High Cholesterol

[Speedbag]

Well, I got the news of my first cholesterol screening back yesterday and the results weren't good. The bads are 40-50 points higher than where the docs like to see them.

Not really a surprise, since my Dad battled it as well. 

I've been taking fish oil for a few years now, and have watched what I eat to a fair degree for years as well. Or so I thought. Other than the meds that are out there and eating oatmeal for every meal, what are some other natural means of getting the numbers down?

[ducpainter]

They claim exercise.

We all have to have 'something' wrong with us.

It's the only way doctors can stay in business.

[Speedbag]

Oh, there's plenty wrong with me. 

It's just that this particular thing can kill a person...

[Ddan]

Pecans

http://www.ilovepecans.org/pr5.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10719404

http://cholesterol.about.com/od/cholesterolloweringfoods/a/pecans.htm

[Drjones]

Also 1 to 2 avacados a week.


Both (nuts and avacados) increase HDL levels which helps get rid of LDL.

[ZLTFUL]

What has been said above. Plus, the Cheerios commercials aren't far off...pretty much any whole grain cereal will do. I have gone to doing 2 bowls of Honey Nut Cheerios a day and in 3 months, I mostly repaired my high cholesterol. Still have a little ways to go but...

And excercise really helps too. I prefer mountain biking or brisk hikes. Tried running again and found I get too bored too quick and that fatigues me more than anything.

[The Architect]

If you have to eat oatmeal, this is the only way to do it. 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/steel-cut-oatmeal-recipe/index.html

I hate oatmeal.  It's like eating chainsaw dust!  and 30 minutes later you're hungry.  But the steel cut oats are good to eat and tasty.

[Howie]

If you have to eat oatmeal, this is the only way to do it. 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/steel-cut-oatmeal-recipe/index.html

I hate oatmeal.  It's like eating chainsaw dust!  and 30 minutes later you're hungry.  But the steel cut oats are good to eat and tasty.

You just hate bad oatmeal.  This steel cut stuff is great!  Of course, bacon makes it better

http://www.mccanns.ie/

[JEFF_H]

me too.

My doctor recommend these diet changes
increase- lean protein, complex carbs, fiber
decrease- fats, simple carbs, and if its white dont eat it

there isnt one change you going to make that is going to have a substantial, long-term affect.
Its going to be lots of things (diet, exercise, supplements/meds)
there is also a genetic factor as well

i also now take a multi-vitamin, omega3, niacin, oh and simvastatin 

[cyrus buelton]

go the med route.

[Popeye the Sailor]

go the med route.

Why does that seem like it's always your first suggestion?


Exercise is so much better for you, as is a proper diet.

[Triple J]

go the med route.

[Ddan]

go the med route.

Yeah, that's so much better than a healthy diet. 

[cyrus buelton]

my dad is a cardiologist, prob know a bit more than most

excercise, diet and meds is the right way to go

[zarn02]

My cholesterol is ridiculously high.

And it used to be even higher.

I took meds for it for a while in Korea (doc's there give out prescriptions like candy) and they helped, but damn I hate pills...