Plant based foods and cholesterol

L Sass

L Sass

Cathlete
Well you know I've recently become a fan of the plant based food approach (not for everyone -I know- so PLEASE let's not start an argument over that). Last time I had my cholesterol checked it was 135. After 2 months of a plant based approach my numbers came in at 126. I'm pretty happy and wonder if I can get it down under 100. So my question - for those of you who follow plant based eating, what are your numbers like?

Lorrie
 
Lorrie,

Has your new way of eating helped you towards your goals of losing weight? Just wondering. Thanks!
 
Emily - how great that it dropped that much! Kudos to you!

Candi - see my awful review about my experience with my PT on the video and DVD forum (How do you use CTX?) so the answer is no - it didn't help. BUT - I don't think that's from a plant based approach - I think it's from too many carbs, primarily whole grains. I just came off of my 2 weeks on David Kirsch and I'm back to almost where I began with the PT. So now it's onward with new knowledge and confirmation of old theories. Thanks for asking - you know I'm one whose always looking to examine different approaches and learn new things! And I love that cholesterol result.

Lorrie
 
Lorrie - do you know what your HDL/LDL numbers are? I'm just wondering because you obviously don't want to lower your HDL levels.

Erica
 
Erica - I know your question was directed at Lorrie, but I thought I'd chime in too. My HDL number did not go down (it stayed pretty steady), but my LDL went way down. My triglycerides went down as well.
 
Emily and Lorrie - that's great! :)

I was asking because the last time I went to the doctor and had my cholesterol taken, the doctor only tested total cholesterol. I had no idea what my HDL/LDL levels were and I was so disappointed. I won't go back to this doctor (it was my first visit).

Erica
 
Lorrie,

Thanks for the info. Tell you what, since we both have the same body type and similar issues. Please, please keep me posted regarding any additional weight loss that occurs on your plant based diet. I've been pretty stable but I never know when those lbs are going to inch up again :)
 
Great results Emily and Lorrie!!!

I've been debating going this route as well. I've struggled with my cholesterol since I first found out about it being high when I was 19. I weighed 110 pounds wet back then. ;-) Weight is not the issue, it's these darn family genes. I went to the doctor yesterday to get my results. My cholesterol went down to 195 from almost 300. My triglycerides were 29, HDL stayed pretty much the same at 75, and my LDL went down to 115 from 200. This was in a 3 month period and taking 10 mg of Lipitor.

The doctor and I talked diet yesterday. I still eat chicken, but with the fat trimmed and always grilled. Lots of salmon and tuna. He said you still need 200 mg of cholesterol in your diet. Obviously, they are not all created equal. I'm very good about watching that.

It's very frustrating because I know I do all the right things. Exercise, watching my diet, etc., but I can't get it down without medicine. I've tried. Then there's my bil who eats whatever and whenever, and he doesn't workout and his cholesterol is actually low! Good for him, I guess. What does all this mean?!

Lorrie and/or Emily I may e-mail you if it's OK? I'd like to talk to you more about your diet.

Sorry so long!

Dallas
 
He said you still need 200 mg of cholesterol in your
>diet.

I don't know where he gets that info, but it's bull! Your body produces all the cholersterol you need. There is NO dietary need for cholesterol.

And chicken breast has about the same amount of cholesterol as beef. The cholesterol is not just in the fat, but in the muscle as well.

There is a strong genetic component to cholesterol as well, which is why your DH can have low cholesterol and not do what one is "supposed" to do to keep it low!
 
>He said you still need 200 mg of cholesterol in your
>>diet.
>
>I don't know where he gets that info, but it's bull! Your
>body produces all the cholersterol you need. There is NO
>dietary need for cholesterol.

Kathyrn, That's exactly what I asked him when he said that about 200 mg of cholesterol. That's why I'm more confused now.
>
>And chicken breast has about the same amount of cholesterol as
>beef. The cholesterol is not just in the fat, but in the
>muscle as well.
>
He also said that it's OK to have the chicken breats as long as all the fat is trimmed off of it. That's what we do anyway before we put it on the grill.

>There is a strong genetic component to cholesterol as well,
>which is why your DH can have low cholesterol and not do what
>one is "supposed" to do to keep it low!

Actually, it's my brother in law.

Dallas
 
WOW! What a reduction for you Dallas! That is awesome! Keep up the great work. And, sure, feel free to e-mail me and I'll share all I can about diet. Though I've really been focusing on the David Kirsch plan from a plant based perspective. Kirsch's easy rules, A,B,C,D,E and F.

No alcohol, bread, starchy carbs, dairy, extra sweets, fats or fruits (and my DH would add one more "F" - he says no flavor! :) ) But I'll share what I can.

Lorrie
 
Thanks Lorrie, but that's with meds. I'd really like to do it without them. That's why I think I have to take a look at what you and Emily have done.

Almost everyone in my family has high cholesterol, but no one has gone down this road. They also don't work out like I do. I keep bugging them to DO something!;-)

Kathyrn, I know you'll agree with the dr on this one. He said hydrogenated oils are bad for everyone, but even more so for people with high cholesterol.

I'll try and e-mail you later. Have to make lunch for the kids.

Dallas
 
>>There is NO
>>dietary need for cholesterol.
>
>Kathyrn, That's exactly what I asked him when he said that
>about 200 mg of cholesterol. That's why I'm more confused
>now.
>>

Well, seeing that allopathic doctors only get 1-2 classes in nutrition, he maybe misremembering. Your body does need cholesterol to function, but cholesterol is made in the liver, including human livers. Maybe he's thinking that you need 200 mg of cholesterol to live? (an amount that is well furnished by our own livers, baring some disease, perhaps).
 
I started eating vegetarian this past November. Not totally strict, because I still eat fish once in a while. But, I wanted to say that my cholestorol went down from 220 to 196!!!! My triglycerides also went down!

:)

Thanks to Shelley, Emily and Angie for the great tips and advice!!!!
 
Saturated fat is the main culprit in high cholesterol but dietary cholesterol plays a role as well. I have read it should be kept at less than 200 mgs per day. Satruated fat should be less than 10% of your tatal fat intake. The genetic component is strong. I eat a mosly plant bsed diet. I haven't had my cholesterol checked in a few years. I wonder what my number are now? I have recently taken a dislike and developed a distaste for chicken, a mainstay in our diet. My numbers have always been good. Here's hoping they are better.
Bobbi "Chicks rule!"http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/tiere/animal-smiley-032.gif
Tell me what you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? -Mary Oliver
http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/linie/smiley-linie-004.gif
 
I will have to keep you posted on this one....I will be going for labwork this week. Prior to changing to a plant-based diet my cholesterol was 294 and before everyone keels over.....I am actually low risk and never put on antihyperlipidemics. My HDL at 156 is higher than many of you post as your total cholesterol. My total risk ratio is a low 1.9 (a good number is less than 4.4).

Total cholesterol is really only a sloppy guide......it does not tell you if you are high risk or low. Even when I re-test and if I don't budge from 294 and as long as my risk ratio remains low (and my HDL stays high) I will not be considered a risk. I agree with the poster who said you should know your HDL, LDL and risk ratio.

I am assuming my numbers will go down.....but I will keep you posted;-)

Robin
 
Hi, guys. I got Alternative Medicine magazing today and interestingly there is an article about high cholesterol which recommends flax as a solution to the problem of high cholesterol. "Thanks to three powerful nutirents-lignans, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids-this functional food can held send your LDL cholesterol spiraling downward.

"...in a 2004 evaluaton of nine clinical tirals, the journal Nutrition Reviews found that 15 to 50 grams (1 to 5 tblespoons) of flaxseed daily cn reduce total cholestoerol and LDL up to 18 percent. One of the clinical trials reviewed, for example, monitored 38 postmenopausal wome to determine the effect of whold falxseed on blood lipids. the women ate 38 grams dalily of whole flaxseed aked into breads or muffins over six weeks. after a two-week washout period, they were given the same amount of whole sunflower seeds daily for another six weeks. The researchers found that the group experienced a 14.7 percet greater reduction in LDL rom the flaxseed than from the sunflower seed.

You can buy whole or ground flaxseed at most natural food stores, making it easy to keep your kitchen stocked and your diet flax-rich. If you opt to take flaxseed oil, choose products that contain plant lignans, but you won't benefit from the seeds fiber. Some experts recommend grindinng whole flaxseed to ensure maximum absorptio of its many nutrients. Also remember to refridgerate all flaxseed, particularly gound seed and flax oils, to prevent spoilage. In a dark col environemnt, even ground flaxseed will stay fresh for several months.

With tis powerful ingredient only scoop away, incorporating flaxseed into your daily eating routine is easy-just get creative. Try flaxseed or flaxseed meal as a crunchy companion to your favoirite yogurt. You can also sprinkle a tablespoon over sliced peaches, stir some into cereals or combine a cup of cottage cheese with flaxseeds and seasonal berries. As for the oil, try pouring some on a salad, veggies, or cooked pasta."-Jennifer Winger, Alternative Medicine Magazine

I hope you find this beneficial I a going to get some flaxseeds to grind for myself.
Bobbi "Chicks rule!"http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/tiere/animal-smiley-032.gif
Tell me what you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? -Mary Oliver
http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/linie/smiley-linie-004.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top