seems like what I used to know about diet and excercise 10 years ago is no longer truetoday, especially around Cholesterol.

- At one point, cheese and milk was considered good for you. Then at some point in the late 90's cheese and milk products was shown to have too much fat. Recently I read that the process to make skim milk is unnatural and is bad for the body.
- Then the healthy egg commercials came out. Then all the news reports came out about how high in cholesterol eggs are.
- At one point, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter was a healthy alternative to butter... until it was shown that Trans Fats are gonna kill you faster than butter.
- Then there's Omega-3 which was supposed to be a source of good cholesterol that would reduce bad cholestorol, but scientists can't seem to validate that claim in independent studies.
- Shellfish used to be high in cholesterol... but now I'm not sure if it's good or bad cholesterol.

I have borderline cholesterol right now and I'm trying to address it now before I get too old to do it. I'm just confused. Does anyone else feel this way?

Replies

  • bluebird321
    bluebird321 Posts: 733 Member
    After doing my own research I decided the conventional wisdom regarding cholesterol was a bunch of BS and the fat/lipid hypothesis is just bad science -- but that is just me. I encourage you to keep doing your own research.
    I know that its more about the HDL ratio to overall cholesterol that makes a difference and since I cut sugar and processed foods out of my diet, that ratio has improved quite a bit.

    I am certain the one thing that can be done to improve you overall health is to cut out sugar and most processed foods.
  • LadyPippen
    LadyPippen Posts: 59
    Tony Horton’s 5 basic food groups

    Vegetables, Fruits, Lean Meats (Fish {omega 3, 6 & 9}, Turkey, Chicken, Lamb), Nuts & Seeds (peanuts, walnuts, cashews, sun flower seeds and pumpkin seeds) and healthy fats (olive oil, fish oils).

    To really lower Cholesterol would to be eat more vegetables and fruits. Scientist and other specialists cant understand the simple fact that you need fresh food from the ground more often than other stuff to truly have a healthy body. Provide your body with nutrients from the fruits and vegetables and everything else till take care of itself.
  • alicebud
    alicebud Posts: 72 Member
    Yes, I am very confused about cholesterol numbers! My doctor scribbled on my last report

    (down arrow) fat

    (up arrow) exercise

    followed by his signature


    I believe by fat he meant the fat on my body, so I am losing weight to improve my cholesterol as well.

    I find this website helpful:

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol/CL00002

    for specific information about foods. I'll go back in January for the follow up test and hope all my healthy eating is taking me the correct direction!
  • LadyPippen
    LadyPippen Posts: 59
    I agree!! however instead of most processed foods, how about all processed foods.
    After doing my own research I decided the conventional wisdom regarding cholesterol was a bunch of BS and the fat/lipid hypothesis is just bad science -- but that is just me. I encourage you to keep doing your own research.
    I know that its more about the HDL ratio to overall cholesterol that makes a difference and since I cut sugar and processed foods out of my diet, that ratio has improved quite a bit.

    I am certain the one thing that can be done to improve you overall health is to cut out sugar and most processed foods.
  • zooflute
    zooflute Posts: 50
    I know what you mean. I totally quit buying artificial sugars and "low fat" foods that contain maltodextrin, etc. because I decided the chemicals used to make things have less sugar or less fat were worst than things naturally sugary or fatty. I use olive oil whenever oil is needed and use butter sparingly.

    I was borderline in my cholesterol last year too (219 overall) and I managed to bring it down to 175 by not using milk in my cereal and cutting way back on cheese and meat, and loading up on fiber with beans and veggies. I used unsweetened almond milk in my cereal too. I have meats when I eat out. I also increased my exercise to just walking twice for 20 min each a day to jogging 3x a week, with 2 walks a day for about an hour.

    In contrast, my mom still uses margarine and low fat foods and the statins she was prescribed for her cholesterol don't even work anymore.
  • atomdraco
    atomdraco Posts: 1,083 Member
    Exercises, exercises, exercises! I lowered mine (from 203, borderline, to 179) after 3 months of good (5-6 days) exercises. Fresh vegi, fruits, lean mean, beans. I do eat eggs (mix with some egg whites so I can have more eggs).
  • bluebird321
    bluebird321 Posts: 733 Member
    I agree!! however instead of most processed foods, how about all processed foods.
    After doing my own research I decided the conventional wisdom regarding cholesterol was a bunch of BS and the fat/lipid hypothesis is just bad science -- but that is just me. I encourage you to keep doing your own research.
    I know that its more about the HDL ratio to overall cholesterol that makes a difference and since I cut sugar and processed foods out of my diet, that ratio has improved quite a bit.

    I am certain the one thing that can be done to improve you overall health is to cut out sugar and most processed foods.

    Actually, I agree with you -- all processed foods:)
  • amberdaniels
    amberdaniels Posts: 96


    I have borderline cholesterol right now and I'm trying to address it now before I get too old to do it. I'm just confused. Does anyone else feel this way?

    I started getting more fiber in my diet...it really works. You are supposed to have between 25 to 30 soluble fibers a day. Took my cholesterol from 270 down to 150, and in a good way! Check it out, it might help you too!
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