Cholesterol

[Lola]

I just got a call from my doctor after getting my blood work done. He said that my cholesterol has been rising over the last year and now it’s not at a crisis point but he said I don’t want to put you on meds for it.

I told him that I have been indulging in this lactose free butter. It’s honestly tastes superior to any butter I have ever eaten. Everyday I indulge.

Eggs. A controversy or not. I eat anywhere from 4-6 eggs for breakfast. I don’t eat meat at all.
I read labels constantly.

I need to keep a very strict record of what I eat for the next 3 months and then get my blood work done again.

Just a little freaked out.

How do you deal with this issue if you have it.

I am so afraid that I am already reading every label that I eat now. I am trying to see where else there are hidden fats that I should be aware of. I thought I had educated myself enough but were to blind to see the forest
for the trees!

 

[mixmkr]

4-6 eggs? Isn't a normal serving 1-2?...and not every day as well?
How many pancakes, pieces of toast, glasses of whole milk....

 

[Birdsofprey]

As my Doc says even if you still end up taking meds for (install your issues here) by changing your lifestyle you win. You may still have to take meds but at least you’re now consciously thinking about your health and what path to take. Sometimes you have to take a med that has not so good side effects but it’s always a lesser of two evils. If your a reader try reading the book Outlive by Peter Attia MD.

 

[d4rkst4r]

Your family history is your best indicator. When my father had quadruple bypass in 2000, I had had a physical wth blood panel. Mine was ok, but trending up. I elected then to face the inevitable and start taking meds to get ahead of it. It's been almost 25 years and my results have still remained good. Conversely, my sister refused to, goes for runs daily, eats like a bird, and garbage like kale at that. Hers is mid to high 200's and higher. She's playing russian roulette with it IMHO, risking things on principle.

Good luck with your efforts!

 

[Greywolf]

I had high cholesterol and tryglycerides as well as high blood pressure, heriditary on both sides ..

After a few heart attacks I decided I need to make a few changes. I've dropped 70 points in bp, and 30 lbs and now have normal levels for the others. I eat mostly organic now, been sober 5 + years, and rarely drink coffee or anything caffienated. Very little meat , none red. Eggs only on occasion.

this is the advice I followed .. so far so good.

There are many natural ways to lower cholesterol, including:

• Diet: Eat more foods that are high in fiber and unsaturated fats, and reduce saturated and trans fats:
  • Foods high in fiber: oatmeal, oat bran, kidney beans, apples, pears, barley, and prunes.
  • Replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats, which are found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, avocados, and oily fish.
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and oily fish like salmon and mackerel.
  • Avoid fatty, fried, and processed foods, and cut back on red meat. - I quit it completely .
  • Exercise: Aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day, five days a week.
• Garlic: eating one clove of garlic per day can reduce cholesterol levels by 10%.
• Drinking water regularly may help control cholesterol levels. .... I contantly drink herb tea .

A diet that's high in fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts can also help keep blood pressure in check, and improve bone, digestive, vision, and mental health.

 

[Prina]

Reiterating a lot of what @Greywolf mentioned, below are recommendations from a Mayo Clinic cholesterol article. Also be aware of the difference between LDL and HDL, the 'bad' and 'good' versions of cholesterol. Both matter but it's high LDL that's the most concerning.

The same heart-healthy lifestyle changes that can lower your cholesterol can help prevent you from having high cholesterol in the first place. To help prevent high cholesterol, you can:

• Eat a low-salt diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and whole grains
• Limit the amount of animal fats and use good fats in moderation
• Lose extra pounds and maintain a healthy weight
• Quit smoking
• Exercise on most days of the week for at least 30 minutes
• Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all
• Manage stress

 

[Lola]

I am trying to get 100 mg/day of protein in my diet so I can gain back some muscle. I eat 6 egg whites daily, salted peanuts(blood pressure is really low so I can add salt) , almonds, fresh fruits and veggies, tofu. Protein is a priority over carbs .

My biggest down fall atm is this this lactose free butter. It tastes so good I have been putting it on everything and extremely generous amts.

Keeping tabs on my cholesterol. I should be consuming up to 200 mg/day and no more. I’am at 45 grams today so far!

 

[Birdsofprey]

Like Prina stated the Mayo Clinc is one of the more trustworthy sources for medical information. Our bodies need cholesterol, the letters spell it out you want your (H)DL to High and your (L)DL to be low in your bloodwork.

 

[LunarRock]

I think you have the units wrong lola, its about 1.6g of protein per kg of body weight
Try adding in a fruit smoothie with vanilla protein powder if you need a boost

I would avoid statins unless you really do go need to go down that route, as they mess up other things.
Like the others have said we need cholesterol, and my doctor says the reference range is skewed to big pharma sales models, but your own levels having gone up ie not stable, worth wee change in diet to see if it comes back down.

At least you have low blood pressure, genetic win there

 

[veinbuster]

I am trying to get 100 mg/day of protein in my diet so I can gain back some muscle. I eat 6 egg whites daily, salted peanuts(blood pressure is really low so I can add salt) , almonds, fresh fruits and veggies, tofu. Protein is a priority over carbs .

My biggest down fall atm is this this lactose free butter. It tastes so good I have been putting it on everything and extremely generous amts.

Keeping tabs on my cholesterol. I should be consuming up to 200 mg/day and no more. I’am at 45 grams today so far!

I get the protein bias.
You can manage cholesterol fairly well with diet and behaviour. My wife got hers under control without needing medication. You might find yourself experimenting a bit to get the balance right.

 

[Bogner]

My Advice Is Get Away From Big Pharma On All Counts. Cholesterol Meds Cause All Kinds Of Problems. Over The Years The "Healthy" Cholesterol Numbers Being Pushed Have Gotten Lower And Lower And Over Time More And More Disease Keeps Occurring. There Is A Bridge Between Cholesterol And Dementia, Alzheimer's And Many Other Issues...Meaning You Need Cholesterol To Combat Those Things. Lack Of Cholesterol Causes Those Things Or Is A Link To Them. Get Off Almonds As Well. Organic Peanuts Will Be Far Better For You Than Almonds. Check Out Dr. Judy Mikovits, Dr. Gary Brecka And Barbara O'Neill.

 

[deathworlder]

Are these fasting tests?

 

[Lola]

Yes I fasted for 8 hours!

 

[ViggoP]

My Advice Is Get Away From Big Pharma On All Counts. Cholesterol Meds Cause All Kinds Of Problems. Over The Years The "Healthy" Cholesterol Numbers Being Pushed Have Gotten Lower And Lower And Over Time More And More Disease Keeps Occurring. There Is A Bridge Between Cholesterol And Dementia, Alzheimer's And Many Other Issues...Meaning You Need Cholesterol To Combat Those Things. Lack Of Cholesterol Causes Those Things Or Is A Link To Them. Get Off Almonds As Well. Organic Peanuts Will Be Far Better For You Than Almonds. Check Out Dr. Judy Mikovits, Dr. Gary Brecka And Barbara O'Neill.

I’m sorry but there is a lot of misinformation here, and by spreading it you may harm people, who are in fact need of treatment for their cholesterol levels, by making them fear the medication and not the disease (or risk for disease).

The reason recommended cholesterol levels have been pushed lower over time is that the link between high levels and disease is extremely strong and it has been shown that pushing the levels lower and lower will decrease the risk of disease occuring or progressing.
Statins and other cholesterol lowering drugs are one of the big revolutions in medicine, having saved countless people from premature death and suffering from disease. Yes, some will experience side effects but most only mild side effects that can either be managed or will disappear when switching to a different drug. All drugs that do anything will have possible side effects.
You are right that there is a link between cholesterol and dementia and other health issues. They all increase with increasing cholesterol levels. There is no proof high cholesterol levels will combat anything. There is lots of proof for the opposite.

I know this is a guitar forum but internet posts and rumors like this kill people. I see patients who have bought in to misinformation like this almost weekly and not too long ago I had a 55 year old father of rather small children come in with a major stroke, despite knowing his cholesterol levels were high but refusing treatment out of fear of side effects. His life is over. The children pretty much lost their father. What will follow for them is financial ruin and sorrow. It could easily have been prevented. It’s so damn sad.

 

[Lola]

My weight 48.53 kg x 1.6 grams of protein = 77.64. I actually think I need more to build muscle. My son suggest 1 gram per pound of body weight which would equal 112 lbs x 1.0grams of protein = 112 grams of protein.

My diet is super clean. Lots of protein rich veggies. Tofu is my main source of protein. No junk period except no name chips cheap and gluten free.I hate tuna but have to eat it. Everything is gluten free ir lactose free or both.

I found some lactose free butter and I could eat it all day long. It’s a little sweeter than normal it’s so damned good. Bye bye to butter. I think this was very bad for me personally to find this. There was barely any toast just a sea of butter. I have never tasted anything this good that is lactose free.

I have lost so much muscle mass it’s pathetic from being so sick over the last two years. I used have really nice arms, legs and a super strong core. Really defined with lots of muscle. Just trying to get back there. I workout so hard that it’s frustrating not to see the gains I expect from myself.

 

[dogrocketp]

I’ve had high cholesterol for many years, and went on statins years ago. I rarely eat red meat, and watch my diet very closely. I’ve increased my water intake and cut my calories over the last 8 months. Thursday is physical day. Let’s see how the cholesterol looks. Heart disease runs in my father’s family.

 

[Lola]

4-6 eggs? Isn't a normal serving 1-2?...and not every day as well?
How many pancakes, pieces of toast, glasses of whole milk....

I eat 6 egg whites. Sorry I should if clarified that. I eat plain toast, no pancakes and no milk unless it’s lactose free. I can’t eat anything other then what I have said because then I really suffer with IBS pain. Not fun at all! I need to eat super small meals every hour or two.

 

[GGJJGG]

Some of it’s genetic too. I take some big statin pill and try to avoid all the “bad” stuff.

Theres a book “Heart 411” which is very informative.

 

[Lola]

Some of it’s genetic too. I take some big statin pill and try to avoid all the “bad” stuff.

Theres a book “Heart 411” which is very informative.

My doctor said it could be genetic too! I don’t believe that because up until all this stress started at work my cholesterol was where it should be.
Also ……


High levels of cortisol from long-term stress may be the mechanism behind how stress can increase cholesterol.

I left this effing job April 17th 2024. Going to court over this shite is probably not doing me any good either. I can’t seem to shut and lock the door on this situation as well. Every time I think of my boss I can feel physical changes in my being taking place. 14 years of game playing, the blame game, getting screamed at, sworn at and bare faced lied to. I have a doctors appt in two weeks. I will ask him his opinion on what to do. I just think everyone should be fair and an upstanding person. But I am living in a fantasy world.

 

[Birdsofprey]

Yes I fasted for 8 hours!

I was always of the understanding that fasting for blood test should be min 10hrs, optimal 12. Docs will know best but there’s probably none here, tee hee…