Cholesterol is High Again

[Wyndru]

So I just found out that my Cholesterol is high again, I thought I had it maintained with diet and exercise, but I've been slipping and really lost control of it.

My LDL is 201, the doctor wants me to get this down to 100. He said given my family history of high Cholesterol, I won't be able do it with only exercise and diet, so I'm going back on a statin.

Anyhow, regardless of this I still want to eat healthier in addition to taking the meds, so I've been looking into some different foods to add to my diet. I watched hungry for change last night, and they suggest what I would consider a Paleo lifestyle diet, with an emphasis on the vegetables. They also had a huge section of detox/cleansing and juicing.

I know I don't eat nearly enough veggies, and I was thinking about trying some of these ideas. Would this be helpful for my cholesterol situation? Hungry for change was more geared for weight loss which I could use too, but I'm not in a danger zone there. I'm just wondering if the health benefits to a cleansing and juicing would be beneficial to me, or if it's just another diet fad.

Regarding the cleansing, they suggested adding chia seeds, seaweeds, chlorella, cilantro and parsley into your diet.

 

[blackdogdeek]

I was eating a paleo diet and presumably due to family history my cholesterol shot up to 337 total. My doc put me on Vytorin 10/20 and I mostly stayed with my paleo diet. After 3 months my total cholesterol dropped to 126. Now he lowered the prescription to Vytorin 10/10 but my diet has gone back to a less paleo style (lots of grains and some sugars). I'm trying to get back to strict paleo before my next blood test in March.

 

[tedrodai]

I pretty much share this view of detox: http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/guide/detox-diets-purging-myths

Juice cleansing is pretty much the same. It's a fad. There's no magical benefits to detox, juice cleansing or anything similar, except what's in your head. Cleaning up your general diet by eating healthy foods & getting rid of the junk will do a lot more to "cleanse" your body--and keep it "cleansed"--than any of those fads.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

So I just found out that my Cholesterol is high again, I thought I had it maintained with diet and exercise, but I've been slipping and really lost control of it.

My LDL is 201, the doctor wants me to get this down to 100. He said given my family history of high Cholesterol, I won't be able do it with only exercise and diet, so I'm going back on a statin.

Anyhow, regardless of this I still want to eat healthier in addition to taking the meds, so I've been looking into some different foods to add to my diet. I watched hungry for change last night, and they suggest what I would consider a Paleo lifestyle diet, with an emphasis on the vegetables. They also had a huge section of detox/cleansing and juicing.

I know I don't eat nearly enough veggies, and I was thinking about trying some of these ideas. Would this be helpful for my cholesterol situation? Hungry for change was more geared for weight loss which I could use too, but I'm not in a danger zone there. I'm just wondering if the health benefits to a cleansing and juicing would be beneficial to me, or if it's just another diet fad.

Regarding the cleansing, they suggested adding chia seeds, seaweeds, chlorella, cilantro and parsley into your diet.

Do not do a Paleo-like diet for cholesterol. Paleo diets tends to have a lot of animal/saturated fats, which are the main predictor of blood cholesterol levels. Saturated fats have 20 times the effect on blood cholesterol when compared to dietary cholesterol. What you could do is go on a modified Paleo diet, where you only eat leaner, healthy meats. This essentially excludes red meat and pork. Under a modified Paleo for your specific problem, eating meat from sources like chicken breast, fish, venison, etc would be much better for you. And again, you would also need to eat a lot more veggies.

Cleansing and juicing is a fad and could actually make your cholesterol worse due to excessive sugar intake. Something you might want to consider would be supplementing fish oil - usually around 2000mg of EPA/DHA (not just fish oil, usually results in taking 6-7 pills of fish oil) daily.

 

[Wyndru]

Cool, thanks for the replies. I definitely will be increasing my vegetable intake, but I guess I'll skip the cleansing and juicing.

In the documentary they made it sound like you need to juice just to take in enough vegetables to be healthy, I think the one guy said he was drinking 7 lbs of vegetables a week. I have to admit, I was a little skeptical when they started talking about the juicing.

Earlier on they said it wasn't necessary to take anything out of your diet, but instead add healthy things into it, and eventually the bad stuff will naturally work it's way out of your diet as you begin to crave more healthy choices. I am all for that if it actually works. I really think I just need to think differently about it, instead of trying to specifically combat cholesterol with specific things, I want to try eating healthy all around to see if it makes a difference.

That said, I am interested in cutting out the red meat (that is going to be tough for me), and trying to eat more chicken and fish.

I'll look into the fish oil, thanks for the suggestion. What do you think about flaxseed oil? Does that have any benefits for cholesterol? I bought a bunch of it on sale just now when I picked up my prescription, but I wanted to find out more about it before I started taking it. At first glance around the web a lot of sites say it helps, but I'm not sure if there are any risks, or if it is worth taking.

 

[tedrodai]

Earlier on they said it wasn't necessary to take anything out of your diet, but instead add healthy things into it, and eventually the bad stuff will naturally work it's way out of your diet as you begin to crave more healthy choices. I am all for that if it actually works. I really think I just need to think differently about it, instead of trying to specifically combat cholesterol with specific things, I want to try eating healthy all around to see if it makes a difference.

Unsure about that one...that might work. I'm sure it's a little different for everyone, because everyone has different habbits and vices to begin with. However, I very much doubt that would work for me. Healthy food has never made me crave more healthy food...it's not that I don't like it, it just doesn't cause cravings for more healthy food. But bad food has definitely made me crave more bad food. So the approach I have to take is take away the bad craving-inducing foods first; such as chips, sweets, etc. Then have healthier foods on-hand for everyday meals and in case I get hungry outside regular meals, like fruits/veggies/nuts/lean meats.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Cool, thanks for the replies. I definitely will be increasing my vegetable intake, but I guess I'll skip the cleansing and juicing.

In the documentary they made it sound like you need to juice just to take in enough vegetables to be healthy, I think the one guy said he was drinking 7 lbs of vegetables a week. I have to admit, I was a little skeptical when they started talking about the juicing.

Earlier on they said it wasn't necessary to take anything out of your diet, but instead add healthy things into it, and eventually the bad stuff will naturally work it's way out of your diet as you begin to crave more healthy choices. I am all for that if it actually works. I really think I just need to think differently about it, instead of trying to specifically combat cholesterol with specific things, I want to try eating healthy all around to see if it makes a difference.

That said, I am interested in cutting out the red meat (that is going to be tough for me), and trying to eat more chicken and fish.

I'll look into the fish oil, thanks for the suggestion. What do you think about flaxseed oil? Does that have any benefits for cholesterol? I bought a bunch of it on sale just now when I picked up my prescription, but I wanted to find out more about it before I started taking it. At first glance around the web a lot of sites say it helps, but I'm not sure if there are any risks, or if it is worth taking.

Flax seed oil is primarily made of ALA - an omega-3 that is poorly utilized in the human body. EPA/DHA are omega-3s found in fish oil that are very easily used in the human body. Therefore, if you're gonna spend your money, spend it on fish oil - it's the one with the most research basis.

 

[Wyndru]

Flax seed oil is primarily made of ALA - an omega-3 that is poorly utilized in the human body. EPA/DHA are omega-3s found in fish oil that are very easily used in the human body. Therefore, if you're gonna spend your money, spend it on fish oil - it's the one with the most research basis.

Thanks again for the info, I'll be exchanging for fish oil tomorrow. My sister said she had good results using fish oil also.

 

[alkemyst]

My triglycerides and good (HDL) cholesterol have always been out of whack since being a teenager. I take fish oil and occasionally prescription stuff (no statins though).

 

[marvdmartian]

Definitely fish oil. Do some research, and you'll find certain foods help lower cholesterol better than others (legumes, like beans, are pretty good, as are fatty fish, like salmon & talapia).

One thing that will help your statin to lower your cholesterol is by taking CoQ10. Your body naturally produces this enzyme, but most statins end up utilizing it, to lower the LDL, and it helps if you take some. I take a single 100mg gel tab every day, with breakfast, and its helped my cholesterol count.

 

[episodic]

Thread hijack - are there any fish oils out there that have all you need in 1-2 pills rather than 6-7?

 

[alkemyst]

Thread hijack - are there any fish oils out there that have all you need in 1-2 pills rather than 6-7?

Lovaza, but when I did it even my sweat smelled like dead fish.

 

[Wyndru]

Thread hijack - are there any fish oils out there that have all you need in 1-2 pills rather than 6-7?

I just found out tonight that my mother in law takes some that has high dosages with 1-2 pills, and has no scent or aftertaste. My wife doesn't know the name of it though (she thinks it was something with "brine" in the name). When I find out, I'll post it.

[edit]Oh, I guess she uses Krill oil, not fish oil. Not sure if its better or worse than fish oil though.

 

[alkemyst]

Nature's Miracle is a good one that puts down 240/320mg per 3 pills. Most real needs require a ton more than that though. Lovaza at 2-3 pills is 375/465

 

[tedrodai]

Of course, veggies are one of the best ways to get dietary fiber, but I'm surprised no one (including me) has specifically mentioned fiber. According to the article below, the National Cholesterol Education Program says to get 5-10g soluble fiber a day minimum, but 10-25g recommended for lowering LDL levels; while the National Academy of Sciences suggests 38g of soluble+insoluble a day. The article also explains why fiber helps:

http://health.howstuffworks.com/dis...cholesterol/foods-that-lower-cholesterol2.htm

 

[Rudee]

I'm a huge believer in daily low dose asprin. I've been taking low dose asprin (81mg) every morning on a daily basis for 5 years straight, since I turned 40, after reading about the benefits in a Mens Health magazine. In 5 years of taking asprin, I went from having cholesterol levels where my doctor would say to me "you're cholesterol levels are normal" to having cholesterol levels where my doctor would say to me "you're cholesterol levels are amazing". My bad LDL cholesterol has declined considerably, and my good HDL cholesterol has increased dramatically. My doc now says my cholesterol levels are some of the best he's seen in any of his patients. I haven't made other dietary changes. I can attest to the benefits of low dose asprin, and couldn't be happier with the results.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I'm a huge believer in daily low dose asprin. I've been taking low dose asprin (81mg) every morning on a daily basis for 5 years straight, since I turned 40, after reading about the benefits in a Mens Health magazine. In 5 years of taking asprin, I went from having cholesterol levels where my doctor would say to me "you're cholesterol levels are normal" to having cholesterol levels where my doctor would say to me "you're cholesterol levels are amazing". My bad LDL cholesterol has declined considerably, and my good HDL cholesterol has increased dramatically. My doc now says my cholesterol levels are some of the best he's seen in any of his patients. I haven't made other dietary changes. I can attest to the benefits of low dose asprin, and couldn't be happier with the results.

In the scientific literature I've read, aspirin is ineffective at treating cholesterol. In fact, it can actually inhibit cholesterol-reducing statins. I don't necessarily think it's the aspirin that's doing it for you - have you started exercising? Losing weight? Either way, aspirin can be beneficial to reduce risk of arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis so it's not bad to take it. I just don't know if it's responsible for your good cholesterol levels.

 

[Rudee]

In the scientific literature I've read, aspirin is ineffective at treating cholesterol. In fact, it can actually inhibit cholesterol-reducing statins. I don't necessarily think it's the aspirin that's doing it for you - have you started exercising? Losing weight? Either way, aspirin can be beneficial to reduce risk of arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis so it's not bad to take it. I just don't know if it's responsible for your good cholesterol levels.

I changed nothing else. I've always worked out 3-4 times a week. Have to attribute it to asprin, as I can't think of anything else.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I changed nothing else. I've always worked out 3-4 times a week. Have to attribute it to asprin, as I can't think of anything else.

Clinicians have tested it over and over. In your case, it doesn't really matter what improved your cholesterol - it just matters that it got better. However, overall, aspirin does not have a clinically measurable positive effect on cholesterol. It's not something we should recommend to people though, as it doesn't have a foundation in research.

 

[rga]

Clinicians have tested it over and over. In your case, it doesn't really matter what improved your cholesterol - it just matters that it got better. However, overall, aspirin does not have a clinically measurable positive effect on cholesterol. It's not something we should recommend to people though, as it doesn't have a foundation in research.

There is also recent research that has shown that dietary cholesterol does not have the effect on blood cholesterol as was once thought. I eat five eggs with cheese and at least one serving of red meat per day. My cholesterol is fine, and was so even before losing 80 pounds.

My suggestion would be to add some endurance exercise to anything that you are currently doing. 30-60 minutes at least three times per week, keeping your heart rate >65%.

I should also add that I do eat a lot of cold water fatty fish too, like salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel, and always with the skin, so maybe that helps.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

There is also recent research that has shown that dietary cholesterol does not have the effect on blood cholesterol as was once thought. I eat five eggs with cheese and at least one serving of red meat per day. My cholesterol is fine, and was so even before losing 80 pounds.

My suggestion would be to add some endurance exercise to anything that you are currently doing. 30-60 minutes at least three times per week, keeping your heart rate >65%.

I should also add that I do eat a lot of cold water fatty fish too, like salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel, and always with the skin, so maybe that helps.

Surprisingly it's not that recent - it's about 20 years old, but the media and other sources just keep propagating misinformation. I eat 3 eggs every day and my total cholesterol is 120-140.

 

[SearchMaster]

Surprisingly it's not that recent - it's about 20 years old, but the media and other sources just keep propagating misinformation. I eat 3 eggs every day and my total cholesterol is 120-140.

So is it more hereditary than anything else (though exercise will help)?

I don't have a history of heart or high cholesterol on either side of my family, and my levels are good. The last test I got was in a bad time for me with regard to diet (fast food almost every day - ugh), though my weight was fine. Total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL were all well within range.

Now that I'm eating and exercising better I'll be interested to see what my next test shows in a couple of months.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

So is it more hereditary than anything else (though exercise will help)?

I don't have a history of heart or high cholesterol on either side of my family, and my levels are good. The last test I got was in a bad time for me with regard to diet (fast food almost every day - ugh), though my weight was fine. Total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL were all well within range.

Now that I'm eating and exercising better I'll be interested to see what my next test shows in a couple of months.

No, it only has a partial genetic component. It is largely environmental in many cases - things that increase risk are obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, high saturated fat intake, and low fiber intake.

 

[Mursilis]

No, it only has a partial genetic component. It is largely environmental in many cases - things that increase risk are obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, high saturated fat intake, and low fiber intake.

So what are some other ways to lower cholestoral levels? I'm currently dropping some weight, have never smoked, run approx. 20-30 miles per week, and eat very little red meat. I've also dropped my egg intake, yet my numbers are still a little high. Any other ideas?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

So what are some other ways to lower cholestoral levels? I'm currently dropping some weight, have never smoked, run approx. 20-30 miles per week, and eat very little red meat. I've also dropped my egg intake, yet my numbers are still a little high. Any other ideas?

You may have a stronger genetic predisposition than others. If you are doing everything right and it's still within the risky range, you may have to resort to taking a statin medication.