Attempt to Lower Cholesterol

[Maur33n]

Hi

I seem to have a borderline level of cholesterol. My doctor prescribed statins. They made me feel so ill I refuse to take them and would prefer to control the level by eating healthily. Now looking for practical nutritional advice. Unfortunately little time for exercise!!

[Zest]

Hi Maur33n,

Welcome to the Healthy Eating forum. There is a page on NHS Choices about lowering cholesterol that you might find helpful as a starting point:

nhs.uk/Livewell/Healthyhear...

I hope it's helpful.

I'm sure others will give you some suggestions too, but there is also a community on Healthy Unlocked that might be beneficial as well - I'll pop back with a link to that, incase you want to look at that community as well.

The community link is here, and the name of the community is 'Cholesterol Support':

healthunlocked.com/choleste...

Lowcal

[Maur33n in reply to Zest]

Thank you for your reply with the very useful links. Interesting that cinnamon was recommended Lots to read and consider.

[clajac]

I could not tolerate statins. Just recently my cardiologist put me on slow release niacin. I'm now taking 750 mg 2x/day and have seen a significant difference in my numbers: On 8/4/2016 numbers were: Total Cholesterol 208 (now is 154), HDL 50 (now is 62), LDL 138 (now is 65). Need occasional blood work to check liver functions to be able to be on this high of a dose. I had to build up slowly to the current dosage, due to the "flush" affects which I hate. Only have flush affects a couple of times a month now. You might ask your doctor about this. I also walk 25-30 miles a week.

[serendipity1]

I once worked with a woman who ate orange peel (no idea amount) but she ate this everyday, along with the satsuma or orange. I asked her why one day. She said she had really dangerous cholesterol levels and her meds kept being upped. A nurse whispered in her ear and said eat orange peel, so she did. She is now med free and levels are normal. Not saying to do this nor do I know the benefits for real. Was just scrolling the board and noticed this post so thought i'd add

[Maur33n in reply to serendipity1]

Hi Serendipity Thank you for your reply.

This is interesting. To state the obvious, there must be something in orange peel that help lower cholesterol. I wonder no pharmaceutical company has come across this. Worth a try. I wish there was some kind of test like diabetics tests for cholesterol as I would not be very popular attending the doctor or whoever to keep testing. I tried a test available at the Chemist but it was not successful.

[alchemilla12 in reply to Maur33n]

Vit C - present in citrus fruit and peel -is helpful for high cholesterol as it repairs damaged cellular walls amongst other structures in the body. quite a lot of research - from America of course ! - purports that the body produces more cholesterol to repair damaged cell membranes ( which are made up of a mix of protein and lipids such as cholesterol ). The damage being caused by all sorts of external toxins -pollution ,cigarettes , trans fats etc. so by helping heal the damage with Vit c the cholesterol levels can reduce.

[Maur33n in reply to alchemilla12]

Thank you for this explanation

[Maur33n]

Hi

Thank you for your reply. I like the illustration of foods. My problem is trying to work out a diet with the amounts of these food. I am not over weight and thought I ate healthily but shocked to find bananas as high in carbs.

[serendipity1]

Hi Maur33n

Maybe Google the benefits of orange peel and cholesterol? wished I still worked with her as i'd be able to ask more for you. No idea why I remembered the orange peel story as it must have been over 10 years when I worked with her.

My grandad has high cholesterol and he swears by eating I think 2 Brazil nuts a day? again no idea why.

I do believe in a lot of natural treatments with our food, but unsure if they actually work. Would be interesting to know though.