Cholesterol

[Zelda247]

Going to see my doctor today to discuss my recent Cholesterol results. 7.0. LDL 4.3 and HDL 2.2.

I have no intention of going on Statins so hoping to improve my diet. It is not a bad diet although I don't tend to eat fruit and need to increase my veg intake. I eat porridge every day and prefer wholewheat pasta and rice. I eat red meat, mainly lean mince twice a week but the rest of the time its chicken or fish.

I am 58, not overweight and BP is ok. at 120/78 so hoping I won't be forced to go on statins.

[Zelda247]

I don't know if triglycerides were tested, I will check with him.

[4BBK]

I love your analysis;

I recently quit statins because I got to sick to take them. I was going to go in for blood tests, but, on further ado, I am going to forget them, because I feel so much better daily after giving up statins, and taking CoQ10 that I don't really care if high cholesterol will kill me some time in the future or if something else will

[Zelda247]

Went to docs and yes my triglycerides were tested, result is 1.1.

She did not say thankfully that I need to go on Statins as my Good Cholesterol was so good it would take my overall score down to a 6.0 instead of a 7.0 which is not so terrible.

[sandybrown in reply to Zelda247]

Did you doctor offer to do a rick analysis and fully explain the numbers?

It is worth asking you doctor for this, this is a guide line only, watching out for free sugar and hidden sugar in food and drinks with regular can help to stay healthy.

[Zelda247]

No mention of a rick analysis. In relation to health I started cutting back on sugar about 6 months ago so got that in hand.

[sandybrown in reply to Zelda247]

Any god doctor or GP can offer this, please do ask for a JBS3 or QRISK analysis with full explanation. Some doctors and GP do use a ration and offer full explanation.

Both JBS3 and QRISK are available on line but you all your health check numbers to carry out the check.

[Andyman]

You can never be forced onto anything.

[DakCB-UK]

Your numbers aren't that much higher than mine - actually your LDL is slightly below mine - and I'm not on statins (although I do take an absorption inhibitor). If your GP tries to strongarm you, ask for referral to a hospital lipid clinic and see if you find wiser medics there.

[Zelda247]

There was no pressure to go on Statins at all which was great. She was saying as by BP was fine and I am slim etc she was not too worried. She said my good Cholesterol 2.2 was excellent and my trigriclerides 1.1 score was also good so that was positive.

[Markl60]

You have just described a pretty bad diet which is the basic problem for most of us in the western world. We all think the western diet you have described is on the whole pretty good when in actual fact its pretty lousy. If you want to drop your numbers and avoid statins I suggest taking Niacin (full flush). It will without a doubt reduce your LDL. With regard to your diet

Cut out the wheat

Increase Veggies and fruit

Cut out the meat

Switch to brown rice or preferably black rice

Stop eating meat and chicken and if eating fish stick to wild pacific or sockeye salmon or smaller breeds such as anchovies mackerel or sardines

Kyolic aged garlic has also been shown to lower cholesterol

[sos007 Ambassador]

It is okay to eat fruit because it contains fiber and you need the nutrients. It is fruit 'Juice' you should avoid since it doesn't have fiber. Also minimize alcohol consumption. Red wine is optimal when having alcohol.

The issue with red meat is not necessarily saturated fat and cholesterol but it's impact on your gut bacteria and it's calorie density (a lot of calories per serving). Consider having it once every couple of weeks instead. Replace animal protein with vegetable protein available in nuts and beans. Chick peas and lentils are also excellent. Avoid packaged foods with hidden sugars. Ingredients ending in 'ose', 'ohol', 'itol' are all different terms for sugar. White flour products such as white bread and pizza dough should be avoided. Use whole grain bread or pizza dough instead.

Most importantly, daily exercise. A 30 minute brisk walk daily is a minimum for good health and to drop the LDL-P levels.