how to lower cholesterol....

[lcg]

mr has been to the dr's and been told he has v. high cholesterol. he was given advice (obviously!)....but what should we be doing as both a family and specifically for him to lower it as fast as possible? what do you guys do? any tips/habits would be gratefully explored! tyvmia x

[WELSHYORKIE]

in my case, my high cholesterol is due to Familial Hypocholesterolaemia (sp). My initial test (2001) came back at 10.8 was put on Atorvastatin 40mg and given advice about diet. Small changes first like no deep fried chips or pan fried things like burgers or fish fingers etc - all changed to oven cooked, plus eating more fruit - i spend about £15 a week on fruit - fresh veg instead of tinned or frozen, bran cereal, wholemeal bread instead of white. all this brough my reading to less than 5 within 2 months and I have never been above 5.4 since

[TopKat]

What kind of cholesterol test has he had? If it was only general one, you should ask for a proper breakdown test before freaking out. This would show the ratio of good (HDL) to bad (LDL) cholesteral and, much more important, give his triglycerides level. Just having high cholesterol is not related to having a higher risk of heart disease. Is he overweight? Being overweight and/or having a high level of triglycerides is much more relevant to heart disease risk than high cholesterol. As I said, before panicking and changing his diet or starting medication, he should insist on having more relevant tests. Statins, for example, can have very unpleasant side effects and are not proven to help people who haven't already had a heart attack!

[Sqad]

Well said TopKat........this "cholesterol" fetish is getting completely out of hand on AB.

[dianahoohar]

In response to Sqad ..this "cholesterol" fetish is getting completely out of hand on AB.
I think 'this cholesetrol fetish' is getting completely out of hand because of GPs! Present company excepted, of course. ;)

[grasscarp]

The companies that manufacture statins in the US are now worth billions!

[dianahoohar]

And now they reckon statins help with Parkinson's.

[askyourgran]

I thought I had Parkinsons when I took statins, I my joints ached, and I tried several different ones and was practically shaking with pain, I came off them, and now take Ezetrol with no side effects. I can also recommend Benecol it does help lower your cholesterol levels, along with a sensible diet.

[LoftyLottie]

Gromit, Mr LL had a heart attack and his cholesterol level was much the same as yours at the time!!

Personally, I worry not that mine is 6.00 at present and neither does my GP. Mine seems to go between 5.00 and 6.00. Too much emphasis on cholesterol levels at the moment in his opinion.

I certainly would never take statins unless I had had a heart attack and even then if only necessary.

[boxtops]

I'm determined not to go back on the statins, being as my muscles still haven't recovered 100% from stopping them a year ago. I'm due to go back to the GP next month, last time was 7.4 but I've not really been considering my own diet while Nibble's been disabled.

[starone]

My high cholesterol was also due to familial whatsisname - I can't even try to spell that long word - like welshy - so I had no option but to take statins. However I do agree with diana. If you can get it down without medication I am sure that must be the best way all round.

[LoftyLottie]

Having arthritis and always in pain, the last thing I would want to take is Statins. I don't trust them - My husband was in real pain with them and still suffering with cramps and spasms.

[askyourgran]

I have arthritis, and also familial whatsit, so I wouldn't even consider taking statins again, I sometimes feel they helped to cause it. The last time I had a health check my cholesterol was 6.1. Usually the doc pulls you up and doubles the dose of tablets, but this time he said it was OK. They seem to move the goalposts, at one time the acceptable level was 5.0 then it was down to 3.5.

[boxtops]

There's a new risk assessment, gran - they take into account other risk factors. When mine was 5.5 they said it wasn't worth worrying about as all the other CHD risks were low.

[seadogg]

'strewth, I have no idea what my chloresterol level is but we have always tried to eat healthily and use a frying pan with a funnel which cooks by convection. Two teaspoons of olive oil will make two good servings of crinkly chips (maris piper spuds only). Also lots of walking which means up and down hill here.

[lcg]

thank you all for your help and advice. we have started our healthy eating plan and he now has sterol drinks/spread and yoghurts at his disposal too. he's just gutted he has to cut out red meat, cheese and butter.....but is complying so far! we'll see how things go and he's due another fasting blood test in 3 months. i'll keep everyone updated. thanks again x

[scattymare]

The best way to reduce cholesterol is by changing your diet. Eat plenty of fruit and veg, Avacados, are really good. Cut down on all meat products, eat only lean meat, chicken (not the skin) Have a probiotic dring in the morning, and try drinking green tea instead of coffee a couple of times a day. You also need to exercise every day even walking is good. Cut out all cakes and biscuits and chocolate ,although a couple of squares of really dark chocolate is beneficial.Hope this helps.

[woofgang]

scatty mare your diet might not make you live longer but it would certainly feel like it!