Diet control cholesterol

[Worvera]

Hello can anyone recommend an easy guide to calculate cholesterol in food products. I had a really hard time on statins so we are now trying to manage with diet. I’m finding labels really difficult to calculate. I have recently returned from America and cholesterol levels were clearly marked on labels there. Thanks for any suggestions 😊

[Hidden]

Hi, This might or might not be of some help (hope it does a bit). nutrition.org.uk/putting-it...

Hope things improve for you with this 👍

[Worvera in reply to Hidden]

This is really useful! Thanks a lot. 😊

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Excellent link, thank you.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

The majority of cholesterol is manufactured by our own livers. For this reason dietary changes cannot usually achieve much more than a 17 - 20% reduction in cholesterol. Obviously if your dietary changes as more extreme going from daily McDs to a vegan diet a much larger reduction can be achieved. If your total cholesterol is 6 or above it is unlikely dietary changes will bring about a large enough reduction.

How many statins have you tried? There are about 5. I changed from Simvastatin to Atorvastatin because of muscle aches and I know people who have done the opposite. Rouvastatin has also proved useful to those who have struggled with those previously mentioned.

In addition to statins there is a different drug Ezetimbe that reduces cholesterol by a different mechanism. This can be prescribed alone but frequently alongside a statin. There is also Inclisiran which is a six monthly injection. This is usually used in cases of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (hereditary high cholesterol).

[Worvera in reply to MichaelJH]

Thank you so much for your response Michael. I was on Simvostatin which caused extreme fatigue and muscle pain. It also caused me to feel I didn't want to be here anymore which was the worst part. My cholesterol is 5.8 and I've to try diet control until May then review. I was only a moderate fat eater so I don't know how much the diet will help but my fingers are crossed. I'm on a further nine meds both for microvacular angina and depression. I appreciate any unput. Kind regards

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Worvera]

Thank you for posting your cholesterol level. At that level products containing a Plant Stanol Ester, such as Benecol, may be useful. One thing to consider, if you can terate it, is a low dose statin (e.g. 10mg Atorvastatin) may be used to retain the other benefits of statins. Good luck!

[Worvera in reply to MichaelJH]

Yes I’m using Benecol. I will talk to my GP re your advice at my next blood test. Thanks again Michael 😊

[Worvera in reply to MichaelJH]

Once again thanks Michael!! I've found some recipies that will be useful because of the information you have given me at benecol.co.uk/recipes/#/feed. I shall also discuss your suggestion re 10mg Atorvastatin at my next consultation.