How do you decrease your LDL when you already exercise, don't eat red meat, and have a really healthy diet?

[BJD2020]

My LDL continue to climb; it is now 151. Although I would say I eat really healthy, every evening I enjoy a little bit of chocolate or ice cream with a cup of tea. Could these things be making the LDL high?

[Midori]

We aren't doctors here, but I have had Cholesterol problems. My doctor thinks in my case it was stress which caused it along with high blood pressure, as I was going through a very stressful time then, but he did say that sometimes a higher than average LDL was a family trait.

For me it resolved as my stress lessened, along with the blood pressure.

Cheers ,Midori

[Bramleyb]

Hi, some people can be more prone to high cholesterol, but we all have different ideas of healthy eating. I often refer to Nutrition Facts.Org as they review loads of studies and point out who commissioned the study and why one study appears to give different results. Eating lots of fiber rich foods including oats and green leafy veg as well as ground flax seed can help, but also avoid trans fats found in junk food and animal products, saturated fat found mostly in animal foods and dietary cholesterol found exclusively in animal foods.

I guess the ice cream might not be helping, once in a while might be okay but sounds like you might be having some several times a week. The link below is about preventing heart disease but talks about reducing cholesterol and contains some other links to other research.

nutritionfacts.org/2014/11/...

I thought I'd read somewhere about the ratio of Omega 3 to 6 in our diets but can't find that report so may have been related to other health issues.

ps not a doctor just interested as other people on this site.

[TheAwfulToad]

If you're "eating healthily" but not feeling healthy - or your tests indicate that you're not healthy, then this is what nutritionists call a "paradox". Nutritionists are always right, even when they're wrong

Unfortunately there's an awful lot of twaddle being sold about "healthy eating". Much of what's written on the subject is driven by commercial interests - the pharma companies and food manufacturers. I know that sounds like a mad conspiracy theory, but you can do your own research on the subject. Check out how many corporate representatives are on the UK food advisory panel, for example.

Have a look at what Dr David Unwin is advising his patients to eat (he's an NHS doctor trying to stem the tide of obesity and type 2 diabetes). It's simple, no-nonsense advice that works incredibly well. Healthy eating doesn't have to be full of counterintuitive rules like "don't eat red meat".

[BJD2020]

Thank you. This was somewhat helpful. The author talks about the importance of a high TC to HDL ratio but doesn't give what that should be, so I'll research that. I meet with a nutritionist this morning.

[BJD2020 in reply to BJD2020]

I meant the "significance" of the ratio, not the importance as in it's a good thing. Oops!