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Can we lower cholesterol through diet?

Posted , 8 users are following.

falcon007
falcon007

In Dec 2017, I cut out milk, breads/pita and eggs?. I also started to use more flax and added chia seeds. My weight has been steady at around 150. (Male, age 66)

Friday Apr 20th, I had another lab test. My doctor ?had ?wanted to put me on statins

? for 'high' cholesterol?, but I had told him let's repeat test in 3 months.  

My cholesterol has been dropping very slowly but steadily since 2015 as per chart below. Notice the significant decrease of ?77 points or 13% between Jan 2018 and Apr 2018.

Was the decrease due to milk, eggs, or flax/chia, or due to the increase in oats for breakfast?

Year  Chol.  Tri's   LDL   HDL 

2018 5.19      0.59 3.17 1.75

2018 5.96     0.74      3.93 1.69

2017 6.19     0.69      3.98  1.90

2016 6.32     0.79      4.09 1.87

2015 6.66     0.86      4.34 1.93

Above converted to USA readings

Year  Chol.  Trigly   LDL   HDL 

2018 201 52 123 68

2018 230 66 152 65

2017 239 61 154 73

2016 244 70 158 72

2015 258 76 168 75

My doctor will have a hard time trying to convince me to use statins now! 

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • john04500
    john04500 falcon007

    Posted

    Prescribed Crescor for high cholesterol. Started having muscle pain and continuous mild headache. Dr suggested taking med every other day. Stopped taking two weeks ago and changed my diet. Oats, chia seeds, salmon and foods to hopefully lower cholesterol. Still have the muscle aches and mild headache. Started taking aspirin daily. 61-year-old and excercised regular until a few years ago. Retired from State hospital and know value of diet and excercise.

    Good job on lowering your cholesterol the right way!

  • elaine62759
    elaine62759 falcon007

    Posted

    Well done for reducing it so much through diet!! This is what I'm currently trying to do and you've given me hope that I might be able to bring it down a bit. Mine's was also 6.6 a couple of months ago and I was told they might want me to try statins. I've to have mine tested again in 6 months.  I've also starting having oats and chia seeds and flaxseeds. I was unsure whether eggs were OK to eat or not but I might try reducing them too. I've cut back a lot on cheese, butter and sweet treats and am increasing pulses like lentils. I hope I'll be as lucky as you! 

    • falcon007
      falcon007 elaine62759

      Posted

      I enjoy red wine but have cut out the cheese (but continue with my wine). More kale/spinach/broccoli etc.

      I would like someone to stay away from milk/cheese/yoghurt (all milk products) for say 3 months then do the cholesterol test. And someone else to continue with milk & it's products but eliminate eggs.

      cheers

      Does lowering cholesterol really reduce our risk of CVD? 

      (75 % of patients hospitalized for a heart attack had cholesterol levels that would indicate they were NOT at high risk for a cardiovascular event)

       

  • wayne1962
    wayne1962 falcon007

    Posted

    Hi falcon007 - I was on statins for two years. Memory loss, hair loss, aches and pains - particularly joints - phantom itches, excema, bloating, hurtling towards type 2 diabetes, vit D defficiency - but wait there's more! When i researched what the docs were doing to me, shock and horror set in. I have since paid attention to anything concerning statins.  Your results through diet speak for themselves. And no, there's no real evidence that statins prevent heart disease or strokes. They do, however, starve the body of the cholesterol that is imperative for proper functioning of brain and body. You keep control of your body, falcon - don't bequeath it to the docs and that hungry monster that drives them.

    • abhiRUF
      abhiRUF wayne1962

      Posted

      Taking statins could be dangerous and must be avoided specially one has initial level or moderate cholesterol risk. Healthy diet combined with light exercise is the key to control cholesterol. One must consume a diet rich in fibers such as whole grain food, salad, fruits, oatmeal etc. as advised Dr. Janet Brill, health, nutrition and fitness expert. You only need dedication to switch to a healthy lifestyle.
    • wayne1962
      wayne1962 abhiRUF

      Posted

      Thank you for that. I made those changes 3 years ago. 
  • jenna123
    jenna123 falcon007

    Posted

    hello, i have been reading a lot regarding statins and its side effects.  I have been taking off and on for the past four years in fear. My sister was also diagnosed with familial high cholesterol and was taking statins for a short time then stopped for the past three years or so.

    she has now been diagnosed with heart blockage and her cholesterol was sky high 9. she needs to do angiogram and stent if required.  it started with her sweating, chest pain and all.

    so I request those with high cholesterol please do not be put off by the wrong info on the net. there are no side effect.

    A friend of mine has been taking for 10 years and more and he is running around..he is in his late 40s. and I asked him if he gets any side effects and he said nothing. he feels fine.

    please avoid heart blockages and other related diseases because of cholesterol

    thanks Jenna

    • wayne1962
      wayne1962 jenna123

      Posted

      Jenna - I suggest you read the posts of survivors of statins on this site. There are definite and sometimes dangerous results taking statins for many people. 
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