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[Lynda07]

Hi

A few month ago my cholesterol was 7.2 and I was told by my GP I needed to lower it. I had a blood test to measure it again a few weeks ago as part of a check up for a possible heart issue and I was horrified to hear yesterday that it's now 8! I've no idea what could have caused this increase. My blood pressure is also high at 150/91 and that is with the 24 hour monitor 

I've done so much reading to see how I can improve things in the past 24 hours that my head is spinning. I've told my GP I'll give up alcohol and on this basis she has given me 3 month to bring my cholesterol down, failing that she obviously wants me on statins and I really don't want to take them.

Reading on line, tips seem to be mainly to eat low carb, good fats and exercise. I thought I had a reasonably healthy diet but based on what I'm reading I do have too many carbs and although not a sugar addict, I do eat biscuits and chocolate.

Can anyone offer any other advice that is straight forward or direct me to somewhere with easy(ish) UK recipes? I am sure deep down it's quite simple to get to grips with a different way of eating but I do feel quite overwhelmed with all I have read.

Thank you.

[Aprilflower]

Hi,
Best place to start is with this doc.  Website has information and video.  He also has a published recipe book.  Good luck.

https://doctoraseem.com/

[Gnatty]

Hi there, I just wanted to say that although I am sure you will be able to make some really good changes and make a difference to your reading - it isn't the end of the world if you do need to take statins. A very large scale study has shown they work and a lot of the side effects were actually due to the 'nonebo' effect. In other words people expect to get muscle aches etc and so experience them. I think the study showed that they were just as present in the placebo group! Also... I think there is research happening to see if they have a preventative effect for Alzheimer's.

[CLKD]

We take statins.  My levels were 7 for years which freaked out our new GP.  Talking it through we both decided to take them every morning.  No side effects at all.

Supposedly lessens the risk of stroke.  I don't know if GPs get paid to prescribe them?

[Lynda07]

Aprilflower, thank you, that is really interesting, much appreciated.

Gnatty, I have read this also, thank you My only problem is I have a dreadful fear of all medication, it makes life very difficult at times.

CKLD - I am glad you have no side effects. I am reading lots on what they may do or not do, it’s a minefield out there. Thank you for replying.

[Kathleen]

Hello Lynda07.

I am fortunate that my cholesterol and blood pressure etc are all good but I wanted to say that you needn't feel daunted if you have to change your diet. I did exactly that twelve years ago when I stopped eating meat and dairy. Actually it took me a while to give up cheese and eggs but from 2013 I have been completely plant based. I was never much of a cook but I discovered great chefs on YouTube and along with vegan recipe books I now make delicious food that is healthy for me.  I also eat a lot  of carbs but they are the complex ones from plants and for healthy fats I eat plenty of nuts. Thankfully the Ulcerative Colitis that caused me to change my diet is now a thing of the past.

Hopefully your cholesterol and high blood pressure will improve with lifestyle changes so that you don't have to worry about taking medication.

Take care and please keep us updated.

K.

[Lynda07]

Thanks Kathleen. I think once I ‘get my head around’ a total change in diet I would be ok but do feel daunted at the moment as I just don’t know what to eat, we aren’t very adventurous in our diet at home so I tend to eat very similar, carb heavy meals most days. It’s so encouraging to hear from  someone like yourself who has not only made changes but done so successfully.

I will let you know how I get on. Also, I never thought of YouTube for recipes etc so thanks for that too.

Lynda

[Gracie]

I was always the one who refused the cream cakes when out to lunch with friends and always followed a strict healthy diet all my adult life. Guess who was the one who had the highest cholesterol, me!

It can be genetic as in my case, all I can do is stick to my healthy diet and keep active.  I couldn’t get on with the statins, my digestive system couldn’t cope and made me feel very ill. 

[Kathleen]

Hello again ladies.

Lynda07 - I found that my palate adapted when I changed my diet and now I really appreciate the taste of the meals that I make. I also substituted some foods and used healthy alternatives, for example soya milk instead of cows milk. I found the whole process fairly straightforward and I don't feel deprived at all.

I did all this because my Ulcerative Colitis was caused by chronic inflammation which animal foods contribute to but plant foods do not.

Gracie - I have a friend who has Familial Hypercholesterolemia and he needs to take statins because his high cholesterol can't be controlled by diet. He tried several types of the drug but now he takes one that suits him very well.

Take care ladies.

K.

[Lynda07]

That is such a shame Gracie, My GP mentioned it could be genetic too. So (if you don't mind me asking) do you just not take any medication due to the side effects you suffered?

Kathleen, I am feeling quite inspired reading your latest comment, I've got some vegan and vegetarian cook books and am going to look through them at the weekend and make a weekly meal plan.

[Gynaikeíos]

Hello Ladies   
If it of help, my GP said that cholesterol is not raised by foods but by  dropping ultra processed
food,  sugars and  increasing exercise we get our  balance back.
I listened to this program on radio recently all about how we eat too much sugars ...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0639xp0#:~:text=Simon%20Evans%20looks%20at%20the,been%20knowingly%20concealed%20for%20decades.

I hope your special diet for your  ulcerative colitis working fine for you Kathleen.  I make absolutely no criticism,  because you make it right for you.   

Most people  have been misled about animal fats for many years. A Doctor  called Ancel Keys made mistakes in his study which were used by food processors to advertise their sugary and low fat packet foods that damage our health. There are questions about inflammation too and what is really causing it. Omega 3 is lacking in many diet that are low in fat  so balanced diet with  meat and real dairy does make a healthy diet after all.
My bad cholesterol got higher than she liked, so I  now have better food. More from scratch, lots of vegetables and  fruit, meat and fish, and back to  full milk. Cholesterol is down. My family  is doing fine.
Now my VA is  improved, I can exercise more  comfortably and I expect to have  my cholesterol down more than my last check. 

With best wishes 💓 

[Aprilflower]

Good post Gynaikeios.  That's pretty much as I understand things.

Cutting down on sugar and starchy carbs is hard but pays dividends.  Good quality protein also helps to satisfy the appetit for longer. 

[Gracie]

That is such a shame Gracie, My GP mentioned it could be genetic too. So (if you don't mind me asking) do you just not take any medication due to the side effects you suffered?

I don't take any meds and I had a blood test done last year and nothing was mentioned but I probably would have refused statins again if offered.
I was diagnosed with high cholesterol many years ago and I am hoping my diet is keeping me healthy, apart from having a chocolate digestive which is my only vice, no doctor is going to take that away from me. 

[Lynda07]

Gynaikeíos - I do appreciate you posting this link, thank you. I'm half way through listening to it and it's interesting (and amusing).

Aprilflower - I think that's very true, I hadn't realised how much I "rely" on both and I do find the thought of giving them up or reducing them quite difficult. I have stopped drinking alcohol but noticed I have then veered towards chocolate so there is a sugar craving there, in place of the wine, for sure.

Gracie - I would be the same as you, in every way, I don't want statins (just my personal view of course)

Thanks again ladies.

[sheila99]

Try switching to dark chocolate. FIL was diabetic, gp told him it was OK (and better for him than the diabetic chocolate).