Posts: 938
2/26/13 11:33 A

A lot of the alternative flours are higher in fiber and nutrients that help lower cholesterol, so living gluten free in a healthy way (by watching what is in many gluten free products because they often add fats, etc. to make the food taste "better") is a good think. I process a lot of my own stuff (millet, etc.) into flour and use that, so I am getting the whole food.

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2/21/13 9:09 A

Hi!

You're not crazy, going gluten free when you have a sensitivity can certainly lower cholesterol!

Your body makes cholesterol to deal with inflammation. Eating gluten causes (you guessed it!) inflammation! Hence, eat gluten, high cholesterol.

I've had high cholesterol since I was seven. Seriously, my pediatrician wanted to put me on a statin! Thank goodness Mom said no. Six months ago, before I knew I have celiac's, my total cholesterol was over 300. Once again, I refused to start a statin, sure I could fix it with weight loss and diet. I didn't follow a cholesterol lowering diet, just a general eat better type thing. I lost about thirty pounds in the six months between doctor visits, and stopped eating gluten (most of the weight came off while dieting post GF. I've never been able to lose weight, stopped gluten, and now I can!) last visit? My cholesterol was 186. Over 100 points down. I thought my doctor was going to fall off her chair, I really did!

There's no way losing thirty pounds could cause me to go from "holy unhealthy, Batman!" to normal cholesterol -for the first time in my life- in six months! It has to be the gluten.

So don't chalk it up to just fiber or healthy eating, it's a sign that your innards are less inflamed, and that's good news all around.

Posts: 30,235
2/12/11 10:19 P

Did you know that statins are anti-fungal drugs? So that should tell you what it is killing besides your liver. Plus grains also feed fungus because it turns into sugar and fungus likes sugar.

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2/12/11 1:23 P

Good for you that you got your cholesterol down!
GOD BLESS!
Louise

Posts: 197
2/12/11 12:56 P

I use chia seeds for fiber. They say to mix them with water. That's okay, but I prefer to mix them with yogurt.

Posts: 11
2/12/11 12:31 P

I use Thayers slippery elm throat lozenges. The IBS web sites recommend the powder but is like trying to drink wall paper paste. I take benefiber only every other day, then just 1 tsp, otherwise it stops me up, the slippery elms doesn't seem to do so.

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2/12/11 10:33 A

Hi, and welcome. I haven't paid too much to my cholesterol, as it's never been much of a problem. But, in what form do you use slippery elm? I find I struggle with fiber, though I'm getting quite a bit in veg form and through quinoa and flax.

Posts: 7,480
2/11/11 10:56 P

If going gluten-free had dropped back your carb consumption, that's probably the biggest reason for the cholesterol drop. It seems strange, but there's an interaction between insulin in the bloodstream and storage of cholesterol, so eating lower carb tends to drop cholesterol and triglycerides.

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Posts: 4,541
2/11/11 9:40 P

Also, GF eliminates a LOT of junk foods! Fried fatty restaurant type things, pastries that you have no idea how much fat is really in, etc. I think that alone helped me. Mine was never high but has gotten even better. Exercise helps too...

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2/11/11 6:53 P

I agree that it is most likely the increased fiber. Smiles Barb

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Posts: 7,085
2/11/11 5:17 P

It is probably all of the fiber that is lowering your cholesterol.

Posts: 11
2/11/11 1:06 P

Slippery elm works much like fiber to bulk up your poop. For me it also relieves the otherwise constant gut ache. I found out about it on an IBS website.

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2/11/11 1:06 P

to the Team!

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Posts: 197
2/11/11 12:54 P

Good for you! It could be the benefiber. Out of curiosity, what does slippery elm do for you?

Posts: 11
2/11/11 12:26 P

I have been gluten free for about 14 months. I am self diagnosed as gluten intolerant. I had no problems prior to have a screening colonoscopy where nothing was found, but symptoms started that day. I manage by staying gluten free and taking slippery elm and benefiber. Had my annual exam a week ago, and my cholesterol has dropped 25 points. I have only lost a few pounds, so cannot attribute it to that. Can gluten free lower cholesterol?