Cholesterol/exercise questions

[mollyblythe]

Originally Posted by cjma79

sometimes when your LDL goes down, HDL also goes down.

I wondered if that might be so. I know so little about the subject and wasn't sure how or if one impacted the other.


Thanks everybody for your feedback! I appreciate it.

[susan42]

Originally Posted by mollyblythe

I think the exercise (swimming 100 residential pool laps) 5-6 times per week helped alot.

I've minimized eating meat. Only a little chicken and very little red meat. Eating a little more fish. No butter. Little cheese. No more than one egg per week.

Eliminated most white foods (rice,potatoes, pasta, bread). I've been eating lots of dark leafy greens, salads and veggies in general, legumes (beans, lentils, garbanzos, black-eyed peas), fresh fruit, nuts, soy products (mostly Morningstar). I have been eating the avocado and olive oil. Also more fresh garlic.

Never smoked. No alcohol (though I've read a little is supposed to be good).

Have been on a beta blocker for almost 20 years.

Are you on a statin and Aspirin?

[mollyblythe]

Originally Posted by susan42

Are you on a statin and Aspirin?

Not yet. The Physician's assistant suggested that she prescribe a statin at this most recent appt. but I asked to hold off until my next appt. in three months to see if I can get my LDL down more (it's 119 now and she said it should be between 55 and 75). She suggested I try over-the-counter niacin with a baby aspirin taken 15 minutes before each dose.

[f_m]

Originally Posted by mollyblythe

I've purchased flax but haven't used it yet. Have been eating mostly pecans. Are walnuts better?

Yes, walnuts have a lot of omega-3, here was the quickest chart I found.

WHFoods: How the healthy fats in nuts help protect against cardiovascular disease