Ldl & Hdl

I use a natural product that has reduced my cholesterol level from 250 to 200. It is made with phyto(plants) sterols instead of animal sterols(what Liptor is made with).
It is $22.99 a month. The company also has a online website for controlling your weight. They also offer meal replacement shakes & bars. In addition they offer a bar that will burn up fat before burning your sugar. To find out more about this company and products leave me a message at Mamasource.
P. S

Omega 3 is found in fish oil. DHA is the fatty acid component of Omega 3 that has all the health benefits that you are seeking. Fish oils vary greatly in potency, quality and ratio of essential fatty acids. Steer away from Essential Fatty Acid supplements that also contain Omega 6 and/or cod liver oil (Our diets already contain an overabundance of Omega 6 and cod liver oil contains vitamin A, which should not be taken in large quantities.)

Fish oil is not only good for cholesterol, but also for the immune system, stress and helps with weight loss. The brand I use is Nordic Naturals - with the maximum amount of DHA (450mg). I like to space it out throughout the day, but don't like to take it in the evening because it tends to make me dream.

Regarding weight loss - it is now understood that the weight epidemic is largely due (no pun intended) to people consuming too much Omega 6 and too little Omega 3. Our bodies function best when there is an even ratio of these two fatty acids. There are two main factors that have caused this discrepancy. 1)Fish, which was once a staple in the American diet, is now contaminated with heavy metals and 2)The animals that contribute to the meat and dairy section of the supermarket are no longer grass fed. Studies have shown that supplementing with Omega 3 makes up for this discrepancy.

The SouthBeach diet would be a good thing to do in addition to taking Omega 3 because it is a low carb diet. Many carbs are another source of Omega 6.

HI BF,

I agree with Stacey on everything she said. I wanted to add also that the Omegas are truly a brain food. They not only help with mental clarity but also longevity in mental clarity as well. A good absorbable multivitamin will improve your levels as well because good nutrition is not as easy to get from our diets these days, even if we eat fresh foods. If we are truly getting good nutrition, it keeps everything in our body working the way it is supposed to and balanced in all areas.

God bless,

M.

Hi there, BF: You have been given excellent advice thus far but let me add something that worked to bring my cholesteral way down in normal range. I eliminated meat and cheese from my diet - the main source of cholesterol. And, my family like yours has a history of high cholesteral but I believe a lot is due to diet when that is the case. Anyway, hope this helps you. Best, M.

Hello, I suffer from high cholesterol as well, and mine is mostly, I think, genetics, since I eat pretty healthy. My doctor wasn't too concerned because my HDL levels were high and my LDLs were low, which is what's ideal. I would recheck with your doctor because you don't want to have high LDLs. Having said that, Fish Oil (Omega 3s) is definitely good for you. I would suggest you get one from a health food store instead of a regular grocery store. Also, salmon, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, flaxseeds are all good sources of omega 3s. I hope this helps you some!

My understanding of cholesterol is a little limited, but my husband knows a lot as he sells a cholesterol med.

First thing I want to correct is that you want your LDL (bad cholesterol) as low as possible, and your HDL (good cholesterol) as high as possible.

Cholesterol levels definitely have BOTH a hereditary and dietary component to them. You can't change your heredity, but you can change your diet to help.

Omega 3 fatty acids can be found in a lot of different sources - fish oil happens to be one good source. But, previous posts are correct, the quality of the fish oil can vary significantly. One big problem people encounter is burping the taste back up which can lead to people not taking the pills. There is a prescription (NOT the one my husband sells) that I've heard is really good and has fewer side effects. It is called Lovaza.

Have you had your triglycerides checked as well. They are tied into cholesterol and cardiovascular health. There are also medications available to lower your trigs (abbreviation) should they be an issue.

There is no evidence that something like South Beach is going to have that kind of impact on your numbers. But, generally speaking, the fattier your food, the more likely you are to have high LDL (low density lipoprotein - bad cholesterol).

One thing to take into consideration about medications - there's nothing that says you need to stay on them forever. You may need a prescription for a few months to help lower your LDL and raise your HDL, but once you get it under control with changes to your diet, you should see improvement and may not need them.

However, a recent study presented at the American Heart Association meeting (found this via twitter) showed that one medication may actually receive FDA approval for preventing cardiovascular issues in people with normal cholesterol levels but a family history of problems.

Your best bet: eat many, many, many more fresh fruits and vegetables. If you are going to cook them, limit the use of butter/oils. Limit your portions of meats to 4 oz, and choose leaner meats. Ground turkey is a good substitute for ground beef, though 90/10 ground beef is lean. Try to incorporate more fish into your diet and reduce carbs (DON'T eliminate them) if possible.

My best advice: speak with your doctor and your insurance company about seeing a dietician. You may be surprised that your insurance covers the costs, and I've never heard anyone mention that it was a waste of their time.

Good luck!