Posts: 1,043
1/7/13 5:09 A

Try this....give up wheat/grains/gluten/sugar. It all ties in together.. leading to the realization that trying to lower cholesterol but still ingesting non-healthy ingredients leads to nowhere but still dealing with cholesterol issues.

wellnessmama.com/3486/do-you-have-a-wheat-
belly-interview-with-dr-davis/

"Even worse, we’re advised by our own government agencies like the USDA and Health and Human Services that whole grains are good for us and we should eat more. Eat more “healthy whole grains,” we eat more, we gain weight, we acquire all the health consequences of wheat and weight gain such as hypertension, high cholesterol, arthritis, acid reflux, and diabetes. Big Food makes out, Big Pharma makes out; we all pay the price."

It is not conducive to continue following the old information we are given by the medical profession and the USDA when there is clearly new research that opposes unhealthy statements such as "eat whole grains daily for better heart health".

Edited by: UNIQDRGNFLY at: 1/7/2013 (05:13)

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3/29/12 6:54 A

current weight: 186.0

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3/25/12 10:41 A

Thanks Dusty :) I will try that.

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3/25/12 10:23 A

Wickedneedle...I just took my two 1 gram fish oil...LOVAZA was originally called Omacor, I swallow them with sips of milk...just don't bite into them...and taking them with a meal is a good thing. I have taken them with my oatmeal, taking sips of the milk from it too.

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3/24/12 12:24 P

I'm thinking I took the fish oil after meals. Maybe I will try again and take *with* meals. I really would like to get off the meds. This morning I cooked up some old fashioned oats on the stove & added 2 Tbsp of flax seed (along with a tad bit of brown sugar and a sprinkle of cinnamon). I still am not hungry yet!

current weight: 134.6

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3/24/12 7:44 A

RED YEAST RICE ACCORDING TO DR. OZ TAKES ABOT 6 WEEKS TO SEE A DROP CHECK WITH YOUR SRE. FIRST

current weight: 186.0

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Posts: 12,930
3/23/12 4:43 P

Did you take it with or right after a meal? Hope you find some answers!! Evening Primrose oil (cold pressed and no chemical compounds used in extracting it either) and Odorless Garlic tablets as well as fish oil are what I took to lower mine.

Edited by: DADDYS_GIRL6 at: 3/30/2012 (17:43)

Posts: 1,661
3/23/12 3:32 P

My doctor told me to take fish oil. I upset my stomach and I stopped. Any advice on how to avoid the stomach upset?

current weight: 134.6

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10/16/11 2:15 P

Ditto, GoodHappens!

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10/16/11 4:14 A

Thank you fro all this great info

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10/16/11 12:39 A

I had been on statins for a few years, but still had high cholesterol. ALL except the HDL were very high - the HDL was very low. I didn't need to change WHAT I eat because it was already very healthy. I was overweight for a lot of years, too. My cholesterol is now perfectly normal, as well as my HbA1c which had put me in the borderline pre-diabetes group. The only change is that I was sent to a Dietitian and took my printouts from my Nutrition Tracker showing exactly what and how much I ate. She told me that what I eat is what they normally put someone on to lose the weight, so the fact that I was still slowly gaining showed her what my problem was. She reduced my calories further and prescribed Omega3 Fish Oil re the HDL, and with that the weight started to come off. I have lost 27kg and that is the only change, and the reason for my now healthy cholesterol levels. The Fish Oil was really great because it also helped improve my very dry skin, as well as help me to meet my minimum fat target. I had always been on a VERY low fat diet prior, just because I don't like the feel of slime in my mouth.

Kris

current weight: 151.0

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Posts: 266
10/15/11 7:55 A

To help me clean out my body,I drink 1 or 2 cups of Celestial Seasonings Echinacea tea (caffeine free,I think) 2x a week. Don`t have no problems with any thing!

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10/15/11 1:34 A

question Would plain seltzer be as good as water ? I would think so

current weight: 186.0

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Posts: 12,930
3/2/10 2:30 P

Thank you everyone for the great insights.

The skin also converts cholesterol to Vit D in the sun light. Don't wear sun screen just 15 mins in the sun just 3 times a week. Added to everything else will surely help!

Posts: 387
3/2/10 12:33 A

When I stopped eating meat, dairy, I started to drink alot of water. So guess since October I bring in 8+ cups of water a day. At first, yeah, I had to run to the bathroom alot, but now its not that bad.

I have found that when it comes to the scales, if I didn't lose it was partly due to not drinking all of my water.

I don't have such a brain fog now also. Poor brain, had no water up in it. LOL

I have not had a soda in 12 months now. I only drink water. Sometimes soy chocolate milk, but I have to watch that, because of my thyroid. :(

Posts: 6,801
3/1/10 3:21 P

I am going to be more faithful in drinking my water.

Posts: 266
3/1/10 1:09 P

I drank it. I downed 2 bottles over a long time(1 YEAR) an I hate it more.And it didn`t work.

current weight: 196.0

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Posts: 3
3/1/10 12:40 P

The importance of water. Our bodies are comprised primarily of water, and water works to aid proper physiology primarily through DILUTION OF METABOLIC BY-PRODUCTS AND ELIMINATION. In natural medicine, ensuring the body eliminates well is part of all therapies. My rule of thumb is drinking 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water daily (unless you have specific kidney conditions.) After the first month or so, you will not be going to the bathroom as often because your body will be properly hydrated.

Most people get sick because they cannot eliminate the by-products of metabolism, exposures, etc. well. The body tends to store the toxic by-products (acids, free radicals, etc.) in fat, joints, tissues, bones, etc. There are some basic "holding" patterns which manifest in particular symptoms and disease states, because elimination is not as effective.

While women are still menstruating, they can eliminate monthly. However, after menopause, many conditions surface because this way of elimination is no longer possible. With men, over time, the prostate tends to collect alot of these inflammatory byproducts.

Exercise, in general, helps elimination due to increased circulation, perspiration, etc. In natural medicine, the use of water as "hydrotherapy" in various forms is an important part of the traditional practice of naturopathic medicine.

You asked about specific studies regarding liver function and water. To my knowledge, I have not seen any specific studies with respect to the liver. You can check PubMed or Highwire if you are interested in researching the scientific studies. In physiology, water is most associated with the kidney (vs. the liver) as an organ of elimination.

Hope that helps! Karen

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3/1/10 10:16 A

I have lowered my cholesterol with exercise. I have friends who went off of all red meats to avoid medication. They lost weight and have their cholesterol in control. I would suggest consulting your Dr. with any changes that are suggested. Everyone reacts differently to changes in diet and exercise.

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3/1/10 1:51 A

I didn't know that the liver makes the cholesterol. So I have a question. Has there been studies of people who do not drink enough water compared to people who drink alot of water and what that does to the cholesterol in their body? You mentioned inflammation, so thought it would be true if people didn't drink enough water to help the liver out.

Posts: 6,801
2/28/10 1:40 P

Thank you, Karen. This is the BEST explanation I have ever heard or read. Now, I know why the liver tests are needed. I tried the oatmeal, V-8 (failed to get low sodium and raised my BP the doctor thinks)and other "good" foods but it is still high. I will get another test in 3 weeks. I do not do good on medicines and try not to take if I can safely do other things. Leona

Posts: 3
2/28/10 1:04 P

As a medically-trained health care provider (and licensed primary care physician), let me clarify that most of the cholesterol in your body is made by your liver in response to a variety of conditions (inflammation, hereditary, endocrine imbalances, weight, etc.) I've posted before, but it's difficult for me to be silent when there's so much misinformation floating around (much of which is on the internet.)

So, yes, an anti-inflammatory diet can have an impact for some people. However, it is not the specific foods that are the issue it is the fact that inflammation in the body is reduced. If the cause for high cholesterol, for you, is not inflammation, then diet may not have as much an impact for you, as it does for someone else. So, someone else's solution may not be yours.

Most of the prescription drugs for lowering cholesterol work well BUT, they decrease overall liver function. That's why they work! So, the liver does hundreds of other things besides produce cholesterol--so, the rest of your liver function is altered too by taking the majority of prescription cholesterol medications. If you want to be safe, seek the advice of a licensed natural health care practitioner.

Also, don't think that everything that says "natural" is safe ---red rice yeast (a common ingredient in "natural" herbal cholesterol lowering products) operates the same way in the body as statin drugs. So, please seek the advice of someone who has been medically trained to understand the physiology and identify the cause and not just treat the symptoms with a drug or herbal remedy. Thanks! Karen

Posts: 6,801
2/28/10 10:08 A

The doctor put me on Pravastatin and my cholesterol actually went up. Nurse said it was because I waited 2 weeks before I had the blood test. I told her I had been off for 2 years and it was lower. I am on again for 1 month. Will check on that book. Thanks for the info.

Posts: 969
2/28/10 8:56 A

ReliableRobyn,

I, too am having a lot of muscle pain & cramps * want very much to get off of Lipitor. Since I have had a heart attack, my cardioligist wants me to keep it under control...could you let me know where to find this diet? I would love to try it!

Eve

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Posts: 2
2/27/10 10:53 P

Reliablerobyn...I'd love some additionl information on that diet if you could help me out.

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9/7/08 1:13 P

Woohoo Reliablerobyn !!! Good numbers.

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9/3/08 6:55 P

Woo hoo! I am so excited. I went to the dr today after being off my cholesterol medicine for two months. It was giving me severe muscle pains. I put myself on a special diet that I learned about from a book called Cholesterol Down where you eat certian food and take certain vitamins every day. My cholesterol was 255 and now it is 191! My dr was really impressed. He wants to check me again in three months to see if I can stick with it. I can because I don't want to go back on the medication and I don't want to die young because of high cholesterol. Let me know if anyone wants more info on this diet. I highly recommend it, but as always, check with your dr before going off medication or trying a new diet. Thanks to everyone for their past support.

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8/1/08 10:34 P

I had similar problems with the two medications I tried. All of us need to be careful about going off the medicine and check with our doctors, especially if you have a family history of high cholesterol

Posts: 458
8/1/08 12:08 A

I just wanted to say that I'm really enjoying reading all of the great posts in this group, and the ideas that it's given me are wonderful.

I've read through many posts this evening and I have to say that I think my total cholesterol is significantly higher than most people on here...maybe everyone. =( My total is 383!!! I have a deadly family history. My mom had open heart surgery in 2005 and her total was 505 before her surgery. Her uncle (who died instantly from his third heart attack back in the 70's) had a total cholesterol of...get this...over 1200!! I have many others who had died or suffered heart attacks as well.

I've tried statins and they killed my muscles and Crestor made me feel like I was actually having a heart attack.

I'm losing weight to have another baby, so I'm wanting desperately to lower these numbers naturally. I've already started eating TONS more fruits and vegetables and eating Oat Bran cereal for breakfast. I had to choke it down at first, but this morning I added some blueberries and it was really good. So, I get the benefit of the oat bran plus a serving of fruit for breakfast!! =)

I'm sure some of you have already, but if you've never heard of it check out www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/
I've found some really great and helpful ideas there as well. =)

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7/31/08 9:46 A

I was on cholesterol medicine for six months and developed severe leg pains. Doctor took me off for two weeks, pain gone. So he tried a different medicine. Everything was fine for a month, then back to the severe leg pain. So I checked out a book at the library called "Cholesterol Down." The author, who is a doctor, gives nine different foods/supplement to eat each day and also, walking every day for at least 30 minutes. I went off my medicine and started this regime about one month ago. I have an appointment with my doctor the first week of September to get my cholesterol checked again. I hope this works because I cannnot tolerate the medicine.

Posts: 8
5/18/08 2:23 P

Yes, I agree, oatmeal does feel good and warm in the tummy. Finally, a comfort food I don't have to feel guilty about eating!

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5/18/08 10:15 A

PINUPC4, yes eating oatmeal everyday will definetly bring your numbers down! And it feels so good and warm in the tummy on those cold morns.

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5/18/08 10:13 A

The pills are much easier to use. I have used the vinegar but the apple cider it is easier to get down than the regular white vinegar.

A plus to vinegar is that it helps promote your immune system so you don't get sick as easily.

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Posts: 8
5/17/08 8:22 A

Wow, there are a lot of remedies for high cholesterol. I've been eating oatmeal (instant) for breakfast about 5 times a week. I haven't rechecked my cholesterol yet but my doctor keeps threatening me with medication. I've tried the vinegar, I just couldn't stand the flavor and I dreaded it every night, even with honey. My dad uses the vinegar drink every night and says it has brought down his cholesterol over 50 points in about a month. Maybe I'll need to revisit the vinegar idea. Has anybody else tried drinking a glass of vinegar a night to reduce cholesterol? Do you just get used to the taste?

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5/15/08 9:42 P

Hi everyone, I take fish oil and garlic for my Cholesterol and weight loss help. Exersize when I can. Eat foods with 0 fat, 0 saturated fat, and no cholesterol helps lower it also. I havn't been back to the Doctor since I started this, but she ok'd it all for me. We are all different so please checdk with your Doctor/s beofre doing anything anyone recommends. Also, I found Promise Active drinks to help. Plus I drink 1 v8 juice per day to make sure I get my veggies. If not for the Arthritis, I would be feeling better myself now. I have had a bad cold all week too, anywayz. Hopefully it is getting over with soon. I hate to be sick, at 48 it gets sometimes a little scary. Plus I dn't need to get Mom sick. I take care of her and she lives with us. She is age 86. I am Blessed.

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Posts: 1
5/14/08 4:14 P

Hi, I'm new here, what is liver cleansing? I have never heard of that before and am curious if it a)works b)is OK to do if you have multiple issues (not me, my husband. He is type II diabetic, I just have high cholesterol and high BP.

Thanks!

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5/6/08 6:24 P

You're welcome, best wishes! Jan

Posts: 297
5/6/08 6:08 P

Thank you. The one I purchase came from a company called Qunol. It is suppose to be 100% natural organic and it is 100mg.

Thanks for the links.

Moon

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5/6/08 5:46 P

Hi IAMMOON, I take CoQ10 also and when I read your post I decided see what 'Google' had to say about this. I found out that CoQ10 can be processed in a couple of ways. (1) Naturally by Microbial (yeast or bacteria) Fermentation and (2) Synthetically,from tobacco leaves by a special technique.

I get my CoQ10 from Puritan's Pride and it appears to be all natural, there's no mention of tobacco leaves.

I got this info. from www.GrandmasRemedies.com and www.Nutriment.com , I hope it's of some help to you. Jan

Posts: 297
5/6/08 2:29 P

I juat purchased Ultra CoQ10 by Qunol that is suppose to be all natural 100% soluble and was reading the labe where it stated some of the other CoQ10 is synthetic and made from derivative from tobacco leaves? I was really thinking no way!

Anyone knows anything about this or his this marketing hype?

current weight: 300.0

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5/1/08 6:04 P

Hi all, I heard once that the regular cook-type oatmeal is better at lowering cholesterol than the individually packaged kind. I can only manage the packets so I hope this isn't true or hope at least that the packets aren't significantly less effective. Does anyone know? Thanks, Jan

Posts: 5
4/23/08 6:41 P

The kagen water is most likely a scam. I googled it, and there are lots of warning signs saying it is. For one thing, it does mass level marketing, which means you go to seminars etc. to learn about it before purchasing it. There have been other similar water scams in the past, with different names and explanations of the water & how it's "treated". Google it. There are a lot of pros and cons. Decide for yourself after reading about it some.

Posts: 10
4/23/08 5:50 P

Hi everyone,
This could sound really silly........but here goes anyway..........I have a friend who swears that
her Kangen Water machine lowered her levels down.
Something about the water having oxygen and it
corrects your PH level. That's all that I got from
it. Did I buy one?? nope. I think it sounds a little
flaky to me. But, who knows. Anyone know anything
about this being a natural way of keeping levels low?

Posts: 5
4/22/08 8:16 P

Eggplant contains a chemical the blocks the body's ability to absorb cholesterol. According to the article I read in Women's World, 2 cups of eggplant per week will be enough to drop the points. Most people eat eggplant fried, but I fix my own style of ratatoulle, which is supposed to be eaten cold.

I cut one Japanese egg plant, layer it in a pot, then a sliced zucchini. I sprinkle a little curry powder & salt, then put sliced onion and tomato and another sprinkle of curry powder and salt.

Cover the pot, put the heat on low. The veggies provide their own water. I eat the stuff hot. I like having it on top of a bit of bulghur or kasha. Not a lot, just some.

I eat waaaaay more than two cups a week when the eggplants come in. Doing it the steamed way keeps the cholesterol down whereas frying it doesn't.

Posts: 24
4/18/08 6:38 P

I have heard it does, I am trying it myself.

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Posts: 263
4/15/08 12:19 A

Evelynlois - You should try a at-home walking dvd. I use it when I can't walk outside since I live in the Southeast and it rains a lot here. Hope that helps.

I'm going to try that red rice. Does it help with triglyceride levels?

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Posts: 24
4/12/08 5:35 A

Thank you , I am checking this out

Posts: 24
4/12/08 5:30 A

Go to a health store and ask about red rice? I was told it will help with cholesterol. I plan on trying it myself. Mine is 223

Posts: 24
4/12/08 5:26 A

I work in an office and rarely leave my desk. How do you get that 10,000 steps in? I was making a point of walking more at work and barely made the 2,000 mark. By the way, I have just started to walk outside but it is getting dark when I start so only 20-25 minutes is what I do right now.

Posts: 24
4/12/08 5:23 A

I agree, I like Quaker myself

Posts: 24
4/12/08 5:22 A

Thank you, I am still learning this website, what is a blog?

Posts: 157
4/11/08 11:17 A

I lowered my total cholesterol 90 points in 6 weeks, WITHOUT medications, totally by eating and exercise. I do use some supplements. Check out my blog from 4-4-08.
A friend of mine did a couple of liver cleanses and brought her total cholesterol from 300+ to 182. Since the liver is so very important in the cholesterol connection, that may be something to consider. This is the right time of the year to do that, too! An additional benefit!
Good luck!!

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Posts: 24
4/4/08 9:51 P

Hi I have a friend who told me at a health store to buy Red Rice Yeast. I plan on trying it.

Edited by: EVELYNLOIS at: 4/4/2008 (21:51)

Posts: 8
2/26/08 5:27 P

I was looking at various brands of oatmeal and I found Quaker's Instant Healthy Heart has 4 grams of soluble fiber in one package! The more soluble fiber the better.

Posts: 98
1/14/08 4:42 P

I got my total cholesterol number down 35 points just from eating oatmeal (not every day; about 3 times a week), walking 10,000 steps per day and drinking water. I very rarely make it to 8 glasses; it is usually more like 6.

Posts: 11,374
1/11/08 2:09 P

www.naturemade.com/ProductDatabase/prd_pro
d.asp?productid=62

hope this helps with the Cholestoff....

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Posts: 17,679
1/11/08 1:29 P

Jennifer,

Is cholest-off a certain brand of supplement? Do you know what's in it?

Thanks in advance.

I second the walnuts, almonds, olive oil, oatmeal, omega 3s...they have helped my numbers and without statins (which I had side effects with).

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Posts: 504
1/10/08 11:01 P

Garlic, lemon, flax seed, omega-3, oatmeal, wheat germ, walnuts, almonds, Cholest-off, vinigar (4 tbsp. mixed in a glass of juice or water)Probably not the best tasting, but I have read that it actually works and broccoli. Oatmeal and cholest-off are the two that I have found to be the most effective.

Jennifer

Posts: 9,634
1/10/08 10:56 P

Welcome Brandy. My teammates have gave you the info already. Hope it works for you. Mary

Posts: 41,482
1/10/08 9:23 P

9 Grain oatmeal is great, check out the topic Merck Study in the teams General forum. You may be interested in the papers. They tell a lot of good info. Garlic helps too.

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Posts: 11,374
1/10/08 9:13 P

Exercise is good. Oatmeal is good, as are walnuts, almonds,and flax seed. There are a lot of things you can eat and do. It is MY UNDERSTANDING that exercise is a major/major item in controlling the glucose levels as well.. Watch the amount of fruit you consume, because of the sugar levels in them. But plenty of veggies are necessary for sure.
No eggs, no red meat, no dairy. All ways to help get the cholesterol down. (By the way the book "Cholesterol Down" is a great book to read.)

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1/10/08 9:04 P

hi everyone my name is Brandy,and I am new to spark. I am 34 an insulin dependent diabetic for 25 years, my glucose levels have always been in the 250 range, and was told if my glucose level is up when you get your cholesterol checked it will also be up. I just had it checked and my total cholesterol was 260, and my fasting glucose was also up, just wondering of natural ways to get cholesterol down, my Dr. gave me samples of vytorin but I went on the web and alot of people have the same side effects (headaches,tiredness,muscle aches, and anxiety) I worrie about my health and my dad just had 2 heart attacks, so if anyone knows any natural way, or knows if the oatmeal thing really works please let me know.