Lowering Cholesterol

Question: lowering cholesterol? I had my cholesterol taken for school. im in nursing school and we are required to have this huuuge physical. So i was told LDL should be under 130 for an adult, mine was 108. I thought...perfect! Untill i found out LDL in a 20 year old (my age) should be less than 100. So i dont have high cholesterol by any means...i just want to lower it and keep it lowered. I'm a college student and tend to make quick meals...have little time to be dinkin around making meals. Any suggestions what to eat? foods to stay away from? I've been exercising about 3 days a week. Im not going to go all out on this but just to keep everything in check so i dont end up with high cholesterol later on in life. Thanks!

Answer: Buy some Fish Oil tablets from the health shop , I had high LDL and once I started taking tablets it dropped heaps the doc said. I have bad cholesterol in the family so to be told " The tablets seem to be working" was good news Increase memory function, or help impaired ones (as in Alzheimer's and dementia) *Modify the behavior of over-active children *Help clear the arteries of cholesterol and ameliorate or reverse atherosclerosis, angina, heart attack, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease, and generally prevent heart disease. *Reduce inflammation and can be of great benefit to people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or ulcerative colitis. *Delay or reduce tumor development in breast cancer, and other forms of cancer as well. *Benefit people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic inflammatory disease. *Bolster the immune system *Generally increase life-span and quality of your life. Fish oil benefits are numerous and everyone should consider taking a dietary supplement or increasing their oily fish intake

Question: Lowering cholesterol? What are some good (natural) ways to lower cholesterol? Has anyone done this on their own thru diet and exercise? What did you do? What foods did you cut out and include in your diet? 10 pts. for the best well thought out and informative answer. Thanks!

Answer: Both my husband and I are borderline on cholesterol. Our family doctor has us taking flax seed oil (fish oil is also good, but can be more irritating to your digestive system). She also recommends eating oats - any kind, oatmeal, cheerios, oat bread, etc.. Also, drink grape juice and increase the amount of good cholesterol you consume. That means eating fish and reducing red meats. Go for whole grains and lots of fresh veggies. Use olive and canola oils to cook. There are tons of web sites on this stuff. Check out the American Heart Association. Good luck!!!!

Question: Where can I find primary sources relating to lowering your cholesterol? So i'm writing this research paper for one of my high school courses. I'm suppose to find a PRIMARY article about my topic, lowering cholesterol. However, i can't find any primary articles about lowering cholesterol or any experiment including the results pertaing to lowering cholesetrol. so any ideas where to find primary articles. Also I tried googling it and search for about 30 minutes lookin on yahoo, google,etc. and couldn't find any primary sources.

Answer: Perhaps you might find what you are looking for in a web search for "high cholesterol" + "natural remedies".

Question: How effective are different cheerios flavors at lowering cholesterol? Since I've heard that oats and soluble fiber are supposed to help lower cholesterol, I've started eating cheerios daily as breakfast or a snack. Since eating plain cheerios every day is kind of boring, I was hoping to try out the other flavors available, like Apple Cinnamon or Banana Nut. Granted, some of the flavors are probably unhealthier than plain cheerios because they are much more sugary (Frosted Cheerios)...but nevertheless, are they all still equally good at lowering cholesterol? Or should I just stick with plain.

Answer: Not very, they tried passing off coco puffs as healthy.

Question: How walking do help in lowering cholesterol? I read that high cholesterol is a liver problm,why do all drs tell us to walk an hour everyday to help lowering cholesterol? since it's a malfunction of z liver?

Answer: Hi Capucine, Total cholesterol is made up of 3 basic components - LDL, HDL, and VLDL. Being regularly active will help boost HDL (the "good" cholesterol levels) and lower LDL and VLDL. As a result your total cholesterol level will improve. All the best, Lisa Nelson RD How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps - http://www.lisanelsonrd.com/howtolowercholesterol.html

Question: Does lowering cholesterol have an effect on blood pressure? I know people can lower their cholesterol by following a good diet (fruits, vegetables, high fiber) and with some supplements. But does this have any effect on also lowering blood pressure too? Both are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. But is there a direct correlation, ie cholesterol drops by 8, and average blood pressure drops as well.

Answer: Conditions with elevated concentrations of oxidized LDL particles, especially "small dense LDL" (sdLDL) particles, are associated with atheroma formation in the walls of arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis, which is the principal cause of coronary heart disease and other forms of cardiovascular disease. In contrast, HDL particles (especially large HDL) have been identified as a mechanism by which cholesterol and inflammatory mediators can be removed from atheroma. Increased concentrations of HDL correlate with lower rates of atheroma progressions and even regression. The relation of cholesterol to CHD, termed the "lipid hypothesis," is still hotly debated. Elevated levels of the lipoprotein fractions, LDL, IDL and VLDL are regarded as atherogenic (prone to cause atherosclerosis).[citation needed] Levels of these fractions, rather than the total cholesterol level, correlate with the extent and progress of atherosclerosis. Conversely, the total cholesterol can be within normal limits, yet be made up primarily of small LDL and small HDL particles, under which conditions atheroma growth rates would still be high. In contrast, however, if LDL particle number is low (mostly large particles) and a large percentage of the HDL particles are large, then atheroma growth rates are usually low, even negative, for any given total cholesterol concentration.[citation needed] Multiple human trials utilizing HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, known as statins, have repeatedly confirmed that changing lipoprotein transport patterns from unhealthy to healthier patterns significantly lowers cardiovascular disease event rates, even for people with cholesterol values currently considered low for adults. As a result, people with a history of cardiovascular disease may derive benefit from statins irrespective of their cholesterol levels,[7] and in men without cardiovascular disease there is benefit from lowering abnormally high cholesterol levels ("primary prevention").[8] Primary prevention in women is practiced only by extension of the findings in studies on men,[9] since in women, none of the large statin trials has shown a reduction in overall mortality or in cardiovascular end points.[10] The American Heart Association provides a set of guidelines for total (fasting) blood cholesterol levels and risk for heart disease:[11] Level mg/dL Level mmol/L Interpretation <200 <5.2 Desirable level corresponding to lower risk for heart disease 200-239 5.2-6.2 Borderline high risk >240 >6.2 High risk However, as today's testing methods determine LDL ("bad") and HDL ("good") cholesterol separately, this simplistic view has become somewhat outdated. The desirable LDL level is considered to be less than 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L)[citation needed] , although a newer target of <70 mg/dL can be considered in higher risk individuals based on some of the above-mentioned trials. A ratio of total cholesterol to HDL — another useful measure — of far less than 5:1 is thought to be healthier. Of note, typical LDL values for children before fatty streaks begin to develop is 35 mg/dL. Most testing methods for LDL do not actually measure LDL in their blood, much less particle size. For cost reasons, LDL values have long been estimated using the Friedewald formula: [total cholesterol] − [total HDL] − 20% of the triglyceride value = estimated LDL. The basis of this is that Total cholesterol is defined as the sum of HDL, LDL, and VLDL. Ordinarily just the total, HDL, and triglycerides are actually measured. The VLDL is estimated as one-fifth of the triglycerides. It is important to fast for at least 8-12 hours before the blood test because the triglyceride level varies significantly with food intake. Given the well-recognized role of cholesterol in cardiovascular disease, it is surprising that some studies have shown an inverse correlation between cholesterol levels and mortality in subjects over 50 years of age — an 11% increase overall and 14% increase in CVD mortality per 1 mg/dL per year drop in cholesterol levels. In the Framingham Heart Study, the researchers attributed this phenomenon to the fact that people with severe chronic diseases or cancer tend to have below-normal cholesterol levels.[12] This explanation is not supported by the Vorarlberg Health Monitoring and Promotion Programme, in which men of all ages and women over 50 lower cholesterol levels with very low cholesterol were increasingly likely to die of cancer, liver diseases, and mental diseases. This result indicates that the low cholesterol effect occurs even among younger respondents, contradicting the previous assessment among cohorts of older people that this is a proxy or marker for frailty occurring with age.[13] A small group of scientists, united in The International Network of Cholesterol Skeptics, continues to question the link between cholesterol and atherosclerosis.[14] However, the vast majority of doctors and medical scientists accepts the link as fact.[15]

Question: What are the best tips you can give for lowering my cholesterol.? Okay, I am young (26), I have a family history of heart disease, I smoke, only drink alcohol on occasion and eat a lot of fast food because I work third. I do realize that there are alot of risk factors there ...ie. I should quit smoking and eat healthier, as well as exercise more than I do, but can anyone give me some really good, SPECIFIC tips on what kinds of foods are good for lowering cholesterol, what types of exercise, etc. Thank you all for your help.

Answer: Mr. Maryn used to have a cholesterol problem. He was already an exerciser, so what he did was radically change his eating habits, with my help (since I shop and cook). You don't have to give up eating out, or go vegan or macrobiotic, nothing weird or difficult. You just have to get serious about minimizing the amount of fat you eat so it's never, ever more than a third of your calories, and ideally closer to one fourth. Consider Mickey D's. A quarter-pounder with cheese has 510 calories, 230 of them from fat--45%. The grilled chicken classic sandwich has 420 calories, 90 from fat--21%. Fries in any size serving get right about 50% of their calories from fat. That fat consumption is what's going to elevate your cholesterol, far more than eating eggs, shrimp, or liver. We eat very little red meat, and a lot of chicken and fish. We almost never eat anything fried. We buy low-fat versions of items where we can stand it--sour cream, milk, but not cheese or peanut butter, for instance. (Those, we use less of.) The biggie for you is going to be either giving up fast food or ordering the healthiest thing on the menu. Make fries a rare treat. Get the grilled chicken. Or leave burgers and pizza behind altogether and go to places that have healthy choices, like Subway or Applebee's take-out. This also means looking into the to-go items at local eateries, which often have substantially healthier offerings than the big chains. I'm not a vegetarian, but I can be quite happy with take-out from the local vegetarian places. Chinese and Indian foods (nothing fried, though) also have fine options.

Question: is pantothene same as pantothenic acid for lowering cholesterol? I read that pantotene is affective for lowering cholesterol. I wonder if pantothenic acid will do the same job?

Answer: 'pantothene' doesn't exist, so it's probably all pantothenic acid you have heard about. It won't do anything to your cholesterol level at all.

Question: Does anyone know much about heartburn treatment and lowering cholesterol? Does anyone know much about heartburn treatment and lowering cholesterol? I have to do both at the same time and my doctor was not much help to me as far as what to do as far as a diet goes,so if any one knows what to do as far as a diet goes I Promise I will do it! I went to the doctor and lost 35 pounds and my blood pressure was normal from being high I can't tell how manny hours I worked out on the exercise machines to loose it.

Answer: I just love it when they tell you that you need to do something and have no clue or offer no support or information to get you started! When my husband had a heart attack (he's doing great) and was getting discharged from the hospital, we had to meet with one of the dietitians. She really had no clue, nothing to offer to get you started on the right path other than the usual blah, blah, blah. I've attached a bunch of links for you to check out. You may find that in changing your diet for the cholesterol problem that your heartburn issue improves too. Look for lean, low fat protein sources. Think ground turkey, lots of fish, lean chicken (chicken breast), lean beef and pork. But you can still have that good old hamburger once in awhile but not all the time. Watch your portion size of meat. Learn what a real portion is and get a scale if you have to. Switch to whole grains. The less processed the better. Easy slowly into the whole grain thing or you'll have digestive issues. And drink lots of water as you transition. Start with something like oatmeal for breakfast, do that for a couple weeks and then add whole grain bread in your sandwich at lunch and so forth. Choose brown rice over white, baked potatoes over french fries, sweet potatoes baked are even better, whole grain pasta. Work more fruit and veg into your diet. Beans are important; they have tons of fiber and nutrition packed into them. The more colorful the bean, the better. Eat the fruit instead of drinking juice; you get more nutrition, more fiber and less sugars. Watch dairy products. If you drink milk, limit the amount and drink skim if you can, if not 1%. Watch the amount of cheese you eat. Eggs a couple times a week isn't the disaster that it was once thought. And the Egg Beaters really do taste like eggs scrambled or used in baking. Keep exercising and congrats on your weight loss! You're getting there, now you need to start fueling your body correctly. And you might consider a good fish oil supplement. That's the last link I placed below. The article explains what to look for in a good one. My 87 year old mother had her cholesterol drop about 12 points in three months. And the good cholesterol went up 10! And she does not watch her diet at all; she's one that think the more butter & fat the better! And if the heartburn issue really bothers you, don't suffer. Try some of the over the counter products out. I'd start with ranitidine (Zantac's generic) and see if that helps. If not, talk to the pharmacist and see if they have a recommendation. Hubby takes Prilosec and it works great for him. Good luck and keep going! You are doing great; 35 pounds is a lot of weight to lose! If you're dedicated enough to do that, you can do this. It's not about one meal at a time, it's about the overall picture. Make better choices on a regular basis and you can have a "treat" once in awhile. Just watch the portion sizes!

Question: What are some good cholesterol lowering foods? Know of any good recipes that are good for you for meals? I am looking for some good cholesterol lowering foods and also some low cholesterol meals that are yummy. Hereditary reasons have caused me to get on a cholesterol medicine but I also want to be proactive in what I eat. Does anyone have any recipes they can share? Or know of good yummy foods that lower cholesterol, that are good for you and such. I'm just not big into oatmeal at all. I ate way too much of it as a kid.

Answer: I had the same problem. I use shaklee cholesterol regulation complex. It's a natural food supplement and I take it with my meals. My good cholesterol is 130 and I think the range is between 45 and 65, something like that. The doctor said he never saw anything like it, and keep doing what I'm doing. They have a web site if you are interested, just type in Shaklee.

Question: what does cholesterol lowering mean? Is it literally excavating and removing cholesterol deposits from the art? ery walls? eg say someone says that polyphenols and pectin lowers cholesterol, will arteries decalcify and return to pre-cholesterol condition?

Answer: Firstly I am afraid their effects though real are marginal at best. Nothing currently in use routinely affects the amount of pre-existing plaque. There is however evidence that one of the ways that statins work and save lives, by reducing acute events, is that they change the nature of plaque deposits. Normally established plaque is brittle or crispy allowing it to fragment, break off into the circulation and settle in a small vessel producing a plaque embolus that blocks the blood supply producing a heart attack or stroke. Statins make the plaque more rubbery and less likely to shatter. In the 80s a little work was done in the US looking at ultra low cholesterol levels, ie reducing levels to less than 1 mmole. Current targets are to reduce to less than 5 mmoles, (but they may soon be reduced to 4.5 mmoles.) There was evidence that this did marginally reduce the plaque thickness. Unfortunately most patients failed to tolerate the doses of drug required to maintain these low levels. There was also an association, which may not have been causal, with an increase in deaths from violent causes and it was suggested, with some fairly flimsy evidence, that ultra low cholesterol might be linked to an increase in violent behaviour. These studies were abandoned and as far as I know have not subsequently been repeated.

Question: Is there a Cholesterol lowering medicine that does not harm liver or kidney? I'm wondering if there is a Cholesterol lowering medicine that does not harm liver or kidneys?

Answer: There is no reason to artificially lower your cholesterol. If you have high cholesterol it is due to some sort of damage say from smoking or high insulin levels. An analogy is that firemen are found at most fires, therefore, firemen cause fires. It is not because you have a shortage of some drug. Lowering your cholesterol will cause more damage than it will help. Pharmacist who's life was almost ruined by Lipitor

Question: Is it safe to drink lemon juice if you're already on cholesterol lowering medicine? My dad is trying to lose weight by lowering the blood sugar content using lemon juice. His cholesterol medicine says that you should definitely not eat grapefruit, but what about lemon juice? It works the same way, so will it harm the same way too?

Answer: Lemon juice does not interact with cholesterol lowering medicines. Grapefruit juice inhibits the enzyme CYP450 therefore elevating the plasma level of drugs which are also metabolized by this enzyme. The elevated plasma level of the drugs may cause side effects hence the cautionary advise to not take grapefruit juice with these medicines. Lemon juice does not inhibit the enzyme CYP450.

Question: I don't seem to be able to take cholesterol lowering drugs due to side effects. help? How much does exercise play in lowering cholesterol?

Answer: a lot. in food you can have oats with a pinch of cinnamon, onions, garlic, leek etc. have walnuts and almonds. practice pranayam. you might find it in youtube..

Question: Why Does Cholesterol Lowering Make You Die Sooner? The Framingham Heart Study found that lowering cholesterol after age 47 makes you die sooner? Why?

Answer: It doesn't. It would help if you would stop making generalizations. You are embarrassing yourself.

Question: What is the best source for lowering cholesterol? After trying the Omega-3, I have been told that Red Rice Yeast, flaxseed oil, Co-q 10 and Niacin are also effective. Aside from diet and exercise, which of these are better at reducing your cholesterol?

Answer: Except for CoQ10, they all are very good to lower cholesterol. But recent studies have shown pretty excellent results in lowering cholesterol with patients using organic flaxseed oil (full spectrum = all terpenes compounds included). This oil is far more superior than omega3 itself. The reason is that in order for the cells to use omega3 properly, without forming excess of free radicals, it requires the presence of omega6 and omega9 in a healthy ratio. Flaxseed oil comes with the three of them coreectly balanced already. I use a lot of flaxseed oil in combination with garlic, bromelain and OPCs to get the best results in lowering cholesterol fast. The only way this combination will fail is if the cholesterol problem is an endogenous one--but that's rare. Good luck! :)