High cholesterol

[sherrardk]

Himself went to the opticians today and was told he has high cholesterol (he has some white rings on his eyes which is a sign apparently). What, in practical terms, are the implications of this? I presume he will need to alter what he eats but what sort of stuff should be avoid and what should he be eating? Also, is low cholesterol food suitable for children (in that of are not supposed to give them low fat stuff as they need it for healthy growth, etc). Thanks for any answers, I have looked at the NHS website but it was a bit factual and not overly practical.

[grasscarp]

I had a year or so ago a very high reading of 9.9. A week or so back the reading is down to 6.9 (or could be 6.7) cant remember but have an appointment to see the doctor. Only thing I have been doing almost every day is have porridge for breakfast, so I pass on this recomendation.

[grasscarp]

I also read about the benefits of taking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar every day. If the doctor nags me now I will go for this.
http://voices.yahoo.c...pple-cider-55911.html

[albaqwerty]

Last I heard was to grill food and not fry. (The 'experts' seem to change from one decade to another)

Low fat milk for him and normal milk for the offspring :)

[JoolsTwo]

He should reduce his intake of animal fats - Cheese - prawns to I believe are high in cholesterol too. I take a drink of (pro-active or Benecol) or a super market's own make. Porridge is also said to be good, it's the oats I think. Doing this helped mine or the doc could prescribe statins to reduce it.

[boxtops]

sherrard, he needs to see his GP, just to have a cardiovascular risk assessment. This is a fairly new assessment tool, I had one a few weeks back. My cholesterol was 7.9 which is higher than the recommended 5.0, but the GP decided not to put me back on statins (which disagreed with me) because on the new CVD risk assessment my risk of cardiac problems was less than 20% - which is their margin under which they don't have to prescribe. When I went back last week it's gone up to 22% so I have been asked to address my diet rather than go back on the meds. Mr S does need a clinical diagnosis so the blood levels can actually be measured - it needs to be on his GP records rather than just at the opticians - make sure he gets a proper cholesterol blood test.

My practice nurse gave me a helpful sheet to lower cholesterol, have a look here - I hope these help. http://www.floraheart...weringYourCholesterol

[KJN]

I guess the next stop is the GP he will advise if tablets are required or a change in diet. Depends on how high the level is. I have Had high cholesterol for a few years now which is controlled by one tablet per night.

[Uzoma]

Oats helps because of the high fibre and also the type of fibre. Generally an increase in the 'right' type of fibre helps. There are a few supplements available at your local pharmacy in a soluble juice type drink that offer to help.

[sherrardk]

Thanks all for you answers. All I have to do now is get him to actually register with a doctor and make an appointment!

[boxtops]

Sherrard, tell him that this is the way that he can take control of his future health - he can be in the driving seat, many people have high cholesterol (I did) and felt perfectly healthy, but the implications of furring up his arteries would not be good news if he doesn't seek advice as to how he wants to deal with it. Your little people need a fit dad - he can crack this and reduce whatever level it is, but he needs to understand the implications if he doesn't. That Flora site gives a lot of useful information.

[237SJ]

There is good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL). Eating saturated fat increases LDL so reducing that would help lower LDL levels. Some HDL is good for the heart and some foods help increase it (porridge for instance). You will get a clearer idea after a cholesterol test so that you can see the levels of both and adjust diet accordingly.

[tigwig]

My parents use that Benecol spread instead of normal marg or butter. I think they do yoghurt drinks too and it is actually supposed to help lower your cholestrol.

[alid5]

Found this really interesting
http://foodhospital.c...nditions/cholesterol/

[york310]

The white rings (arcus senilus) are sometimes an indicator of raised cholesterol but more often just an age related change of the cornea. He may have normal cholesterol levels but attending the gp for tests indicated.