I got my annual physical results back and it looks like my cholesterol is high at 214. I got the full sheet of blood test results via email but he didn't call -- meaning he doesn't think there's anything to be concerned about. I guess I should take that and run, but I still want to make sure I'm doing what I can to lower my cholesterol. I've tried searching online but there is SO much information out there and I don't know where to start. From basic info I found it looks like I'm doing everything right -- exercising, eating lots of fruits and veggies, limiting fast food and red meat (eat it maybe once a month), eating good cholesterol foods like avocado, cooking my eggs w/olive oil spay instead of butter, etc. I am not sure what else I can do. Any recommendations on good, reliable cholesterol information? The stuff I found is all over the place. Thank you!
Cholesterol comes from two main sources - meat and dairy. So basically anything animal related.
Cutting down on that is optimal, but i ain't goin vegetarian! :)
Mine was 244 i think - and a month of fiber bars and oatmeal - it was 211.
I now do metamucil everyday, I've dropped the oatmeal, do moderate exercise and substitute fish for red meat more often.
So no big changes really except for the fiber/oatmeal and the walking.
I personally learned that sometimes it is genetic and the only thing that will bring it down (lately I use the word 'down' loosely...) is medication.
They may be taking a conservative approach and not calling because the numbers have been better in the past and they want to see it trending upwards before they do medication.
My last thought was that maybe your triglycerides are well enough in check so they are not concerned...yet.
Hi Michelle,
I was there. I had my cholesterol levels high but not like yours; I was prescribed Lipitor (statin) and it made me ill, muscles pain, fatigue, excessive tiredness, indigestion, vision problems, migraines, I couldn't work out the way I should have and I gained pounds (I am a person who has worked out her whole life) to name just a few. Mi life totally changed during the time I took medication, I told my doctor and he was not agree with me in stopping Lipitor until I barely I could walk and he still reluctantly made me stop the medication: the blood tests showed a damage to my muscles tissue pretty bad ....caused by statins (lipitor)
Well, in spite that my diet in general was not bad I still had problems with lowering LDL (bad cholesterol), so after stopping the statin, I was myself again, my energy came back, no more fatigue, no more headaches, no more blurry vision, etc...and I started doing the following:
I eat every 3 to 4 hours with healthy snacks like nuts, bananas, peaches, berries, apples) seeds.
I don't eat animal protein. I know, it IS hard because that means, no dairy (I just eat whites), no chicken, no hams, no red meat, no milk; I occasionally (for X-mas or Thanksgiving, I eat turkey, just a slice)
I sparingly use or have sugar or everything that means the same with other names (sucralose, fructose, corn syrup the worst!) etc. I use honey sometimes.
I don't eat white flour (no white bread, white pancakes, white pasta, white rice..etc)
I eat LOTS of vegetables and fruits,(5 servings or more daily)
I consume nuts mostly unsalted peanuts, walnuts, almonds.(just a small handful of nuts daily)
I drink LOTS of water (6-8 glasses daily)
I drink Almond milk instead of regular milk or natural juice (but sometimes)
I eat grains (lentils, black beans, etc) , avocado and tuna or salmon
My portions of food are mostly the size of the palm of my hand.
My dishes are mostly greens (lettuce, spinach, broccoli, avocado etc) and they are the main dish.
I don't eat anyhting fried at all.
I don't eat chocolate unless is 80% cocoa or dark chocolate (and...that is...occasionally).
I use a "green pan" because I don't need oils or butter, and that helps very much. If I have to use oil, I just use olive oil (just a little bit).
I used to work out 3 times a day, now I work out every single day 30-40 min. The more you sweat, the more effective is your work out.
I consume Vitamin B complex, Omega 3-Fish Oil and fiber which is very good to keep your cholesterol level right.
Summarizing, my total cholesterol level now is normal, my LDL lowered to a normal level, and I am in a better shape and health! , I have the energy I always wanted after having kids, and the best I don't have to take that nasty medication ever!!! (I keep always checking it).
It is hard to stick to a diet almost vegetarian, but it is the best and the only one that works w/o medication. This doesn't mean you cannot indulge yourself once in a while, but only when you reach your normal cholesterol levels and very sparingly. I do have genetic issues with this as well, my sisters and my dad had the same problem, but still I made it.
My former doctor told me that it was impossible to keep good cholesterol levels without medication (lol) and that statins were "perfectly safe" (lol). After a few months I made a copy of my new cholesterol numbers, and I sent them to him together with my "diet". Nice ah! I have a new doctor now and she is very pleased with my approach.
Make sure you look at the breakdown of your cholesterol results. Is your LDL high? I only ask because my "high" cholesterol comes from an obscenely high HDL--I thank my dad for that!:)
You could bump up the level of garlic in your diet for a start. You could take a vitamin supplement that contains niacin.
I would start a "statin" drug only if it is your last resort. While effective, they also have side effects as Ale R. saw firsthand.
Sorry your levels were high. Genetics definitely plays a role.
treadmill and better diet. I am 53 with high cholesterol and meds causes other medical issues...
