Go F yourself cholesterol

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Righteous1

Mine was slightly higher than the average for my age. I just cut back on the beers, and burgers. Stocked up on salmon and chicken breasts and been hittin the gym hard. Now I look good, feel good and cholesterol is in check.

Just a matter of changing your habits, after that you'll be chilln.

Did you miss the part earlier about a big portion of it being genetic ? He can do all that and still have problems.

[Domoic]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

I don't have cholesterol issues but someone close to me does. They told me that drugs like Crestor and Lipitor are quite a bitch. With their doctors advice, they went off the meds and switched to Niacin and apparently it is much better. The cholesterol is nicely under control and apparently there are no nasty side effects.

Worst advice in this thread.

In randomized, clinically controlled trials, niacin has never shown to reduce CV events or mortality. Statins have numerous times.

If anyone has >1 risk factor, they should be on a statin.

- family history of CV events / atherosclerosis
- diagnosed genetic disorder
- high LDL
- low HDL
- high TG
- high blood pressure
- smoking
- obese

Statins are so safe and effective, I expect them to be available OTC before the end of the decade (at least in the US).

Nobody told me this or did I hear it at the Orange Julius. It is (part of) my job to know these facts.

[Knut]

^
Exactly .

Doctors only recommend large Niacin doses if there is an allergy to Statins. Even then the levels will be followed very closely.

[Buff]

Maybe seeing a dietician isn't a surefire way to change your diet and directly affect your cholestorol levels but it certain will help. At the very least it will open your eyes as to what you're doing to your body and help you stop being ignornant to your dietary habits and help get you on the path to a healthier lifestyle.

When I was diagnosed with diabetes two years ago I had to go to a dietician and seeing her completely changed my health. I may have diabetes but I feel so much healthier now than I ever was during the last 10-15 years.

You take for granted that you put into your body because it tastes so good or is so convenient to eat. A dietician will give you good information and can answer questions about stuff you've seen on the internet. It may not cure your cholesterol but it can help. The dietician's advice won't cure me of diabetes but I can manage it and prevent other future health problems from happening. Can't hurt to have an appointment with one. It's only time you're losing.

[Stranger]

I'm on a low dose of Crestor (1/4 pill twice a week) and my doctor said to keep taking Metamucil every day. My cholesterol wasn't bad, but it was slightly elevated. What I'm doing now seems to have it in check.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by Domoic

Worst advice in this thread.

In randomized, clinically controlled trials, niacin has never shown to reduce CV events or mortality. Statins have numerous times.

If anyone has >1 risk factor, they should be on a statin.

- family history of CV events / atherosclerosis
- diagnosed genetic disorder
- high LDL
- low HDL
- high TG
- high blood pressure
- smoking
- obese

Statins are so safe and effective, I expect them to be available OTC before the end of the decade (at least in the US).

Nobody told me this or did I hear it at the Orange Julius. It is (part of) my job to know these facts.

My father was telling me his doctor was taking statins, and suggested anyone should take them with or without cholesterol problems.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Domoic

Worst advice in this thread.

In randomized, clinically controlled trials, niacin has never shown to reduce CV events or mortality. Statins have numerous times.

If anyone has >1 risk factor, they should be on a statin.

- family history of CV events / atherosclerosis
- diagnosed genetic disorder
- high LDL
- low HDL
- high TG
- high blood pressure
- smoking
- obese

Statins are so safe and effective, I expect them to be available OTC before the end of the decade (at least in the US).

Nobody told me this or did I hear it at the Orange Julius. It is (part of) my job to know these facts.

I wasn't giving any advice but rather making mention that apparently Niacin can be effective for some people.

[burnin_vernon]

Are there any early symptoms to high cholesterol? Why did you get tested? Was it just blood work for something else or did you seek out the test? My dad has HC and high blood pressure. He ate badly (but was pretty active) so I don't know if it's a genetic thing or his poor habits.

[Knut]

You should get a routine blood workup at 25-30-35-40 and then every 2 years following. Especially if you have a family history.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by burnin_vernon

Are there any early symptoms to high cholesterol? Why did you get tested? Was it just blood work for something else or did you seek out the test? My dad has HC and high blood pressure. He ate badly (but was pretty active) so I don't know if it's a genetic thing or his poor habits.

That's enough reason to get checked. Mine was just part of an annual check up

[Diesen]

I had my cholesterol levels checked in April, he said my LDL cholesterol was fine, but my HDL cholesterol was really low. I have lost about 15 pounds since, but I was wondering if I should get retested? What are the risks with low HDL with normal LDL?

[terminator]

One thing, read all your nutritional lables very carefully.

My wife and I have, for the greater part, identical diets. However, upon visiting the doctor 2-years ago I was informed by cholestorol was high. We both workout 1-2 daily and at the time were eating extreemly clean for over 2-years.This was very baffeling, but due to some quick detective work by the Mrs. she found that the protien power I was consuming was different the hers and contained an obscene amount of cholestorol.

[troutman]

You can work out twice a day? How is that possible?

I'm lucky if I can work out 5 times a week.

[terminator]

Originally Posted by troutman

You can work out twice a day? How is that possible?

I'm lucky if I can work out 5 times a week.

Mornings/Evenings - this normally starts 6-8 months pre-vacation and for me completely falls apart a week before.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by terminator

Mornings/Evenings - this normally starts 6-8 months pre-vacation and for me completely falls apart a week before.

Good job!

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Why?
Apart from ego - why would you not want to take steps that will help.
This is why guys drop dead in their 30s and 40s.
Take it seriously - take action - and if that includes medication - do it.

i suppose at its core it likely an ego thing. I am very active, and eat generally well, so it really hurt to hear that at my core i'm actually "not healthy".

I decided to see if i could better my cholestorol numbers on my own by eating a better diet. When i go in for my physical this year and the numbers aren't trending positively, i suppose i'll have no choice but to get on a meds program for it.

For those that do take the statins, what kind of side effects, if any, have you experienced? do you have to change other parts of your lifestyle when taking them (ie. can't be taken on empty stomachs, or days where you might have a beer or two, etc)?

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

For those that do take the statins, what kind of side effects, if any, have you experienced? do you have to change other parts of your lifestyle when taking them (ie. can't be taken on empty stomachs, or days where you might have a beer or two, etc)?

Aside from not being able to eat grapefruit. Nothing. Not a thing.

[Flash Walken]

Give me Radlers or give me death.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

i suppose at its core it likely an ego thing. I am very active, and eat generally well, so it really hurt to hear that at my core i'm actually "not healthy".

I decided to see if i could better my cholestorol numbers on my own by eating a better diet. When i go in for my physical this year and the numbers aren't trending positively, i suppose i'll have no choice but to get on a meds program for it.

For those that do take the statins, what kind of side effects, if any, have you experienced? do you have to change other parts of your lifestyle when taking them (ie. can't be taken on empty stomachs, or days where you might have a beer or two, etc)?

You can take it regardless of food, and alcohol is not an issue (unless you soccer from chronic alcoholism and/or liver dysfunction). They are very well tolerated generally. Blood tests a month after starting to make sure no rare liver/muscle damage done. Some people get joint/muscle pain, but the mechanism or link hasn't been established. No side effects much above 1% during clinical trials, and most of those matched the placebo group.