High cholesterol

[LilyMistri2]

Hi everyone,

I have lupus and the menopause and it’s currently a tough time for me because of these. I’m 50

Suddenly my cholesterol is high on a fasted morning blood test 7.1. It’s normally 5.9 or 6.4 in the day after lunch. My doc wants to put me on Atorvastatin. I’m not happy about it due to the muscle tiredness it could produce.

I went to Holland abd Barrett today to ask for help. The lady suggested high strength garlic. I picked it up and benecol chews and decided I would change my diet and try and be more active.

Can you tell me what foods/ diets / exercise and supplements have worked for you to reduce your cholesterol please?

I would be most grateful. X

[happytulip]

Are you on steroids because they can raise your cholesterol?

[happytulip in reply to happytulip]

Also, walnuts reduce cholesterol I believe.

[LilyMistri2 in reply to happytulip]

Yes I went up from 6 to 10 and have put on a lot of weight.

[LilyMistri2 in reply to happytulip]

Yes I’m on an increased dose

[Cupcakeyum]

Hi lilymistry2,Sorry to hear your going through a tough time.I hope you start to feel better soon.Two years ago I started walking five miles a day my cholesterol at the time was 5.7 after 6 months it fell to 4.3 not long after that the five mile a day stopped due to pain I now just walk a little and with a walking stick. I’ve put on Weight im sure the numbers will be higher now.A few weeks ago I started eating oats for breakfast I’m hoping that will help. Perhaps you could try that too if you like it. Good luck.

[LilyMistri2 in reply to Cupcakeyum]

Sorry to hear you had to stop the walking

[Cupcakeyum]

Hi again lilymistri2, Salmon is good for cholesterol I buy mine fresh from Morrison’s two fillets for £4 my husband and I eat one each it comes sealed In a bag you just pop it in the oven I do new potatoes frozen peas and green beans I heat in the oven or microwave juice of two lemons and a little hunny it’s lovely just poured on top.Another thing is stir fry’s cooked in olive oil it’s supposed to be good for cholesterol too. Half - one tablespoon of olive oil is enough.

[LilyMistri2 in reply to Cupcakeyum]

Thanks for your messages. I will go back to fresh salmon. I suppose I haven’t been eating well on the higher steroid or done much exercise. I bought some oats yesterday from Holland and Barrett

[Joy_1]

Hi

up up up your fibre and cut down on saturated fats

[LilyMistri2 in reply to Joy_1]

I have bought some oats yesterday.

[Joy_1 in reply to LilyMistri2]

Fab! Porridge is a really good choice. It's a slower burner so will keep you satisfied for longer.

Another trick is to reduced the portion size of your saturated fats/carbs etc at meal times and up the veggies. Don't cut completely as it's not just about calories its about upping fibre. Also that way you will keep going rather than 'falling off the wagon'.

[LilyMistri2 in reply to Joy_1]

Thanks. I must not fall off the wagon now definitely.

[LilyMistri2]

Thanks for all your tips!

[Justinealexx]

Hi. Just one other word of caution. Garlic is known to boost the immune system. I've heard it's therefore best avoided in lupus patients. The last thing we want is our immune systems being triggered against us!

[LilyMistri2 in reply to Justinealexx]

I’m so glad to hear this from you. I’m the world today the words boost your immunity apply to so many foods so I’m always confused by vit c and zinc, garlic etc. Can you tell some things I can take to help my immunity. And cholesterol ? Love to know. X

[happytulip in reply to LilyMistri2]

Justine is totally right. Garlic puts me in a major flare. Have plenty of lean protein, oily fish and plenty of fresh or frozen green veg. A good place to look for low fat and low sugar recipes is the diabetes UK website. Lots of great soup recipes that fill me up and plenty of others. Be careful with oil as that can add to cholesterol. Did you know that lemon juice can be a good substitute to oil?

A higher protein diet will keep the steroid munchies at bay and help your muscles stay strong while you are on the pred.

Good luck!

[LilyMistri2 in reply to happytulip]

Thanks so much. It’s been quite interesting realising garlic is not good for lupus. I never picked that up before! Thanks for the diabetes site idea!

[Freckle1000]

Just a quickie. I was put on Atorvastatin just because I have SLE and the potential for heart problems that can come with this. Its never caused me any real problems. I take it at night with my pre sleep medications. Its good stuff.

[LilyMistri2 in reply to Freckle1000]

Glad it’s workinb for you without problems. X

[LupusKaren]

Just popping in to say salmon and oats simply the best for cholesterol lowering. Caution on the stir fry, best not to use Alfalfa Sprouts, they contain L-canavanine, which is known to cause inflammation in Lupus patients.

[LilyMistri2 in reply to LupusKaren]

Thanks so much for these tips. Looks like it’s going to be fish and oats for a while.

[Gmagolf]

Sorry. I ate oatmeal every morning for 3 years. No help😢

[RachelD1972]

Hi, another option is you can buy plant stenol tablets in boots. This works out cheaper than benecol. (Not sure If you’re UK based). My cholestral is also high at 6.4 and my rheumy wants it lower. My good cholestral reading was very good 🤷‍♀️. I’ve cut out crisps as have minimal chocolate now and that’s belping. If you’re in the UK there is also a good NHS healthy eating app that allows you to scan barcodes on foods to get an indication of fat, sugars etc. Good luck x

[LilyMistri2 in reply to RachelD1972]

Thanks I’ll look in to the tabs and the app.

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK]

Hi LilyMistri2,

You may find our blog article on lupus and healthy eating helpful - lupusuk.org.uk/diet-and-hea...

Also, we published a blog article on lupus and exercise which includes a 15-minute lupus-friendly workout which you can do at home, to watch the workout visit lupusuk.org.uk/lupus-and-ex...

[LilyMistri2]

Thanks Chanpreet!