|
|
|
|
wonderwoman
Apr 24, 2006, 4:09 PM
Post #1 of 7
(1192 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 14, 2002
Posts: 4275
|
One of the cool perks of working for the health dept is the regular health screening for employees. Last year at our employee health day I had a cholesterol level of 230. I have always had high cholesterol, even though I'm vegetarian, and I am the only one in my family not on Lipitor. Unfortunately my dad is having surgery this week because one of his arteries is 95% blocked and he is a high risk of having a stroke. Given my family history, last year I started making more conscious decisions about my diet and excercise. Today my cholesterol level is 126! :D I think I did this by cutting way back on cheese and other fatty foods. If I use any cheese at all, it is usually light. I also started doing yoga once a week and have recently started running. I also do some mild excercises in the morning before work. I think my eating and excercise habits are what did it for me. Anyway, I just thought this was really good news and wanted to share. Especially considering what my dad is about to go through, this is a big health victory for me.
|
|
|
|
|
maldaly
Apr 24, 2006, 4:22 PM
Post #2 of 7
(1192 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 31, 2002
Posts: 1208
|
hey wonderwoman, Thanks for sharing your story. I had always had high cholesterol (>220) but paid no attention. My whole family had it and we had no history of heart disease on either side of the family, going back three generations. Even my doc said not to worry. Then on March 6, 2004, right after leading a nice pitch of ice in Ouray, I flatlined. You can read that story here: http://www.trango.com/malha.php. A lot of friends and partners were totally shocked and asked what I was going to do to change my lifestyle and diet. I wrote that up here: http://www.trango.com/maldiet.php. I think that the basic lesson is one of discipline. Learn about what good diet means. Pay attention to what you're putting in your mouth. Be sure to exercise every day. Reduce stress in your life (I resigned as President of Trango in March of 05.). Have fun. Good health, Mal
|
|
|
|
|
djoseph
Apr 25, 2006, 5:26 AM
Post #3 of 7
(1192 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 7, 2004
Posts: 197
|
That is really remarkable, such a drop in cholesterol. Was this without drugs? I tested at around 180 when I was a kid. Cut out red meat, dairy, virtually all fat other than "good" fat (salmon, olive oil, etc.), even most sugar. Basically adopted as healthy a diet as possible. Just got it retested these manyyears later... and it was around 178. So much for all that. :D How did you drop it so low? I'm jealous. Also, Malcolm: Were you able to effect a similar drop via your new diet? Congrats! Dan
|
|
|
|
|
scotchie
Apr 25, 2006, 7:30 AM
Post #4 of 7
(1192 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 31, 2004
Posts: 261
|
hi wonderwoman. that's awesome that you had such a remarkable drop! i recently tested 220 cholesterol and after 3 months was able to get it down to ~ 150-160. the drop was completely in the ldl (bad "cholesterol"). i cut out red meat except ~ 1/week, same for cheese, completely eliminated butter and ice cream, ate oatmeal for breakfast, and took a fish oil supplement. but i still ate plenty of lowfat yogurt, nuts, avocado, and olive oil. during this time i lost 12 lbs, which was unwanted. i felt i was at my ideal weight to start with. i didn't experience any fatigue or other weightloss-related problems - i just got skinnier. now that the numbers are looking good, i am starting to slack and eat junk food again. djoseph - it's possible that this works for some people and not others, but i'm glad it worked in my case.
|
|
|
|
|
maldaly
Apr 25, 2006, 2:04 PM
Post #5 of 7
(1192 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 31, 2002
Posts: 1208
|
djoseph, My cholesterol is way down but I think it's more the drugs than the diet. My diet was pretty good before so I think it's the combination. Funny story: A good friend and well known climber had some atrial fibrillations a few years ago. He had just turned 60 but was still really active, running, biking, climbing and nordic skiing on a very regular basis. He also ate good food but was not immune to a good steak dinner once in a while. His tested cholesterol at the time was 280 so the doc put him on Lipitor. One of the side effects of Lipitor that occurs in 2-3% of men who take it is impotency and unfortunately my friend is one of those 2-3%. Even worse, he had just started dating a 26 year old and, to say the least, impotency was not an option. So he quit the Lipitor and went on a strict vegan diet for an entire year. His total cholesterol dropped one point. So he went back on the old diet and exercise plan and suffered through the occaisional bout of A-fib. Fast forward to 2004 when his GF got a nice job in Switzerland so they both moved. It's pretty hard to eat well in Switzerland; the land of cheese, meat, chocolate and more meat so he was worried. After six months he came back to the states and had his cholesterol measured. 140! He doesn't know whether it was the red wine, cheese and meat, or just a steady dose of great sex, but whatever it was it worked. Mal
|
|
|
|
|
djoseph
Apr 25, 2006, 3:06 PM
Post #6 of 7
(1192 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 7, 2004
Posts: 197
|
In reply to: ...or just a steady dose of great sex, but whatever it was it worked. Ahhh.... I think I've isolated the missing piece. :wink: Dan
|
|
|
|
|
reg
Apr 25, 2006, 4:01 PM
Post #7 of 7
(1192 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 10, 2004
Posts: 1560
|
In reply to: Given my family history, last year I started making more conscious decisions about my diet and exercise. Today my cholesterol level is 126! :D . i also have similar concerns - gave up meat (not fish - but only ruffy - lowest in fat/cohles) for a year. blood psi down, cohles down and the heart muscle actually got thinner cause it did not have to pump as hard. i recommend dr. dean ornish's book on reversing heart disease
In reply to: I think I did this by cutting way back on cheese and other fatty foods. If I use any cheese at all, it is usually light.. yesss! In reply to: I also started doing yoga once a week and have recently started running... careful when "starting" to run. #1 start slow - increase distance no more then 10% a week, don't run with knee supports or aspirin - they mask problems that may get worst - try not to run on concrete - try to run off road. drinking to much liquid is problematic rely on liquids in foods and some sports drinks but don't get into the "64oz a day" thing - raises blood psi and dilutes electrolytes! In reply to: Anyway, I just thought this was really good news and wanted to share. Especially considering what my dad is about to go through, this is a big health victory for me. good for you - keep it up and and good luck to your dad! get him on the program! do read ornish - amazon dot com - $8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|