My new Cholesterol readings. I don't want to take statins!

Duane, if you aren't committed to a lifestyle change w/respect to diet, then go on the statins. I started at 246 and am 171 today 3 yrs later. Gave up a lot (cheese, pizza, cookies, muffins, fries, chips, dairy and so on), added a lot (legumes, oat bran, high fiber, omega 3) and read the contents of everything. I had an awful time for almost a year, but eventually my cravings settled down. I followed the if the oven burns hot enough, things will be fine but clearly was wrong. I had no interest in visiting the drug store for the rest of my life due to lack of discipline so made the change. All reports are the statins make the muscles ache in new ways.

Good luck w your decision.

If you don't want to take statins, don't.

I am pretty healthy. Unfortunately high cholesterol runs in my family. I am 47, 5'7 145lbs and run about 2000 miles a year. Running for almost 20 years now. Some of my older friends have had to stop running due to the muscle fatigue caused by statins.. Sucks.....keep running and die or stop running and really die... :) I am curious if one statin is better for runners? less fatigue? Thanks guys! D

I was about 47 when I started on statins (Lipitor/atorvistatin). Total cholesterol went from about 320 to 165-ish. Still running (er, jogging) at 61 and not having any major muscle issues. I know people who have, but it's not universal. Eating whatever I want and living the dream. I did have anothe not insignificant possible side effect, but that's a story for another day.

High cholesterol can be caused by high insulin which can be caused by high carbohydrate intake. I went from 250 to 170 in 4 weeks by cutting pasta and , bread in half and no cookies/cake. It will probably not be as difficult as you think.

No Statins wrote:

High cholesterol can be caused by high insulin which can be caused by high carbohydrate intake. I went from 250 to 170 in 4 weeks by cutting pasta and , bread in half and no cookies/cake. It will probably not be as difficult as you think.

Not as difficult assuming he is like you. Then again he did mention a family history.

No Statins wrote:

High cholesterol can be caused by high insulin which can be caused by high carbohydrate intake. I went from 250 to 170 in 4 weeks by cutting pasta and , bread in half and no cookies/cake. It will probably not be as difficult as you think.

Cutting carbs it the key to lowering cholesterol? Is that the "new science"?

If you you cut your total/ldl cholesterol that much, it wasn't likely because of carb cutting per se. It was because you were: cutting calories/losing weight, yes cutting empty sugars (that does not describe all carbs), and cutting sat fat in a lot of the desserts you ate.

Lowering one's sat fat and dietary cholesterol are the key dietary actions to reduce one's total and ldl cholesterol. Also: consuming certain fibers (oat/oat bran, psyllium), and certain PUFA's help too (almonds are shown to reduce cholesterol.

Duane wrote:

Today my blood work came back.

Total Cholesterol 340

Triglycerides 193

HDL 62

LDL 239

risk ratio LDL/HDL 3.86

I know my cholesterol is through the roof, but is my risk ratio okay?

Hey man, those #"s are not good. Very high LDL and total Cholesterol. And your ratio is really not good (total/hdl is what they usually look at, you're at almost 6 to 1, *NOT* good). Furthermore, the protective benefit of a high HDL is being questioned now, while the negative effect of a high LDL is certainly (very much contrary to the "LIPID HYPOTHESIS IS DEAD" crowd) being cemented more than ever as a major risk factor for CVD. If you have familial hypercholesterolemia, no diet will really save you. You almost certainly will need to go on a statin to extend your life. However, you could temporarily attempt a hard-core dietary regimen to see if you respond. Google "the Portfolio Diet" (for lowering cholesterol). It resulted in reductions of cholesterol = to those of a statin. But that may or may not work for you (and would likely be a big change for you).

Good luck.

With numbers like those, you must eat suet at each meal!!!!

I watch my cholesterol like a hawk because I'm worried about the side effects of statins.

I know this is not really an issue for runners, but I have a (sedentary) friend who was put on statins and within a year was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. He thinks the two may be linked. Not sure if this is an urban legend or not.

I also like to knock back a few brews on occasion and I've heard that statins and booze are not the best of combinations.

Tyrannosaurus Rexing wrote:

Cutting carbs it the key to lowering cholesterol? Is that the "new science"?

No, it's now middle-aged science.

Worked for me..

Randy Oldman wrote:

Worked for me..

I explained why it might have "worked." Carbs per se do not raise LDL or total cholesterol. Cutting calories, and non-nutritious ones, and losing weight, can have a positive effect. Cutting sat fat is much more likely to reduce LDL/total cholesterol than is cutting carbs. This is an indisputable fact (the argument of the anti-carb folks in fact almost never disputes this. What they do argue is: a) total and ldl #'s are not the issue, size of LDL particle is, and b) cutting sat fat reduces HDL, which is a negative, and lastly C) blood cholesterol is not really related to CVD risk anyways. Or something along those lines, I don't agree, but that's their argument)

Worked for me.

Randy Oldman wrote:

Worked for me.

Got that part 'bro, really, got it the first time.

And I stopped my kid from getting autism by cutting his vaccination down to zero!

Don't listen to this idiot.

Test

get used to it.. wrote:

Don't listen to this idiot.

LOL! There isn't a single item I stated on here is that is incorrect (like to take a stab at that?), so you're right, that makes me an "idiot".

(FYI: by the way, I am definitely "used to it" by now, if "it" refers to you being obsessed with me and never have a single useful comment on a nutrition or health thread. )

Everything you say is drivel.

Tyrannosaurus Rexing wrote:

get used to it.. wrote:

Don't listen to this idiot.

LOL! There isn't a single item I stated on here is that is incorrect (like to take a stab at that?), so you're right, that makes me an "idiot".

(FYI: by the way, I am definitely "used to it" by now, if "it" refers to you being obsessed with me and never have a single useful comment on a nutrition or health thread. )

Yes, I confess, I´m a low carb guy!

Why do people still think that fat is making you fat or raise your LDL cholesterol?

The key still mentioned here is insulin! If you take carbs your insulin level will raise and your fat burning enzymes stop immediately to work. From now on only sugar is burned. This matter does not only effect your stored body fat but also your LDL blood lipid.

So, even if you run 2000+ miles a year with a high carb input you won´t allow your fat burning enzymes to burn any fat (except in the night while not eating or drinking sugared drinks for a short while).

This leads to a commulation of LDL in the blood. If you are genetically predisposed or not.

Just my 2 cent...