Went to doc today, high bad cholesterol, low good cholesterol

[steve2470]

Anyone else feel my pain ? I'm taking a statin again, trying my best to change my diet, and exercise, in addition to my fish oil pills (doc said they tend to increase good cholesterol).

Upside: I'm healthy and have good insurance. Happy Holidays everyone!

[NYC_SKP]

1. Good insurance, baby! So we need to look at diet.

First, I wish there were home blood tests for cholesterol- I'm sick of going to the lab for these and having to pay a big share of the cost.

Aren't there home tests?

Diet: I need to print and read and memorize the lists for all the good and all the bad fats and oils.

I know fish oil is good but be careful about which fish you eat because some have higher contaminant levels than others.

And I know deep fried is bad, processed oils are bad, olive oil and avocado fat is good.

Anyway, I'll bet if you and I really internalized the good and bad lists and let that guide our selections, we wouldn't need meds at all!

[steve2470]

2. yea I don't know about home tests, I wish there were

My understanding is to try to steer clear of animals except for fish. I have to get it down or I'm in serious trouble. Best wishes to you NYC!

[NYC_SKP]

3. I use a fitbit to make sure I get exercise.

Not one to workout, I do like to walk and don't even mind a treadmill with an iPad and music or TV.

I won a fitbit at a conference last December, didn't even know what it was but have used it daily to make sure I get 5 miles or 10,000 steps in.

Funny at Stanford when they were checking me in and I was lying there, I gave up my fitbit and the nurse said, "I don't think you'll be getting your steps in for a while."

Happy Christmas to you!

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. I will tell you this..

Mr. Dixie lowered his cholesterol by over 30 points simply by eating one cup of cooked oatmeal 3 times a week and snacking on apples a few times a week.
did not change anything else.
30 points in 6 mos, I have copies of his lab tests.

The kicker...his dr., who was pushing statins, did not even comment on the change. Mr. dixie had to point it out to him.

Oatmeal breakfasts continue, apple and celery snacks too.

[NYC_SKP]

5. I do both, I've taken up oatmeal every morning and an apple a day, or two.

I've been playing with mixing steel cut oats with quaker minute oats half and half, they say the former are better for you.

And none of the flavored stuff for me, I like unflavored oats and then put a handful of frozen blueberries into the bowl.

Yum!

I haven't had my blood panel done lately, but I should.

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. Mr. D added a bit of applesauce to his oatmeal one morning

and it was really delicious. Blew me away.
But it was what I had made. He tried to do the same thing with Musselman's applesauce, said it tasted like hell.
So, now, I am making applesauce a couple times a week.
He has also been experimenting with dried fruit....cuts up dried apples or peaches, simmers them with the oatmeal water.

We have chicken, so get to feast on scrumptious eggs a couple times a week.

[WolverineDG]

10. dried cherries & raisins work too

I put those in my oatmeal & nothing else.

[steve2470]

7. I love oatmeal, will definitely do that more often nt

[DFW]

61. Crushed flax seed, too

My wife makes up a Müssli for me every morning. Untreated oat flakes, wheat germ, crushed flax seed, and dried fruit with skim milk. Do NOT get the pre-mixed stuff, since it is usually full of added sugar.

I have to take statins, too, plus baby aspirin once a day. I have VERY serious cholesterol issues, too. But a combination of pills and my wife's seriously healthy (but tasty) cooking got my cholesterol down to where the cardiologists are happy. LDL around 82, HDL about 42. The food is important. She has ditched butter, cheese, eggs, red meat and cream from her cooking, and still makes fabulous fish and poultry dishes like a world class chef.

[steve2470]

62. that's great your cholesterol is so much better

I actually took a statin years ago and it did reduce my numbers below 200, so my doctor and I were happy about that. However, back then I was feeling more "immortal" than I do today, so I declined to commute to see my doctor to get refills (I lived 60 miles away due to my son).

I'm a serious steak lover, so I have to really cut back on that, as well as other meat, unless it's very lean. At any rate, I'm happy your wife is an excellent healthy cook and that your health is good! Happy holidays and best wishes to your family!

[DFW]

63. I've had the cumulative equivalent of maybe 5 steaks in the last 10 years

You just have to ditch them. It can be done. You just have to turn it into a spectator sport.

If it's any consolation, buffalo meat is supposed to be far lower in cholesterol, and tastes somewhat similar. Time to ditch butter and cheese altogether, though. Olive oil becomes your new butter. Ain't NONE of us immortal, my friend. It's not a good idea to play "Beat The Reaper" in real life.

[KMOD]

11. You are so right. Oatmeal is a wonderful heart healthy food

throw some walnuts or almonds in it as well. Or just snack on nuts. Nuts are another heart wonder food.

[MADem]

15. +++++++1! Such good advice, and that should be the FIRST thing prescribed, IMO!

Fiber, good healthy fruit and veggie-intensive food, and exercise...

Now, to do it!!!

[steve2470]

16. yes, my doc mentioned a much better diet and exercise

Given my dad's cardiac history, I'm going to err on the side of safety with simvastatin. I just read up on all its good and bad, and I had no idea you could not drink grapefruit juice or cranberry juice. Glad I read up.

[MADem]

59. Grapefruit juice apparently does a number on a lot of meds.

I was never a fan of it, overmuch or even the grapefruit halves that were popular way back when. Back in the dark ages when I was a small child it used to be part of the breakfast routine occasionally, and since it wasn't sweet my childish palate didn't care for it.

[hibbing]

57. oats

I too have been eating oatmeal for a couple years now because of cholesterol. I mix mine up. Sometimes I add honey, sometimes agave nectar, sometimes both with cinnamon powder, sometimes a bit of peanut butter. Mine did go down some, but I think my good is still too low.

Peace

[mythology]

8. I had the opposite problem.

My bad cholesterol was deemed too low and my good cholesterol too high by my doc. By sheer coincidence, she had some overpriced herbal thing to sell me that would correct that.

That was the final straw that made me switch docs. I got tired of feeling like every visit was going to lead to another blood test and another round of trying to sell me on some herbal remedies and wouldn't you like to visit our nutritionist as well, because you eat too many carbs?

Fortunately I'm already bald as she often made me want to rip my hair out.

[grasswire]

9. I hope you can find ways to work this without taking the statin

We know now that it is not cholesterol that causes heart disease, but inflammation. An anti-inflammatory diet, omega 3 supplement, other measures will serve your body well.

[steve2470]

12. my overall cholesterol number was 248, which is 48 points too high

I'll certainly do the anti-inflammatory diet and omega3, but I'm afraid I will have to take the statin drug (Simvastatin). I'm exercising daily too, and don't smoke.

My dad had two heart attacks (both over age 65) and a massive stroke that took away his intelligible speech. So, yes, I take this very seriously.

[kwassa]

27. And how do we know that inflammation is the cause of heart disease?

I learn something new every day on DU.

[grasswire]

46. google it: "inflammation causes heart disease"

....and you will find a multitude of articles both scholarly and general regarding the current enlightenment of the medical community on this matter. Studies (including Harvard) show that inflammation is more important to control than cholesterol to prevent CVD. And statins provide no effect. Cholesterol does not cause CVD. Inflammation does.

Here's an article for laymen that sets out the "new cardiology".

http://seniorlifenewspapers.com/news/2014/sep/25/inflammation-and-heart-disease/

Statins reportedly only help older men who have already suffered a heart attack. The medical community has been wrong for decades, just as they were wrong about pushing a low-fat diet which led to a proliferation of carb consumption and the epidemic of type 2 diabetes.

[kwassa]

52. I googled it already. The American Heart Association disagrees.

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Inflammation-and-Heart-Disease_UCM_432150_Article.jsp#

Although it is not proven that inflammation causes cardiovascular disease, inflammation is common for heart disease and stroke patients and is thought to be a sign or atherogenic response. It’s important to know what inflammation is and what it can do to your heart.


"Think about a splinter in your finger or an abscess on a tooth," said Donna Arnett, Ph.D., chair and professor of epidemiology at the School of Public Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and president of the American Heart Association. "Our body launches an attack with our white blood cells and chemicals that results in redness and swelling to kill the bacteria or rid the body of the intruder."

Similarly, for the cardiovascular system, risk factors like cigarette smoking, high blood pressure and LDL (bad) cholesterol can "injure" the heart. In turn, atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty deposits in the inner walls of arteries, can develop. This narrows the arteries and increases the risk they’ll become blocked.

The Role of Inflammation in Heart Attack and Stroke

"Exactly how inflammation plays a role in heart attack and stroke remains a topic of ongoing research," added Deepak Bhatt, M.D. "It appears that the inciting event in many heart attacks and some forms of stroke is buildup of fatty, cholesterol-rich plaque in blood vessels."

[grasswire]

53. I trust the American Heart Association about as much as I trust...

....any profit driven purveyor of bogus.

Believe them at your own risk.

[kwassa]

55. I googled your source. He appears to be a chef and motivational speaker.

Unless he is a different Wendell Fowler that doesn't show up in the search.

Here is yet another good article on the subject.

from CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/10/16/healthmag.cholesterol.inflammation/index.html?iref=24hours

Cholesterol has long been seen as the key culprit in cardiovascular disease. But nearly half of all heart attacks occur in people with normal cholesterol levels, which suggests that another factor is at work.

Researchers have identified cholesterol's partner in crime as inflammation -- the flood of white blood cells and chemicals that our immune system unleashes to ward off damage or infection.

Cholesterol wouldn't be nearly as dangerous without this process, which is thought to play an essential role in atherosclerosis, the hardening that occurs when low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as bad cholesterol, builds up in the arteries.

When high levels of cholesterol occur in the bloodstream, excess LDL begins to seep into the inner wall of the artery. This triggers an inflammatory response, which actually speeds up the accumulation of cholesterol in the artery wall. This in turn produces more inflammation -- and on and on. Eventually the deposited cholesterol hardens into a plaque, which can rupture and lead to the blood clots that cause heart attacks and strokes -- an event that inflammation also appears to help along.

[grasswire]

56. he's not "my source"

Just one of a huge number of articles on integrative and metabolic cardiology and inflammation as the critical factor in CVD.

I'm not going to argue this with you. And you certainly won't convince me of anything. Your mileage may vary.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

13. Fish oil and time released niacin are supposedly good

My mom's doctor told her to take 500 mg of time-released niacin twice a day. There's also an OTC citrus fiber powder you mix with water or juice called Profibe that she takes that's clinically proven to reduce bad cholesterol.

http://www.profibe.com/

[steve2470]

14. thanks will check it out nt

[kwassa]

26. Niacin has been proven not to be effective.

I was taking it for a couple of years, a big study said that it didn't reduce the incidence of heart attacks in any way.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

36. I'm not a doctor or scientist

but my mom's doc is an internist and swears by it. The Mayo clinic on its website says it can reduce bad cholesterol by up to 30%. I don't know if the effectiveness is measured by how many fewer heart attacks you get, but if the criteria is the reduction of LDL cholesterol and the raising of HDL cholesterol, I think many sources say that it works. It has to be time-released, however, and not niacinamide which is the non-flushing type.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/niacin/art-20046208

"...What impact does niacin have on cholesterol?

Niacin can raise HDL cholesterol by more than 30 percent. HDL, the "good" cholesterol, picks up excess bad cholesterol in your blood and takes it back to your liver for disposal...."

[kwassa]

43. Read this about this major niacin study. Big news last July.

My cardiologist was neutral on it, but knew my interest in it and prescribed it for me.

Now he no longer prescribes it.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryhusten/2014/07/16/new-evidence-fuels-concerns-about-the-safety-of-niacin

The string of failures– for HDL therapies in general and for niacin in particular– continues unabated. The publication of the main results of the HPS2-THRIVE trial, along with new information from the AIM-HIGH trial, provide no evidence of a beneficial effect for niacin but do fuel concerns that it may cause serious adverse effects.

In HPS2-THRIVE, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the combination of extended-release niacin and laropiprant (Tredaptive, Merck) was compared to placebo in more than 25,000 high risk patients already receiving statin therapy. Patients in the treatment group had significant reductions in LDL cholesterol (10 mg/dL), significant increases in HDL (6 mg/dL), and significant reductions in triglycerides (33 mg/dL). But there was no difference in the rate of major vascular events (13.2% for niacin-laropiprant versus 13.7% for placebo, RR 0.96, CI 0.90 – 1.03, p=0.29). There was also no significant difference in an exploratory analysis of patients with low HDL and high triglyceride levels who might be expected to benefit the most from niacin therapy.

There were signs of harm associated with niacin-laropiprant. Serious adverse events occurred more often in the combination group (55.6% versus 52.7%, p < 0.001). Diabetes complications were especially concerning. Among patients who had diabetes at the start of the trial, serious complications related to diabetes occurred in 11.1% of patients in the treatment group versus 7.5% of patients in the control group, a 55% increase. Among patients who did not have diabetes at the start of the trial, there was a 32% increase in the diagnosis of diabetes in the treatment group (5.7% versus 4.3%).

Niacin therapy was also associated with significant increases in infections (8% versus 6.6%, p< .001) and bleeding (2.5% versus 1.9%, p < 0.001). These findings came as a surprise to the investigators. There were also significant increases in other, previously known adverse effects of niacin, including gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and skin-related adverse events.

[Kingofalldems]

42. It does raise good cholesteral.

Worked for me at least. I don't know if it's even marketed as a heart attack preventative.

[kwassa]

44. there are a lot of concerns about niacin. See the study I referenced ...

in my previous answer in this thread.

[RandiFan1290]

17. Have you looked into Hemp oil?

Not Cannabis oil

but the Hemp oil. My sister and I get a gallon and keep it in the fridge. We each take 2 tablespoons a day and it has been fantastic!

We get our oil from Nutiva in California.

Please look into it. Might be a cheaper and better tasting alternative to the fish oil.

[steve2470]

18. hemp oil reduces cholesterol ? cool!

I take my fish oil in pills, and so far no one's called me fish breath

Thanks for the suggestion! Will have to check it out.

[RandiFan1290]

19. The Omegas are amazing in Hemp oil

7g Omega-6 LA
2.5g Omega-3 ALA
2g Omega-9
500mg Omega-6 GLA
250mg Omega-3 SDA

per tablespoon

[steve2470]

20. awesome, so glad I posted this thread, very helpful info!

Thanks, you ROCK

[RandiFan1290]

21. You rock!

Good luck!

Here's to your health!

[dixiegrrrrl]

29. What does it taste like???

[RandiFan1290]

30. It's a mild nutty taste.

Not strong at all and no nasty after taste. I just take it straight.

Also important to remember that it is like olive oil and not good if over heated when using it with cooking.

[steve2470]

22. hemp oil for the curious, 24 fl. oz (710 ml) = $14.90 plus shipping

https://www.pureformulas.com/hemp-oil-certified-organic-24-oz-by-nutiva.html?CUSTOMTRACKING=CUSTOMTRACKING&CAWELAID=1281252407&CAGPSPN=pla&catargetid=530005240002504085&cadevice=c&gclid=Cj0KEQiAts-kBRCbgrXc1rnXw7MBEiQAnFqTdowCWAJ5f9y8QUUIEA8-qdwEYSaaT0I2busllImj06oaAmEt8P8HAQ#.

[RandiFan1290]

23. Nutiva has the gallons directly on their site

and they are only $38.99 with free shipping. I would only recommend that if you are going to share it with someone and keep it nice and cold in the fridge.

2 tablespoons a day (1 in the morn and 1 before bed) between 2 people and it stays pretty fresh by the time we run out.

[steve2470]

24. very good, thanks again! nt

[steve2470]

25. 1 gallon hemp oil = $38.99

https://store.nutiva.com/cold-pressed-hemp-oil/

[kwassa]

28. if you are not feeling the pain of a heart attack, you are doing well.

I had my heart attack.

How is your blood pressure? I've always had low blood pressure, myself.

Diet can be quite effective in reducing cholesterol, as well as statins. With the combo, when I am disciplined about it, I've been able to bring my total cholesterol down to 85.

Also, develop a strong exercise program under medical supervision. This also helps to bring the different numbers down.

Additional advice:

Educate yourself as much as you can on reputable medical web sites.

The American Heart Association, NIH, the Mayo Clinic, WebMD, and the Cleveland Clinic are some of the good ones for information on heart disease.

There is much wacky and contrarian information on the Internets as well, and you will here some of those very unscientific theories here on DU.

[steve2470]

32. BP was 100/64, as it always is

Good advice, thanks!

[kwassa]

34. Mine is about there, too.

Get the nuclear stress test, too, through your doctor. Short of catheterization, which is really the only way to know what is going on in your arteries, the stress test gives the doctor a lot of information.

[steve2470]

35. ok good idea, I'll ask him about it nt

[LynneSin]

31. High Fructose Corn Syrup - cut it straight out of your diet

That stuff is just nasty and usually a sign of processed food. I have been reading labels now since Labor Day and I've also been losing some serious weight to boot. One of the biggest things that has helped is reading the labels and avoiding processed food like the plague.

To be honest, a diet high in any sugar is bad but the High Fructose Corn Syrup is even worse. There is no nutritional value whatsoever to this product other than a cheap way to oversweeten food. Read your labels and skip foods that use it.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3200248/

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/01/02/highfructose-corn-syrup-alters-human-metabolism.aspx

http://www.rodalenews.com/high-fructose-corn-syrup-and-sugar

[steve2470]

33. good advice, yes I'm trying to do that, thanks! nt

[Baitball Blogger]

38. Oatmeal for breakfast too.

[LynneSin]

39. Oatmeal is awesome but I can't stress enough - Read the damn label

I bought some of those Oatmeal cups you can add water for at my office space. They have probably been in there now for about 5 months or so. About two weeks ago I pulled one out to enjoy but first I read the label. 3rd ingrediate in - High Fructose Corn Syrup.

Tossed it in the Trash.

I don't care how healthy Oatmeal is. Toss in HFCS it's garbage.

[Baitball Blogger]

40. My blood sugar issues began to improve once I removed HFCS from my diet.

I haven't removed it altogether since there are times that a good shot of sugar helps me rebound and I do best with root beer than I do with OJ. Don't ask me why.

Aside from sugar problems, HFCS is as bad as sluggy cheese toppings when it comes to gaining weight.

[KMOD]

41. LynneSin, if your office has a refrigerator

here's an easy, healthy oatmeal you can take to work.

The night before, mix equal parts of old fashioned oats and liquid in a bowl. Throw in some fruit, or nuts if you like, and put it in the fridge. By morning, it's ready to eat, no cooking necessary. Just bring it to work, stir and eat. If you prefer it warm, you can microwave it for 15-20 seconds.

I eat my oatmeal this way every morning. Trust me, it's delicious and so easy.

[Baitball Blogger]

37. ResQ fish oil--da best.

My husband has managed to stay off cholesterol pills because of these pills. He also watches his diet and exercises. After the last checkup, his cholesterol is no lower than mine, and I'm under 200. So now I'll start taking them too.

Pricey, but well worth it.

[kwassa]

45. Also, there are problems with fish oil supplements.

Not to depress you too much; I used to take these, too. Since my father died of aggressive prostate cancer a couple years ago, and I am at risk for that .....

http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/fish-oil-friend-or-foe-201307126467

First, the latest news. A study by scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle linked eating a lot of oily fish or taking potent fish oil supplements to a 43% increased risk for prostate cancer overall, and a 71% increased risk for aggressive prostate cancer. Their report was published online in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

...........................

The report from the Fred Hutchinson researchers is the latest to sound a warning about too much omega-3 fatty acids. Back in May, for example, Italian researchers reported in the New England Journal of Medicine that omega-3 fatty acid supplements did nothing to reduce heart attacks, strokes, or deaths from heart disease in people with risk factors for heart disease.

This work follows similar warnings about vitamin E supplements, beta carotene supplements, and other high-dose dietary supplements.

Evidence linking fish oil and cancer has been all over the map. Some research suggests diets high in fatty fish or fish oil supplements might reduce the risk of certain cancers, including prostate cancer. Other research shows no such association.

...........................................

Despite this one study, you should still consider eating fish and other seafood as a healthy strategy. If we could absolutely, positively say that the benefits of eating seafood comes entirely from omega-3 fats, then downing fish oil pills would be an alternative to eating fish. But it’s more than likely that you need the entire orchestra of fish fats, vitamins, minerals, and supporting molecules, rather than the lone notes of EPA and DHA.

[steve2470]

47. Thanks for digging that up, much appreciated

The safest course is to not smoke, eat a healthy low fat low cholesterol diet, and exercise regularly. I'm good at two of those, and working on my diet. Unfortunately all the things that are bad for me, I like. Ugh.

[kwassa]

48. "All the things I really like to do are either illegal, immoral, or fattening."

Alexander Woollcott, 1933.

[KMOD]

50. Once a week, eat what you like

the other six, eat smart. You have to allow for some enjoyment, Steve.

Exercise is really a huge part as well. Walk the 10,000 steps per day like NYC_SKP suggested.

[steve2470]

54. once I get my numbers in the right place, I'll try that

God this sucks. Hopefully the simvastatin will cooperate with my body and will help me get things under control. In addition to diet, exercise, losing a few pounds, not smoking.

[KMOD]

58. Hang in there.

It won't happen overnight, but you can do it.

Basically, if it's not a real food, found in nature, don't eat it.

Stick with your oatmeal for breakfast, eggs are fine too, but limit them to poached or scrambled. Soft boiled are great too, but many don't like them. Avoid white bread. Try to choose whole grain. Use real butter, no margarine.

Don't use artificial sweeteners, use real sugar. Don't use artificial creamers for your coffee, use real cream or milk.

For lunch, try tuna, peanut butter (peanut butter and banana is a great sandwich, btw), even egg salad is fine. Use real mayonnaise, like Hellman's, no miracle whip or other crap. Cold cuts only from the deli, try to avoid bologna and any packaged coldcut, and add lettuce, tomato and onion to them. No chips. Pickles are fine. If you want something to crunch on, choose nuts, sunflower seeds or kernels or fresh cut veggies. Pasta is fine too, but try to choose whole grain, not white.

For dinner, prepare it yourself. Completely avoid any prepared meals. Have your meat, but have an extra portion of veggies. If you don't prepare fresh veggies, get frozen, they're better than canned. And limit your white potato and white rice. It's ok to have it, just smaller portions. Try to eat sweet potatoes and brown rice more often.

For snacks, again, nuts, air popped popcorn, (if you need to flavor it, use real butter, not margarine) fresh cut veggies, cheese.

Limit soda as well, and try to drink more water.

And then exercise. That's the most important.

It won't happen overnight, but you will see results quickly if you just stick with real food and exercise.

[steve2470]

60. very kind of you

Thanks!

[UTUSN]

49. Ya got 30 yrs to go, wait'll you're *my* age!1 n/t

[steve2470]

51. I'm 56, hopefully to reach 86 one day nt