How can I combat high cholesterol?

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htmlgirl
htmlgirl Posts: 314 Member
in Food and Nutrition
My most recent doctor did a bunch of lab work to see what my levels were when I first got her as a doctor. I have high cholesterol. Well, it's not high enough that she wanted to prescribe me anything. It's because of heredity that I have it (my dad has it). I have a pretty active lifestyle (exercising at least 3x a week, mostly cardio) and from my diary I can tell that my cholesterol in food is low every day.

I was wondering if anyone had any luck lowering their cholesterol a healthy way without any medications? Are their any foods I should eat that will help lower it? Any foods I should avoid (I don't eat fast food, fried food, chips, etc)? I would say on most days my cholesterol intake has been <= 60mg, it has gotten as high as 200mg. Is there a number I should stay under?

My doctor didn't seem worried about it and she didn't think I needed to change anything, but I would like to if I can because I want to minimize my chances of getting it later on.

Any advice would be great!

(I don't want to make my diary public, but I will run any reports for nutrition/exercise if it's needed or answer questions about it)

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Replies

  • Peta22
    Peta22 Posts: 377 Member
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    The mother of my Ex had extremely high cholesterol and was told she'd need treatment or surgery or something for it (cant remember which - it wa a long time ago now) but i will never forget that she said she'd had a dramatic improvement by drinking green tea daily. I think she only drank a couple of cups each day but the result in lowering the cholesterol levels were so dramatic that by her next appointment, the doctor said the treatment was no longer necessary.

    Anyway... This was the story she recounted to me and I'm terrified of surgery and hospitals ect so I've never forgotton it. Worth a try... Definitely can't hurt!
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,020 Member
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    Total cholesterol is not a very good indicator of CHD and never has been. It's really the relationship between HDL and LDL and LDL's particle sizes along with blood triglycerides that are more important. Also dietary cholesterol has very little effect on our blood cholesterol, which also has been known for decades.

    A new study shows that 75% of heart attach victims had average to low total cholesterol levels, but only 2% of those had HDL in ideal levels. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090112130653.htm which supports my above statement, which also has been known for decades, or at least that research has been there, obviously not taken seriously by policy makers (money trail).

    As far as lowering cholesterol is concerned I would suggest eating as natural as possible, staying away from refined vegetable oils, staying active, keep your omega 3's in the forefront, also using spices like turmeric, capsium (hot peppers), and talk to your Dr about nicotinic acid which not only inhibits the secretion of VLDL (small dense particles of LDL) from the liver it also increases HDL quite a bit. If your Dr. gives you the caught in the headlight look, maybe seek out a specialist or second opinion. Of course you could get checked to actually see if you do have any arterial damage, just to be sure.
  • gregpack
    gregpack Posts: 426 Member
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    Try adding soluble fiber to your diet apples and oatmeal.
    Also try some Fish Oil.
    Make Olive oil your oil of choice.
  • Bookers23
    Bookers23 Posts: 187 Member
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    I just helped a family member drastically lower their total cholesterol, including LDL. Psyllium fiber at a fairly high dose, a GOOD quality fish oil and niacin. Not all fish oil is created equal, be sure to do your research.
  • Anisima
    Anisima Posts: 16
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    My cousin with similar problems told me that he found on http://cholesterol-lower.info/ the help for his problems.I heard the tips from here are very goo to combat cholesterol problems.
    I hope this helps.
  • seekingstrengthX2
    seekingstrengthX2 Posts: 771
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    Mine went down quite a bit from upping my fiber and adding a fish oil supplement.
  • Athijade
    Athijade Posts: 3,280 Member
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    Total cholesterol is not a very good indicator of CHD and never has been. It's really the relationship between HDL and LDL and LDL's particle sizes along with blood triglycerides that are more important. Also dietary cholesterol has very little effect on our blood cholesterol, which also has been known for decades.

    A new study shows that 75% of heart attach victims had average to low total cholesterol levels, but only 2% of those had HDL in ideal levels. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090112130653.htm which supports my above statement, which also has been known for decades, or at least that research has been there, obviously not taken seriously by policy makers (money trail).

    As far as lowering cholesterol is concerned I would suggest eating as natural as possible, staying away from refined vegetable oils, staying active, keep your omega 3's in the forefront, also using spices like turmeric, capsium (hot peppers), and talk to your Dr about nicotinic acid which not only inhibits the secretion of VLDL (small dense particles of LDL) from the liver it also increases HDL quite a bit. If your Dr. gives you the caught in the headlight look, maybe seek out a specialist or second opinion. Of course you could get checked to actually see if you do have any arterial damage, just to be sure.

    Pretty much what they said.

    What are your HDL, LDL, and triglyceride numbers?

    While I have borderline high cholesterol, the bigger issue is that my HDL numbers are way too low so the relationship with LDL is out of whack. I am to focus on raising my HDL numbers which means healthy fats from things like nuts, avocado, olive oil, and fish, increase my whole grains, and keep working out (I do 5-6 times a week for an average of 30 minutes). I do NOT have to cut out the amount of eggs or red meat that I eat (I consume 2-4 egg yolks a week and pork or beef once a week, so it's all in moderation).

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