There was one time in my life when my cholesterol level was slightly high maybe 20 years ago. They have been great ever since. About 10 years ago we did a low carb diet, I lost 47 pounds back then and my levels were all perfect. It is a know fact that a low carb lifestyle can lower your cholesterol levels.
I started my low carb lifestyle mid January 2012. Had blood work done in January and everything was perfect. Went in this year, January 2013 after losing 40 pounds and my levels were both high. Doctor totally understood that most likely they are high because of the weight loss, it can change your levels while you are losing weight.
So I was put on a cholesterol lowing medication for 3 months with a recheck in April. They also recommend you go in for your blood work when you on a plateau because the readings are better at that time. Well that didn't happen to me. I was on a plateau and they are still high so he is changing the medication. I will be rechecked in 3 months again. I was so broken and lost when they called me. I have been so good and even made sure I watched my intake of cholesterol each day. So that along with the medication changed nothing!
"The American Heart Association recommends healthy individuals consume less than 300 mg of cholesterol each day. A person with heart disease should eat a low-cholesterol diet and aim at 200 mg of cholesterol daily"
So now what do I do? Of course I have done my research and now I have to add things to my diet that lower cholesterol which are not low carb so I guess I will have to start watching my calorie intake a lot closer. However many of the items I already eat that are low carb are on the list. The main difference would be oatmeal and some of the higher carb fruits I've stayed away from. I have also been doing basically no/low sugar since January 2012 but that hasn't helped either :(
Of course exercise is the best way to lower your readings and with my COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), along with an ankle issue, I have not been doing much of that so I must start a program. I do have a Jane Fonda Walk video that I think I will be able to do. So now I have to really push myself.
What has me really bummed out is that I am on so many drugs now and some of the interactions between them have some possibly scary side effects. I trust my doctor, we have been with him for 20 years and he has always been dead on right every time!
What has me really bummed out is that I am on so many drugs now and some of the interactions between them have some possibly scary side effects. I trust my doctor, we have been with him for 20 years and he has always been dead on right every time!
They also recommend that a quick way to get your levels down is to go on a Vegan diet. So I will try to work with that also when it comes to some dairy products. I only use unsweetened Almond Milk as it is and that is only a few times a week. I don't believe it has anything to do with meat because we basically only eat meat once a week at the most and that is either chicken or pork! Like I said I am very lost right now.....
Wish me luck and keep me in your prayers......
p.s. If anyone is on Lovastatin 40mg let me know.
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28 comments:
I thin oatmeal, especially the kind you actually cook rather than the sweetened packets, is one of the best cholesterol lowering things out there. In my opinion, where the low carb diet goes wrong is outlawing healthy whole grans and fruits. But still, losing weight is good for you even if it hasn't changed your cholesterol, because you've lost some of the dangerous visceral fat. That's something to feel good about.
Prayers on their way. Im praying that they find the right balance of mess for you.
Blessings, Joanne
I'm not a doctor but... I had super high cholesterol too and what dropped it to normal ranges was exercise daily and limiting my caloric intake to something that fit my "healthy" weight (not the current weight), which for me was 1700cal/day. On top of that, my diet was balanced (no low carb, etc) just normal food in smaller portions. A plant based diet can help as well, but make sure you are taking a good multivitamin and, if you are eating grapefruit, make sure it doesnt mess with your medications. I didnt use meds, so didnt have that issue, but just a thought.
I first heard about this stuff from Patrice at Everyday Ruralty and we now use it all the time. It's called diatomaceous earth. I get ours here: http://www.earthworkshealth.com/
The husband gave some to a buddy at work and in about a month, he came off his cholesterol meds. I don't know if it will help you for sure but it might be worth researching.
Meanwhile, I will most definitely put you on my prayer list!
I do wish you luck. this is so difficult when you have lost the weight and still have a problem. i will share one thing my doc said to us, that cholesterol levels can be different for different people. exercise is the answer to every thing for sure.
I totally understand how concerned you must be because they scared me with my BP numbers last year and that's what caused me to lose weight finally. I hope you figure this out in a way that doesn't totally take away your spirit.
Hugs and prayers!
Real oatmeal, def. not the packets. Mine was up a little this time too, but not enough to be offered the statin meds... I just don't know how I feel about those meds. The side effects are scary. My MIL's cholesterol was out the roof many years ago...she took the meds, and started cooking without any fat in her foods... walking daily and hers are normal again. I wish you well!
I'm so sorry you feel so lost. It sounds like you've been working really hard to watch what you eat and have made a dietary lifestyle change.
I know you're on a low carb diet, but have you tried to get rid of refined carbs? I no longer eat quick anything: rice, oats, etc. In fact, I eat steel cut oats every morning because I can pre-make them on the weekend with bananas and almond milk.
Maybe adding some walking in a few times a week will help.
Keep your head up and know that you are trying and you are doing what you can to better your health and your numbers. Sometimes, that's all we can do!
Good luck! i wiah you well my doctor has told mme to go on cholesterol meds again. I wouldn't take them before but I may have to this time.
Good luck with the meds and diet and all. Hope you feel better soon.
I'm sorry you're struggling with this.
Vegan diets do lower cholesterol really quickly. I was vegan 10 years ago, but I had to quit after 3 years because I got a bad B-12 deficiency and had to see a neurologist for a year to get back on track. So everything has its disadvantages. That said - you could check out some of Dr. McDougall's books if you're interested - he has a lot of positive research about vegan diets bringing good physical changes. And his recipe for sloppy lennies (disorderly lentils) is delicious!
Oh sweetie I am sorry you are having a hard time right now. I do hope you find something that works for you! Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs
This is such a struggle, Debby. I know that my neighbor did the lo-carb diet for six months, lost 30 lbs, but her cholesterol levels rose and she was so discouraged too. I like all the ideas about the steel-cut oatmeal. I used to eat that every morning when I was going to the gym. I would put the oats and a little extra water in an oven proof container in the oven at night. Set the timer for early in the morning and the temp about 275. It would cook a couple of hours and be perfect by the time I got up. Stevia, fruit and milk made it even more delish.
Don't give up Debby, you will find a solution. Maybe when you change things up a bit it might give your body the kick it needs.
Ann
Debby I am sorry that you feel lost. And I don't know what your numbers are. I agree with exercise. I also eat Scottish oatmeal which is even thicker than the steel cut oats and I think it tastes great. Some of it is heredity too and if it is just a little high - try another or different medicine. Hugs, sandie
That totally stinks. I'm so sorry. My hubby has genetic high cholesterol so he struggles with it too. I cook very healthy with unprocessed foods, whole grains and tons of fruits and veggies. But...he still has to take medication...
Hugs,
Trisha
Just saw my doc Debby. My cholesterol went down 25 points since I started using an over the counter No Flush Niacin tablet every day. Even so my triglycerides are up and teh doc said to double my intake of Fish Oil for that.
Wish you well and pray that things get better.
Hope you get it all figured out. I have no advise for you as I need to get mine under control too.
How crazy that you even track you cholesterol intake. I don't know much about low-carb diets as I could never stick to it. Hope you get this figured out!! Do you use olive oil when you cook? I've also read that pinto beans can help and they are lower in carbs than foods such as oatmeal. Get eating fruits. I know they are high in carbs, but they are good for you!
I'm so sorry to hear this; that's so discouraging! Sounds like previous commenters have given you some hope. Good luck, my friend, and congrats on all your success so far! :)
It is so confusing Debbie, to know what's the right thing to do. Doing one thing right seems to ruin something else...I hope you get it sorted and congrats on your weight loss...that is something to be proud of!
First congratulations on the weight loss Debby...I have been on cholesterol lowering drugs for a couple of years now. I understand...praying for you my friend.
Oh Debby! You are in my prayers. I can only imagine how scary, frustrating and depressing that news must have been. I hope that you can focus on what you HAVE done! Losing that much weight is AMAZING and that dedication shows you have the will-power to do what you put your mind to. Please know you're in my prayers and I do hope you keep us updated! (((hugs)))
L
I know it is frustrating when you think you are doing well and...boom!...you find out you are falling apart!! Glad you have a doctor you can trust...that means a lot.
I wish you well and I'm on the search for natural remedies to lower my cholesterol levels. I adore my doctor but he believes in pills and lots of them. I'd rather try natural remedies first.
I've been praying for u and I'll keep doing it. I'm so sorry you're having problems. This low carb is so hard I don't think I could go to vegan.
Hugs!!!!
Praying for you! It's not easy to know what to do. They told my mom her cholesterol was high, but she refused medication and decided to control it by diet. They didn't comment on it the last time she went in. It's hard to know what the right answer is.
Many prayers for you my friend!!!
It's been awhile since I've been on and caught up with you.
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i've been on cholesterol meds for years. my family genetics are terrible. i did the low-carb/high-protein diet, lost a lot of weight, but couldn't maintain it nor get my chol. levels right. doc had to increase my meds, too. the only thing that honestly helps me do better on my own is exercise, but i understand why you are limited as to what you can do. but kudos to you for the weight you've kept off and the healthy eating!
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