Cholesterol

expat · 22-07-2009, 12:06

Just been told I have high cholesterol the doctor wants to put me on drugs
( statins ) but I have done some research on these things and I don't like the sound of them,now you could say change your diet, but it turns out it,s hereditary, I am going on fish oil and a few other things,has anybody out there got the same problem, or any advice.

MargaretR · 22-07-2009, 13:17

The Cholesterol Myth: Part 2: Dietary Fats and Heart Disease - Second Opinions, UK
Cholesterol and Heart Disease--A Phony Issue, by Mary G. Enig, PhD

The statins could do more harm than any high cholesterol reading could.
You are wise to be cautious.
My doc said the same to me - I ignored it.
Trans fats and white sugar are the real evils- I use only butter and olive oil in my cooking.
Avoid processed food containing hydrogenised fats.
I take a blend of 3 6 9 omega oils as a supplement.

Pharmacutical companies aim to get all the population on something, profit is their main interest. I recently watched a youtube video lecture given by a pharmacutical whistleblower (ex director) who exposed profit led corruption.

MargaretR · 22-07-2009, 13:29

PS - done a history search for that video

http://www.consciousmedianetwork.com...s/rfrancis.htm
This third and last one is the BEST one

expat · 22-07-2009, 13:40

My thoughts exactly,Ive read somewhere that people with high hereditary cholesterol have there own defense mechanism to cope with it.

MargaretR · 22-07-2009, 14:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by expat

My thoughts exactly,Ive read somewhere that people with high hereditary cholesterol have there own defense mechanism to cope with it.

If you have only time to watch one of the videos- make it the last one.

http://www.consciousmedianetwork.com...s/rfrancis.htm

You have given me the chance to air my pet subject - nutrition.
I get some flack on here sometimes because of it.
My petition to #10 now has over 19,500 (nineteen and a half thousand) signatures
Petition to: oppose the adoption of the Codex Alimentarius (WHO/UN) proposals for restriction of the presently freely available herb/vitamin/mineral food supplements. | Number10.gov.uk

Eric · 22-07-2009, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by expat

Just been told I have high cholesterol the doctor wants to put me on drugs
( statins ) but I have done some research on these things and I don't like the sound of them,now you could say change your diet, but it turns out it,s hereditary, I am going on fish oil and a few other things,has anybody out there got the same problem, or any advice.

I had the problem and ignored it .... ended up in surgery (thank god I'm in Canada .... all free ... and hardly any wait time ... and a fantastic hospital) The surgery worked fine; but I lost a few years off my life expectancy ... not all that bad; they are the years at the end; you know, adult diapers and all that stuff. Here's what I think will help: don't smoke (dope's sort of ok, but no tobacco); watch your diet ... reading labels will help; but common sense is the surest test; get exercise .... walking is great; swimming too, and skating in winter (oops, you probably don't have much ice) ... I do believe that if you have a healthier lifestyle you will be healthier .... that's a no-brainer, eh. The worst thing for you is probably a full English breakfast

However, I do take lipitor ...20mg per day ... and have had no problems with it. You do need regular blood tests when you are on it. Whatever you do, don't get to the stage where surgery is your only option (apart from death, which is not really all that cool) ... the surgery is massive; and even with the best of surgeons and hospitals, there is a significant chance you might not make it through. I was in ICU for four days!!!!!

wadey · 22-07-2009, 20:20

a diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol
a lack of exercise - this can increase your LDL levels and decrease your HDL levels
family history - you're more likely to have high cholesterol if you have a close male relative aged under 55 or a female relative aged under 65 affected by heart disease
being overweight
age and gender - your cholesterol levels generally rise with increasing age, and men are more likely to be affected than women
drinking more than the recommended daily amount of alcohol

Eric · 22-07-2009, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by wadey

a diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol
a lack of exercise - this can increase your LDL levels and decrease your HDL levels
family history - you're more likely to have high cholesterol if you have a close male relative aged under 55 or a female relative aged under 65 affected by heart disease
being overweight
age and gender - your cholesterol levels generally rise with increasing age, and men are more likely to be affected than women
drinking more than the recommended daily amount of alcohol

I do real good .... except for the last one .... what the hell, no one's perfect. By the way, what is the recommended daily amount of alcohol ... its gotta be more than a six pack

wadey · 22-07-2009, 23:28

If you drink more than your Doctor start worrying

LYNX1 · 23-07-2009, 06:56

My brother retired fvrom work at the beginning of the year (he is a chef)...since then he has piled on the weight, has now been told his cholesterol levels are too high, he was told he could take drugs or try regulating what he eats, he has always cooked all his food fresh and won't have processed junk...his main failing is his loves his red meat. He has now cut out red meat & stopped cooking with butter all the time, his cholesterol has lowered quite a lot and he has lost over half a stone in weight.....

MargaretR · 23-07-2009, 08:20

I notice that some people avoid butter, and I don't understand why they have decided to do that.

Some saturated fat in a diet is essential for correct brain function. The butter substitutes are 'engineered' fats = those hazardous trans fats.

It all boils down to moderation of intake, you can really have too much of a good thing(butter), but there is no reason to exclude it - and why substitute it with a substitute which your body takes longer to digest.

MargaretR · 23-07-2009, 09:37

I have found this very comprehensive source of info
Cholesterol Articles - Main Menu

No-one should take anything without finding out its effects.

PS I have Dr Sinatra's book - I suggest you read him first.
He is a cardiac surgeon

Margaret Pilkington · 23-07-2009, 10:39

Reducing saturated fat in your diet is not that helpful in bringing down your cholesterol.......your own liver manufactures cholesterol......it is essential for brain function and has some physiological effect on muscles too.
Lots of people who take statins may feel aches and pains in their muscles and also suffer form 'low' mood.....and in severe cases this can become a depressive type of illness.

Personally, I would not take statins, and I am not alone......many of my nursing colleagues are of a similar opinion.

I think that keeping your weight down, physical activity(and this can be something as simple as walking for 30 minutes each day) and being moderate with intake of alcohol......are all healthy lifestyle choices......and if your cholesterol persists in being elevated then I would consider plant sterols(benecol products or the like).

MargaretR · 23-07-2009, 10:51

I agree with what you have said
with one exception - Benecol

The Benecol website shows the ingredients-
Regular Spread Ingredients
Liquid Canola Oil, Water, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Plant Stanol Esters, Salt, Emulsifiers, (Vegetable Mono- and Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin), Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid and Calcium Disodium EDTA to Preserve Freshness, Artificial Flavor, DL-alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Colored with Beta Carotene.

That word Hydrogenated means transfat

What are trans fats?(an NHS website!)
Trans fats can be formed during a process called hydrogenation. Hydrogenated fats must be declared on the label so if a product contains hydrogenated fats, it may contain trans fats. Look out for the words partially hydrogenated on food labels these products may also contain trans fats

Are trans fats bad for you?
Trans fats have been linked to high cholesterol, which can lead to health conditions such as heart attacks and strokes..

Margaret Pilkington · 23-07-2009, 11:18

I have never looked at the ingredients in the benecol products.......they are not something that I buy.......but a neighbour got his cholesterol down to acceptable levels by using these products...or at least that is what I am told.