Slightly high cholesterol and advice on lowering without meds?

happyteacher
on 6/21/12 4:31 am

Hey all,

My lab reports just came back and my cholesterol increased a bit more- up to 217 from 208. Not super high, but I also want to avoid taking my simvistatin. I am surprised it is there given the reduced calorie diet and steady exerrcise I am on. Obviously I eat meat to assist with the protein issues. Any suggestions on how I can stay on plan and lower the cholesterol a bit?

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

1Mo: -21 2Mo: -16 3Mo: -12 4MO - 13 5MO: -11 6MO: -10 7MO: -10.3 8MO: -6 Goal in 8 months 4 days!! 6' 2'' EWL 103% Starting size 28 or 4x (tight) now size 12 or large, shoe size 12 w to 10.5 150+ pounds lost

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Carmelita
on 6/21/12 5:14 am, edited 6/21/12 5:16 am - Four Corners, NM

VSG on 09/10/08

This high protein diet meats, eggs & dairy...sure don't help..cuz our livers are producing 2-3xs the normal amt of cholesterol thru the rapid fat loss phase. many peeps having cholesterol issues post VSG through the rapid fat loss phase see their cholesterol levels rise even durin it.

Were ya on actigall/ursodiol prophylactically post VSG? Still have your gallbladder?

My suggestion would be to look into digestive enzymes.to help thin out that bile keep it liquidy.
Increase soluble fiber in your diet...why Quaker Oats n Cheerios can make claims it lowers cholesterol soluble fiber! It binds bile so more is eliminated vs recycled.

Chia, Quinoa is great too. Omega 3s /complete protein. Legumes, lentils good soluble fiber too.

Keep Sat Fat intake low, avoid fatty cuts of meats. avoid pork /pork products cuz theyre especially superhigh sat fats.

I have had gallbladder issues since 2 yrs post op....doin lots of dietary changes to avoid an attack.
what gallstones are thickened bile (cholesterol) that crystallizes.

Ive added psylium to my foods too i.e....I like using my SF metamucil to add psylium to greek yogurt gives it a kinda orange creamsicle taste to it.

Mayo clinic on lowerin it w/ diet:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol/CL00002

happyteacher
on 6/21/12 5:23 am

VSG on 12/19/11

Thanks for the response :)

i was prescribed actigol, but it messes with me so I stopped taking it. I will look into some digestive enzynes. I knew about oatmeal and such, but not a lot of protein for the calories and carb. I also tried it before and not only is it a slider for me, but triggered major cravings. Maybe I will give it another try to see if that is any more manageable. Thank you very much for the thoughtful reply- off to check your link now.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

1Mo: -21 2Mo: -16 3Mo: -12 4MO - 13 5MO: -11 6MO: -10 7MO: -10.3 8MO: -6 Goal in 8 months 4 days!! 6' 2'' EWL 103% Starting size 28 or 4x (tight) now size 12 or large, shoe size 12 w to 10.5 150+ pounds lost

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

Lee ~
on 6/21/12 5:40 am - CA

VSG on 02/17/10

I've had hereditary high cholesterol for years. I was a vegan for 9 years with climbing cholesterol. I was on statin meds prior to VSG. I recently had my first normal range cholesterol testing. I totally credit the huge amounts of walking and hiking on bringing those numbers down. My food hasn't changed.

HW: 249 SW: 229 GW: 149 Age: 63 - Body by Sauceda - 12/2011

happyteacher
on 6/21/12 11:55 am

VSG on 12/19/11

This is part of why I am so befuddled by this. Since surgery my cholesterol as increased, despite the drastic drop in what I eat and significant and daily exericse. I walk 4-5 miles a day, or do a minimum of 30 minutes on the elliptical (usually longer) or both. I now also eat fish at least a couple times per week. WTF??

Carmelita got me thinking though- my fiber is super low and only just recently have I started to add in a serving or 2 of fiber daily. Maybe there is just nothing there to absorb it?

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

1Mo: -21 2Mo: -16 3Mo: -12 4MO - 13 5MO: -11 6MO: -10 7MO: -10.3 8MO: -6 Goal in 8 months 4 days!! 6' 2'' EWL 103% Starting size 28 or 4x (tight) now size 12 or large, shoe size 12 w to 10.5 150+ pounds lost

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

Lee ~
on 6/21/12 2:34 pm - CA

VSG on 02/17/10

It took me over two years post op to get mine down. Give it time.

HW: 249 SW: 229 GW: 149 Age: 63 - Body by Sauceda - 12/2011

(deactivated member)
on 6/21/12 5:51 am

VSG on 12/07/11

Don't know what to tell you....
You seem to be on the lower your cholesterol track already!

I was taking simvistatin prior to VSG, but my numbers went down so low on my pre op the surgeon took me off of it prior to VSG. My numbers went up, too since VSG, but are still well below the high normal range. Total is 173 and both HDL and LDL are in the correct ranges. My triglycerides went down to 68! My doc thinks it's because I refuse to use cheese as anything other than a condiment and the amount of exercise I do.

Dr. Oz had a whole list of foods yesterday or the day before that significantly help to reduce cholesterol. Maybe check out the show's website and see if it's listed there, too.

Good luck! Wish I could be of more help! It must be frsutrating for you!!!!

happyteacher
on 6/21/12 11:59 am

VSG on 12/19/11

That is the thing- it is increasing :( I was at 208 at my 3 month and now at 217. I am going to look up Oz, thanks for the tip :)

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

1Mo: -21 2Mo: -16 3Mo: -12 4MO - 13 5MO: -11 6MO: -10 7MO: -10.3 8MO: -6 Goal in 8 months 4 days!! 6' 2'' EWL 103% Starting size 28 or 4x (tight) now size 12 or large, shoe size 12 w to 10.5 150+ pounds lost

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

USAF Wife
on 6/21/12 5:57 am

Revision on 06/03/09

Ground flax seed. I have a very close relative who is super lean, trim, and eats a very healthy, non-fatty, non-fried diet, never smoked, has an occasional 6 pack of beer over the weekends, but has outlandish cholesterol and triglycerides. He introduced ground flax seed into his diet and his numbers decreased over a 6 month period. Now, his cholesterol was in the 400s and he no choice but to medicate to bring the numbers down more, but the flax seed definitely helped tremendously.

Band to VSG revision: June 3, 2009
SW 270lbs GW 150lbs CW Losing Pregancy Weight Maintenance goal W 125-130lbs

happyteacher
on 6/21/12 12:00 pm

VSG on 12/19/11

I will try this. I used to bake with it, but no longer bake. I am going to have to figure out what to add it to- yogurt maybe? Thanks for the idea- I had forgotten about this one.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

1Mo: -21 2Mo: -16 3Mo: -12 4MO - 13 5MO: -11 6MO: -10 7MO: -10.3 8MO: -6 Goal in 8 months 4 days!! 6' 2'' EWL 103% Starting size 28 or 4x (tight) now size 12 or large, shoe size 12 w to 10.5 150+ pounds lost

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

Slightly high cholesterol and advice on lowering without meds?

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Slightly high cholesterol and advice on lowering without meds?