weight, diet and statins?

[Cfmad298601]

currently down to 5mg, generally chugging along ok, still working, but feeling occasional fatigue so assume I’m getting towards my own adrenals firing back up.

Unfortunately I’ve put on about 25lbs over the last 15 months or so 😠 so looking to maybe start trying to lose some.

About 3-4 years ago I managed to lose nearly 30lbs of post menopause weight gain. I did this by loosely following the Fast 800 diet (low carb) for a few months.

I had a recent blood test and my GP picked up on my cholesterol level at 6.5 and wanted to start me on statins. I’m not keen (more bloody pills!) and we agreed to let me try to reduce it a bit myself first. But seems that he’s going to push to get me started on them asap anyways……

I have seen a few other posts on here about statins, but wanted to ask opinions 😬

If I tried to follow a low carb, higher fat/protein diet again (as this worked for me before) would this be likely to cause my cholesterol levels to increase (normally a low fat diet is recommended)

Getting really despondent with the weight gain, and general sense of being unfit, and my clothes are feeling a bit too snug now!

[Sharitone]

Would the cholesterol levels not depend partly on what kind of fats you were eating, ie whether saturated or not?

Sympathies. I hope your dieting is successful. I think nearly all of us have had to make drastic changes to what we eat.

[Cfmad298601 in reply to Sharitone]

The fast 800 is not a full Keto diet but basically carbs and sugar are a big no, no. Part of this it to opt for full fat dairy etc (which I love!). Low fat options often have increased sugar content, so I thought that a low carb diet is incompatible with trying to reduce cholesterol. Although I’d assumed that losing excess weight would help to lower cholesterol still.

[Sharitone in reply to Cfmad298601]

I was just wondering whether you could continue to eat the 'good' fats like olive oil.

I also eat a lot of the lower fat cheeses like Leerdammer light. Not to everyone's taste, I know, but I really like them.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Cfmad298601]

Perfectly possible to eat low fat without using commercial stuff. I don't bother about fat at all but I sometimes use even zero fat plain Greek yoghurt and add my own flavour, I say even - 5% dairy is hardly high fat and dairy fat has been shown to be good for you, Zoe and Tim Spector say so!

youtube.com/watch?v=uCS4p71...(Not working as expected?)

Is a brilliant discussion about dairy and inflammation. Do have a listen.

[DogAgilityObsessed]

OK first, I’m not an expert. Second these are my (brain foggy) thoughts.

I gave up the argument and take statins

I’m reading Tim Spector’s book The Diet Myth which so far suggests it’s not as straightforward as we may think when it comes to cholesterol

I lost over three some on the Fast 800 a year ago (was on about 12 mg pred at the time but cannot remember)

Cholesterol not tested for ages

Family all had/have high cholesterol

I’m vegetarian and love cheese

Summary: I’m not worrying about my cholesterol but take statins to keep the doctor quiet

[HeronNS]

It's not just fat, it's the kind of fat. My understanding is that trans fats are worst for our health and should be avoided, but olive oil, for example, is very healthy. We need fat for good health. Too much sugar contributes to cholesterol problems, along with the usual suspects, like lack of exercise, smoking, or too much alcohol. For a treat buy flowers instead of snacks at the supermarket! Sorry, no idea what the latest word on statins is. I suspect they are probably not worth it when improved diet and exercise can provide the benefits without any unwanted side effects, so go with your gut feeling that you have dealt with this problem before and can do it again, permanently as your pred dose will be much lower now. 🍀

[Missionwoman]

Sometimes even losing weight will not lower cholesterol. A friend tried that first and it made no difference. It may , of course , make a difference in your situation. My bad cholesterol is about half yours and GP advised going on statins which I have recently started. He put me on one of the newer ones as they have less side effects. So far, I have had no adverse reaction.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Difficult to say as for some people cutting carbs also lowers their cholesterol, probably because they are cutting processed foods. But in general, diet is a very difficult way to lower cholesterol levels since your liver makes most of it and that is where raised cholesterol levels because of medication tends to happen. Diet, weight loss and more exercise might lower your cholesterol - but it will be a hard road.

Life on pred should really be accompanied by a low carb diet and it is something that is discussed on here a lot. Many people find cutting processed foods and added sugar and limiting most fruit (berries are OK) is enough to help pred-related weight gain although a few of us have to work harder. Getting into ketosis is next to impossible when on pred as pred triggers the liver to release glucose into the blood from the body stores in liver and muscle but low carb does work.

Nearly forgot to say that eating low carb does not necessarily mean high fat, that is a different sort of diet. I don't eat more fat than I did before, you remove a lot in processed foods and eating no bread removes a vehicle for butter! The trick is removing the simple carbs in bread, rice, pasta and so on and eating loads of veg for bulk and low carbs.

[herdysheep]

My niece, in her early 50's and stick thin has just been diagnosed with high cholesterol. I have it and so, it turns out, does my sister and 99 yr old mother. Familial as well as diet related?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to herdysheep]

Familial -for sure. I used to work with a very fit officer who ran every lunchtime -his was always high and medics used to go into panic mode when they tested and saw his readings.

[DogAgilityObsessed in reply to herdysheep]

Very like my family. And my limited understanding is that there’s very little you can do to make the numbers right (ie the doctors happy) by changing your diet.

[Viveka]

My cholesterol was up to 6.20 last July and I got the statins phone call, but he was quite relaxed that I was going to try and control it myself. I took Benecol drinks regularly and then because of all the iffy ingredients in them went to two supplements. Cardiosmile sachets with pine tree plant sterols and Doctor's Best Nattokinase. My cholesterol was just measured at 4.20 (non HDL). I am beyond delighted - lowest for years.

I was a bit overweight and on a lowish carb but full fat diet with some exercise. I have lost a bit of weight with about 8lbs more to go. Once I lose the weight I will reduce the sterols and see how it goes.

I think a combination of reducing weight, particularly tummy fat, plus plant sterols is definitely worth a go.

[Miserere]

I'd have a look at Dr Malcolm Kendrick re statins - he's usually on the ball and I seem to remember reading something about higher cholesterol levels in older/elderly adults (I never know what older or elderly actually means there) is a positive sign. However, I'm no expert but Malcolm Kendrick is entertaining to read so might as well have a look.

[HeronNS in reply to Miserere]

I once saw an explanation of why both "good" and "bad" cholesterol are made by our bodies because we need both kinds but I can't remember why. It would seem logical to consider that an unhealthy level of cholesterol is a symptom of something else, not the basic cause of problems related to that high cholesterol, so finding that cause should be the plan, not attempting to lower the level without further investigation. ❓

[KASHMIRI1]

Good morning like your self I am on 5mg steroids and have put on approximately the same amount of weight. I have lost nearly half a stone since Christmas by cutting out sugar and fat and eating a lot of veg/salad and only lean meat and fish. I take rosuvaststin and its ok with no side effects so far. My husband has a heart issue and I dont think its worth risking not taking a statin at the level of cholesterol you have. My was 5.8 when I started taking them.

[Orange_2022]

My already slightly higher cholesterol (5.5 with over half HDL) shot up to 6.7 in the first months of taking Pred. A nutritionist friend recommended taking plant sterols (Biocare and other brands available) and I was back to my normal levels in 3 months. I am still taking them even though I'm on 4.5mg of Pred and hoping the side-effects are all lower now!

Might be worth a try rather than statins straight away?

[Cfmad298601 in reply to Orange_2022]

There’s been a few recent posts about plant sterols, so think I may try down that route first.

Hopefully, together, with a weight loss diet I may crack it….for now anyways, and keep the doctor at bay 👍

Are they on commission or something, it really does seem that they can’t wait to sign that little bit of paper and get you popping more pills!

[Orange_2022 in reply to Cfmad298601]

I think they do get some bonus for everyone they put on statins (and I'm sure statins are a good thing for some people). But worth trying an alternative to more drugs first as you say! Plant sterols aren't cheap but if you happen to know a friendly nutritionist they can often get you a discount.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Cfmad298601]

There is evidence that statins DO reduce the risk of cardiovascular events - and it isn't necessarily due to lowered cholesterol but to some effect statins exert in the body and lowering cholesterol is only a marker. Plant sterols aren't monitored as closely as medications as they are supplements and not subject to the same oversights. And the substance in red yeast that is so often touted is actually exactly the same substance as in one of the statins!

[Body_bonkers]

Felt like I’d been hit by a train on statins so stopped and so glad I did as many years later learnt they can impact cognitive function and bone density. Steroids can cause the increase but not sure that is all bad as our adrenal glands need cholesterol to perform and they’ll need this support later on. I found this podcast informative:

lizearlewellbeing.com/podca...

[Cfmad298601 in reply to Body_bonkers]

So true, you’ve been pumping me full of various drugs, prednisolone and methotrexate etc which I think can contribute to raised levels….. and you’re surprised they’re elevated.

But all you offer is more drugs.