Plant based foods and cholesterol

[melodygirl]

Everyone here has great info. Let me add my 2.

I weight 118#, 5'7", have exercised all my life, including teen years, Dr. said WOW let's work on that cholesterol. 10mg Lipitor daily with continued healthy lifestyle. Dr. says WOW let's work on that cholesterol. Then Dr. says WOW let's work on that blood pressure. I'm screaming at this point. Then Dr. says hey you have plaque in your carotid arteries! I'm an exercising, healthy eating freak who is loving this right?

I mean, I was ready to jump in a grave! I couldn't w/o anymore or eat any healthier (unless I was a cyborg - Bobbi will get that one).
Then my NEW internist explains GENETICS. Yes, my family cursed me and no matter what I eat, what I do workout-wise, etc. my cholesterol would not budge without increase in med; my BP would not go down - which by the way really p----- me off. But we have to do what we have to do to LIVE.

Anyway, sometimes meds have to be used to keep on keeping on. My #'s are unbelievably great now. I am at virtually no risk for stroke or heart attack. The trade-off in having to take the meds is OK w/me since every person on BOTH sides of my family has died from stroke or heart conditions. Thank God for modern technology...and Cathe.

BUT the DR. says that my healthy lifestyle DOES play a most significant role in all of this. I really should be dead. I will say the Doc says my clean eating and exercise have actually lessened the plaque issue.

WOW, why am I up so late? Oh yeah, that PMS, perimenopause, can't sleep thingy.
x( x(

 

[rjroubi]

>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;-)

My follow-up:
My total cholesterol dropped from 294 to 244 (remember I was not and am not high risk...most of my total cholesterol is HDL). My HDL is 156
My risk ratio is now even lower at a 1.5

Pass the Seitan and Amy's Mexican Tamale pie:9

Robin