Lowering Cholesterol

[Barsel]

Have you or someone you know, ever been successful at lowering cholesterol without taking statins? Perhaps with diet or other natural remedies?

[dannyk13]

I tried to lower my cholesterol by dieting and it worked for a couple of weeks but then it rose again so I had to start taking statins and it has been fine ever since.

[NoMercy]

I personally think cutting down on sugar and salt is the best place to start. Hydrogenated and trans fats are just plain bad.

I honestly don't think there is anything wrong with butter and EVO oil can be consumed in abundance.

Extensive studies have shown that dietary cholesterol does not affect your cholesterol levels, so eat as many eggs as you desire.

Upping your intake of vegetables, including dark green leafy ones, is another good lifestyle choice and they contain many thousands of potent phytonutrients that go round the body doing good deeds.

[Barsel]

Thanks NoMercy. I never add sugar or salt to anything, but obviously it's in most of the foods we eat.What is EVO oil?

[237SJ]

^Extra virgin olive oil.

[NoMercy]

Extra virgin olive oil. I have at least 2 tbsp on my salad daily, with a capful of apple cider vinegar and freshly squeezed lime. I avoid bottled salad dressings like the plague.

Essentially, keeping your diet as natural as possible and free of manufactured, processed foods is the way forward.

Eat butter, not margarine. Make salad dressings, don't buy them. Eat plenty of oily fish, nuts, seeds, and just a couple of portions of lean meat per week.

[Barsel]

Thanks for that 237SJ. I was wondering about supplements like this.
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/fitness-pharma-cholesterol-balance-capsules-60031436?skuid=031436

[237SJ]

Well, if it was me, I would just have a nice salmon and avocado sandwich or salad which would pretty much do the same thing

[Sqad]

"Extensive studies have shown that dietary cholesterol does not affect your cholesterol levels, so eat as many eggs as you desire. "

That from the post of NoM is the "bottom line". The association of diet and cholesterol levels is ill understood and that if you believe that there is an association between raised blood cholesterol and heart attacks and stroke.
If you ARE convinced, then take statins or Ezetrol which lowers the blood cholesterol.

[Barsel]

I've no idea if high cholesterol will cause me to have a heart attack or stroke. My GP said my level is over 7 and gave me Atorvastatin, but within days I was so tired I could hardly function. As someone who is nearly always anaemic or has low ferritin sp? it didn't help at all, as all I wanted to do was sleep, so I am looking for something that has no side effects like supplements but don't know if I might be wasting my money.

[Barsel]

Sorry sqad, I meant to ask what is Ezetrol? Is it on prescription?

[pastafreak]

+1 for Nom and sqad...I've also seen references to studies that claim statins do little good for older ladies ( I don't know your age ), and we actually benefit from having higher cholesterol.

[Sqad]

Barsel....yes Ezetrol is on prescription and is used to lower the cholesterol in patients, like you, who have unacceptable side effects from statins.
The side effects that you have described are quite common wit statins.

[Barsel]

That's interesting pastafreak, I haven't heard that before. Well I suppose I might be considered to be an older women, I'll be 71 in November. I will have a word with the GP to see what he thinks of sqads suggestion of Ezetrol. In the meantime, I will watch my diet more closely and perhaps do a little light exercise.
Thanks for all your replies.x

[roopower]

I find all the various oils very confusing. I've started using rape seed oil as I read somewhere that's the best but is EVO better for cholesterol, then?

[Barsel]

Roo, I think I read somewhere that olive oil shouldn't be used in cooking but is fine for drizzling on salads like NoMercy does. I use rapeseed oil in a spray if I need to cook anything like browning meat for a casserole.

[Coppit]

Interesting dannyK13. When my MD told me I had high cholesterol I immediately said that I'd watch my diet but he said, No, and prescribed statins.