My Cholesterol Is Out of Whack

[Ave Maria]

Hi everyone. I just got the lab tests done from my doctor back. It says that my total cholesterol is 185 and less than 200 is recommended which is good. However, my HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) is only 34 and for women it is supposed to be 50 or greater and my LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) is 131 and it is supposed to be below 100. I don't really know what to do. I guess I need to change my diet. Also, do you think my doctor would put me on a cholesterol lowering medication? What are the effects of having cholesterol like this on my health?

 

[hermanchauw]

What is your diet like? What supplements do you take?

 

[Yusuf Evans]

It's a matter of adjusting your diet to healthier levels, and also to start exercising if you are not doing so already. You need more Omega-3 in your diet. If you're a vegetarian,you can get this from almonds and if your'e not, then fish is the best source. Cut down on the fried foods, and bake more often. If you're eating fast food for lunch, bring something from home. There are a ton of resources out there for you to find on what to cook and eat in order to bring your body back into balance.

Also, you do not have to eat "clean" all the time. Maintaining a healthy diet, one in which you're not consuming as much saturated fats as before is more beneficial. More green veggies and fibrous foods will help you as well. Also, you should begin taking a multi-vitamin in order to help with maintaining enough proper nutrients.

 

[Ave Maria]

It's a matter of adjusting your diet to healthier levels, and also to start exercising if you are not doing so already. You need more Omega-3 in your diet. If you're a vegetarian,you can get this from almonds and if your'e not, then fish is the best source. Cut down on the fried foods, and bake more often. If you're eating fast food for lunch, bring something from home. There are a ton of resources out there for you to find on what to cook and eat in order to bring your body back into balance.

Also, you do not have to eat "clean" all the time. Maintaining a healthy diet, one in which you're not consuming as much saturated fats as before is more beneficial. More green veggies and fibrous foods will help you as well. Also, you should begin taking a multi-vitamin in order to help with maintaining enough proper nutrients.

If I was a vegetarian, my cholesterol levels probably wouldn't be out of whack would they? That said, I am not a vegetarian.

 

[hermanchauw]

Not necessarily. Go around and ask any vegetarian what they eat and you'd be shocked.

 

[DoubtingThomas29]

You probably just need fish oil pills, you probably should take those at least twice a day but maybe three times a day, talk to a doctor about taking aspirin to thin out your blood more, you hang in there!

 

[Yusuf Evans]

If I was a vegetarian, my cholesterol levels probably wouldn't be out of whack would they? That said, I am not a vegetarian.

There are obese vegetarians, which is pretty wild to think about. Being a vegetarian doesn't necessarily mean you're going to be healthy.

 

[Quasicentennial]

Eating vegetables and fruit without meat or dairy is crazy but this can keep your blood vessels clear after four weeks. Eat lots of bread so that the acid from fruit and vegetables don't cause a stomach cramp. Then you can eat some meat or dairy because, if you have not learned, vitamin B12 only comes from these products. Aging over 30 means less meat and dairy, more bread, vegetables and fruit. If aging stopped at 25 years old then eating meat and dairy would not be a problem because our bodies want to keep active in sports or exercise.

 

[Ave Maria]

You probably just need fish oil pills, you probably should take those at least twice a day but maybe three times a day, talk to a doctor about taking aspirin to thin out your blood more, you hang in there!

Thanks DoubtingThomas.

 

[hermanchauw]

PaladinGirl, you have not listed out what kind of food you have for your diet. Without finding out what is the problem, we can tell you what to modify to rectify the problem.

 

[Rudolph Hucker]

Hi everyone. I just got the lab tests done from my doctor back. It says that my total cholesterol is 185 and less than 200 is recommended which is good. However, my HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) is only 34 and for women it is supposed to be 50 or greater and my LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) is 131 and it is supposed to be below 100. I don't really know what to do. I guess I need to change my diet. Also, do you think my doctor would put me on a cholesterol lowering medication? What are the effects of having cholesterol like this on my health?

First off, I am NOT a medic.

FWIW, you seem very young to have this problem and if you can resolve it without medication (prob Lipitor) that would be better. I am told that once started on such medication, it is for life.

 

[Alexander Nevsky]

Take some fish oil for your good cholesterol, then drink daily some green tea, and start eating oats for breakfast. Also you need to cut on bad fats and increase on good fats (olive oil, nuts, etc). Adding fibre on your diet helps also a lot! You should not worry!

 

[LuxMUndiDesigns]

Avoid junk like refined carbs- sugar, white flour, processed packaged sweets and so on. Stick to whole foods including meats, cheeses, veggies, legumes, etc. For fruits stick with high fiber like apples, or berries. Eating this way will also help avoid adult onset diabetes and heart disease. Stay off the meds unless diet doesn't help, but you have to stick to a proper diet plan for quite some time before knowing the result.

 

[Jishuku]

I know I'm a little late (ok, a lot), but I can recommend both Vitamin D3 (capsule form, not tablet) and Niacin for improving cholesterol.
2-4000iu Vit D3 every day + 500-1000mg of Niacin might improve it a bit.

Don't use the "flush free" Niacin, it does nothing for cholesterol. You'll have to bare with the flushing feeling if you want it to work. (the feeling comes from your capillaries expanding)

If you do take the Niacin in high dosages (which the above is), check your liver values regularly at your doc and inform him of the Niacin too. I'd also recommend a vitamin/mineral supplement because of the chelating effect it has on the body.