Re: Obsessed with my Cholesterol counts...

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

@Laura14 wrote:
@SeaMaiden Just came across your post and haven't read all of the responses but, for me, it's not about the fat although you do want to get rid of the saturated and trans.

For my numbers it was all about getting rid of the sugar. That was the only way it dropped for me.

Your body makes cholesterol to combat the damage sugar does to your arteries. Once I truly got all of the sugar, simple carbs (white foods), most fruit, and the actual sugary stuff, it went down to 200 total and 100 LDL which is about normal.

I do take Cholestacare by AL which has also helped. I just added in Berberine and I am looking forward to seeing if that helps further when my next round of testing comes up.

Good Luck!

@Laura14 Thankyou for your comment. Yes, I watch my sugar....not that I ever ate a lot of sugar knowing it is unhealthy. I take the berberine as well...

kate2357 · ‎02-26-2012

@SeaMaiden @SilleeMee

My numbers started going up during perimenopause and even w/ all the activity I do, including running a marathon this year, my cholesterol numbers went up. Went up 60 points in 2 years. YIKES! My diet has been good for years, so I was really surprised w/ this huge increase in my cholesterol numbers. My Primary said "Kate, sometimes you can't out run genetics."

So after years of opting out of taking any statins because of possible side effects, I decided to take a half a dose (10 mg vs 20 mg prescribed) and take berberine. I had read the experience @SilleeMee had w/ the berberine and I when I did additional reading about how even just a small amount of a statin could be effective, I decided I would try mixing the two together. I started in May of this year to take both statin and berberine.

I did discuss w/ my primary what I was going to be doing. She said fine ... but ... if in 3-4 months my numbers didn't go down, would I please try the full dosage.

This week I had my blood tests run and my cholesterol number when down by 91 points. NINTYONE points!!! And my glucose level also went down too. So my Primary said "just keep doing what you're doing your numbers are all great." I have experienced no side effects at all. I'm a happy, healthier girl.

"What we practice daily is what we build a life on. Practice peace, love & kindness."

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

@kate2357 wrote:
@SeaMaiden @SilleeMee

My numbers started going up during perimenopause and even w/ all the activity I do, including running a marathon this year, my cholesterol numbers went up. Went up 60 points in 2 years. YIKES! My diet has been good for years, so I was really surprised w/ this huge increase in my cholesterol numbers. My Primary said "Kate, sometimes you can't out run genetics."

So after years of opting out of taking any statins because of possible side effects, I decided to take a half a dose (10 mg vs 20 mg prescribed) and take berberine. I had read the experience @SilleeMee had w/ the berberine and I when I did additional reading about how even just a small amount of a statin could be effective, I decided I would try mixing the two together. I started in May of this year to take both statin and berberine.

I did discuss w/ my primary what I was going to be doing. She said fine ... but ... if in 3-4 months my numbers didn't go down, would I please try the full dosage.

This week I had my blood tests run and my cholesterol number when down by 91 points. NINTYONE points!!! And my glucose level also went down too. So my Primary said "just keep doing what you're doing your numbers are all great." I have experienced no side effects at all. I'm a happy, healthier girl.

@kate2357

WOW!! That is fantastic! I'm so happy for you. Great job!!

Icegoddess · ‎03-19-2010

I think the reason I haven't tried the berberine is the cost plus the number of pills you have to take. I take my meds in the morning after I get up or at night before I go to bed. Add in any other time of day and I forget. I have that problem every time I get put on antibiotics.

Another thing is I have difficulty swallowing those powder-filled capsules. They tend to get struck in my throat which scares me and then the next time the tension worrying that it's gonna get stuck again just makes it worse.

@hckynut I thought relying on the ratio was no longer valid, that you really needed to focus on the LDL. I remember one year my Annual results included Fluffy and Dense cholesterol levels. I think the Dense was the numbers you needed to be concerned with and a high Fluffy count was nothing to worry about. I don't see those now, but it might be included in the Large and Small particles they look at now. I get a full page just of Inflammation and Lipid numbers with the ranges and how they compare to the last two previous years. The onlynumbers that are out of the Optimal range are my LDL and my LDL-P. According to the booklet from Cleveland Heart Lab, LDL-P is thought to be a better measure of heart diease risk tha standard LDL cholesterol.

I certainly don't obsess about it though. I just get a nice packet of info to take home with me that I can reference or I wouldn't remember for 5 minutes what my numbers are.

Julie_23 · ‎04-10-2010

Have you considered doing a WFPB diet? (Whole foods, plant-based)?

My cholesterol was in the 230's and dropped to 140s.

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

@kate2357 That is wonderful!

conlt · ‎03-16-2010

I have taken Crestor for quite a while now. Statins have been on the market for a long time. They are proven to help your cardiovascular status. My cholesterol was never above 200 but I was put on a statin and happy to take it. Now my cholesterol stays about 130, which is great for me. The more research that is done, the standards for medications change. I would listen to my doctor. I never had a side effect from the Crestor.

Mindy D · ‎05-23-2010

@SeaMaiden @Please check through your medications and supplements to see if any of them raise cholesterol. Certain meds for high blood pressure are an example. There are also certain foods that lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides. Do a little research and add the foods in. A daily bowl of rolled or steel cut oats is one of the foods.

bells4me · ‎03-13-2010

I am on Crestor and my count went from 219 to 58.

NeNe1010 · ‎03-26-2010

I also refuse to go on statins. I found a book called The Cholesterol Myth. I highly recommend it. There is a formula they use in Europe using the HDL, LDL & Lipid number to determine your risk of heart disease. Also it has not been verified that Cholesterol even causes heart disease. The book is very eye opening. It will give you some good info to discuss with your Physician.