high cholesterol

[lala1]

Had my annual physical and my total cholesterol was 254 . A year ago it was 184. My good cholesterol, however is really good...77, so for now my doc wants to recheck me in 6 mos.

My question: during the summer I tend to eat worse than during the school year when I´m more scheduled. Can 3 mos. of not great eating change my numbers so much? (Although this didn´t happen a year ago)

And what can I do that I´m not already doing? I eat oatmeal just about every am, eat low/no fat foods. Probably not enough fruits/veggies during the school year

Any suggestions to help me lower this number and stay off meds are appreciated

 

[meredith]

A large component of cholesterol is heredity. That may be your issue. I can't take the meds because they hurt my stomach terribly. I take fish oil daily, eat oatmeal, and really watch my diet. In spite of all that, it's 210 -- darn it. It was 160 when I was on meds. So I am trying to get super tight with my diet, I can improve in that area. I also take an aspirin a day, I am not sure if that reduces the number but it's a blood thinner so it helps ease the effects of high cholesterol.

 

[copwife]

I take 2 600mg. capsules of red yeast rice daily for my high cholesterol. My high cholesterol is also hereditary. No matter how clean my diet, or how much I exercised, my numbers were always high, until I started with the red yeast.

 

[meredith]

Yes - the red yeast - my doc told me to get that. I need to try it! He says it's a big help.

 

[Beavs]

I'm surprised the doc recommended red yeast. Many of them are under the sway of pharmaceutical companies and they don't have a thorough enough knowledge of the meds and side effects. Other who work in healthcare may argue to the contrary but I have personally come to realize after a few incidents that it behooves everyone to read up and ask tons of questions about the medicines their doctors prescribe before taking them.

I don't know enough about red yeast to say if that is bad idea or not (my inclination is to prefer red yeast over the pharmaceuticals out there now). I do know that the side effects from the cholesterol meds out there are kinda scary and makes me think I'd rather take my chances with high cholesterol. I think I'd do some research and talk with the doctor as well as the pharmacist before making a decision....but I'm kinda paranoid in that regard