raised cholesterol

LegacyUser

Hi there,
well I just got some results today from recent blood tests and all are normal with the exception of the cholesterol which is slightly up. I did have breakfast just before giving blood for the test which may have produced a slightly high result. It is 5.2 at the moment.

I am using this as a little indication to keep an eye on it as there is a strong history of heart problem within the family and both my parents are on low cholesterol diets.

Has anyone any advice as to what I should avoid. My diet is generally healthy and consists of low fat products as I do try to stay in shape. I excerise daily and am in good health. are ther any supplements I can take? All davice welcome!

Cheers

Brown_Eyed_Girl

What are your stress levels like ???

Scuba_Scoper

As you have a family history, it might be an idea to go to your local GP/health centre and get a proper bloods work up. You have to fast from the night before if you want to get this test done properly. This will give you an accuate
reading of your HDL/LDL levels and you can take it from there.

I am in a similar position to you and at your level, your cholesterol can be
controlled completely by diet. No need for supplements.

You are already doing the right things but maybe take it to the next step..
Cut dairy, eat more veg, drink more water, eat leaner meats (chicken,turkey,etc). Watch how you cook foods..griling no frying.

And make a point of getting your colesterol properly tested once a year.
Oh yeah, and if you smoke - STOP

LegacyUser

well thanks for that,

My stress levels are fine. I think they are. I know they are as I am pretty easy going and do not have any major worries presentl Off work for the summer months so I am getting lots of 'me' time in.

With regard to diet............. I do eat well but I could prob cut out more cheese. I do love a slice of Brie/ Camembert even with breakie. But apart from that I am dairyless. Hate milk so cereals suffer. Oh I have just remembered the smoothies....prob shoud cut 'em out too. I believe porridge is good for cholesterol busting.

Excerise......... can't do anymore. not enough time in the day. I am very active and fit.

Should I stay clear of all red meat and only concentrate on chicken/turkey?

Smoking.........gave them up about 4 yrs ago but do fall off the wagon and have an occassional one when having a drink. Actually only when have lots of drinks otherwise I do not crave. so the one fag a month will have to go too.!:eek:

Beelzebub

Just had full fasting bloods done myself.
Cholesterol is a bit high as well 5.4.
I have been eating more cheese lately and more full fat milk/low fat milk.
So that's probably what did it for me.

liamo

My initial results were a bit more extreme. I scored a very high 7.8 18 months ago. Crap diet, no exercise, too much booze, family history of heart trouble.

It's now a very respectable 3.8 and reducing each time I take a test.

Because of family history I do take a low dose of drugs to assist but I believe that most of the improvement was due to a major reduction in alcohol consumption, a balanced diet and plenty of exercise.

Alcohol interferes with (and exercise improves) your body's ability to get rid of cholesterol and triglycerides - another form of blood fat.

Because your levels are above the maximum recommended level and because of the family history you should definitely get your bloods checked regularly. Get them done again in 6 months to see how your levels are. If they're still up, make more modifications to your diet/exercise and get them done again in another 6 months.

BTW - your results should have included LDL and HDL levels. The LDL level is the one to watch. It should be less than 2. If you got a triglyceride result, it should also be less than 2.

Yes, your breakfast would have interfered with the results - it's called a Fasting Lipids Test for a reason .

In addition to alcohol and exercise, your diet also plays a major role in the control of cholesterol levels. Replace red meat with poultry/fish so that red meat is <= 1/3 of your meat/poultry/fish intake. Increase your intake of fruit/veg. You might want to try a daily cholesterol-reducing yoghurt.

At 5.2 you don't have to make major changes to your lifestyle but you're getting a gentle warning that you should heed.

Regards,

Liam

Brown_Eyed_Girl

Scuba_Scoper wrote:

As you have a family history, it might be an idea to go to your local GP/health centre and get a proper bloods work up. You have to fast from the night before if you want to get this test done properly. This will give you an accuate
reading of your HDL/LDL levels and you can take it from there.

I am in a similar position to you and at your level, your cholesterol can be
controlled completely by diet. No need for supplements.

You are already doing the right things but maybe take it to the next step..
Cut dairy, eat more veg, drink more water, eat leaner meats (chicken,turkey,etc). Watch how you cook foods..griling no frying.

And make a point of getting your colesterol properly tested once a year.
Oh yeah, and if you smoke - STOP

Sometimes your cholesterol cannot be controlled without supplements, your diet can only change your level by approx 10% either way. But with a level not high above normal I think small changes in your diet and lifestyle will bring it back down to normal.

siochain

Hi Folks,

Something similar about 3 years ago now total is 3.8.


Biggest tip: Learn how to read ingredient labels and understand the different names for ingredients. In particular totally avoid hydrogenated fats & trans fatty acids, they are lethal and are in a lot of processed foods.

Other dietary suggestions:
Include plenty of insoluble fiber & soluble fiber in your diet (oats, lax seed, psyllium husk) with lots of water.
Omega 3
Lecithin granules
1000mg*2 Vit C
400iu Vit E
B-Complex with a good level of niacin
Fruit & Veg and more fruit and Veg.
Lots of Garlic.


Peace

Scuba_Scoper

Brown_Eyed_Girl wrote:

Sometimes your cholesterol cannot be controlled without supplements, your diet can only change your level by approx 10% either way. But with a level not high above normal I think small changes in your diet and lifestyle will bring it back down to normal.

I am in a similar position to you and at your level, your cholesterol can be
controlled completely by diet. No need for supplements.

siochain

Hi Folks,

A very high percentage of the average\normal person in Ireland dies of either stroke, cancer or coronary heart disease.

So when your doctor tells you your cholesterol is about average, do you have something to worry about? I would say yes !


One other point, if anyone reading this is on statins you should think about supplementing with CQ10 (coenzyme Q10). A search on google will tell you why....

Peace

Daveyn

I know it sounds like prison food, but every medical i have been for in the last few years, the common advice from all the doctors was to eat porridge, and exercise. my Cholestorel has been around 5 for years, the doctors tell me its not too bad.

Hermione*

5 is actually the maximum healthy level for combined cholestorel, so if you're going slightly over that, then you're getting into the danger territory. Ideally, cholestoral should be lower than 5, around 3 or 4 iirc.

Oats are supposed to be super-food for helping to bring down cholestorel.