How to bring cholesterol level down

[CurveyArcher]

I have been advised by my GP that because of my age now increasing my cholesterol is now on the higher side (5). They have suggested that I lower my level by diet. I do a Pilates class once a week, which is my main exercise, I use a wheelchair so it's not like I can go walking to help bring my weight down, and being a lady at that certain age my weight is higher than I would like. Hopefully someone out there can give their advice.

[Marcathon]

There are definitely things you can do; if you can't do it through exercise given your condition then it will have to be through diet, and it is really possible. My cholesterol was 4.1 which wasn't bad but have brought it down to 3.3 over a few months mainly through just discipline in diet, eating 'good fats' rather than bad fats, so cutting out fatty foods, eating lots of protein such as chicken and yoghurt, cutting out cured meats such as bacon, salami, chorizo. We still have takeaway once a month as a treat and have a cooked breakfast once a month as a treat, but have toast not fried bread, poach an egg rather than fry it, etc. also just being disciplined on a friday night to have one beer not 2 or 3, and have veg sticks with houmous rather than crisps to snack on. It's not about cutting out but cutting back. There's lots of information out there about reducing cholesterol through diet and I wish you well.

[CurveyArcher in reply to Marcathon]

Thanks for your insight.

[Brixcos]

I'd just add that there are lots of chair based exercise videos on YouTube which might be suitable. It would help if you could do something every day. Good luck!

[DCIHarry]

Exercise as much as you can and changing your diet can have a massive impact on this - far more so than meds.

Low carb (especially avoiding white carbs - bread, pasta, potatoes and rice) together with healthy proteins did it for me.

Cholesterol dropped from >8 to 3 in a few months.

[HM24]

Go on a plant based diet, really cut down on fats. Try the chair exercises as per previous reply.

[Fleure]

According to my GP red rice extract in the form of pills is known to reduce cholesterol health food suppliers should have them Good luck don’t ignore it l ended up having a heart attack