Cholesterol of 220 ???

pattyT

DIS Veteran
Joined
May 29, 2002
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4,658
:confused3
borderline - we'll check it next year was all they said from the Dr's office

I am 33 6' tall, and 162# - I know I do not get enough exercise in the winter for sure...

should I be doing something else...

or course every site I google on it just links me to drugs available for it :rolleyes:
 
Keep an eye on it. In 1 year I went from 203 to 287!!!!! I could stand to shed a few pounds but definately not what you would call overweight. Just "vanity pounds"!!! Unfortunately, I inherited it from my mom. Thanks mom. JK!!! And my diet is very healthy. Lean meat, veggies, and some fruits. Doc put me on Crestor. It brought my cholesterol down to 157 within 2 months. Works like to charm, at least for me. Maybe if you exercise and closely monitor your diet you can lower it without any drugs. Good luck!!!
 
I'm getting a physical today, my first full physical since I was in the Navy 12 years ago, and I'm a little worried about my cholesterol. I went through a period where I ate fast food a lot, and because of this I'm worried. But according to my mom high cholesterol doesn't run in the family...so who knows.
 
I don't know. I have just been to my doctor who has told me that they know now that "it's all genetic."

I had my cholesterol done about 3 years ago (when I was 39) and it was 160. On top of that, my ratio of LDL/HDL was fabulous. Ratio is important and you should find that out. It is probably more important than your overall number.

Anyway, my doctor told me that at this point in my life (age 42), it's pretty safe to assume that cholesterol is not going to be something I need to worry about since it is genetic. They used to believe it was all diet and exercise--and that does help somewhat. But not as much as they used to think.
 

Wow, I'm surprised that they are calling it "borderline". My doc wasn't happy with my 197. Good luck getting it down.
 
Mine was 230 and I got it down to 202 by eating oatmeal for breakfast and a low fat soup for lunch most days. So-- eat oatmeal!
 
Try oatmeal every day. No kidding. It can bring your cholesterole down some. And try some flax seed too. Get the seed fresh and grind yourself and sprinkle on your oatmeal.
Good luck. Your cholesterole is about what mine is. I am working on bringing mine down too.
 
I'm right in that same area. The doctor told me OATMEAL and not the ready made packets. He said to either cook it or use the 1 minutes stuff. I really am starting to like it (lots of fruit and brown sugar) and have it for lunch every other day. If I have it every day (and this is probably TMI), I'm in the bathroom more than I'm out. :stir:

Here's a good site with lots of info:

WebMD

I need to cut back on ice cream :( but I have started to exercise nearly everyday when my back will allow it. I also need to drop about 20 pounds which isn't easy with my back problems and a thyroid condition. Eh, everyday is a new one so we just keep trying.
 
ewe REAL oatmeal huh - yuck

Maybe this is another reason I should find those stripper dancing video tapes someone was talking about!

I do happen to have Flax seed though!
probably start using it huh

thanks for your responses and links guys!
Even though they didn't say to do anything about it - I am going to go proactive based on your responses..

better start some good habits now right ;)
 
You know the drug companies that make cholesterol lowering drugs convinced the government to lower what is considered high cholesterol from 250 to 200 a few years ago. They've made BILLIONS off of it.
 
I finally got my cholesterol down to a good level and the good and the bad and the (triglycerides) ugly are in the right area too.......The doctor uppted my zocor and said it is 80 percent genetics and 20 diet......so oh well.....keep the cholesterol and your bp under control and you may avoid Diabetes......
 
Disneyrsh said:
You know the drug companies that make cholesterol lowering drugs convinced the government to lower what is considered high cholesterol from 250 to 200 a few years ago. They've made BILLIONS off of it.


OT (hijacking my own thread) BUT -

DO you take a 'quata to wash ya ca in wocesta' :smokin:
 
I'm in my 40's and mine was high (260's) and with diet and moderate exercise, I have brought it down to the 190's range. I personally hate exercising, but I try to do some several times a week. Here's what I did. Be prepared - this is not a diet but rather a committment to a lifestyle change. Yes, it runs in my family, but I'm fighting it rather than getting on medication. I think that medication can have so many negative side-effects. I did this with the guidance of my doctor.

1. Go to the American Heart Association website. It has lots of info.
2. Exercise - something every day. Just a walk is better than nothing at all.
3. Ate oatmeal or cheerios for breakfast. Its the dietary fiber in these foods that you need. The dietary fiber will help flush the cholesterol out of your system.
4. Ate granola bars with high dietary fiber for snacks. I love the Kashi brand.
5. Stopped or limited use of white flour products - whole grains are better for you. Whole grain wheat pasta instead of white pastas (the kids don't even notice) Also, Sara Lee Heart Healthy Honey whole grain bread is delicious!
6. Flax oil and fish oil supplements - every day.
7. Odorless garlic supplements (although some think this doesn't help on a long-term basis).
8. Watched all my fat intake (saturated fat AND trans fat) like a hawk. Lean meats only. We try to go meatless at least once a week.
9. Increased eating meals with dark leafy salads
10. Use Benecol spreads and Benecol chews
11. Used Yoplait Heart Healthy Yogurt - although my stores no longer carry it!
12. Look for brands that have the AMA Heart on them (cherrios, Tropicana Heart Healthy orange juice). There are ingredients in these items (like the Benecol) that will help reduce your cholesterol.
13. Increased our Omega-3's - salmon, enriched eggs, etc. (Although now they warn of certain salmon/mercury risk - go figure).
14. Increased fruits and veggies. You'd be surprised how much dietary fiber is in certain fruits and veggies.

Now I'm researching Red Yeast Rice supplements. I heard they're effective in dropping cholesterol - although you shouldn't take them in conjunction with other statins. Anyone have any info on this supplement?

Remember its a life-style change. Yes, we still treat ourselves, but not ALL the time, if you know what I mean.
Good Luck!
 
It seems like the people I know with high cholesterol are the most "fit" people I know. It is so genetic. My BIL is a perfect example, he is thin, works out, runs, very active and had some enormously high cholesterol number like 400 or something really bad. I, on the otherhand, could stand to lose a pound or 20, occasionally take a walk, I eat pretty well, but other then that I should have a huge number, nope 130 here. I used to be much more active and in better shape and then my thyroid went and I got lazy.

My MIL was put on something for her cholesterol and it made her feel just horrible. If you can get it down without drugs, that would be good. Good luck!
 
I've been doing exactly what mickeysgal posted... excellent list! I consider myself fit and healthy, but my family has a history of heart disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol. My mom has been taking Lipitor for years. I figure I will take better care of myself rather than spending $6X.XX for a month supply of Lipitor from Sams' Club.

As for red yeast rice it looks like my favorite health products and supplements site (www.vitacost.com) states positive findings based on research:

Clinical studies have shown that red yeast rice, an all-natural by-product of a Chinese delicacy, may provide therapeutic benefits for optimal cholesterol health. This compound contains a variety of ingredients, such as fiber, rice starch and fatty acids, as well as the active constituents monacolin and mevinolin, which may reduce harmful levels of both cholesterol and triglycerides, while also raising levels of “good” cholesterol. NSI® Red Yeast Rice supplies these benefits in one convenient daily capsule.

Red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus) has been used by Chinese cultures as both a food and medicine for thousands of years, and was long praised for its benefits for circulation, digestion, and abdominal pain. Red yeast rice is the by-product formed when cooked non-glutinous (less likely to have the grains stick together) rice is covered by a growth of red yeast, and then undergoes the process of fermentation.

While a majority of the body’s cholesterol is produced in the liver, red yeast rice has been shown to effectively restrict the livers’ production. However, this herbal compound also contains a variety of ingredients and active constituents that have been shown in studies to impart healthful cholesterol benefits. One active constituent, monacolin K, may effectively stop a key liver enzyme from producing cholesterol. A study published in 1997 in the journal Current Therapeutic Research found that men and women taking 13.5 mg total monacolins (about 1.2 grams) of concentrated red yeast rice daily for two months showed significant decreases in serum (blood) cholesterol levels. A UCLA School of Medicine clinical trial found that supplementation of about 10 mg total monacolins (2.4 grams) daily of red yeast rice for 12 weeks significantly decreased total and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels, as well as triglycerides in a sample of people with elevated cholesterol.

Another cholesterol-boosting ingredient in red yeast rice, the compound known as mevinolin, has also been shown to offer antioxidant properties. In addition, the cholesterol benefits of red yeast rice may be due to its large amounts of such ingredients as fiber, rice starch, sterols, and fatty acids, all of which have been shown to decrease harmful levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, while also raising levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

Red Yeast Rice may lower Coenzyme Q10 levels similar to statin cholesterol lowering drugs and it is recommended that you consume at least 100 mg per day of CoQ10 supplements that may provide other cardiovascular benefits as well
Yet there are warnings:
Do not take Red Yeast Rice if pregnant, lactating, trying to conceive, at risk or if you have a liver disorder, or if using any medication. Reduction of cholesterol during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Diabetics, hypoglycemics, and people with known medical conditions and/or taking drugs should consult with a licensed physician and or pharmacist prior to taking dietary supplements.

Here's to good health! :wizard:
 
golfgal said:
My MIL was put on something for her cholesterol and it made her feel just horrible. If you can get it down without drugs, that would be good. Good luck!

The problem that I also see with cholesterol lowering drugs is that it doesn't force you to change your lifestyle. You can't take a pill and keep eating the fast-food. Its not the fix-all solution, yet many approach it as such. My brother has sky-high cholesterol and has been taking Lipitor. Yet he hasn't made the adjustments in his food intake to help it along. His cholesterol is still high. Now, he's realized that he has to adjust his fat intake. You have to commit to having a healthier lifestyle. Period. I'm trying hard to do it in baby steps rather than adopt a radical unrealistic restrictive diet that is doomed to fail.
 
Mine was 232, but the test was done 2 days after Thanksgiving. BIG mistake. Previously it was 185. No one in my family gains weight (good genes), but we all have high chol. (bad genes). My sister was 110 lbs and an AEROBICS INSTRUCTOR and her chol was over 300 at age 29.
 
luvwinnie said:
Mine was 232, but the test was done 2 days after Thanksgiving. BIG mistake. Previously it was 185. .

This is what happened to us only it was just after a WDW vacation. Oh boy we were eating good...lobster bisque, desserts, Ghiradelli ice cream. Now we still enjoy our favorites at WDW, its just the times in between we are very careful with the type of foods that we eat.
 


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