Cholesterol -foods to avoid.

[Matheous]

I am worried about my level which was 6.2 or thereabouts.....I am a little overweight but NOT obese. Age 63.....Anyone know what level will require medication?

Thank you.

[Mamyalynne]

Well i am 7 and a half stone and very active last year mine was 7.2 but for some reason has dropped to 6.5 and they still havent recommnded any treatment. They say the Med type diet is best but i just eat what i like but try to reduce the amount of fried foods and only use olive oll or the very lovely Carotina ol which is a good one to reduce cholesterol.
Good luck
Mamya

[burbie]

It depends on the ratio of fats that make up the 6.2
Cholesterol has low density fats- LDL , and high density fats -HDL.
LDL are bad fats
HDL are good fats.
If you blood test has a high reading of HDL then it isnt a problem.
If the LDL is high then you need to change your diet.
I would think it would have to be over 7.0 to be given medication.
Cut out saturated fats as much as you can.
Eat more fish
Your need to ask your doctor for more information, he should also refer you to the practice nurse for diet advice.

[bravejordy]

I'm male, aged 54, and last year I was diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes and my cholesterol being a little high - it was 5.6. My weight at the time was 15 stone and the practice nurse wanted my doctor to prescribe statins to help reduce my cholesterol. My doctor refused, preferring instead to see if I could get it down myself by changing my diet. Apparently, once you're prescibed statins you have to take them for the rest of your life. To be honest, I was relieved that my doctor decided not to, I feel I take enough meds already.

Needless to say, I had to change to a sugar-free diet anyway with having diabetes, which I found really difficult at first, due to having a very sweet tooth but of course it was a case of having to. :(

In order to reduce my cholesterol I've started using semi-skimmed milk and having Quaker Oats for breakfast, and I now use Flora margarine. A month after my first cholesterol result, I managed to get my level down to 4.8 - which both my doctor and nurse were really pleased with -and I've also managed to get my weight down to 13.5 stone (although the latter is probably more down to my sugar-free diet).

[sqad617]

Don't worry, read what burbie has written as she is spot on.

[sheribeee]

Avoid shellfish, as that is not good for you if you have high cholesterol.

[Kleiber]

burbie's right. Saves me explaining the HDL/LDL ratio. You need to ask your GP what the exact results of your tests are. Like the others have said, you can have what looks like high cholesterol, but actually isn't too bad if your HDL levels are well up. To be honest, most of our cholesterol is made in our bodies, so diet only plays a very small part. Having said that, it does no harm to eat healthily and the Mediterranean diet is healthy in more ways than just keeping cholesterol down (it's also very tasty!!). Good luck, K x

[Matheous]

Thank you to all for your very reassuring advice & comments.
My faith in AB is renewed!