Please help me on high cholesterol

I just got my test results.. my LDL is 159 and over all cholesterol is 251 I am sick!! need help in what I should eat to help lower it. In addition of going on medication which I am sure they are going to put me on. I didnt speak to the dr but I asked for the results and they handed them over.

My brother just died at 52 of a massive heart attack 30 days ago. Thats what made me go get this physical. I have neglected myself since my DD was born 2 years ago.. I am not over weight (I could lose 5-10 lbs but if you saw me you wouldnt think I was fat or skinny,. Just regular. I love my self at 130 lbs and I am 140lbs right now so its not terrible. I cant believe this is whats happened to me.. I have always been a health nut.. I need a diet that will lower my LDL.
TIA

Re: Please help me on high cholesterol

My dad lowered his cholesterol and bp by exercising. He had gained a bit of weight from quitting smoking and then began going to the gym. In the past five years, he has eliminated his need for medication.

Re: Please help me on high cholesterol

Oatmeal is great for cholesterol. Lots of low fat and low cholesterol foods in general. No full fat cheeses etc...lots of fruits and veggies and lean meats and whole grains!

ETA: for some this is genetic. I am not overweight, I eat SO well and yet I have high cholesterol. I am not on medication but I have to get it checked out just to make sure. So don't feel bad. Hang in there!

Message edited 8/6/2011 1:08:24 PM.

Re: Please help me on high cholesterol

I was just goign to say a lot of it is genetic. Talk to your Dr before making any major changes. Yes a healthy diet and exercise will help but in my family it will only help so much because its in our genes. My father can eat perfect and exercise and is on meds and his cholesterol is still high.

Your Dr should be able to work with you to put together an entire plan.

Re: Please help me on high cholesterol

You have FM

Re: Please help me on high cholesterol

Oatmeal (whole oat not instant) and exercise...also talk to your doctor about checking your thyroid level an under active thyroid can cause an increase in cholesterol. I would switch to monounsaturated fats such as olive oil and eliminate fried foods from your diet.

Re: Please help me on high cholesterol

I know exactly how you feel because although I eat well and exercise, last year my cholesterol was over 300...I kid you not. My doctor was floored but it's genetic and so she was convinced I needed to be on medication because I already avoided the big no's for high cholesterol and a very active lifestyle. I really was against the medicine because of side effects and I am a freak about taking meds if I can avoid them. I made lots of small changes and am happy to say that my cholesterol is now at 221at my last visit. Still high, yes but it went down sustancially and it is being monitored. Some of the changes I made:

Oatmeal or whole grains are consumed if I am eating any type of bread or related carb
Nothing fried, no cheese, and hardly any dairy, not even low fat and if I did allow myself any, it was a splurge. I now drink unsweetened almond milk in place of milk and I prefer it
Seafood, mostly salmon once or twice a week
No red meat
If I need to snack, almonds. I also use avocados a lot more in salads and as a condiment instead of things like mayo. My doc said avocados have the good kind of fat that helps lower cholesterol but i still use sparingly since it is still high in fat
Olive Oil is the only type of oil I will use ( I know there are others that can be used but I prefer olive oil)
I take an Omega-3 Supplement every day without fail
lots of fruits and veggies

I am no expert so I am sure there is so much more you can incorporate but these are the small changes that helped me see some results. I do have my cheat days which I think we all need to feel normal but for the most part, I stick to this. Good luck with everything and let us know how it goes!

Re: Please help me on high cholesterol

Thank you for all of your respones .. I really appreciate it..

I started lipitor yesterday.I tale the 10 every other day.. I am taking a 1/2 spoon of cinnamon everymoreing with my oatmeal steel , The real oats. No packets.. I am going to stop eating red meat. I am going to eat at least 1 salad per day. I need to get a grip on this . I feel nervous . I hope I dont get leg cramps . I go back in 6 weeks . so hopefully I can get a better response.

Re: Please help me on high cholesterol

I know how frustrating and scary high cholesterol can be. I am 31 and my cholesterol was 263. I was not considered overweight but was told losing 5-10lbs would certainly not hurt to help lowering my cholseterol. I was able to lower it 60 points with the help of my nutritionist and exercise (combo of cardio and strength). She helped me with food, meal plans and set goals for myself. My cholesterol issue is possibly genetic and I really did not want to start medication unless I have to,. I really had to grasp that it was a lifestyle change and not simply a diet. I feel so much better physically and mentally. If you would like her number I would be happy to give it to you. Good luck, everything will be OK