High Cholesterol Questions

[daisax]

Grapefruit does interact/negate the effects of multiple drugs, so always ask!

The science is pretty clear that statins are life savers. Sadly, some people can't tolerate them and more research is being done on alternatives all the time. If you can tolerate them, they're generally a good idea if there's any indication at all.

You might also look into testing for c-reactive protein. If you test highly for that statins decrease heart attacks/strokes by something like a third, even if your other risk factors seem manageable otherwise. It's a pretty radical new biomarker for people at risk of heart attack and stroke despite lack of other indicators.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I know for many diabetics, decreasing blood sugar (normally through low carb) decreases cholesterol. The kicker is that most do this while low carbin which means they are eating higher amounts of protein which contain animal fat. In fact, a study that was just released found that diets rich in lean proteins can lower cholsterol.

My cholesterol is a little high which I attribute to high blood sugars from being a recently diagnosed diabetic and genetics (my father had the same problem when he was my age.) Following my father's example I have started exercising more and decreasing my saturate fats. After he was first diagnosed he started eating fish, rice, and broccoli every week night and running every night. Worked like a charm. He controlled for over 20 years with no medicine.

My doc told me to add fiber (oatmeal is great for this). I'm taking a fiber supplement for that and for stomach issues. You also want to get healthy fats. This can come from fish, nuts, healthy oils, etc. I've added Fish Oil to my regimen. Exercise is great. Make sure if you eat meat that you go for lean cuts.

 

[poohangel]

My doctor also said fish oil pills would help with this. My total cholesterol was 187. I was on Vytorin but I quit taking that a few weeks ago because my dad just found out he has liver cancer and he has been taking vytorin for awhile. May not have anything to do with the vytorin but scary to think about.

 

[John VN]

My doctor also said fish oil pills would help with this. My total cholesterol was 187. I was on Vytorin but I quit taking that a few weeks ago because my dad just found out he has liver cancer and he has been taking vytorin for awhile. May not have anything to do with the vytorin but scary to think about.

DW was on Vytorin and 5,000mg of fish oil/day. Our DR. took away the Vytorin and has DW take 2-1200mg pills of Cholestene (RED YEAST RICE)/day along with the 5,000mg of fish oil/day and her cholesterol test went from 220+ to 186.

I do all the cooking and we eat turkey, chicken, fish, veggies, whole grains, nuts, fruits.....and exercise.

 

[poohangel]

John VN, where can you find cholestene? Can you get it at walmart?

 

[John VN]

John VN, where can you find cholestene? Can you get it at walmart?

http://takeherb.com

DW got it from DR. so never checked at WM

 

[npmommie]

OP its important to know the breakdown of all the numbers, they are the most important thing, and depending on those numbers how it should be treated.
there are some things you can do such as limiting animal products, increase fruits and veg, increase soluble fiber, this is what is in oats that helps, but is is also in bean, peas, flax seed, oranges, carrots, apples. adding a fish oil supplement, and another such as flax oil can help too.
you can also get flax into the diet by adding the ground flaxseeds to sauces, baked goods, etc.
get the white stuff out of the diet, white bread, sugar, pastries, etc, and the trans fats, those are just as bad if not worse than saturated fat.
to lower LDL, decrease animal fat, increase monounsaturated fat, like olive oil, peanut oil, add nuts and seeds to your diet along with lots of fruits and veg.
to get HDL higher ( this is the good one) flax and fish oil supps help as does exercise. and switching to mono unsaturated fats such as olive oil
to lower triglycerides, get the white stuff out, and the alcohol too

there are some great books out there about the standard american diet and how thru eating nutritionaly dense foods we can reverse disease and help to prevent, one good one is Dr. Joel Furhmans books, such as Eat To Live and Eat for Health.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Your body can make cholesterol out of any saturated fat....so limiting lean protien because it is an animal product is counter productive.
You have some great advice about oatmeal etc to bring down the LDls, but also exercise and monos to bring up your HDls. Try snacking on walnuts, avacados,dark chocolate instead of bakedgoods.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

At nearly 41 years old I recently had my cholesterol checked for the first time as part of a life insurance physical. The results made me 100% sure that, at least for me, genetics play a HUGE role.

I drink exclusively Diet Coke..... Eat McDonald's and other fast food regularly... love breads, meats, sweets, etc. And NEVER and I mean NEVER eat fish of any kind. I do walk two miles nearly every day.... sometimes more.

My cholesterol was 154.

Yea, I was a little surprised. I fully expected to get the "change your diet now" ultimatum. I feel for those of you that are trying to lower your number - the thought of making such sweeping changes stressed me out until I got my results.

Good luck to all and I hope you succeed!!

 

[npmommie]

Your body can make cholesterol out of any saturated fat....so limiting lean protien because it is an animal product is counter productive.

There are numerous studies that show a plant based diet results in lower cholesterol. It is never counter productive to limit animal products.

http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/110/12/2467

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-full-story/index.html

 

[Tigger&Belle]

CJ Mickey Mouse, my cholesterol was low when I was your age. Hopefully your good fortune will continue, but that might not be the case.

 

[ols386]

I love Grapfruits and loved them and oatmeal for a no brainer healthy diet.
But one of my meds states No Grapefruit....
I even have cans of sections in the pantry I would put splenda on....
Di

I take cholestoral medication, and mine also says to not eat grapefruit. Do you happen to know why???

 

[daisax]

What happens is that the same enzyme in the liver that breaks down the medication is needed to break down the grapefuit. And the poor liver can only do so much, so if it's busy working on grapefruit, the medication builds up in the body and leads to serious trouble.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I know the meds say no grapefruit, but does anyone know if a little bit is ok? I love the grapefruit cups and it's something I like to bring to my classes...good snack and not too unhealthy (except for the med interaction).

I go back for my cholesterol recheck soon. When I get that result I'll talk to my dr about the grapefruit. In the mean time....

 

[disneymarie]

I read this at one time because I was eating the Valcia oranges at that time, and limes.

http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/59/10342/grapefruit-juice
That wonderful, thick skinned, tangy yet sweet fruit that is also known as the forbidden fruit of Barbados and grows in clusters like grapes is well known for its interactions with multiple medications. Grapefruit contains certain chemical compounds called polyphenolics that inhibit the metabolism or break down of some medications, statins being one of the most notorious. Statins are highly effective and one of the most commonly prescribed cholesterol lowering medicines. This class of medication inhibits a liver enzyme and can lower LDL by ~50% and raise HDL. Drugs in the statin class include lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, and rosuvastatin. Although generally safe, statins have the potential to cause serious side effects such as muscle injury and liver damage.

Enzymes called cytochromes metabolize many drugs such as statins. Most of these enzymes are concentrated in the liver, but some of them are found else where in the body such as in the gut. One cytochrome in particular called CYP3A4 is quite predominant in the small intestine and significantly participates in the breakdown of statins. Grapefruit can inhibit the activity of this intestinal cytochrome thereby increasing the level of statins in the blood stream. More drug can therefore lead to a higher risk of side effects. As little as 8 oz. of grapefruit juice can have a significant effect on drug levels. And, the effect of eating a single serving of grapefruit may last as long as 24 hours.

Fortunately, all is not lost for my mother-in-law. Mangos, oranges, and orange juice do not effect statin levels. Although other citrus fruits such as limes and Seville oranges (sour oranges) do contain some similar chemical compounds to grapefruits, there have been no significant reports of them leading to harm with statins. Also, not all statins are subject to the effects of grapefruit. Pravastatin undergoes little breakdown by the intestinal cytochrome and is safe to take with grapefruit juice. Whether these alternatives will be satisfactory to my mother-in-law waits to be seen. But it saddens me to see two kindred spirits separated by one cholesterol medicine.

 

[jlima]

I know the meds say no grapefruit, but does anyone know if a little bit is ok? I love the grapefruit cups and it's something I like to bring to my classes...good snack and not too unhealthy (except for the med interaction).

I go back for my cholesterol recheck soon. When I get that result I'll talk to my dr about the grapefruit. In the mean time....

No, a little bit is not OK. No grapefruit means no grapefruit for the entire time you are taking that medication, ever.

I have high triglycerides; found out when my OBGYN left town and I started with a new doctor. Triglycerides were about 435 and cholesterol was 201. Tried lowfat diet for 1 month; triglycerides went down to about 300 but cholesterol went up to over 250. If you are genetically pre-disposed to have high numbers, your body will find a way. My doctor put me on tricor + the lowfat diet; and a month later added vytorin. Last check, my triglycerides were about 185 and cholesterol was 191.

I always try to skip beef; and avoid mayonaise and most salad dressings. I read labels all the time and buy lowfat and lite products all the time. DH & I went to dinner last night; he had prime rib and I had dover sole stuffed with crabmeat. You have to make food decisions like this all the time; it becomes a way of life.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

No, a little bit is not OK. No grapefruit means no grapefruit for the entire time you are taking that medication, ever.

Well fuuudge! Guess I'll need to figure out something else I like as well. Thanks for the info....interesting reading.