High Cholestrol

[skyplus]

I got a call from my GP to day to say my cholestrol is 6.5, as I dont want to go on starins, what should I do to reduce it. Apart from butter reduction, what else should I do?

Any help appreciated

[penelope2]

There are Non-Statin drugs on the market for the control of high cholesterol e.g Ezetimibe which do not have the side effects of Statins. Also you could add Chia Seeds to your diet.

[Sqad]

I agree with the post of penelope2........Ezetrol is a non statin that will block the absorption of fats.

I would also suggest a general weight reduction.....reduce the amount of food that you eat and take up some form of exercise e.g swimming.

I would also ask your GP for a breakdown of your cholesterol level as the "good cholesterol may be high and the " bad cholesterol " low, in which case you would not be at risk for heart disease.

[Bazile]

What's the advantage in taking these non - statin drugs compared to statin drugs ?

According to this - the possible side effects seem to be similiar

http://www.patient.co.uk/medicine/ezetimibe-tablets-ezetrol-inegy

[Bazile]

http://www.patient.co.uk/medicine/atorvastatin-tablets-lipitor

[anneasquith]

why do you not wish to take statins ?

[Sqad]

Possible side effects are just that..POSSIBLE......any symptom can be attributed to any drug..........

Even different statins may cause differing side effects to the patient and one could well try a different statin if one was having problems.

However, the side effects of Ezetrol are less and not as severe as those ps statins.....e.g muscular pains, mental lethargy and a " zombie like " state.

[slaney]

As Sqad says - one single total cholesterol reading does not mean you need statins.
The total cholesterol level which you have been given is not a particularly good guide to your risk - it's the ratio of total to good cholesterol which is important.
There are many other things to be taken into consideration - age weight, diabetes , family history, exercise taken, blood pressure etc. before even considering starting statins.
Some advice here about reducing cholesterol levels...
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Healthyhearts/Pages/Cholesterol.aspx

[grasscarp]

Porage for breakfast reduced my level enough.

[grasscarp]

And an interesting book
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[ganesh]

I would try lowering it naturally before going on meds. Use olive oil, cut down on saturated fats, watch the cheese etc. Do a bit of nutritional research and try doing it yourself for a couple of months then have it taken again.

[Hopkirk]

Oats are supposed to be good

[murraymints]

porridge for brekkie will help

[Aytee]

My father had high cholestrol due to the fact he cut out fat pretty well all together when he was living on his own and his body produced lots of it. When he got dementia and went into a home where he was given a varied diet it sorted itself out. It may be simple as having a very balanced diet.