Cholesterol ?

[Lumpy]

Getting old SUX! I'll be 55 this year and the Doc's got me on a light dose of meds for it but apparently I need another med
So whatchya all do for high cholesterol? Meds? Diet? I'd like to med free if possible.

 

[BoatCop]

Cut back on red meat, greasy/fatty food
Eat more fruit, vegetables
Keep weight where it should be
Exercise more (walks, aerobic stuff)

Not just for cholesterol numbers, but overall heart health. My cholesterol readings were always within normal range. Then I had a HA @ age 59 (8 years ago). Right coronary artery 100% blocked. Left around 50%. Now I'm on meds to lower and maintain cholesterol levels.

Watch it closely. You don't want to go through what I did.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Fish oil pills are recommended to help with cholesterol numbers.

But the basics of diet (focus on Mediterranean with olive oils, fruits, nuts and vegetables and some healthy meat choices), and exercise are going to almost do everything you need.

Meds are either for issues that diet and exercise can’t solve or need extra help to solve.

Different meds for different cholesterol issues (triglycerides or HDL cholesterol or LDL cholesterol).

 

[Angler]

Getting old SUX! I'll be 55 this year and the Doc's got me on a light dose of meds for it but apparently I need another med
So whatchya all do for high cholesterol? Meds? Diet? I'd like to med free if possible.

I had to start on cholesterol meds at 45, runs in my family. Was over 340 now right at 200.
My Brother refused to get blood work done, had a heart attack at 57, had to get a stint installed.

 

[cofooter]

Diet, eat mostly vegetables and cut down on meat, fried stuff, bread, etc (all the good tasting stuff) and your good cholesterol will offset the bad!

 

[DC-88]

My doc is big on a high "Good" Cholesterol # being more important than a high bad one. Also, he made me get the heart scan (ct type) and artery which were a piece of cake and came back at zero . I've taken fish oil for years and lots of exercise but it's all a crap shoot with stress, genetics, shit happens etc.

 

[wishiknew]

Getting old SUX! I'll be 55 this year and the Doc's got me on a light dose of meds for it but apparently I need another med
So whatchya all do for high cholesterol? Meds? Diet? I'd like to med free if possible.

What meds did he give you?

 

[Havasu blue label]

Fish oil and eight greens pills

 

[Mikes56]

You won’t be able to lower your overall cholesterol number by dieting, exercising, etc. I’m thin, exercise a lot, an avid cyclist, and I’m at the gym two days a week. My wife cooks healthy meals, and I rarely drink alcohol.

If you have high cholesterol, the only thing that will lower it is meds. I’m on Rovastatin. I was at 260 and now 130. I’m 60 years old and when I was at 260 my Dr. said I’m prime to have a heart attack within 10 years. I started taking some kind of other statin which made me feel like crap. The Rovastatin doesn’t make me feel like that.

 

[wishiknew]

You won’t be able to lower your overall cholesterol number by dieting, exercising, etc. I’m thin, exercise a lot, an avid cyclist, and I’m at the gym two days a week. My wife cooks healthy meals, and I rarely drink alcohol.

If you have high cholesterol, the only thing that will lower it is meds. I’m on Rovastatin. I was at 260 and now 130. I’m 60 years old and when I was at 260 my Dr. said I’m prime to have a heart attack within 10 years. I started taking some kind of other statin which made me feel like crap. The Rovastatin doesn’t make me feel like that.

Was it arvastatin ?

 

[Mikes56]

Was it arvastatin ?

Not sure of the name, but they were tiny red round pills.

 

[Angler]

Was it arvastatin ?

That's what I take. I have no side effects with it.

 

[Riverbottom]

I can't tolerate statin drugs. Doctor has had me on Lovaza (synthetic fish oil), 1000mg of Niacin and 145mg of Fenofibrate (for triglycerides). Been on these for at least fifteen years and keeps things under control. Like everyone says diet and exercise is the key. Alcohol will jack my triglycerides up from 100 to 400 plus with just a few drinks. Drinking is just not an option for me.

 

[rivermobster]

Exercise and diet worked for me...

I walk three to five miles a day and eat way healthier than I did before. Numbers are normal now.

Fuck taking pills!!!

 

[BingerFang]

Med free= Stop drinking, start exercising and cut out bread, chips, cookies all the junk food. If you have to question it, don’t eat it. You’ll be off them in no time if you follow the above. I had my 60 year old dad get on the same program and he’s off meds now. From 210 to 185.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

Start eating Oatmeal.. No heavy dairy products, red meat, pork and processed meats like sausage.

 

[SoCalDave]

I was impressed with @wash11 go at getting fit and off meds.

 

[wishiknew]

Not sure of the name, but they were tiny red round pills.

That’s them

 

[wishiknew]

That’s them

20+years in

 

[jet496]

Fish oil lowers mine big time. I get the Krill Oil pills from Costco that are smaller than the average, beastly fish oil pills.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

If you do a statin, combine it with a CoQ10 pill. It’s supposed to help.

 

[Yoshiro]

The combination of red yeast rice and beta sitosterol kept me from having to go on meds. Of course I watch my diet and exercise regularly also.

 

[SassyRN]

Red Rice Yeast and Niacin, decrease red meat.

 

[CigAjerk]

Red Rice Yeast and Niacin, decrease red meat.

This.

Worked for me in less than 6 months back to normal.

 

[Mike K]

Ok this is weird.
Ive been doing the Keto diet for about 2 years.
Lost 35 lbs. eating everything one would think would sky rocket your cholesterol numbers .
Nope … went from 289 down to about 190.
Makes no sense but it’s true and it’s factual that it is supposed to happen.

 

[Lumpy]

Thanks for all the advise everyone...taking notes and going shopping!

You won’t be able to lower your overall cholesterol number by dieting, exercising, etc. I’m thin, exercise a lot, an avid cyclist, and I’m at the gym two days a week. My wife cooks healthy meals, and I rarely drink alcohol.

If you have high cholesterol, the only thing that will lower it is meds. I’m on Rovastatin. I was at 260 and now 130. I’m 60 years old and when I was at 260 my Dr. said I’m prime to have a heart attack within 10 years. I started taking some kind of other statin which made me feel like crap. The Rovastatin doesn’t make me feel like that.

That's what they got me on right now...it did lower my count but not enough so they gave me another script to dovetail the Rovastatin...apparently one won't work without the other. My Plan at this point is to do what the Doc says to get it under control all the wile changing my program.

 

[wash11]

You won’t be able to lower your overall cholesterol number by dieting, exercising, etc. I’m thin, exercise a lot, an avid cyclist, and I’m at the gym two days a week. My wife cooks healthy meals, and I rarely drink alcohol.

If you have high cholesterol, the only thing that will lower it is meds. I’m on Rovastatin. I was at 260 and now 130. I’m 60 years old and when I was at 260 my Dr. said I’m prime to have a heart attack within 10 years. I started taking some kind of other statin which made me feel like crap. The Rovastatin doesn’t make me feel like that.

My experience was the exact opposite of what you are saying. Very true that some people are predisposed for high cholesterol and only meds can control but they are not in the majority.

 

[Mr. C]

That's what I take. I have no side effects with it.

Same here.

 

[Lucky Larry]

Larry had high cholesterol years ago {genetics mainly but all the rib eyes didn’t help} didn’t want meds. Dr. didn’t explain about plaque build up clogging the arteries.

Years later down in Parker, not feeling well. Tight jaw, left arm heavy, sweating after a shower when it wasn’t hot.

Long story short, Parker not the place to be for health issues. Short of a heart attack but sent to Havasu for a stent. Statin ever since.

Atorvastatin for years was fine but they just switched him to Rosuvastatin last year or two. Seems pain and muscle fatigue is worse. Either going to switch back or quit meds altogether.

Cut down on red meat, 3/4’s of your plate veggies. All colors. Greens, carrots, cauliflower. Fish or fish oil/krill pills. Cinnamon & other foods (oatmeal, nuts, avocado) supposed to lower naturally.

“Mrs.”

 

[wash11]

I've been super open about my 10 year journey towards better health. Here's the skinny:
Started at 261lbs, 560 cholesterol, 6.4 A1C fasting glucose at 160, blood pressure 185/90- I was 38 years old.

I'll spare the redundant details regarding every diet known to man along with 9 medications to manage my problems. Juicing, vegan, south beach, Mediterranean, cleanses, fasting. Statins, BP meds, Cialis, allergy meds, anti inflammatory, pain meds.

Fast forward to what has worked for years:
Keto/dirty keto (I need carbs at my activity level but they come from fruits, veggies and brown rice). 5 strength training workouts weekly with minimal cardio. (I don't hate cardio, I just don't have time for it and have seen better results from heavier weights.)

I hold 200lbs easily, cholesterol is 185 to 190 with no statins for years. A1C is 5.4 and fasting glucose is 75, blood pressure is 128/65- I'll be 50 years old in two weeks.

The only processed meat I eat is bacon.
Stop with the grocery store meats. If you knew what the feedlots have in their feed rations- you'd understand why most of those animals would be considered diabetic by human standards. Here's a hint- Hostess and Little Debbie sell what's known as "cake" in 2000lb totes to feedlots. It's the byproduct from making cupcakes and other junk- a very inexpensive way to add carbs/fat to cattle and hogs headed for the grocery store.

I also eat 5 pasture raised eggs every morning, 4 of those are whites with one yolk with a 1/3lb ground beef patty. I'm basically a cardiologists nightmare on paper yet my numbers prove that I have found what works for me. There's just a big difference in the quality of the food you consume. Raised correctly, the animal fats aren't toxic.

In 2022, the kids moved home and we helped the daughter through a divorce. This had me stress eating, with less time for workouts since a toddler terrorist took over my life. I also added in pastas and things I hadn't eaten in years to help with mealtime variety for the "extra" people at the table.

The quality of my meat did not change but just adding in the carbs and pulling back on workouts:
Up to 215lbs, cholesterol jumped to 210, A1C to a 5.7 BP to 135/70.

The kids left in January and I'm almost back to where I started health wise. That was a neat little exercise as to what happens when you introduce more carbs and reduce activity.

I geek out on this stuff, love the numbers side of it. But I love knowing regular guys and gals can fix this stuff without meds.

 

[ramos45]

Ok this is weird.
Ive been doing the Keto diet for about 2 years.
Lost 35 lbs. eating everything one would think would sky rocket your cholesterol numbers .
Nope … went from 289 down to about 190.
Makes no sense but it’s true and it’s factual that it is supposed to happen.

This makes perfect sense, plenty of independent data that would suggest this just have to look for it. If you go strictly by what the doc says you'll be on meds for ever. Take control of what we ingest to come to a base line, from there tweak diet and add in daily activity and monitor and change accordingly

 

[HBCraig]

If you do a statin, combine it with a CoQ10 pill. It’s supposed to help.

This is what I do
Doc said to take Red Yeast Ruce pills as they are natural. I'm on Atorvastatin too. I have genetically high cholesterol

 

[Ballyhoo]

You won’t be able to lower your overall cholesterol number by dieting, exercising, etc. I’m thin, exercise a lot, an avid cyclist, and I’m at the gym two days a week. My wife cooks healthy meals, and I rarely drink alcohol.

If you have high cholesterol, the only thing that will lower it is meds. I’m on Rovastatin. I was at 260 and now 130. I’m 60 years old and when I was at 260 my Dr. said I’m prime to have a heart attack within 10 years. I started taking some kind of other statin which made me feel like crap. The Rovastatin doesn’t make me feel like that.

That might be true for you but I don't believe that is an absolute.

I significantly lowered my numbers by adjusting what I eat and exercise (over 80 points).

 

[~JM~]

I've been super open about my 10 year journey towards better health. Here's the skinny:
Started at 261lbs, 560 cholesterol, 6.4 A1C fasting glucose at 160, blood pressure 185/90- I was 38 years old.

I'll spare the redundant details regarding every diet known to man along with 9 medications to manage my problems. Juicing, vegan, south beach, Mediterranean, cleanses, fasting. Statins, BP meds, Cialis, allergy meds, anti inflammatory, pain meds.

Fast forward to what has worked for years:
Keto/dirty keto (I need carbs at my activity level but they come from fruits, veggies and brown rice). 5 strength training workouts weekly with minimal cardio. (I don't hate cardio, I just don't have time for it and have seen better results from heavier weights.)

I hold 200lbs easily, cholesterol is 185 to 190 with no statins for years. A1C is 5.4 and fasting glucose is 75, blood pressure is 128/65- I'll be 50 years old in two weeks.

The only processed meat I eat is bacon.
Stop with the grocery store meats. If you knew what the feedlots have in their feed rations- you'd understand why most of those animals would be considered diabetic by human standards. Here's a hint- Hostess and Little Debbie sell what's known as "cake" in 2000lb totes to feedlots. It's the byproduct from making cupcakes and other junk- a very inexpensive way to add carbs/fat to cattle and hogs headed for the grocery store.

I also eat 5 pasture raised eggs every morning, 4 of those are whites with one yolk with a 1/3lb ground beef patty. I'm basically a cardiologists nightmare on paper yet my numbers prove that I have found what works for me. There's just a big difference in the quality of the food you consume. Raised correctly, the animal fats aren't toxic.

In 2022, the kids moved home and we helped the daughter through a divorce. This had me stress eating, with less time for workouts since a toddler terrorist took over my life. I also added in pastas and things I hadn't eaten in years to help with mealtime variety for the "extra" people at the table.

The quality of my meat did not change but just adding in the carbs and pulling back on workouts:
Up to 215lbs, cholesterol jumped to 210, A1C to a 5.7 BP to 135/70.

The kids left in January and I'm almost back to where I started health wise. That was a neat little exercise as to what happens when you introduce more carbs and reduce activity.

I geek out on this stuff, love the numbers side of it. But I love knowing regular guys and gals can fix this stuff without meds.

This!!!

Read up & study the relationships between cholesterol, testosterone production & statin drugs. Also study the variety of "fats" and their health effects.

Check out Dr. Peter Attia & Andrew Huberman.

PS. Start walking... Every day.

 

[AZLineman]

Dont take statins unless there is no other option. They along with many other pharm drugs jack your tendons bigtime if your active. Many good tips above.

 

[LHC Kirby]

statin = NO GRAPEFRUIT

Early on at the start of Dr. OZ show.... before he was selling everything under the sun and it was a good show with good advice. Did a story on Statin drugs ... I LOVE GRAPEFRUIT . . . . . but if you eat it while on a Statin drug - it makes the statin work 10,000 times more - NOT GOOD. oh do I miss grapefruit!!!