Cholesterol problem

Deniz1 · Post by **Deniz1** » Tue 03 Feb 2015 8:21 am

Any advice on how to lower my cholesterol ? Had a test yesterday and the LDL is very high. I hardly ever eat red meat or drink alcohol and everything in my fridge is low fat. I now have tablets which may have side effects so any advice would be welcome.

dippersgirl · Post by **dippersgirl** » Tue 03 Feb 2015 8:42 am

My friend has the same problem, will check with him. His was really high. He also takes tablets. A doctor in England gave him a very very strict diet sheet to get his down. He succeeded. He now takes it a bit easy but always return to the diet if it goes over a certain level

Johnny Lee · Post by **Johnny Lee** » Tue 03 Feb 2015 8:49 am

Omega 3 fish oil, good quality brand. There are plenty available here. May be slightly expensive than the UK. It is good for many things inc. blood pressure , taken long term.

It works wonders, but you will need to take it a little while before you see results. I had personal trainer in the 90s and he got me into a few Vitamins and thank god he did.

My BP is 120/80 consistently, my Chol. level is even lower than my kids, and I am no saint and do all the other bad bits in life and a friend of mine who also has consistently low BP, has been taken them for many many years. He also does all the naughty bits the drinking and ciggys.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Tue 03 Feb 2015 9:14 am

Apart from the sensible advice given by the previous posters, my doctor told me that eating seeds (particularly sunflower) and nuts (especially almonds) helps to reduce cholesterol. Using sunflower margarine and almond oil would also seem to be sensible.

If you are trying to lose weight, then you need to bear in mind that nuts and seeds do contain oil, and although it's 'good' oil, when it comes to counting calories, any oil is fat, and if you don't reduce other fat sources to compensate, you will be increasing your total calorie intake.

There was an article on the BBC News website - here which stated that a study had shown 10% reductions in cholesterol levels in people who ate something like one ounce of almonds a day. There was no benefit demonstrated by eating more than that.

If you have been put on Statins (Simvastatin etc) then you should have regular blood tests to check your liver function, as Statins can upset the operation of the liver in susceptible individuals. If your doctor has prescribes Statins, then you should take them - he will check your cholesterol levels after a while, and if they are lowered, will probably reduce the dosage - thus reducing the risk of side effects. You can obviously help to lower the levels by following sound dietary advice, and this would then enable your doctor to reduce the drug dosage. Do not stop taking the statins on the advice of anyone except your doctor!

Jonnie · Post by **Jonnie** » Tue 03 Feb 2015 9:21 am

Sometimes you can do nothing about it other than treat with drugs. Try first:- Use only olive or rapeseed oil, cut right back on butter, make sure you get 5 to 7 portions of fruit a day. Start the day with fruit juice, fresh that can count as one. Fruit and veg should have as little processing as possible, ie less cooking the better, East muesli or porridge as opposed to processed cereals like corn flakes. Cut back on animal fat.

Good luck

Re check after a month if no improvement you may have to follow the drug route. PM if you want to discuss daily diet further and all the above are correct too.

Jonnie · Post by **Jonnie** » Tue 03 Feb 2015 9:26 am

It may also be worth checking what your good cholesterol is as this can counteract the bad.

Where did you have the test? They use a different scale here to the UK.

Maisiemoo · Post by **Maisiemoo** » Tue 03 Feb 2015 10:11 am

Exercise, reduce your sugar intake and take plant sterols instead of statins was advice given to me by my doctor when I refused to take statins.

come_on_aylin · Post by **come_on_aylin** » Tue 03 Feb 2015 11:11 am

As Jonnie says check what your HDL level is, they should have given you a result for that too. If it is high then that counteracts the high LDL to a certain extent, as it cleans the arteries. An apple a day will help to reduce cholesterol plus a serving of porridge, try eating 5-6 nuts at the same time - almonds and walnuts are good, unsalted of course. Unless your LDL is very high I would try to use diet rather than statins to reduce your levels, that's my opinion and I'm not a doctor. Cholesterol is naturally produced by the liver, some people produce more than others regardless of diet. There's plenty of information on the internet so maybe best have a trawl around.

Deniz1 · Post by **Deniz1** » Tue 03 Feb 2015 11:48 am

Thank you all. I find it very strange as I always try to eat healthily eat loads of fruit and veg have porridge eat nuts very rarely eat red meat. Hardly any alcohol. I will go back and check the HDL as the papers are at the doctors. In July my LDL was 133 yesterday it was 268. I take tablets to keep my blood pressure down so its worrying. I had heart problems last year but he said everything seemed normal there after an ECG. Once again thank you for the replies it makes me feel less alone.

Jonnie · Post by **Jonnie** » Tue 03 Feb 2015 12:15 pm

As I understand it a sudden jump like that is rare, in UK numbers it has gone from 3.4 to 7 ish I think. I would get it rechecked to be honest, keep to the diet in the meantime, make sure you have all the info including LDL HDL and Tryglycerides then look into it further. I have heard of some strange results for various things here so just keep that in mind. Try a different laboratory or perhaps 2 on the same day???

Panchocat · Post by **Panchocat** » Tue 03 Feb 2015 1:23 pm

Also remember that if you are on statins it is important not to eat Grapefruit or grapefruit products. Lots of information about that on the Internet. Good luck with reducing the levels.

Deniz1 · Post by **Deniz1** » Tue 03 Feb 2015 2:09 pm

Thanks Jonnie will do the dr said yesterday about grapefruits juice fortunately I hate it.

come_on_aylin · Post by **come_on_aylin** » Tue 03 Feb 2015 2:11 pm

Agree with Jonnie, get it retested, make sure you fast at least 12 hours before. Mine was around 6 when we moved out here 10 years ago. I thought our diet here had improved considerably plus I was a lot less stressed yet it went up to 7 then it came down to normal then it went up again, it's like a yoyo Who knows what influences it as I eat porridge, lots of fruit and mostly chicken or vegetarian food, don't drink often and don't smoke. I believe it can be genetic.

Lottidotti · Post by **Lottidotti** » Tue 03 Feb 2015 4:03 pm

Exercise,excercise and more exercise along with a sensible diet.3 to 4 hors per week of exercise that has you mildly out of breath.
Walking at 5 mph for an hour three to four hours a week or running about 20 miles a week at 6 mph.
However if it is hereditary regular check ups at the doctor is recommended.
Although this might seem a lot starting slowly is the key.You will not get fit overnight,look to the near future ie 12 months.Have an objective to aim for.

tatlisugirl · Post by **tatlisugirl** » Wed 04 Feb 2015 5:56 am

Reducing cholesterol is all about reducing the saturated fat in your diet. Saturated fat needs to be replaced with unsaturated fat. Processed food, cheese. Cream, butter, fatty cuts of meat and sausage, and cakes and biscuits all contain high levels of saturated fat. If you wish to reduce your cholesterol levels you can eat more oily fish, swap for vegetable based oils and eat more healthy nuts (almonds, walnuts, plain cashews). And seeds. There are also foods that help reduce cholesterol oats and cinnamon are two try a tsp of cinnamon on your porridge. People may tell you that eggs and prawns are high in cholesterol but this is naturally occurring cholesterol and is not generally a problem

Deniz1 · Post by **Deniz1** » Wed 04 Feb 2015 8:04 am

I eat all the things you suggest. I thought i was doing everything right. I will get another test when i can afford it!

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Wed 04 Feb 2015 9:22 am

Hi Deniz,

It seems that you are doing everything you can, diet-wise.

My doctor did say that there is a limit to what you can actually achieve by diet alone, and that some people just have a tendency towards high cholesterol, which requires medication to bring it under control - as come-on-Aylin says, it can be genetic.

So get out there and do a bit of excercise, and Keep Taking The Tablets!

I hope to see you in Immigration, applying for Citizenship, when we're both 100!

Jonnie · Post by **Jonnie** » Wed 04 Feb 2015 10:13 am

Keith is right some people just produce too much bad cholesterol. Ingested bad cholesterol only accounts for a percentage of the bad and a good diet is as much about things that combat the figure as adding bad cholesterol to the equation. Olive oil is one which despite being an Oil reduces bad cholesterol.

Deniz1 · Post by **Deniz1** » Wed 04 Feb 2015 10:15 am

Jonnie · Post by **Jonnie** » Wed 04 Feb 2015 10:20 am

That's it keep smiling!

Angiebaby · Post by **Angiebaby** » Wed 04 Feb 2015 11:27 am

Johnny L. I also rate the fish oil it was suggested to me by my GP . Mine is now down to 3.8 .

Groucho · Post by **Groucho** » Wed 04 Feb 2015 3:01 pm

Let's hope they decide chocolate is the cure!

If it's genetic I'd expect your readings to always be high... so that doesn't add up if they yo-yo

Johnny Lee · Post by **Johnny Lee** » Wed 04 Feb 2015 7:48 pm

Talking of food cure, not sure about chocolate, but I came up with a theory in 1995 when we went along with our 2 young children for a test and mine was the lowest, yet my life style was far from perfect. But I did eat a very healthy diet and trained.

CHILLI'S I eat lots of spicy food, and have always eaten fresh chilli's , my theory is that you use hot water to dissolve fat, so maybe this works the same way in the digestive system.

Just realised also maybe you can have your chocolate, because I remember reading about chilli chocolate bars.

Dalartokat · Post by **Dalartokat** » Wed 04 Feb 2015 8:21 pm

Johnny Lee......"CHILLI'S I eat lots of spicy food, and have always eaten fresh chilli's , my theory is that you use hot water to dissolve fat, so maybe this works the same way in the digestive system."

Maybe, or end up with ulcer in the process!

Johnny Lee · Post by **Johnny Lee** » Thu 05 Feb 2015 9:48 am

Fresh ones de seeded are not too bad, it's Chilli powder that is a bit evil. people make the mistake of just adding it late to their food then it does not cook out, so ferments in your stomach for about 2 days. You should add it early and cook it well..

But of course you have a point , but it appears that what ever you eat drink or do there always seems to be a negative side.

stereotomy · Post by **stereotomy** » Sat 12 Oct 2019 2:30 pm

I advise you go KETO and Intermittent fasting.

I've lost 15 kgs and never gained back although I'm doing them like 4 days a week now after reaching my target weight. I'm sure my blood readings are o.k. I binge on beer once a week. lol.

Don't be afraid of healthy saturated - unsaturated fats. Fats, non-starchy veggies are your friend, carbs and sugar are not. Meat should be eaten in moderation.

Reddit is a great source of information & motivation:

https://www.reddit.com/r/keto/
https://www.reddit.com/r/intermittentfasting/

helendj · Post by **helendj** » Sat 12 Oct 2019 2:48 pm

I've had high cholesterol for years, and have always resisted statins; however I was advised very strongly some months ago that I had to lower my level or be liable to have a stroke in the very near future, so I gave in, and took the statins recommended. In all honesty I must say that my level has gone right down and I have had no side effects from the statins; so I can only say, despite my many reservations they have worked for me, without ill effects. I wish you all the best!

Bert · Post by **Bert** » Sat 12 Oct 2019 3:03 pm

See a specialist and take his or her advice !!! There’s some good info on here but also some that isn’t accurate. For example eating grapefruit is ok depending on which type of Statin you are using .... seriously seek advice from a cardiologist. There are some good ones here .

helendj · Post by **helendj** » Sat 12 Oct 2019 9:02 pm

Just one point Bert, people are going on about eating grapefruit, I’ve got high blood pressure as I’m sure many kibkomers have, and I was told never to eat grapefruit, something to be borne in mind, high cholesterol or not!

Deniz1 · Post by **Deniz1** » Sun 13 Oct 2019 6:48 am

My post was 4 yrs ago! I am still here stopped the statins. I hate grapefruit!

gates · Post by **gates** » Sun 13 Oct 2019 7:29 am

Lots of grapefruit stopped my problems also got my blood pressure down lots of them

Bert · Post by **Bert** » Sun 13 Oct 2019 7:57 am

As I said seek a cardiologist ( good one) opinion as everyone has lots of good advice but everyone is different and Grapefruit is good for one and not the next. Likewise as in my case my good cholesterol is low and can’t be raised as genetics affect some people and not others .

kibsolar1999 · Post by **kibsolar1999** » Sun 13 Oct 2019 12:00 pm

Do not believe this cholesterol lie.
The formula “less saturated fat = high cholesterol levels = high risk and statins will help” is an innovation of the pharma industry going back to the 1950th. And was maintained with many millions and many faked statistics. Doctors and researchers who found out that there is “something wrong” found themselves “moved to the basement”.
To boost turn over, every decade the acceptable level was dropped by 10 a year, from formerly 260 to 190 today, which makes 3/4 of the population “sick”.
For the discovery of “bad LDL” and “good HDL” cholesterol the industry was thankful, but it is another useless thing, which every “lipid specialist” can better explain as I can do here.
There is NO prove that high cholesterol levels have an impact to heart diseases or a higher mortality rate. There is NO prove that statins have any impact to less heart diseases or a lower mortality rate.
A normal cholesterol level can change because of age, sex, genetics and even during seasons and is to be considered “normal” between 200 and 300, a value where every “doctor specialist” will get an heart attack (which proves that high cholesterol levels can cause heart attacks )
Statins have side effects which are not “realized” immediately, but after 30 years they know better about it. Muscle pain, listlessness. But also, as statins can cross the blood-brain barrier, sometimes unreversable alzheimer like sypthoms, depression and so on. Reason: the brain manages the cholesterol level for the brain independently from the body. Statins DO lower the cholesterol levels and the whole system is upside down. That applies also for the rest of the body… you lower the cholesterol level with statins… and the body starts to produce more.. which leads to a higher statin dosage… "food" in general has no impact to your cholesterol levels. not butter, not eggs.
The main reasons for heart diseases are, eg: diabetes, smoking, no sports (at all) overweight and… sugar. (sometimes all comes together). The sugar industry also invested millions to back the “cholesterol lie” to avoid proper further research and attacked all research result heavily. The same did the margarine industry (butter is bad).
( just check how margarine is produced.. and you never will touch that rubbish again.. nearly the same applies for cheap oil as, eg, sunflower or “vegetable” oil for 1,50 a liter: it is raffined, winterized, desodorated, bleeched and so on.. )
It is not right to say that a high(er) cholesterol level does cause heart diseases.. it is better to say that a heart disease causes a high(er) chlolestrol level.
So, do something for your heart and do not care too much about your cholesterol level. That’s much healthier.
And do not believe these “specialists”.
They have grown up with lies.

Bert · Post by **Bert** » Mon 14 Oct 2019 5:44 pm

Interesting however what’s your source of information Peter

thickey · Post by **thickey** » Mon 14 Oct 2019 6:38 pm

https://www.verywellfit.com/low-carb-di ... es-2241946
A good read before trying a low carb diet.

helendj · Post by **helendj** » Tue 15 Oct 2019 7:43 am

Peter that was an extremely interesting post you put on. I’ve been taking statins for a few months now, and yes it has lowered my cholesterol. However I do have severe back pain, which I attributed to weight gain after giving up smoking. I’m seeing the doctor tomorrow, I’m going to check this out so thank you!

jimm · Post by **jimm** » Tue 15 Oct 2019 9:06 am

I gave up statins when I lost power in one of my legs, after a month off them my power came back, would not use them again

helendj · Post by **helendj** » Tue 15 Oct 2019 9:45 am

Thank you so much jimm. All this information reinforces my belief that I've always had that I shouldn't be taking statins, it was maybe just a gut feeling, but with the pain I am experiencing in my back now, I am wondering if statins are the cause - stopping them however is probably the best thing I am going to do, and will give me peace of mind.

Deniz1 · Post by **Deniz1** » Tue 15 Oct 2019 2:12 pm

The last time I saw a cardiologist he said I need an angio and possibly a by pass. I didnt need either.

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Tue 15 Oct 2019 2:32 pm

Deniz1 wrote:The last time I saw a cardiologist he said I need an angio and possibly a by pass. I didnt need either.

He didn't make any money out of you then!

sammydavis · Post by **sammydavis** » Tue 15 Oct 2019 3:07 pm

After having had heart problems, ie cardiovascular disease, and hospitalised for treatment, I was of course prescribed the universal panacea, statins. amongst other numerous drugs. Perhaps I was influenced by the many books, articles etc I had previously read re the huge 'push' by the pharmaceutical companies to NICE (UK of course), and cardio specialists, doctors etc world wide - mega money involved so why not push these pills? After developing severe cramps and pains in my legs I stopped taking them. ( I had been back to cardiologist who changed the type but those had problems too.) The pains stopped.
There are some very sensible and knowledgeable posts here. especially Kibsolar1999. The countries in the world with the highest cholesterol rates, Japan being one, have the lowest levels of cardio disease in the world, could be they eat more fish/fish oils but still their levels are highest. The old idea that a build up of fat is the cause of blocked arteries is now thought nonsense as It is now thought that carbohydrates ie cakes/bread etc are the root cause of inflammation in the body which in turn cause insulin/ cholesterol and blocked artery problems. It is easy to say, don't eat them but they are addictive! I think exercise is an obvious very good thing, after all the heart is a muscle and without good use, will eventually weaken anyway.

dippersgirl · Post by **dippersgirl** » Tue 15 Oct 2019 3:44 pm

I was told not to eat grapefruit when taking statins as they would negate the effect of the statins and I love grapefruit!!! Maybe I need to rethink this as well

Studleyjupiter · Post by **Studleyjupiter** » Tue 15 Oct 2019 4:47 pm

dippersgirl wrote:I was told not to eat grapefruit when taking statins as they would negate the effect of the statins and I love grapefruit!!! Maybe I need to rethink this as well

It is totally the opposite due to the grapefruit using the same enzyme pathway that the drug would normally be broken down by ...therfore causing higher levels of the drug (TOXIC POISON) circulating in the body ...my view is eat as much grapefruit as you desire and throw the poisons in the bin..

Furanocoumarins in grapefruit mainly inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 in the gut. This means that if a drug that is normally broken down by cytochromeP450 3A4 is taken at the same time as grapefruit, more 'active' drug will be absorbed by the body, as less will have been inactivated by theenzyme.

Studleyjupiter · Post by **Studleyjupiter** » Tue 15 Oct 2019 4:50 pm

http://www.thincs.org
For decades, enormous human and financial resources have been wasted on the cholesterol campaign, more promising research areas have been neglected, producers and manufacturers of animal food all over the world have suffered economically, and millions of healthy people have been frightened and badgered into eating a tedious and flavorless diet or into taking potentially dangerous drugs for the rest of their lives. As the scientific evidence in support of the cholesterol campaign is non-existent, we consider it important to stop it as soon as possible.

The International Network of Cholesterol Skeptics (THINCS) is a steadily growing group of scientists, physicians, other academicians and science writers from various countries. Members of this group represent different views about the causation of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, some of them are in conflict with others, but this is a normal part of science. What we all oppose is that animal fat and high cholesterol play a role. The aim with this website is to inform our colleagues and the public that this idea is not supported by scientific evidence; in fact, for many years a huge number of scientific studies have directly contradicted it.

Have you had any side effects from statin treatment?

If you would like to share your experience on statins with researchers at the University of California in San Diego , please email at [email protected] and/or complete an online (paperless) survey at http://www.statineffects.com

Studleyjupiter · Post by **Studleyjupiter** » Tue 15 Oct 2019 4:59 pm

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XPPYaVcXo1I

Part 1: Cholesterol (BMA Leeds)

Dr Malcolm Kendrick speaks to Leeds BMA Meeting about why Cholesterol does not cause heart disease.

Studleyjupiter · Post by **Studleyjupiter** » Tue 15 Oct 2019 5:08 pm

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Choleste ... 508&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cholesterol-My ... =8-1-fkmr0

Studleyjupiter · Post by **Studleyjupiter** » Tue 15 Oct 2019 5:24 pm

https://www.veoh.com/watch/v21232059xnJSmGjq

Linus Pauling on his UNIFIED THEORY OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE. ....A truly BRILLIANT man explains his scientific research into what actually causes Cardiovascular disease.

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