Anyone have any tried and true tips for lowering LDL cholesterol.

My numbers are:

Triglycerides = 113
HDL (good cholesterol) = 50
LDL (bad cholesterol) = 168

Total Cholesterol = 244

Way too high... I have had high cholesterol since my early 20's (first time checked in low 200's and has slowly, slowly, slowly crept up over the years... probably high BEFORE that!). I am in my 40's now.

I have tried EVERYTHING except the statin over the years (ie lowfat low-cholesterol diet, exercise, etc.) and know that it is genetic as my extremely healthy living father in his 60's also has high numbers.

Anything else I can try? Which statin is best with least side effects? Anyone have anything to offer?

I HAVE to do something and now... I have to be here for my kids. Thanks so much!!!

I've been seeing Nature Made commercials for Cholest-Off. I don't know anyone with experience taking it but it's worth checking out.
Personally, I would do anything to avoid taking statins.

Exactly my thinking but I've been trying faithfully for over 20 years... do a huge handful of vitamins, fish oil, Vitamin E, flaxseed, lecithin, oatmeal, blueberries, etc. Lots of exercise... up to an hour a day of cardio. Nothing has worked. It just keeps on going up.

I'll check into Cholest-Off... thanks for the tip!

I don't know if you can change genetics but I'm willing to give anything a try. I really don't want to take prescription anything unless I absolutely have to.

Addison, I'll look forward to that! Thank you and YOU feel better. Hugs.

Keep working at it. I just recently started taking the Bayer Science nutrionals for Heart Vitality. Lots of high $ coupons for it out there. It says it lowers LDL which seems to be where you need work. Your other numbers aren't too bad. Looks like you also need to raise your HDL's. Yes, I work in cardiology and have for 15 years, but I struggle with my weight and cholesterol too. Also try eating more fish or get more Omega 3's they are the good cholesterol. Good luck and let us know how it goes. I have to get my rechecked again in October after 6 months so I'm hoping for better numbers too. I cut my triglyserides in half from a year ago. I'm hoping these new vitamins will help a little more.

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My doctor recommended South Beach Diet, which really worked while I was faithfully on it. I then got lax with the diet and the numbers started going back up again. I, too, wanted very badly to avoid the statins, but we have serious heart disease in my family on both sides. I still try to follow SBD as much as possible, but the doctor said I'd had enough time, high cholesterol was genetic in my family and I had to start the statins. So, I did. I also take 2 fish oils a day, plus a baby aspririn, Centrum & calcium. I add flax seed to cereal and other foods when I think about it.

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

I am 55 years old. I tried everything but it runs in the family both sides. My mom is 75 and hers was as high as 350. I have been on Liptor for 10 years. No problems.

No side effects? I am curious about the statins (ie Lipitor) and am so glad that you posted!!!

I have also tried absolutely everything so far mentioned (except for herbal remedies, etc.) and yep, still high and yep, still going up and yep, still in my genes... and so it is to the point where I feel that I have to go the feared prescription route without any regrets...

The worry is probably way worse for me in the long run and I know that when I am worried about my health, my children pick up on it and get worried about me... That's not good either.

Thanks to those who are posting. It is helping me more than you know.

My dad dropped dead of a heart attack at 52 when I was almost 16. I'm 50 and have been on Lipitor for several years now. I also tak a baby aspirin. My mom and brother take Lipitor too. My sister doesn't yet but she walks to anf from work everyday (5 miles total) so that's helping her. If heart disease runs in your family you might as well go on statins. They seem to help lots of things. You just need to get your liver checked with blood work but that's no big deal. We have a lot of high cholestrol/heart disease in the family gene pool. Gotta do what is avaiable!

Exactly... like I said in the first post, I have to be here for my kids. Now is not the time in my life for me to experiment. I've done that for long enough and the damage is not reversing... has never gone down, only UP.

My stepmother told me that because she has a bad liver, she can't take Lipitor. I always have a healthy liver... they checked that as well and it came back as 'normal' (had to laugh! at least something about me is normal! LOL).

I have an excellent doctor. I like to be pre-edumucated before I go in to talk with him. He's very good and very thorough... So all will be fine. Will see what he adds to the mix! but I'm at the point of *letting* him decide (and I really think he'll suggest Lipitor since I've really given it the old college try... but one never knows what he'll say!).

We'll see.

Same boat here. Runs ins in the family. I have to back to the doctor in about 3 weeks, if it goes down ok, if not drugs. I have just started using flax in my oatmeal in the am, and I take flax capsule. One a day has a vitamin with cholesteral boost to it. I am trying that.

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Freedom Stands...Because HEROS Serve

Mary

Lipitor works for me.

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No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

Red rice yeast capsules.

DH's cholestrol was bad---really bad. His Dr. wanted him to take one of the newer drugs...our insurance wouldn't cover it. I did research. Got DH taking the red rice yeast capsules, after 3 months on the Red rice yeast capsules, the Dr. wanted to know what in the world DH had been doing as his levels had dropped dramatically and were now considered "good".

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I wonder if this would be safe to take in combination with Lipitor.

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No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

What other drugs will affect red yeast rice?
Do not take red yeast rice without the advice of a doctor if you are using any of the following medications:
cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf);

antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral);

other cholesterol-lowering medications, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), cerivastatin (Baycol), clofibrate (Atromid-S), gemfibrozil (Lopid), fenofibrate (Tricor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), or simvastatin (Zocor);

niacin (Niacor, Nicobid, Niaspan, Nicolar, Nicotinex, Slo-Niacin, others);

itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);

danazol (Danazol, Danocrine);

nefazodone (Serzone); or

HIV medication such as nevirapine (Viramune), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase), or nelfinavir (Viracept).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use red yeast rice, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect red yeast rice. Tell your healthcare provider about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your healthcare provider.



I am going out tomorrow to get some. Right now I am just on BP meds.

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Freedom Stands...Because HEROS Serve

Mary

Dh couldn't take Liptor it gave him headaches. He took Zocor for a few years then was switched to Vytorin. It has really helped his numbers. He has been eating healthy for the last year. His last blood test his total was 149. They did try to take him off medicine and his numbers shot up.

I read a few articles on About.com and Wikipedia.net that the active ingredient in the Red Rice Yeast capsules is a statin and the FDA has basically regulated it out of existence in the last few years because it is at a therapeutic level but unmeasurable... based on this, no, I'd not combine with Lipitor. I don't know where you would find it anyway?! Most articles that I read make it sound like they have removed it from the store shelves -- the bottles that say 'cholesterol lowering'. The rest do not contain the active ingredient... the statin.

I think that as long as your insurance pays for the Lipitor, there is no reason to double dose on a statin, right???

This is definitely something that I'd talk to the doctor about before starting.

Interesting fact. My parents both have high cholesterol and high blood pressure. They eat a lot of fried foods. My mom is 75 and my dad is 80. Never had any heart problems.

All the statins make me ache!!!! that is one of the side effects. I felt like I was going to fall apart. when I found out about that side effect I quit taking me Lipitor and in two days didn't ache anymore. I felt like a new person. Of course we are still trying to find something to lower my levels, and doesn't make me hurt. Dr. is really trying to find something to go along with the flaxseed oil capsules, Celadrin, fish oil ~ of course I could eat a little better and exercise more. I am working on the diet part of it. I hope someone comes up with a good idea.

I take Lovastatin - the generic of Mevacor. No side effects.

Lisa

__________________
"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

Since cholesterol is in flesh, I'm not surprised that a low-fat diet didn't help if those foods were still included.

It's genetics!! Sometimes you hear about people in their 80's having smoked all their lives with no lung problems!! It has to be the genes.

My mom had to stop taking Lipitor because she could no longer lift up her arms. It tightened the muscles in her arms. Once she stopped taking it she was fine again.

My total cholesterol was 276 - I had tried diet, exercise, etc. My liver counts were high so I didn't think I could take a statin. My physician had another take on the situation - liver counts were high because of cholesterol being high- put me on 10mg of Lipitor - check liver counts 2 weeks, then 2 months, then 3 months after starting -they went down and were normal at the three week check. Cholesterol is down to 185. No side effects - doctor will continue to monitor my liver carefully. I was thrilled that with the combination of a low-fat, low carb diet (lost 25 lbs) and the Lipitor that I was able to control this problem. I first found out I had high cholesterol when I was 28 - I'm now 36. I had tried other drugs. My mom has high cholesterol and her doctor has her on Zetia which is doing nothing. Mom has odd liver counts - she asked about the Lipitor and was scolded by her doctor.

My mom had the same problems, but her levels went up high again. She has to get some new meds.

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Freedom Stands...Because HEROS Serve

Mary

same side effects for me, arm pain. So awful. I work for a medcail records company. While working I noticed chart after chart said "patient tried Red Rice Yeast, numbers lowered" or something to that effect. I stopped the Lipitor and bought Red rice yeast with my doctors knowledge and consent. Levels have dropped dramatically, even lower than while on the lipitor. I highly recommend it.

Much has been said about red rice yeast. I just looked at website with the side effects. It did say that it was similar to the things in Mevacor. I had side effects with mevacor but not with Lipator. So I guess I will stay with what I have.

My mother is currently having the same problem The doctors set up a consultation to discuss diet changes and afterwards she called me frustrated- all the suggestions they discussed were irrelevant they told her limit coffee intake and to not put cream in her coffee (my mom NEVER drinks coffee) and to cut back on alcohol (she's a "recovering aloholic hasn't had a drink in several years) and to avoid fast food (she lives in a small town the closest chain restaurant is 45 min away)

Here is what I recommended for her it is helping alot.

Diet+ Exercise + Herbs.

Diet is a funny word because well- the true definition of diet is what you eat. More important than finding the most current "fad diet" is to make small changes that can last over a life time gradually cutting fats, caffiene, sugars. alcohol makes a huge difference. We can still treat ourselves every now and then without feeling guilty the key is really portion control. Adding extra fruits and veggies can help because you an eat as much as you want without feeling guilty.

Exercise doesn't have to be conventional either- unless that's what you enjoy. Taking a nice walk in the morning or evening, dancing to a couple of your favorite songs, yoga, tai chi, cleaning the house, gardening etc . are all effective forms of exerise which can be quite enjoyable. The accepted standard is 20 minutes a day three times a week to maintain your current state 5-6 days at 40 minutes for improvement. But really what is more valuable is listening to your body and setting your own goals if you currently get no exercise then adding 10 minutes a day will have a nice impact whereas someone who already is working out 20 min a day might need and extra 10-20 min.

Stress less! Stress impats your health. it has now been proven. especially your cholesterol and blood pressure. If you are currently experienceing stress you may want to explore ways to ease that stress whether by avoiding a situation that stresses your or by practicing meditation or another centering technique.

There are many herbs (sometimes also called weeds) growing in our back yards that can be very good alternative you might want to explore some yourself. Alot of research has been done on garlic and it turns out garlic is very effective at lowering tryglcerides- mostly by lowering LDL's (BAD) and slightly raising HDL's (good - think H= heavenly). The good thing about garlic is you can cook with it (yum) and get the benefits that way or locate some capsules these days they even make a version that is odorless- in whih case follow the directions on the bottle. If you are interested in a list of other potenially triglyceride lowering herbs just let me know.

One or all of these methods may prove helpful. you know yourself better than anyone. An extra benefit is you may find yourself losing a few pounds too .

I study Natural Health and live as natural and close to the earth as possible so I always avoid medication- which doesn't mean it isn't right for you.
Just a personal choice. I was previously a personal trainer, and am currently a few months away from a bachelors in natural health- but I am NOT a doctor these are only suggestions- just sharing what I know.

Peace. hope this helps some.

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Peace.

My cholesterol was 204. My doctor put me on 10 mg. Lipitor and in just 4 months my total cholesterol had dropped to 145. My good cholesterol is 68 amd my bad cholesterol is 60. She is very pleased with the numbers.

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No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

My DH has high cholestrol and he is on Lipitor and he will not take it. His legs cramp up sp bad he can not even walk. He also has high blood pressure and his Dr wanted him to go on a low fat diet which he did. This is what his Dr wanted him to try before any kinds of meds for cholestrol where given. He did great on the diet and lost 45 lbs in 3 months but his cholestrol went up so then came the meds and like I said he will not take them because of the side effects. He refuses to go back tot he Dr to try something different. He said he is tired of Dr's and he is not going. He is 33 and I can't talk him into going back to see the dr to have him help with somethingdifferent.

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My doctor told me many people have problems with aching and leg cramps IF they don't drink enough water when taking cholesterol meds. I have found that to be true. When I drink plenty of water I don't have problems. When I slack off I'll have leg cramps. It's a simple fix.

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No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

Thanks for that tip...

I am enjoying reading all of these responses and it reminded me that I need to call the doctor for a follow-up for my test results!

Thanks to everyone who is posting.

What were the side effects with Mevacor? The muscle pain?

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"