Non Medicine Interventions for high cholesterol

[Ron Marie Douglas]

Dr. Steve,

My bad cholesterol is too high (I don't remember the number off hand). I have almost entirely cut out red meat, am taking new vitamins, trying to work out more, I am even trying to eat oatmeal which I hate. I don't want to get on cholesterol meds. Any suggestions to get it down without meds?

Thanks

[Dr Steve]

Dr. Steve,

My bad cholesterol is too high (I don't remember the number off hand). I have almost entirely cut out red meat, am taking new vitamins, trying to work out more, I am even trying to eat oatmeal which I hate. I don't want to get on cholesterol meds. Any suggestions to get it down without meds?

Thanks

Absolutely. Check out this thread http://www.ronfez.net/forums/showthread.php?t=75701 and let me know what you think.

If therapeutic lifestyle changes don't work, you may be a candidate for medication therapy. The "statin" type of cholesterol medication has been proven to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.

write back if you need more information.


your friend,



steve

[Ron Marie Douglas]

Thanks a lot Dr. Steve!

I've already started some of the suggestions (increased working out, fiber, smart balance) and I think all of those other things are definitely doable.

Another quick question. How can I monitor my cholesterol at home between getting tested at the doctor? I've seen this: http://www.amazon.com/First-Check-Cholesterol-Single-Tests/dp/B000ILIWHE/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&s=grocery&qid=1230441652&sr=8-23 but it doesn't sound reliable.

[Dr Steve]

Thanks a lot Dr. Steve!

I've already started some of the suggestions (increased working out, fiber, smart balance) and I think all of those other things are definitely doable.

Another quick question. How can I monitor my cholesterol at home between getting tested at the doctor? I've seen this: http://www.amazon.com/First-Check-Cholesterol-Single-Tests/dp/B000ILIWHE/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&s=grocery&qid=1230441652&sr=8-23 but it doesn't sound reliable.


I've seen this one: http://www.healthchecksystems.com/cholestrak.htm

the problem with these is that they only check the TOTAL cholesterol. as we've learned on Weird Medicine and in this forum, Total Cholesterol is only part of the story. However, if you know you have a high total cholesterol, watching that parameter drop over time should give you a good indication that you're going in the right direction. Ultimately, though, you need the HDL/LDL values to determine what your risk actually is.

hope this helps!


your pal,


steve

[Ron Marie Douglas]

Thanks, I really appreciate it.