The Cholesterol Thread

[cowboy]

Just got my blood work back and my cholesterol sucks. 241. My LDL is high and my HDL is low, and my triglycerides are 200 or so. Basically, my heart is going to explode. Despite my constant promotion of the beef industry, my diet isn't all that bad. I eat lots of fiber, and I keep my fat intake to a respectable level, albeit I will admit that I eat too much butter and I should probably quit eating cream on my cereal.

For the docs, is there a way to regulate my cholesterol without taking statins? I hear the side effects suck. Also, how bad is 241? How do blockages work - ie, do they come and go, or do they appear and just get worse? All these questions, and no time to spend googling them.

[TripletDaddy]

241 is not good. not full panic mode bad, but obviously need to get it under control.

I know you probably don't want to hear it, but it is from all that beef you eat. Red meat blows for cholesterol. It is delicious to the taste and very desirable, but if you are eating beef 4 to 5 times a week at dinner, you are going to have crappy cholesterol, even if you are running.

time to switch to chicken or fish with an occasional beef plate. It is one of the best things I did for my diet. My cholesterol dropped over the course of 4 or so months and I actually felt better. I still love beef and definitely consume it, but I am not interested in eating it like I did before.

[cowboy]

241 is not good. not full panic mode bad, but obviously need to get it under control.

I know you probably don't want to hear it, but it is from all that beef you eat. Red meat blows for cholesterol. It is delicious to the taste and very desirable, but if you are eating beef 4 to 5 times a week at dinner, you are going to have crappy cholesterol, even if you are running.

time to switch to chicken or fish with an occasional beef plate. It is one of the best things I did for my diet. My cholesterol dropped over the course of 4 or so months and I actually felt better. I still love beef and definitely consume it, but I am not interested in eating it like I did before.

You understand that if I try your suggestion and it doesn't work I'm going to burn down your house, right?

[Pheidippides]

Just got my blood work back and my cholesterol sucks. 241. My LDL is high and my HDL is low, and my triglycerides are 200 or so. Basically, my heart is going to explode. Despite my constant promotion of the beef industry, my diet isn't all that bad. I eat lots of fiber, and I keep my fat intake to a respectable level, albeit I will admit that I eat too much butter and I should probably quit eating cream on my cereal.

For the docs, is there a way to regulate my cholesterol without taking statins? I hear the side effects suck. Also, how bad is 241? How do blockages work - ie, do they come and go, or do they appear and just get worse? All these questions, and no time to spend googling them.

This is why genetics suck sometimes. You are in fantastic shape and have been for years. Meanwhile, I was a fat tub of lard who ate everything and anything in sight back in 2006. Yet in 2006, my cholesterol was spectacular.

This is absolutely not fair. I just think I should say that.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Just got my blood work back and my cholesterol sucks. 241. My LDL is high and my HDL is low, and my triglycerides are 200 or so. Basically, my heart is going to explode. Despite my constant promotion of the beef industry, my diet isn't all that bad. I eat lots of fiber, and I keep my fat intake to a respectable level, albeit I will admit that I eat too much butter and I should probably quit eating cream on my cereal.

For the docs, is there a way to regulate my cholesterol without taking statins? I hear the side effects suck. Also, how bad is 241? How do blockages work - ie, do they come and go, or do they appear and just get worse? All these questions, and no time to spend googling them.

Excellent questions. Treating elevated cholesterol is not as straight forward as say high blood pressure.

What was the specific LDL and HDL? You can PM me this info if you want but the other things that influence the effects of cholesterol are : Age, Sex, blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes. You can also google "Framingham Risk assessment" and enter the data. It will then tell you what is your 10 year risk for heart disease. This percentage then is used to assess how aggressive to treat your cholesterol.

As far as other things to take, I take 4 capsules of fish oil a day. You can substitute flax seed oil or cod liver oil(shudder). They have been shown to lower LDL cholesterol. Taking Niacin (100 mg) can raise HDL, but some people get excessive flushig with Niacin.

[TripletDaddy]

You understand that if I try your suggestion and it doesn't work I'm going to burn down your house, right?

HA! Ok, hold on.....let me restate using only my experience as a frame of reference.

I basically lived my life eating whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. I am not a big guy, so I thought I could get away with it. When I finally had my cholesterol tested, it became apparent that while I wasn't packing on a bunch of body fat, my arteries were paying the price.

I, like you, did not want to hop on meds if I could avoid it. But my doc said I needed to get that number down. So I decided to do an experiment. I wanted to find out if my high numbers were more genetic or lifestyle. The only reliable way to find out was to radically improve my diet and lifestyle. I started going to the gym every day and being militant about what I ate. After 4 or so months, my numbers had dropped drastically. Not coincidentally, my consumption of beef, fried foods, sweets, and junk had also decreased to almost nothing. I would have a grilled steak now and then (maybe once every week....MAX)....but everything else was chicken, fish, veggies, grains, lots of fruit, etc. I was excited when I received my new results because it showed me that my genetics would likely not kill me (although my lifestyle would).

I am not a doc, so maybe one of our resident experts can chime in here, but it seems likely that if your issue is lifestyle (diet), then eradicating or reducing your beef intake can only help your cholesterol levels. Also, stop with the butter and cream in your cereal. It is a drastic diet change, but it is only for a few months. Do it for 4 months and see how it affects your levels. If it has no affect on your levels, then you can assume that your challenge in likely genetic, in which case you are going to have to alter your diet anyway.

I know you are into running and exercise, so you are already winning half the battle. You would be amazed how much of a difference it can make simply by making adjustments to your diet.

I am excited for you to do this. I am a big believer in monitoring cholesterol before it gets out of control. And I promise that you will feel a little better as you tweak your diet. Have a steak now and then, though. Don't get me wrong.

[PaloAltoCougar]

I agree with nikuman that genetics seems to be the greatest determinant. My devotion to the beef industry has been established, and I love a trough of buttered popcorn Sunday night and at the movie theater. But I actually have cut back a bit on such things, and have reduced my trysts with Ben & Jerry to once weekly.

As bragged about earlier this year, in May I learned my year-over-year numbers had improved as follows: Total cholesterol: 218:178; HDL 53:58; Triglycerides: 150:101; and LDL 135:100. There are three significant changes in lifestyle that could explain this (and I suspect it's all three): better fitness, fish oil and oatmeal. I started taking one fish oil capsule (1200mg with 684 Omega3 fatty acids) several months ago. And I started eating oatmeal three times a week. BTW, all three changes are due in part to CUF.

I'm curious if my esteemed foursome member JiC, he of the dreadful fashion choice, would recommend upping the fish oil.

[Pheidippides]

There are three significant changes in lifestyle that could explain this (and I suspect it's all three): better fitness, fish oil and oatmeal. I started taking one fish oil capsule (1200mg with 684 Omega3 fatty acids) several months ago. And I started eating oatmeal three times a week.

Interesting. I take fish oil daily (although in a lower dose than you appear to), I have the better fitness, and I eat oatmeal five days a week. (I've also cut most refined sugar out of my diet and sweeten stuff with honey or real maple syrup, but I don't know what that has to do with anything).

Now I am worried. My good cholesterols were borderline low last I got tested.

[The_Tick]

Hah. I am one of the fattest in the CUF.

My cholesterol level last time tested? 105.

Who knows...

[byu71]

Just got my blood work back and my cholesterol sucks. 241. My LDL is high and my HDL is low, and my triglycerides are 200 or so. Basically, my heart is going to explode. Despite my constant promotion of the beef industry, my diet isn't all that bad. I eat lots of fiber, and I keep my fat intake to a respectable level, albeit I will admit that I eat too much butter and I should probably quit eating cream on my cereal.

For the docs, is there a way to regulate my cholesterol without taking statins? I hear the side effects suck. Also, how bad is 241? How do blockages work - ie, do they come and go, or do they appear and just get worse? All these questions, and no time to spend googling them.

First, find a way to get it fixed!!! I want to be the first on the board to bite the dust so I can plead the rest of your cases before the judgement bar.

[TripletDaddy]

Hah. I am one of the fattest in the CUF.

My cholesterol level last time tested? 105.

Who knows...

If that is "total" cholesterol, that would be the lowest reading I have ever heard in my life. Most total range charts down even go down to 105. I think the lowest one I saw went down to 110 for total.

Maybe it is your LDL or HDL. It is still a very low number, though.

[PaloAltoCougar]

First, find a way to get it fixed!!! I want to be the first on the board to bite the dust so I can plead the rest of your cases before the judgement bar.

This is disconcerting news. See you all in hell. At least we'll have a lot of fun.

[byu71]

This is disconcerting news. See you all in hell. At least we'll have a lot of fun.

This might come as a shock to most of you, but I have it on good authority the judgement bar isn't made up of intellects. While I may not do so hot here, you might be surprised how persuasive I might be up there.

[Jarid in Cedar]

If that is "total" cholesterol, that would be the lowest reading I have ever heard in my life. Most total range charts down even go down to 105. I think the lowest one I saw went down to 110 for total.

Maybe it is your LDL or HDL. It is still a very low number, though.

I have seen a total cholesterol of 72. If you go to the Kalahari tribesmen, their cholesterols average in the 60's and 70's.

[TripletDaddy]

I have seen a total cholesterol of 72. If you go to the Kalahari tribesmen, their cholesterols average in the 60's and 70's.

I have to admit, if I were talking to a bushman about his cholesterol, I would probably laugh a bit and give him a high five.