cholesterol still high

[Guest guest]

I am a long time vegan. over 3 mos ago i started no oil, fat free vegan and only a few nuts in that time. I eat mostly grains, beans or legumes, salsa, veggies & fruits. My docs ofc called today n said my cholesterol was 187. I am going to call monday and ask for a retake n ask for vit D levels also.

 

Has anybody ever heard of this? My cholesterol was 147 before. I am baffled by this. I walk a couple of miles 5 days a week if that matters. Can anybody help me understand this? my good chol was 49 n should be over 46 according to docs ofc.

 

Thank you!

 

Maureen

[Guest guest]

Almost 3 years ago for me going vegan – my cholesterol at that time had been 5.6 mmol/L (216 mg/dL for Americans) and now it’s 4.4 mmol/L (170 mg/dL) so — not as low as I’d like to see it yet, but it’s definitely helped.

 

I know that cholesterol problems can be genetic as well, but in general this diet should help lower it. Having said that, I have a bowl of soaked muesli every morning for breakfast, and I know oatmeal can lower cholesterol. Maybe that’s what’s done it for me.

 

Anna

 

 

On 21/11/09 12:05 PM, " maureen smith " <maureensgardengrotto wrote:

 

 

I am a long time vegan. over 3 mos ago i started no oil, fat free vegan and only a few nuts in that time. I eat mostly grains, beans or legumes, salsa, veggies & fruits. My docs ofc called today n said my cholesterol was 187. I am going to call monday and ask for a retake n ask for vit D levels also.

 

Has anybody ever heard of this? My cholesterol was 147 before. I am baffled by this. I walk a couple of miles 5 days a week if that matters. Can anybody help me understand this? my good chol was 49 n should be over 46 according to docs ofc.

 

Thank you!

 

Maureen

[Guest guest]

My husband still has cholesterol problems despite having eaten very low-fat vegan for 30+ years. His body is just incredibly efficient at making cholesterol! On 21/11/2009, at 5:08 PM, pipedream63 wrote: Almost 3 years ago for me going vegan – my cholesterol at that time had been 5.6 mmol/L (216 mg/dL for Americans) and now it’s 4.4 mmol/L (170 mg/dL) so — not as low as I’d like to see it yet, but it’s definitely helped. I know that cholesterol problems can be genetic as well, but in general this diet should help lower it. Having said that, I have a bowl of soaked muesli every morning for breakfast, and I know oatmeal can lower cholesterol. Maybe that’s what’s done it for me. Anna On 21/11/09 12:05 PM, "maureen smith" <maureensgardengrotto wrote: I am a long time vegan. over 3 mos ago i started no oil, fat free vegan and only a few nuts in that time. I eat mostly grains, beans or legumes, salsa, veggies & fruits. My docs ofc called today n said my cholesterol was 187. I am going to call monday and ask for a retake n ask for vit D levels also. Has anybody ever heard of this? My cholesterol was 147 before. I am baffled by this. I walk a couple of miles 5 days a week if that matters. Can anybody help me understand this? my good chol was 49 n should be over 46 according to docs ofc. Thank you! Maureen

[Guest guest]

Ask your Dr to do a full lipid profile including a lipoprotein A test. It is a

genetic factor in which diet and exercise does not change. I am 27 and my

cholesterol was 314! I am vegan and exercise 4 or more times a week. It took a

holistic Dr to do a complete lipid profile for me in order to find out WHY.

Right now I take RED YEAST RICE which is a all natural supplement that works to

lower the bad LDL cholesterol without side effects.

 

 

, maureen smith <maureensgardengrotto

wrote:

>

> I am a long time vegan.  over 3 mos ago i started no oil, fat free vegan and

only a few nuts in that time.  I eat mostly grains, beans or legumes, salsa,

veggies & fruits.  My docs ofc called today n said my cholesterol was 187.  I am

going to call monday and ask for a retake n ask for vit D levels also. 

>

> Has anybody ever heard of this?  My cholesterol was 147 before.  I am baffled

by this.  I walk a couple of miles 5 days a week if that matters.  Can anybody

help me understand this?  my good chol was 49 n should be over 46 according to

docs ofc.

>

> Thank you!

>

> Maureen

>

[Guest guest]

Maureen, Don't feel bad about your cholestrol. I have been a strict

vegan for 5 years and my cholestrol is still well over 200! Nothing

I do seems to get it below 240. I guess I will just be one of those

people that will finally have to resort to the statin drugs.

[Guest guest]

I'm still awaiting my cholesterol retesting results. I took the bloodwork again after following a vegan diet for 3 months. I'm crossing my fingers that I too won't have to resort to statins!! I'm 31.

 

it also runs in my family as well... so genetics play a big role unfortunately.

Carrie @ http://www.gingerlemongirl.comEasy & Delicious Gluten Free Recipes and Baked Goods

On Sat, Nov 21, 2009 at 11:43 AM, Cathy Haley <momof2n3 wrote:

 

 

 

 

Maureen, Don't feel bad about your cholestrol. I have been a strict vegan for 5 years and my cholestrol is still well over 200! Nothing I do seems to get it below 240. I guess I will just be one of those

people that will finally have to resort to the statin drugs.

[Guest guest]

Hi Alice,

 

Does your husband takes some cholesterol medicine? Mine too is very high (240+). I was on various statin pills with horrible side effects. The last one (I should be on) is Niaspan. Going on 1000 mg a day side effects started also here. And I gave up, taking now the over the counter Niacin. Together with the vegan diet (oatmeal every morning) I just feel great, although I don't know yet if my "natural cure" works. I am just very scared of all the statin and other chemical cholesterol lowering pills.

 

Thanks to all of you for your input

 

Paula--- On Fri, 11/20/09, Alice Leonard <alice wrote:

Alice Leonard <aliceRe: cholesterol still high Date: Friday, November 20, 2009, 8:53 PM

My husband still has cholesterol problems despite having eaten very low-fat vegan for 30+ years. His body is just incredibly efficient at making cholesterol!

 

 

On 21/11/2009, at 5:08 PM, pipedream63 wrote:

Almost 3 years ago for me going vegan – my cholesterol at that time had been 5.6 mmol/L (216 mg/dL for Americans) and now it’s 4.4 mmol/L (170 mg/dL) so — not as low as I’d like to see it yet, but it’s definitely helped.I know that cholesterol problems can be genetic as well, but in general this diet should help lower it. Having said that, I have a bowl of soaked muesli every morning for breakfast, and I know oatmeal can lower cholesterol. Maybe that’s what’s done it for me.AnnaOn 21/11/09 12:05 PM, "maureen smith" <maureensgardengrotto wrote:

I am a long time vegan. over 3 mos ago i started no oil, fat free vegan and only a few nuts in that time. I eat mostly grains, beans or legumes, salsa, veggies & fruits. My docs ofc called today n said my cholesterol was 187. I am going to call monday and ask for a retake n ask for vit D levels also. Has anybody ever heard of this? My cholesterol was 147 before. I am baffled by this. I walk a couple of miles 5 days a week if that matters. Can anybody help me understand this? my good chol was 49 n should be over 46 according to docs ofc. Thank you! Maureen

[Guest guest]

No, Pauline, he isn't on any medication, and he loathes the pharmaceutical industry so would never (I think) take medication for something that he could control himself thru diet and exercise.I love hearing stories on this forum from people who've switched to a vegan diet and are seeing great results!! On 22/11/2009, at 8:28 AM, Pauline Lambert wrote:Does your husband takes some cholesterol medicine? Mine too is very high (240+). I was on various statin pills with horrible side effects. The last one (I should be on) is Niaspan. Going on 1000 mg a day side effects started also here. And I gave up, taking now the over the counter Niacin. Together with the vegan diet (oatmeal every morning) I just feel great, although I don't know yet if my "natural cure" works. I am just very scared of all the statin and other chemical cholesterol lowering pills.

[Guest guest]

Me too. I am at 230 ( in 1982 when my Dad died, I was at 169). With me it is hereditary. My Dad and Gpa died of heart attacks at ages 61 and 48 respectively. My younger brother died last year of a heart attack at 50, My 2 other brothers are taking medication. As a 3 year vegan I was very surprised at the number. I hoped I was immune as a female member of the family and as a vegan. My LDL and HDL are in the normal range says the Dr. He is not concerned --so long as I am not sedentary and eating unhealthy vegetarian fare.Patricia Squyres

(714) 299-6468

(714) 974-7055 Fax--- On Sat, 11/21/09, Cathy Haley <momof2n3 wrote:Cathy Haley <momof2n3 Re:cholesterol still high Date: Saturday, November 21, 2009, 8:43 AM

 

 

Maureen, Don't feel bad about your cholestrol. I have been a strict

vegan for 5 years and my cholestrol is still well over 200! Nothing

I do seems to get it below 240. I guess I will just be one of those

people that will finally have to resort to the statin drugs.

[Guest guest]

I have a book called the chocolat 2 diet by the cardiologists wife and she says to drink hot cocoa every day. That bio flavonoids in hot chocolate are just as good as the statins for clearing arteries. She has this recipe you are supposed to use because milk inhibits the action of the chocolat

 

2 TBLSPNS unprocessed cocoa powder< like Hershey's in the brown can>

2 TBLSPSNS splenda sweetner

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup boiling water

 

 

mix and stir everything and enjoy!

----------<<------<<@

*the greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return*--- On Sat, 11/21/09, Pauline Lambert <alphornblues wrote:

Pauline Lambert <alphornbluesRe: cholesterol still high Date: Saturday, November 21, 2009, 2:28 PM

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Alice,

 

Does your husband takes some cholesterol medicine? Mine too is very high (240+). I was on various statin pills with horrible side effects. The last one (I should be on) is Niaspan. Going on 1000 mg a day side effects started also here. And I gave up, taking now the over the counter Niacin. Together with the vegan diet (oatmeal every morning) I just feel great, although I don't know yet if my "natural cure" works. I am just very scared of all the statin and other chemical cholesterol lowering pills.

 

Thanks to all of you for your input

 

Paula--- On Fri, 11/20/09, Alice Leonard <alice (AT) angelfood (DOT) co.nz> wrote:

Alice Leonard <alice (AT) angelfood (DOT) co.nz>Re: cholesterol still highFriday, November 20, 2009, 8:53 PM

My husband still has cholesterol problems despite having eaten very low-fat vegan for 30+ years. His body is just incredibly efficient at making cholesterol!

 

 

On 21/11/2009, at 5:08 PM, pipedream63 wrote:

Almost 3 years ago for me going vegan – my cholesterol at that time had been 5.6 mmol/L (216 mg/dL for Americans) and now it’s 4.4 mmol/L (170 mg/dL) so — not as low as I’d like to see it yet, but it’s definitely helped.I know that cholesterol problems can be genetic as well, but in general this diet should help lower it. Having said that, I have a bowl of soaked muesli every morning for breakfast, and I know oatmeal can lower cholesterol. Maybe that’s what’s done it for me.AnnaOn 21/11/09 12:05 PM, "maureen smith" <maureensgardengrotto wrote:

I am a long time vegan. over 3 mos ago i started no oil, fat free vegan and only a few nuts in that time. I eat mostly grains, beans or legumes, salsa, veggies & fruits. My docs ofc called today n said my cholesterol was 187. I am going to call monday and ask for a retake n ask for vit D levels also. Has anybody ever heard of this? My cholesterol was 147 before. I am baffled by this. I walk a couple of miles 5 days a week if that matters. Can anybody help me understand this? my good chol was 49 n should be over 46 according to docs ofc. Thank you! Maureen

[Guest guest]

Hi Patricia,

Would you say your 3 years as a vegan have been more like the 6 week plan of

Fuhrman, or the basic McDougall plan?

My total cholesterol is 230, but I am thinking that if I stop the nuts and just

do the 1T ground flax seed of the Fuhrman plan, that may help lower the total

cholesterol number for me...

I am post menopausal and on Arimidex. I know those are both factors.

Any suggestions?

Teresa M.

[Guest guest]

Teresa,I use the basic McDougall plan along with the Neal Barnard PCRM vegan eating plan for a list of allowable and avoidable vegan low fat foods. For 30 years I have used the Exchange program of the American Dietetic

Association to measure my servings. This program breaks down all allowable foods into categories and assigns a serving portion and value for chol-pro-fat to each. It adds up to 1400- 1600 calories

a day on average for me. I basically try to get servings of 3 vegan proteins, 3-4 fruits, 3 fats, 3 vegan "dairy", 4-6 vegetables-varied colors and 3 starches that have to be gluten free -high fiber every day. My husband adds more servings to get 1800-2000 calories a day.We both keep daily food logs. My husband can go to a drawer and pull out a journal and tell you what he had to eat 5 years ago on a tuesday -! ! !-yeah great dinner conversation.I also have a space where I mark off the glasses of water drunk, flax seed/walnut/almond sprinkles used, vegan vitamins a multi-a D-a Calcium-a Bcomplex, a magnesium taken and exercise schedule of that dayThe fats are usually already in the foods naturally

that we consume. I use pan sprays and water to "fry" or I bake/steam or

roast - To check myself, and when home made mixed foods are used such as casseroles, I use a well worn copy of the Corinne Netzer Complete Book of Food Counts and for processed foods, I check package labels to come up with a fairly simple daily food log. Now that we are retired, we have cut way way down on processed veggie meats, hotdogs and burgers. If the ingredient list is longer than my thumb, I dont buy it any more. Alot of the foods that once were vegan are no longer now that the smaller companies were purchased by the conglomerates. I make most of our meals from scratch using fresh, canned or frozen (organic if possible) as needed. Tofu and Tempeh I buy.Its not a perfect system, nor am I perfect everyday, but if I can stick with it I feel better and it works for me.I take no medication of any kind at age 60. I think that is why the doctor is not worried too much about me yet.Pat Squyres

--- On Sat, 11/21/09, tjay1302000 <t-jay130 wrote:tjay1302000 <t-jay130 Re:cholesterol still high Date: Saturday, November 21, 2009, 6:32 PM

 

 

Hi Patricia,

Would you say your 3 years as a vegan have been more like the 6 week plan of Fuhrman, or the basic McDougall plan?

My total cholesterol is 230, but I am thinking that if I stop the nuts and just do the 1T ground flax seed of the Fuhrman plan, that may help lower the total cholesterol number for me...

I am post menopausal and on Arimidex. I know those are both factors.

Any suggestions?

Teresa M.

[Guest guest]

Splenda and all the other fake "sugars" are brain toxins.

 

Olwen )O(--- On Sat, 11/21/09, Omber Rose <kristine_foster2000 wrote:

Omber Rose <kristine_foster2000Re: cholesterol still high Received: Saturday, November 21, 2009, 3:23 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have a book called the chocolat 2 diet by the cardiologists wife and she says to drink hot cocoa every day. That bio flavonoids in hot chocolate are just as good as the statins for clearing arteries. She has this recipe you are supposed to use because milk inhibits the action of the chocolat

 

2 TBLSPNS unprocessed cocoa powder< like Hershey's in the brown can>

2 TBLSPSNS splenda sweetner

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup boiling water

 

 

mix and stir everything and enjoy!

----------<<------<<@

*the greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return*--- On Sat, 11/21/09, Pauline Lambert <alphornblues wrote:

Pauline Lambert <alphornbluesRe: cholesterol still high Date: Saturday, November 21, 2009, 2:28 PM

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Alice,

 

Does your husband takes some cholesterol medicine? Mine too is very high (240+). I was on various statin pills with horrible side effects. The last one (I should be on) is Niaspan. Going on 1000 mg a day side effects started also here. And I gave up, taking now the over the counter Niacin. Together with the vegan diet (oatmeal every morning) I just feel great, although I don't know yet if my "natural cure" works. I am just very scared of all the statin and other chemical cholesterol lowering pills.

 

Thanks to all of you for your input

 

Paula--- On Fri, 11/20/09, Alice Leonard <alice (AT) angelfood (DOT) co.nz> wrote:

Alice Leonard <alice (AT) angelfood (DOT) co.nz>Re: cholesterol still highFriday, November 20, 2009, 8:53 PM

My husband still has cholesterol problems despite having eaten very low-fat vegan for 30+ years. His body is just incredibly efficient at making cholesterol!

 

 

On 21/11/2009, at 5:08 PM, pipedream63 wrote:

Almost 3 years ago for me going vegan – my cholesterol at that time had been 5.6 mmol/L (216 mg/dL for Americans) and now it’s 4.4 mmol/L (170 mg/dL) so — not as low as I’d like to see it yet, but it’s definitely helped.I know that cholesterol problems can be genetic as well, but in general this diet should help lower it. Having said that, I have a bowl of soaked muesli every morning for breakfast, and I know oatmeal can lower cholesterol. Maybe that’s what’s done it for me.AnnaOn 21/11/09 12:05 PM, "maureen smith" <maureensgardengrotto wrote:

I am a long time vegan. over 3 mos ago i started no oil, fat free vegan and only a few nuts in that time. I eat mostly grains, beans or legumes, salsa, veggies & fruits. My docs ofc called today n said my cholesterol was 187. I am going to call monday and ask for a retake n ask for vit D levels also. Has anybody ever heard of this? My cholesterol was 147 before. I am baffled by this. I walk a couple of miles 5 days a week if that matters. Can anybody help me understand this? my good chol was 49 n should be over 46 according to docs ofc. Thank you! Maureen

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

has anyone tried red yeast rice to lower their cholesterol? my MD had be on it in lieu of statin meds. i had a good result. the downside is the lower GI symptoms of gas and loose bowel movements. these seem to also be common effects of statins as well and usually improve over time.

Robin L. Ac.--- On Sat, 11/21/09, Alice Leonard <alice wrote:

Alice Leonard <aliceRe: cholesterol still high Date: Saturday, November 21, 2009, 11:45 AM

No, Pauline, he isn't on any medication, and he loathes the pharmaceutical industry so would never (I think) take medication for something that he could control himself thru diet and exercise.

I love hearing stories on this forum from people who've switched to a vegan diet and are seeing great results!!

 

 

On 22/11/2009, at 8:28 AM, Pauline Lambert wrote:

Does your husband takes some cholesterol medicine? Mine too is very high (240+). I was on various statin pills with horrible side effects. The last one (I should be on) is Niaspan. Going on 1000 mg a day side effects started also here. And I gave up, taking now the over the counter Niacin. Together with the vegan diet (oatmeal every morning) I just feel great, although I don't know yet if my "natural cure" works. I am just very scared of all the statin and other chemical cholesterol lowering

pills.

[Guest guest]

I have been taking red rice yeast tablets since April, as prescribed by my

medical herbalist. In 2 months they lowered my cholesterol by 20% with none of

the unfortunate side effects you mention. My cholesterol levels have now

stabilised at that level, still higher than I would like, but a vast

improvement. My doctor was shocked at my success - she felt sure that I must

have been taking the statins prescribed by the cardio consultant.

 

Exercise also helps in lowering cholesterol levels. I've been walking at least

10,000 steps a day for the last six months. it has tgeh added benefit of

opeining upo new pathways in the heart so that if one does get blocked there are

alternatives.

 

Christie

, robin marcinkiewicz <mpindoc wrote:

>

> has anyone tried red yeast rice to lower their cholesterol?  my MD had be on

it in lieu of statin meds.  i had a good result.  the downside is the lower GI

symptoms of gas and loose bowel movements.  these seem to also be common

effects of statins as well and usually improve over time.

> Robin  L. Ac.

>

[Guest guest]

Just a few months prior to going vegan, I

was on 20mg of Crestor and my cholesterol numbers were in good range. They

were similar numbers after Vegan for a month. At that time we cut my

cholesterol meds in half. Unfortunately, the HDL number went up to not far

over good. We re-tested this month. Still high, so I’m going back to

full dose of meds. Unfortunately, I seem to be genetically inclined.

Judy

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Behalf Of maureen smith

Friday, November 20, 2009

8:05 PM

 

 

cholesterol still high

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am a long time vegan. over 3 mos ago i started no oil, fat free

vegan and only a few nuts in that time. I eat mostly grains, beans or

legumes, salsa, veggies & fruits. My docs ofc called today n said my

cholesterol was 187. I am going to call monday and ask for a retake n ask

for vit D levels also.

 

 

 

 

 

Has anybody ever heard of this? My cholesterol was 147

before. I am baffled by this. I walk a couple of miles 5 days a

week if that matters. Can anybody help me understand this? my good

chol was 49 n should be over 46 according to docs ofc.

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

Maureen

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Pat.

Congratulations on your healthy efforts.

Your detailed response is helping me get a clearer picture.

I hope I can tweak my food to get my LDL down and my HDL up.

Teresa M.

[Guest guest]

Thanks to all who suggested red rice yeast.

I'm off to buy some and will give them a try for 3 months before a recheck.

Teresa M.