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Running Brewer
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Joined: 12 Oct 2004
Posts: 3872
Location: Santa Poco
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 Posted: 02/21/04 - 11:31 Post subject: High Cholesterol
I had my Cholesterol checked the other day and to my surprise it is still high. Right before I turned 30 I had it checked and it came back 235 with 100-199 being the normal range. My HDL was lower than normal and my LDL was way higher. I had just started to run at that point and changed my diet immensely. I cut out a lot of the fatty foods I was eating and started to eat a healthy balanced diet. Increased my Fruits and Vegetables, Nearly elimanated Trans Fatty acids, and added whole grain foods.
For the past year, I haven't been able to run like I would like to because of my injury, however, I am still watching what I eat. Yet it doesn't seem to help. The Dr. wants to put me on Medication to help reduce my Cholesterol levels but I don't really want to start taking pills if I can help it.
Any ideas?
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airehead
Oompa Loofah
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Joined: 12 Nov 2002
Posts: 18788
Location: Between here and eternity...
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Posted: 02/22/04 - 00:16 Post subject:
Sometimes diet and exercise aren't enough--my dad fixed his diet and still needed to go on the meds, but his cholesterol dropped dramatically and quickly.
I know what you mean about the meds, though. I, too, like to avoid any dependence on meds if I can at all help it.
Would a trip to a nutritionist maybe help?
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MechEngDropout
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Joined: 27 Jun 2003
Posts: 10474
Location: Off the grid
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Posted: 02/22/04 - 11:53 Post subject:
Are you eating oatmeal for breakfast? Isn't that supposed to help?
Sorry if that's dumb, it's a product of advertising.
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Cappy
Excelent
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Joined: 16 May 2002
Posts: 27368
Location: Spreadsheetylvania
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Posted: 02/22/04 - 15:12 Post subject:
I understand you reluctance to go on medication, but it may be the only thing that may help. Is there a family history of High Cholesterol or Coronary Artery Disease? That may be influencing the doctors decision to put you on medication early. Better to be proactive than reactive.
Cappy
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16218
Location: unknown zone
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Posted: 02/23/04 - 14:54 Post subject:
| Cappy wrote: | I understand you reluctance to go on medication, but it may be the only thing that may help. Is there a family history of High Cholesterol or Coronary Artery Disease? That may be influencing the doctors decision to put you on medication early. Better to be proactive than reactive.
Cappy |
there are alot of new cholesterol meds now -- other than statin drugs which seem to have the most negative side effects. we used to almost laugh at my husband's high numbers -- till his first minor M/I at age 37. 
we were then "reactive"....
family history speaks volumes here RB -- if it's there, do the meds. at least give them a try.
PM me if you want any more info.
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gocubbies
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Joined: 17 Nov 2003
Posts: 56
Location: Chicago
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Posted: 02/24/04 - 06:38 Post subject: cholesterol
I'm 32 next month, and about 1.5 yrs ago my cholesterol was at 240 or so. In the last 5-6 months I've been jogging, and in the last 3 months I've added 2 visits to the gym per week, as well as 1-2 tennis matches with another teacher. I also eat oatmeal for breakfast almost every morning, about 1/2 cup with water, milk and banana or berries. A cholesterol test last week says my level is now 190, thank god. My dad is on meds too (I'm not) and I hope to avoid them by keeping up the exercise and eating more fruits and veggies. I recall trying to follow the USDA's recommendation of 5 servings/day and it was a struggle!
gocubbies
(now once again with Greg Maddux)
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Floridaboiler
POTFH
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Joined: 18 May 2002
Posts: 11322
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
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Posted: 02/29/04 - 11:44 Post subject:
I am still in the slightly above normal range. At the current time my doctor doesn't seem to worried about it. For the most part I do eat healthy and I am a runner.
I guess for now keep on watching what you eat and keep on exercising. If you do have family history of heart disease you will want to think about taking the drugs.
Good Luck.
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Running Brewer
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Joined: 12 Oct 2004
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Location: Santa Poco
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Posted: 02/29/04 - 12:02 Post subject:
| Floridaboiler wrote: | If you do have family history of heart disease you will want to think about taking the drugs.
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Are you saying if I am not going to live very long I might as well be happy? 
Thanks for the suggestions all. I think I am going to try a diet change again. I am still not ready to be on Meds if I can avoid. Plus, I feel like my Dr. is just pushing meds because he gets a kick back from the drug companies. I will be getting a new Dr. soon too.
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runswithscissors
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 8797
Location: In a badger state of mind
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Posted: 03/01/04 - 10:07 Post subject:
Tracy's mom is in her mid 50's. She's had high cholesterol forever, and no diet seemed to work. She went on medication and her cholesterol dropped like a rock and has stayed there ever since. Something to think abou tif the diets don't work, as much as you'd hate to take the meds.
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Running Brewer
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Posted: 03/05/04 - 11:20 Post subject:
After doing some research and talking to a few different people I have decided that I am going to go on the South Beach Diet. This diet is suppose to really improve cholesterol. I'll will be sure to post my results.
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ShannonG
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Posted: 03/05/04 - 11:37 Post subject:
| Running Brewer wrote: | | After doing some research and talking to a few different people I have decided that I am going to go on the South Beach Diet. This diet is suppose to really improve cholesterol. I'll will be sure to post my results. |
What's the difference between this and Atkins? i'm packing a jar of Metamucil to send you airmail right now 
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Running Brewer
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Joined: 12 Oct 2004
Posts: 3872
Location: Santa Poco
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Posted: 03/05/04 - 11:54 Post subject:
| ShannonG wrote: | | Running Brewer wrote: | | After doing some research and talking to a few different people I have decided that I am going to go on the South Beach Diet. This diet is suppose to really improve cholesterol. I'll will be sure to post my results. |
What's the difference between this and Atkins? i'm packing a jar of Metamucil to send you airmail right now |
Read the link, but to summarize:
| Dr. Agatston wrote: | The South Beach Diet is not low-carb. Nor is it low-fat.
The South Beach Diet teaches you to rely on the right carbs and the right fats--the good ones--and enables you to live quite happily without the bad carbs and bad fats. As a result, you're going to get healthy and lose weight |
My goal isn't weight loss, as a matter of fact I am concerned about losing weight on it.
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