@&^%$#*(&@ Cholesterol!

[cruelshoes]

I am putting this in the weight control thread because it seems like the best fit.

High cholesterol runs in my family – we have bad genetics (no comments from the peanut gallery ). I just got my cholesterol number from my doctor. My total # is 240, and my LDL’s are too high. I am not overweight, do not smoke or drink and eat a low fat diet. I eat very little meat, butter or cheese. I am not a good candidate for statin drugs because I have liver problems.

What are you doing to reduce your cholesterol? I plan to add more exercise, as I have fallen off the exercise wagon due to the busy summer. I do eat the GF oats occasionally, but not even once a week.

Any other cholesterol busters out there that have creative ideas?
_________________
-Colleen
Dx 8/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
9-YO son Dx 11/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
Daughters have negative bloodwork - so far!

A woman is like a tea bag-you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. - Eleanor Roosevelt

[The Edifying Conscience]

I've read that taking cinnamon can help to reduce cholesterol levels, but I haven't seen any studies regarding it.

Like you my mom has high cholesterol. Her MD sent her to a RD who told her to walk 30 minutes per day and eliminate white food (potato, sugar, flour, etc.) from her diet by substituting whole grains or the more nutritious varieties. Brown rice instead of white rice, sweet potato instead of white potato, etc. I told my mom that I was so glad that brown sugar was available because sugar is a white food. She rolled her eyes at me for some reason. So, I guess brown sugar isn't a good sub for white sugar.

[nancw]

I also have the high cholesterol in my family history.
When I went GF my total cholesterol dropped a net 40 points in 6 months. LDL went down 45 and HDL went up 5. I attribute this to increased veggie intake, adding Evening Primrose and fish oils to my routine, and of course, going GF. My doc was shocked as she had been suggesting statins for me starting when I was 38. No thanks, as they have wayyy too many side effects, especially for people younger than 65. My numbers are about the same 9 months later as they were at 6 months GF.
Since you are already GF, if you aren't using these oils now, you may consider trying them. EPO is also very good for hormone balancing (bonus!)
Thirty minutes of exercise a day (can be broken up into smaller increments) is the recommendation I've heard of late to prevent heart diease, diabetes and to help lower cholesterol.
There is also the school of thought that some people just have higher cholesterol and there is little one can do about it.
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Nance

gluten, dairy, soy, rice, corn, yeast and 99% grain-free

[ostrich]

Just FYI, there's all sorts of things you can do that count as exercise: going to the mall, playing outside with your kids, etc. I even consider carting groceries up 3 flights of stairs exercise.
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of

[Linda]

My dad lowered his by taking flaxseed oil pills.
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Mom of Ty (he's eight) who was diagnosed by bloodwork June 2005, biopsy August 11, 2005, notified on & started GF August 18, 2005