| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| melody |
Posted - Jan 25 2010 : 8:32:46 PM
Had my yearly physical with cholesterol levels taken--- (2 years late) and well...my cholesterol levels are "obscene" according to my dear Dr. Beth.
No great surprise, but heart attacks and stroke run on both sides of my family and I have procrastinated long enough...time for a BIG change in my lifestyle.
I need some help with this one girls....Are there any sound natural ways to lower my cholesterol without the use of a pharmacological regime? I HATE taking pills----
I've done a little research and it seems that MEAT products of any kind is a big no-no and of course EGGS, which I love, but is there anything good out there that I can start incorporating?
Thank you girls....
We must become the change we want to see.
~Mahatma Gandhi
Melody
Farm girl #525
|
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| walkinwalkoutcattle |
Posted - Feb 16 2010 : 11:59:24 AM
My husband recently found out that he has a cholesterol "concern". He was only a few points higher than normal, but, I need him around, so we're trying to do what we can. So far, I've switched to using "I can't believe it's not butter" (I'm horrified at this.) I've started cooking with only egg whites, he's taking fish oil, eating almonds, and I've switched to baking whole wheat bread.
My husband is very much a "Meat & Potatoes" man, and I'm running out of ideas that will work well for him, and that he can still feel satisfied and full. (ie: meatless spaghetti ain't gonna cut it for him.) Any tips? We're trying more fish as well, but, I'm not a huge fish person, and so this is hard for me.
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com |
| Peace2u2 |
Posted - Jan 27 2010 : 7:24:15 PM
There are different reasons for elevated cholesterol levels. Sometimes diet can help to reduce it. There are several foods that naturally reduce cholesterol in the body.
Almonds, about 6 per day helps. The monosaturated fat in Almonds reduces cholesterol. It also brings down the LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Artichokes help by increasing bile production. Bile breaks down cholesterol.
Apples: a whole apple, skin and all, will help too. The pectin in apples is a soluable fiber that helps reduce cholesterol.
Barley is another soluable fiber. The pearl type is better.
Substituting black beans for meat will increase fiber and reduce animal based cholesterol intake.
Flaxseed is high in soluable fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Whole flaxseed acts like a laxative, ground flaxseed gives the cholesterol lowering and omega-3 fatty acid benefits.
Ginger and garlic are also great additions to your diet.
Honey instead of sugar and tomato sauce too.
The biggest helper is Oats. Steel cut oats, oat bran, and oat flour. Oats pretty much suck the cholesterol out of your body.
Many of the cereal makers want you to buy their product buy saying it has oats and oats reduce cholesterol. They are NOT saying their product will lower your cholesterol. Be care about being a victim of advertising.
So how do you put this all together?
Try Steel cut oats with 1 tbs honey ( the real stuff, not that watered down want-to-be honey in the grocery stores )and a sprinkle of cinnamon and ginger for breakfast ( more cinnamon than ginger ). Add an apple and tea for a good breakfast.
Morning snack: 6 almonds
Lunch: sautee onion and garlic in EVOO ( extra virgin olive oil ). Cook up a mixture of pearl barley and quinoa for your grains. About 1 cup cooked. Grate in fresh ginger and cut up snow peas. Mix together and top with a little low salt Soy sauce.
Or, try mixing Seasoned kidney beans for chili with diced tomatoes, tomatoes with green chilis and pinto beans. Awesome as a chili dish! I add tofu grated up for a little extra benefit.
Afternoon snack: try a little artichoke on a high fiber cracker. Top with a touch of brown mustard. Have one serving worth of crackers with artichoke for your snack
Dinner: There are high fiber pasta's that have little impact on your glucose ( low glycemic )now. Add tomato sauce from a jar or make your own. I take about 8 plum tomatoes/ person. Cut in half, brush with EVOO and lay open side up on a cookie sheet. Cut up a sweet onion and fresh garlic and lay around the tomatoes. Bake for about 1 hour at 350. Take out of the oven and put in a blender. Blend until rough consistency. Add a pinch of Rosemary for a warm comforting flavor. Serve over your pasta. A garden salad with a Balsalmic vinegar/ EVOO dressing on the side goes nice.
Skip the bread and butter. Not helpful for lowering cholesterol.
Have fun and be creative!
Good luck!
All things good are possible with a bit of sun, soil, and love. |
| Roxy7 |
Posted - Jan 27 2010 : 06:12:48 AM
Eating fish and fish oil supplements can help. |
| Fiddlehead Farm |
Posted - Jan 27 2010 : 05:33:49 AM
Melody, I also found that my cholesterol levels were way up there! Especially the HDL. My doctor says it is hereditary, I blame my dear departed Dad. His was high and he died of a massive heart attack at 73. Apparently the health industry is learning a lot about it in only the last ten years, so this did not help my Father. My doctor says all the excercise and healthy eating will not change it. He explained it like there are these little trucks carrying the HDL through your bloodstream and people with high HDL have more trucks than other people. I don't like taking pills either, but he put me on Lipitor and after one month I dropped 100 points, so he doubled it and I am now in normal range! I have had no side effects at all. My other doctor (a rheumatologist) says it is a miracle drug. Hope this helps!
Why not go out on a limb, that's where all the fruit is! "Mark Twain"
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922 |
| Sarahpauline |
Posted - Jan 26 2010 : 11:25:05 AM
I know you are correct Melody about the genetics. My uncle wouldnt eat a vegetable if it was the last thing to eat on earth. He eats fast food every single day, smokes like a chimney and is in the morbid obese category. His cholesterol is fine. Mine on the other hand (VEGETARIAN) horrible. Not fair at all. If you find something I hope you will share. My dads family has terrible heart disease and I fear that most of all. I hate to take the drugs but watching my young aunts and uncles suffer with heart surgeries and transplants, I will take them if I cant do anything else.. :(
Oh Mr Darcy!
www.SarahPauline.com
www.AbraxasBaroque.com |
| melody |
Posted - Jan 26 2010 : 10:56:42 AM
Alee....For YEARS---every morning---- I have eaten oatmeal for breakfast.
I will be scouring the internet today to look for some natural cholesterol lowering herbs etc. I do think genetics plays a key factor (sounds like I am passing the buck!) and the fact that I have gained weight over the past ten years---UGGH!
And you know the worst of it?? My DH can eat anything and EVERYTHING--the big lug---and his cholesterol is just FINE!
So not fair....
I have six weeks before I go in for labs again I better get on the wagon and quit whining...
Melody
Farm girl #525 |
| DaisyFarm |
Posted - Jan 26 2010 : 08:53:10 AM
You know, I don't really give a lot of thought to blood cholestrol levels. My sister in law never cooks, they have pizza as a variant during the week from fast food burgers, etc. etc. and her cholestrol is lower than mine!
I can only speak for myself personally, but I would never touch another statin drug ever. I was prescribed both Crestor and Lipidor (at different times!), and both of which gave me terrific leg pain and fatigue. It took almost six months for the leg pain to subside.
I eat properly, low fat, as organic as I can and my ch. levels will be what they will. |
| Alee |
Posted - Jan 26 2010 : 07:55:13 AM
I know that eating oatmeal is supposed to be good for lowering cholesterol- try eatting a bowl every morning to see if that helps? When is your next check up?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| Sarahpauline |
Posted - Jan 25 2010 : 8:46:27 PM
That is so funny Melody. I am going to remember that for the next family holiday. That and my big nose which is reminiscent of a yam, and also my child-bearing hips, and my day glo white complexion, and also my unnatractive ankles...need I go on??!! Im thinking monetary remuneration is in order.
ps my aunt and uncle live in menomonie, its so pretty there!
Oh Mr Darcy!
www.SarahPauline.com
www.AbraxasBaroque.com |
| melody |
Posted - Jan 25 2010 : 8:43:42 PM
Sarah....I know that genetics plays a role as far as cholesterol propensity...just another thing I can blame my mother for! Ha...ha...
Melody
Farm girl #525 |
| Sarahpauline |
Posted - Jan 25 2010 : 8:39:29 PM
Melody, I hear you...however I am a vegetarian and I have high cholesterol too... Im on the pills. I hope you find something that works for you!
Oh Mr Darcy!
www.SarahPauline.com
www.AbraxasBaroque.com |
