High Cholesterol

[bobr1952]

I have high cholesterol.......306 with a 41 for HDL and 244 for LDL

I weigh 178 and am 5'11'' and am in good shape (can run a 5:45 mile for example)

Why is this happening to me ******?

I think genetics often plays a big role in cholesterol too. I exercise every day (run) and eat reasonably well but my cholesterol was very similar to yours. About 5 years ago my doctor put me on Crestor and now my cholesterol is 160 with hdl of 80. I am glad it is low now although I still don't think the medical community really knows for sure how genetics plays into cholesterol levels and longevity--my mom just turned 100.

 

[renewed]

Maybe I'm captain obvious but shouldn't you be seeing a doctor about this instead of MacRumors forum members?

 

[Jaro65]

Maybe I'm captain obvious but shouldn't you be seeing a doctor about this instead of MacRumors forum members?

He did. Now he's soliciting a second opinion.

Nothing wrong with asking around. Though obviously you need to weigh judiciously the advice you receive.

 

[renewed]

He did. Now he's soliciting a second opinion.

Nothing wrong with asking around. Though obviously you need to weigh judiciously the advice you receive.

With respect, I don't see any mention of visiting a doctor... just a mention that a physical for work a year ago indicated this and he just recently got the results...

 

[eawmp1]

1) DON'T ask for medical advice on a computer forum. Some of the info here is just plain wrong. Go to a physician, get checked out and get retested. The discuss therapeutic options.
2) Lifestyle IS important, but in most cases far less important than genetics. There are triathletes with high cholesterol readings and 500# people with normal cholesterol readings.
3) Family history is important - if you have a family history of atherosclerotic disease (e.g. heart attacks, strokes) you should be on a statin medication. Harder to make a case if your family all live to 100.

 

[kellen]

Post on the internet until its fixed.

 

[Music_Producer]

There are a lot of controversies regarding cholesterol - when I was in med school it was the basic - eating too much saturated fats raises cholesterol which causes atherosclerosis and heart disease.

However, your body also synthesizes cholesterol (the liver) and yes, genetics do play an important role. You have to try different regimens to see how your cholesterol levels respond - in most people, dietary cholesterol changes result in no change in blood cholesterol levels. In some people, they do make a difference.

Then there is oxidized and un-oxidized cholesterol. When you break the egg yolk, it is exposed to oxygen and that transforms it into 'bad' cholesterol. It's similar to leaving a cup of fresh squeezes orange juice - within a few minutes it starts tasting a bit sour due to oxidation.

If you want to eat eggs, eat them boiled or poached.. don't scramble or make an omelet. Keep your saturated fats to a minimum if possible, eat more nuts, avocado, fish, etc.

Do this for a month and then test your lipid profile - see if it made a difference. If not, then your dietary changes have no influence on blood cholesterol.

Also there are quite a few studies that show that carbohydrates raise cholesterol (especially the high GI ones like sugar, junk food, etc) Try to eat low GI carbs such as oatmeal, brown rice, wheat bread.

Also get your liver profile tests done to see how your liver is faring - high cholesterol can lead to liver damage.

Btw, I have hypertension even though I'm quite athletic and eat clean- it's just a crappy gene I inherited from my folks I keep it under control by supplementing with magnesium and potassium - haven't required meds so far.

 

[Dillenger]

I tried all of the cholesterol lowering drugs and they either gave me an upset stomach or constipation (sorry). When I told my family doctor about all of this he told me to try some of the plant sterols pills that they sell at Sam's Club, also to use the Heart Heathy products like their plant sterol based oils and butter, eat a tone of fruits and veggies and watch the red meats. Along with a diet low in saturated fats, moderate exercise and taking those pills I've been able to drop mine down of 297 to around 235.

 

[dukebound85]

Well, I am not a fan of drugs at all unless absolutely neccessary and try to avoid when I can

I am going to:

1) stop eating as many eggs
2) stop eating cheese
3) start eating tons of oatmeal and cheerios
4) start eating more fish and less red meats


What other foods?

Should I see it drop?

 

[.Andy]

Well, I am not a fan of drugs at all unless absolutely neccessary and try to avoid when I can

I am going to:

1) stop eating as many eggs
2) stop eating cheese
3) start eating tons of oatmeal and cheerios
4) start eating more fish and less red meats


What other foods?

Should I see it drop?

Seeing as it was a result from last year why not get it rechecked? Even if it hasn't normalized/improved (which it likely would have if you're doing asNyou claim) a persistent raised result would help guide management.

 

[AppleMatt]

To be honest, I think you're making too many changes at once. For one you won't be able to track what actually made the difference and you could end up sacrificing too much of your lifestyle in pursuit of health. Essentially everything is bad for you in one way or another; it's a battle you'll never win. That said...

I am going to:

1) stop eating as many eggs
2) stop eating cheese
4) ... less red meats

1. No point, it's an urban myth: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7882850.stm. That said, I think I read you eat 12 a week or something; an excess of anything isn't good so might be worth cutting down anyway.
2. I know a few of people who've had to reduce their cholesterol, and eliminating cheese has consistently provided the biggest initial drop. So I'd start with this one. The only problem is, cheese is really nice .
4. I'm not sure cholesterol wise, but the amount of red meat in the Western diet is well known to be bad for your heart. I suspect your main concern about high cholesterol is your heart so this one's probably a winner. Plus it's appalling for the environment, producing it uses monstrous amounts of potable water. Maybe red meat once a week?

Personally, I think (after cutting down on cheese) you'd do well to simply eat more foods with 'good' fats in, particularly olive oil, because these are known to displace the 'bad fats':
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=olive+oil+cholesterol&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Finally, and I thought long and hard about saying this, but have you been checked for diabetes? If not, do so. It can come on silently and it can throw your cholesterol entirely out of whack. Without managing the diabetes first, you've no chance of getting the cholesterol under control.

AppleMatt

 

[dukebound85]

Finally, and I thought long and hard about saying this, but have you been checked for diabetes? If not, do so. It can come on silently and it can throw your cholesterol entirely out of whack. Without managing the diabetes first, you've no chance of getting the cholesterol under control.

AppleMatt

My glucose level is within range when looking at my test results.

Still a chance fr diabetes?

 

[iOrlando]

To be honest, I think you're making too many changes at once. For one you won't be able to track what actually made the difference and you could end up sacrificing too much of your lifestyle in pursuit of health. Essentially everything is bad for you in one way or another; it's a battle you'll never win. That said...



1. No point, it's an urban myth: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7882850.stm. That said, I think I read you eat 12 a week or something; an excess of anything isn't good so might be worth cutting down anyway.
2. I know a few of people who've had to reduce their cholesterol, and eliminating cheese has consistently provided the biggest initial drop. So I'd start with this one. The only problem is, cheese is really nice .
4. I'm not sure cholesterol wise, but the amount of red meat in the Western diet is well known to be bad for your heart. I suspect your main concern about high cholesterol is your heart so this one's probably a winner. Plus it's appalling for the environment, producing it uses monstrous amounts of potable water. Maybe red meat once a week?

Personally, I think (after cutting down on cheese) you'd do well to simply eat more foods with 'good' fats in, particularly olive oil, because these are known to displace the 'bad fats':
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=olive+oil+cholesterol&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Finally, and I thought long and hard about saying this, but have you been checked for diabetes? If not, do so. It can come on silently and it can throw your cholesterol entirely out of whack. Without managing the diabetes first, you've no chance of getting the cholesterol under control.

AppleMatt

i'm a big anti-egg advocate and I laughed at that link. You do realize that so called "academic" studies come out arguing anything they want with little evidence to back up their claims. It truly is a sham system and all universities take part of it. Headlines and research are done to only gain media attention. Eggs are a high source of cholesterol and all that survey said was -well your diet doesn't contribute everything to high cholesterol therefore eggs cant be the sole reason. Well duh.

Eggs are pretty bad from a cholesterol standpoint. No arguing about that fact.

As a general fact, I wouldn't use those kind of studies as proof or evidence of anything. I see a lot of people do that on this forum. All i can do is google "eggs are bad for you" and pull up dozens of other "studies" that say its bad...

I dont look to highly on upper academic shams, if you couldnt tell.

 

[Rt&Dzine]

Don't believe academic studies over random people who post on internet forums.

 

[dukebound85]

had 3 bowls of plain oatmeal and water, no sugar

was surprised at how good it tasted

i am going cold turkey on sugar as much as i can as well

 

[iOrlando]

Don't believe academic studies over random people who post on internet forums.

you be surprised. I generally find people on this site have no agenda to sell. For example, I have a few interests that I spend my days always trying to broaden my knowledge about (exercise, diet, etc.) and I will discuss topics on here that I think I have a reasonable knowledge about (both good and bad) and also discuss what debate is out there on the subject. (With that said, I dont use any other internet forum besides this one and I really dont read stuff from someone marked as "member" or "newbie")

Academic studies will just talk about their hypothesis and often only include data that supports their hypothesis. Data mining is rampant. Don't get me wrong, there are some places that do great stuff (I just tend to see it not be in a university setting where funding is determined by how many times you get referenced in other pieces of research (it is one big circle jerk anyways).

The best researchers out there are those who have years of no luck, no news, total obscurity, only to come to some conclusion or finding (which is often batted down by those above him or her) and then years later the true significance become apparent.

i also think this way towards medicine and doctors. Yes not all doctors are bad, but when their pay structure is based on the number of referrals they give and the number of services they provide to a patent, I take concern with that. I find if I have a relative simple question to ask, I come on here and will get just as good of an answer, if not better, on here than going to a doctor. (of course, I am referring to simple things...if my foot hurts when running, or I have a rash on my forearm..etc..etc...I find if other people have had similar experiences with me, I can gain knowledge from that.

I am a cynic, which would be pretty obvious.

and careful with the oatmeal (it does really add to the tummy if eaten in large quantities)

 

[Gregg2]

my cholesterol level decreased greatly when I stopped eating pork and read meat, and only eat meat a few days a week in general.

Must have been an interesting read!

Well, I am not a fan of drugs at all unless absolutely neccessary and try to avoid when I can

I am going to:

...

Should I see it drop?

Yeah, but for some of us (myself included) diet and exercise alone will not do the trick. I'm 5'-9" and 155 pounds and have taken statins to lower my cholesterol. Right now I'm off of the medicine, and my last blood test showed higher, but still acceptable levels. I expect to have to go back on the drug at a later date. Keep having it checked and take the doctor's advice on whether to medicate. You might see a difference with more exercise and a better diet, but you might not.

 

[AppleMatt]

i'm a big anti-egg advocate and I laughed at that link.

Ideally (and especially when advising someone else) you would be an 'egg-agnostic'; you've no opinion either way but are interested in finding out the truth.

You've admitted that you are bias against eggs and that you have an agenda against academic research, and your summary of the findings was incorrect. This makes it hard for me to take what you say on board without questioning your reasoning. I don't deny there are problems in academic research, but it's absurd to immediately disregard everything simply because it comes from an academic source. It's more absurd to generalise with your profile of who 'the best researchers' are.

You'll notice the article makes reference to other bodies who have long changed their advice on this. The British Heart Foundation (quoted) said "If you need to reduce your cholesterol level it is more important [than eliminating eggs] that you cut down on the amount of saturated fat in your diet from foods like fatty meat, full fat dairy products and cakes, biscuits and pastries." All we can do is take information from all sources and make up our own minds. If you don't want the OP to consider academic research (and advice from health bodies), what do you want him to consider?

Aside from all this, and I'm not being facetious, but from what you've said I think you might likethis book. There's a lot on academic research issues, the media (antioxidants and the like), vitamin tablets etc.

My glucose level is within range when looking at my test results.

Still a chance fr diabetes?

I'm not a doctor, I trained in medical science (and then abandoned that for law).

had 3 bowls of plain oatmeal and water, no sugar

I think you're taking this way too far. Your body needs other nutrients, protein and even some of those fats you're trying to eliminate. You're not going to drop down dead tomorrow; take it slowly and discover what works and what doesn't. There's plenty of healthy and substantial meals that taste great, no need to blandify your diet.

AppleMatt

 

[eawmp1]

Academic studies will just talk about their hypothesis and often only include data that supports their hypothesis. Data mining is rampant. Don't get me wrong, there are some places that do great stuff (I just tend to see it not be in a university setting where funding is determined by how many times you get referenced in other pieces of research (it is one big circle jerk anyways).

The best researchers out there are those who have years of no luck, no news, total obscurity, only to come to some conclusion or finding (which is often batted down by those above him or her) and then years later the true significance become apparent.

i also think this way towards medicine and doctors. Yes not all doctors are bad, but when their pay structure is based on the number of referrals they give and the number of services they provide to a patent, I take concern with that. I find if I have a relative simple question to ask, I come on here and will get just as good of an answer, if not better, on here than going to a doctor. (of course, I am referring to simple things...if my foot hurts when running, or I have a rash on my forearm..etc..etc...I find if other people have had similar experiences with me, I can gain knowledge from that.

1) This is why one should not seek advice here.
2) Anecdotal evidence always trumps placebo-controlled, double blinded studies
3) Doctors are not paid for generating/denying referrals. They are not paid to write prescriptions.
4) Doctors who DO procedures are paid per procedure. Doctors who provide primary care are paid for time spent, and the medical complexity of your problem. In general, a primary care MD's job is to make sure you live as long as you can, and in as good health as you can.
5) Pain in the foot and rashes, as mild ailments, often resolve over time. Anecdotal remedies are not harmful and can be helpful. However, when something does not resolve within a period of time, seek medical advice.
6) Cholesterol is something largely dictated by your genetics. Diet and exercise can have an effect (as can other non-drug interactions). However, interpreting the numbers in YOUR specific situation (diet, exercise, other cardiovascular risk factors, and family history of cardiovascular diesease) is best done in consultation with a physician. You can therefore determine what interventions/monitoring are appropriate. High LDL/low HDL are chronic conditions that continuously damage the vascular system. Early intervention has been shown to delay the onset of cardiovascular disease.

 

[.Andy]

Don't believe academic studies over random people who post on internet forums.

It got even better too ! There's not much these days that isn't a scientific conspiracy! Ergo one doesn't need to do no learnin'. Opinion is enough.

 

[iOrlando]

just dont eat the yolk. Its not that big of deal.

 

[Jaro65]

I dont look to highly on upper academic shams, if you couldnt tell.

I actually could, just based on your spelling.

No harm intended, but you made this one way too tempting.

 

[63dot]

Maybe I'm captain obvious but shouldn't you be seeing a doctor about this instead of MacRumors forum members?

One of the administators on this site is an MD. Maybe he will chime in.

 

[dukebound85]

interesting...been talking to my parents

apparently my great grandma (died at 97) had cholesterol in the 400's and was a skinny old farm lady

my grandma has it in the 300's and is 77

my mom has hers in the 300's and is 49

no history of family heart issues

 

[eawmp1]

interesting...been talking to my parents

apparently my great grandma (died at 97) had cholesterol in the 400's and was a skinny old farm lady

my grandma has it in the 300's and is 77

my mom has hers in the 300's and is 49

no history of family heart issues

Lucky bugger...my dad and I share very similar high cholesterol levels and he had a heart attack at 47. However, he smoked so I am adding 10 years.