@RAWDuke (RAWDuke) posted a new topic, subject "Anybody have experience lowering their cholesterol levels?". It read:

   Got a call from my doctor about my lab results. He told me he wasn't going to call me unless there was something really wrong.  
    So, I jumped half out of my skin when he called.  
    He said “you're not overweight, but don't gain any more. Plus, your cholesterol is over 300, so you need to bring it down.”
    
    So, I'm cutting way down on fats and dairy. I'm considering garlic supplements.  
    I'm also hitting the gym 3 times a week.
    
    Does anybody have any experience or advice on lowering cholesterol?
    
    I'm especially looking for the easy ways 
      *[boustrophedonically]: Redaer eht rof esicrexe na sa tfel si pu siht gnikool.

So @Eve (Eve) replied

    Oh, goodness, yes. I inherited a bum liver rom my father, so my cholestrol was _360_ , up in the “I can't believe you're alive and walking around!” stage. I was put on Zocor, I walk (briskly) about a mile a day, and I look at the cholesterol and fat content of everything I eat. I try to eat more fresh fuits, but I'm not as careful as I should be . . . Still, my levels are down to about 200-ish.
      *[boustrophedonically]: Redaer eht rof esicrexe na sa tfel si pu siht gnikool.

After which, @Podkayne (Podkayne) added

    In addition to what everyone else has said, whole grains and soluble fiber are supposed to help–hence all the advertising bruhaha over Cheerios and Quaker oats. Oats is good, but there are a lot of other delightful whole grains: brown rice, quinoa, bulgur, and basically anything “whole wheat.” Whole wheat pasta in particular is yummy. It cooks in the same amount of time as regular pasta, and, as far as I'm concerned, has a suitably pasta-like taste and texture.
    
    But you have to be careful. Sometimes you see “wheat bread” which looks appropriately brown, but if you read the ingredients, it just says “enriched wheat flour” and the color is from molasses or artificial color! So read yer labels and look for the words “whole wheat,” as in “whole wheat [product name here],” “whole wheat flour,” “stone ground whole wheat,” etc.
    
    My cholestorol was sky high last time it was tested, and I'm working on improving my diet. Considering the Blood Draw Saga that ensued last time, I can't say as I'm looking forward to the next test, but I am curious whether my level has gone down.
      *[boustrophedonically]: Redaer eht rof esicrexe na sa tfel si pu siht gnikool.

To which @BelZarak (BelZarak) replied

    When I first had my cholesterol tested two years ago, my total cholesterol count was over 600. I indeed got the speach that they couldn't believe that someone my age (29 at the time) could have such a high score and still be alive. They put me on a strict diet as well as heavy dosages of medication. After two years of this, my cholesterol is just under 200 and holding steady.
    
    One of the things my doctor recommended was that I get some Niacin from the vitamin section of my local drug store. Apparently Niacin helps to lower the triglyceride count. He recommended taking the time released version so that it hit my system gradually throughout the day. I'm not sure if this would help you, but it may give you something to talk to your doctor about.
    
    -Belz
      *[boustrophedonically]: Redaer eht rof esicrexe na sa tfel si pu siht gnikool.

@dwyr (dwyr) replied

    I second the soluble fiber thing. Eating beans also helps, though you may end up with an entirely different problem. 
    
    I was one of the lab flunkies who ran blood tests for This Dr. He was one of the ones who started the whole oat fiber craze. It really works. I was able to lower my cholesterol significantly by eating more fiber.
      *[boustrophedonically]: Redaer eht rof esicrexe na sa tfel si pu siht gnikool.

@dwyr (dwyr) replied

    So, did I say “one” often enough?
    
    Eloquent I am not.
      *[boustrophedonically]: Redaer eht rof esicrexe na sa tfel si pu siht gnikool.

After which, @DaToad (DaToad) added

    I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I lowered both with a combination of diet, vitamins, and supplements.
    
    I started with a good multi vitamin, 1000mg garlic, 500mg red yeast rice extract, 2000mg vitamin C, 1000mg flax seed oil, and 600mg calcium. I take the multi, garlic, 250mg of the red yeast rice extract, and the vitamin C in the AM. I take the other 250 mg of red yeast rice, the flax seed oil, and the calcium in the evening.
    
    I stopped eating salt, starch, and sugar. I eat a salad for lunch and have a salad with dinner. I also switched to decaf coffee.
    
    Thats pretty much all I've done. B/P (just measured) is 123/76 and my total cholesterol is down to 198. It took about six months.
    
    This regimen was given to me by a friend who is a nutritionist and manager of a health food store. I had it approved by my doctor before I started.
    
    The sad news is the FDA has banned red yeast rice extract as an OTC supplement. It can still be purchased by perscription.
      *[boustrophedonically]: Redaer eht rof esicrexe na sa tfel si pu siht gnikool.

After which, @In_Conceivable (In Conceivable) added

    What was wrong with red yeast rice extract? My FIL is certain that it in combination with a high fiber diet is what lowered his cholesterol.
      *[boustrophedonically]: Redaer eht rof esicrexe na sa tfel si pu siht gnikool.

So @Gravity (Gravity) replied

    My cholesterol was about 20 points too high in March. Now I'm spang on normal, using fiber suplements to lower the bad, and Flaxseed oil to raise the good.
      *[boustrophedonically]: Redaer eht rof esicrexe na sa tfel si pu siht gnikool.

After which, @LolaCocaCola (LolaCocaCola) added

    My total cholesterol is 175 and my HDL is 45. According to my doc that's good.
    
    I don't do anything specific to keep it low, but I don't eat much red meat and I don't eat sweet things much.
      *[boustrophedonically]: Redaer eht rof esicrexe na sa tfel si pu siht gnikool.

Then @Podkayne (Podkayne) said

    A lot of it is just damned genetics. My dear friend eats like a bird, and is all about the fish and low fat and stuff, and her cholestrol is so high she still has to take medication to regulate it.
    
    My husband, on the other hand, eats whatever he wants and is overweight, but his cholestrol and BP are fine.
    
    Bastard.
      *[boustrophedonically]: Redaer eht rof esicrexe na sa tfel si pu siht gnikool.

To which @RAWDuke (RAWDuke) replied

    > *Originally posted by BelZarak *  
    >  **  
    >  One of the things my doctor recommended was that I get some Niacin from the vitamin section of my local drug store. Apparently Niacin helps to lower the triglyceride count. He recommended taking the time released version so that it hit my system gradually throughout the day. I'm not sure if this would help you, but it may give you something to talk to your doctor about.
    > 
    > -Belz **
    
    Thanks for the tip. I'll look for niacin supplements (Vitamin B3, I believe)
    
    > I stopped eating salt, starch, and sugar. I eat a salad for lunch and have a salad with dinner. I also switched to decaf coffee.
    
    Yikes, this gonna be tough. I have a huge and varied sweet tooth, and can't start most days without a gallon or two of coffee.
    
    Thanks to everybody for the tips. I know my biggest problem is giving up that quart or so of ice cream every evening :o  
    Oh, well, at least fat free frozen yogurt is pretty tasty
      *[boustrophedonically]: Redaer eht rof esicrexe na sa tfel si pu siht gnikool.


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