Lower Your Cholesterol

Question: How do you lower your cholesterol level? Was trying to get life insurance but was told my cholesterol was a little high and my application was put on hold. How do you dramatically lower your cholesterol.....and no stupid eat some Cheerios advice. LOL.

Answer: actually u answered your question! yes cheerios are good 'cos they have oats in it. Eating oatmeal daily really lowers your cholesterol try avoiding fried foods, and foods that have lard, vegetable oil in them. and yes try eating leaner meat and red meat is a no, no. Add whole grain foods to your meals. Exercising helps immensely. Get your doc to test you for cholesterol and find out if he can prescibe you some meds that bring down the cholesterol count. and also by the way Cholesterol is inherited too! So it might not be just the foods you eat! So exercise, exercise, exercise

Question: What is a good way to naturally lower your cholesterol? What are some good foods that lower your cholesterol as well? Thanks.

Answer: Eat fruits and veggies containing red pigments like grapes, pomegranate, beets, red onions, cherries, rubarb etc... Red wines also contain these pigments, so have a glass with dinner.

Question: Can oatmeal cookies lower your cholesterol? If you make oatmeal cookies in a healthier way, can they still help to lower your cholesterol like oatmeal can?

Answer: I think so

Question: Can fiber help to lower your cholesterol? What type of fiber works best to help lower cholesterol?

Answer: Yes. I know several people that praise Cheerios and oatmeal. I use Citricel (?) Powder or tabs, and eat lots of FRESH fruits & veggies.

Question: does apple cider vinager really help to clean out your arteries and lower your cholesterol? i have been told that taking a little bit of apple cider daily helps to clean out your arteries and helps you to lose weight and helps to lower cholesterol. i would like to know is there any truth to this claim?

Answer: I was told to give it a try to help detox my body. I found these websites. Maybe it'll answer your questions. http://www.lacetoleather.com/wondrugpag3.html Forgot this one... http://www.healthrecipes.com/apple_cider_vinegar.htm

Question: what foods should you eat to lower your cholesterol? my father has really high cholesterol, and I'd really love it if i could get a list of foods that would help lower cholesterol, or daily activityes, or just ANYTHING. he's open to trying/ eating anything, we just want to lower his ccholesterol it's really high that he has a stroke in one of his eyes because the blood vessels were extremely constricted Thanks alot for the help =) 10 easy points

Answer: Hi Lonely, Here are 8 steps you can take to lower cholesterol levels: 1. Know your numbers You need to know your LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels to determine appropriate actions. The most effective way to raise HDL is not necessarily the best way to lower LDL. 2. Evaluate your lifestyle Know risk factors you can change and those you cannot. 3. Balance your fats Reduce unhealthy saturated fats in your diet and replace them with heart healthy unsaturated fats. 4. Be active Physical activity lowers triglycerides and raises HDL (good) cholesterol. 5. Eliminate trans fats Trans fats raise LDL (bad) cholesterol, lower HDL (good) cholesterol, and raise triglycerides. 6. Understand triglycerides Triglycerides are impacted the most by your simple sugar and alcohol intake. 7. Increase dietary fiber You need 25-35 grams of dietary fiber daily, especially soluble fiber. 8. Add omega 3 fatty acids Omega 3 fatty acids are involved in the regulation of heart rate, blood pressure, and blood clotting. All the best, Lisa Nelson RD How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps - http://www.lisanelsonrd.com/howtolowercholesterol.html

Question: Is it possible to lower your cholesterol in 2 weeks? I exercise regularly, but will changing my diet for 2 weeks lower the cholesterol for an up coming blood test?

Answer: Use the following foods and excercise a lot. Good luck for a lowered Cholestrol in 2 weeks. Cholesterol lowering foods - this may sound as an oxymoron! However, studies prove that some foods can assist in the reduction of cholesterol and could be incorporated into your new diet plan. Cholesterol Lowering Margarine Recently, cholesterol lowering margarines have been introduced to the market. Benecol® is one of the products that has been confirmed to lower cholesterol on an average of 10% if used as recommended. In addition, this margarine does not affect your HDL, or "good" cholesterol. Other products include Take Control® margarine and salad dressings that are made from plant sterols, which are extracted from soybeans. These sterols trick your intestine into thinking they are cholesterol and when it tries to absorb them, it is not able to, therefore blocking cholesterol. Soy Protein Cholesterol lowering quality of soy protein was evidenced when FDA approved (see FDA talk paper) the health claim for its effects on risk of heart disease. To achieve intended result, you have to consume at least four servings of 6.25 grams of soy protein totaling daily intake to 25 grams per day. Many food manufacturers have since introduced soy beverages and energy bars containing up to 10 to 20 grams of soy protein. People with high cholesterol - levels of 260-300, soy protein has shown to reduce cholesterol by 15-25%. Nuts Nuts such as almonds and walnuts that have high amount of monounsaturated or polyunsaturated, also help lowering cholesterol. Researchers at the Loma Linda University found that a diet containing pecans (click here for Abstract) not only lowered total and LDL--or "bad" cholesterol significantly but also helped to maintain desirable levels of HDL--or "good"--cholesterol. Another study conducted by the same University found that Mediterranean style diet that included walnuts lowered cholesterol. Oats and Barley In lowering cholesterol, oats and barley have played a critical role. These foods have a soluble fiber known as Beta Glucan, which is the key, in how they lower the cholesterol. To gain the intended cholesterol lowering effect, you have to consume anywhere between two and four cups of dry oat or barley cereal each day. Fruits and Vegetables Fruits and vegetables such as apples, citrus fruit, berries, carrots, apricots, cabbage, sweet potatoes are high in soluble fiber and pectin both shown to be helpful in lowering cholesterol. At least five servings a day is recommended to benefit the full effect. Flaxseed Flaxseed provides alpha-linolenic acid a poly-unsaturated fat which has been shown to lower cholesterol while providing needed soluble fiber. Olive Oil Olive oil is one of the mono-saturated fats and studies have shown that it lowers blood cholesterol. Extra virgin olive oil is suggested to be better than other varieties. Fish According to researchers, fish containing a omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids make the blood more slippery and less likely to clot in addition to lowering blood cholesterol. Cautions: Instead of frying foods, bake, roast, or grill. Cut back on egg yolks and if you drink 2% milk change to 1% and if possible, skim milk

Question: What are some fruits and veggies that can lower your cholesterol? My grandmother just died of stroke. And I don't think stroke is genetics in my family but I want to eat right and I do but the thing is I want to know what kind of food can lower high cholesterol. I don't think I have high cholesterol because I'm a vegetarian, but I want to keep my blood vessels clean and not clotted.

Answer: all fruits and veggies are good except Avocados, coconuts and nuts chocolate, cocoa, fat contained in the usual salad dressings, gravies, and sauces are all very fatty. Animal fats, including lard and suet, should particularly be avoided in cooking. Frying should be completely eliminated in the preparation of foods, not only because of its high fat production, but also because of its unhealthy way of interfering with the normal digestion of foods and essential nutriments and vitamins, the irritating character and effect on the digestive tract of the fried fats, and the destruction of vitamins and essential foodstuffs in the food that is fried. Even vegetable fats are best not used. An exception can be made for vegetable oils such as soya oil, corn seed oil, and cottonseed oils.

Question: When you lower your cholesterol do you also lose visceral fat? When you lower one do you lower the other automatically? Bad Cholesterol and Visceral Fat?

Answer: Depends on the way you get rid of your cholesterol. If you are doing it diet and exercise, yes, you will be losing both cholesterol and visceral fat. If you take statin (a type of cholesterol medicine) alone, you will mainly lose cholesterol, not much on visceral fat or simply fat.

Question: If you lower your cholesterol with meds and then go off the meds, will your cholesterol remain low, or go up? I am told I may have to take cholesterol lowering medications, however, I wonder if I lower my cholesterol with them, and then, say about a year later, go off of them, will the lower cholesterol remain as long as I continue to eat and exercise properly, or is it only a lower cholesterol due to the medication? Ideally, I would like to lower the cholesterol, know it is low, and then continue on a good health path but not take the drugs -- my hope is the meds will jump-start the lowering of cholesterol and then when I go off the meds, it is up to me to keep them low. Does anyone have experience with this? Thank you. It does seem to be an inherited trait, unfortunately. I am 59, and it just seems to be going up each year, in spite of a good diet. Although I've noticed that stress seems to elevate it, too. Anyone else notice that correlation -- stress and high cholesterol? I'm trying to decide about going on the meds, and so far, it seems most of you are saying the meds will keep it low, but once it is naturally high, it doesn't go down...correct? Thanks for any feedback.

Answer: From my experience, it will go up again. It is the meds that keep it low. However, you could try the diet and exercise and see what happens. But as the doctor explained to me, some people make their own cholesterol. No matter what they eat or how much they exercise, they will have high cholesterol. It is an inherited trait. If you are one of those people, as I am, the only way to keep the cholesterol low is to remain on the meds.

Question: How do you lower your cholesterol and hoe do you know if it's high? I was just wondering how you know rather or not you have high cholesterol and if you do what are the ways to lower it.

Answer: To know if your blood cholesterol is high: perform a blood lipid profile (test). If it is found out high blood cholesterol, you can: 1- change your lifestyle habits (quit the "bad" and shift to the "good") 2- change your diet (choose foods low or near zero cholesterol) 3- use some herbs that are known for their cholesterol-lowering action. 4- If the above fails, your doctor will prescribe some cholesterol lowering drugs.

Question: Do Cheerios really lower your cholesterol? Question Details: I mean, you can't spell cholersterol without the o's and I wouldn't believe some cereal could lower your choleresterol. It must be something else.

Answer: OATS , oat bran reduces cholestrol Cheerios is made from oat flour so, yes it does. However, read the ingredients on the box, see the chemical additives in it too, including trisodium phosphate, Thats a chemical you can buy in the paint department at home depot or at hardware stores as a heavy duty cleaner, and you have to wear rubber gloves to handle it, and yet they put it in your cheerios. Its a small amount, but still, its powerful, and it can gradually cause damage to your digestive tract, and heart burn is one nasty symptom. Its better to just buy oats and make oatmeal, or eat oatmeal cookies or oat-energy bars

Question: what are some ways to lower your cholesterol? my husband has high cholesterol what are some ways to lower it and get him healthy?

Answer: Step 2: Talk to your doctor. You may not experience any symptoms if you have high cholesterol and most people don't know they have it. That's why it is important to have your blood checked periodically. A blood test called a lipoprotein profile measures the cholesterol levels in your blood and is the recommended test. Find out what your numbers are and talk with your doctor about what they mean. The American Heart Association recommendations for cholesterol levels are: http://health.discovery.com/centers/heart/cholesterol/plan/plan.html

Question: What is a good way to lower your cholesterol without medicine? I have lost weight since the last time I had my cholesterol checked at least 25 pounds but still about 15 pounds too heavy. Please help I don't like taking medicine because of all the side effects!

Answer: Garlic capsules help. Medicines do have some side effects but it may be a good idea to take it in order to get your chol down and then just maintain a good healthy diet after not taking it anymore.

Question: How do you lower your cholesterol without the help of medication? Just wondering. My friend is 17 and he has really bad cholesterol. And the thing is, he isn't even overweight...He is very skinny (I always expect someone with bad cholesterol to be overweight). He eats fast food all the time and that is why he has this problem. I have been trying to get him to stop eating fast food...cooking him a healthy dinner when I get the chance (he is raised by his mother who works two jobs, so she doesn't cook, only brings Wendy's or Burger King home for him). Please help me. Thank you.

Answer: he should eat instant oatmeal for breakfast everyday. it only takes a minute. He can also buy these fish oil supplements from the pharmacy you have to take before each meal. He can still eat fastfood and not take in as much cholestrol if he chooses the right foods. Go on wendy's and bk's websites and look up the nutrition facts for their foods. And I also want to add, you can't try to control his diet. It's his life, and you can't make him do anything he doesn't want to. All you can do is be supportive and give him help in making the right food choices.

Question: How did you lower your cholesterol without statins? I'm 44 and my bad cholesterol is 258 (it went up from 230 or so). How did guys out there lower their cholesterol? Specifically, what did you eat and what foods did you avoid? (I've got the excercise side of it under control -- it's just the diet that doing me in). Thanks, Rupak

Answer: I would never consider statins unless my cholesterol was over 400, and even then, probably not. The saturated fats are the good fats. The bad fats are the trans fats and the poly unsaturated fats. These are fake fats that your body creates defective structures and compounds, from. SUGAR AND HEART DISEASE Most fat in our bodies and in the food we eat is in the form of triglycerides (three fatty acid chains attached to a glycerol molecule). Elevated triglycerides in the blood have been positively linked to proneness to heart disease but these triglycerides do not come directly from dietary fats: they are made in the liver from any excess sugars that have not been completely burned. The source of these excess sugars is any food containing carbohydrates, but particularly refined sugar and processed carbohydrates. Refined sugar and other refined products were virtually unknown in the human diet before 1600 and never used in great quantities before the present century. In 1821 the average sugar intake in America was 10 pounds per person per year; today it is 170 pounds per person per year. As the consumption of sugar has increased so have all civilized diseases. We need foods that are whole, not skeletonized and denatured. Sugar, especially sucrose and fructose has been shown to shorten life in numerous animal experiments. Excessive use of sugar is associated with a rise in blood cholesterol, rise in triglycerides, increase in adhesiveness of the blood platelets, increase in blood insulin levels, etc. Numerous studies have positively correlated sugar consumption with heart disease. These results are far more positive than any of the studies linking heart disease and saturated fats. Moderate use of natural sweeteners is found in many traditional societies. We therefore recommended you satisfy your sweet tooth by eating fully ripened fruit in season and a limited use of natural sweeteners high in vitamins and minerals such as raw honey, dehydrated cane sugar juice (Sucanat) and maple syrup. Avoid all refined sugars including table sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, fructose and large amounts of fruit juice. Did you know that those on a restrictive carbohydrate diet, almost always lower their cholesterol levels to the "old" standards. The new standards are promoted by the drug companies to increase their profits. They have to keep lowering the levels because cholesterol levels are inconsequential in heart disease. 50% of all heart attack deaths, occur in patients with low cholesterol. Pharmacist who's life was almost ruined by Lipitor