reducing cholesterol...

Question
Hi,
I am a white male 35 yrs old, 5'11" and 225lbs. I take daily pills of lysinopril for BP, Lipitor for cholesterol and a multi viatamin and a fish oil pill. What's the best way I can reduce my cholesterol? Either by eating or exercising or other means. I would like to stop taking these pills someday, but I read that the benefits of taking them far outweigh the risks if not taking such medicine. I feel I'm reaching the point where I need to change myself back to where I was in better shape than before. Can I stop eating some things and more of others to help with reducing cholesterol or is it mainly other factors? Thank you.

Answer
Mike,

You are awfully young to be needing blood pressure and cholesterol lowering medicines.  I suggest you take these issues very seriously.

Cholesterol lowering medicines called 憇tatins?can significantly decrease the chances that you will have a heart attack or stroke ?by about 30%.  Since our cholesterol levels are mainly determined by our genes, it is possible that you will not be able to get off the Lipitor by changing your diet and exercise habits.  However, it depends on how abnormal you cholesterol levels are.

Our total cholesterol and LDL (bad cholesterol) levels are primarily determined by genetics (85-95%) and less determined by diet (5-15%).
To lower total cholesterol and LDL (bad cholesterol):
* Eat a diet low in saturated fats (animal fats) and trans-fatty acids (margarine or shortening).
* Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables.
* Eat a variety of grain products, especially whole grains (complex carbohydrates).
* Eat an appropriate number of calories to maintain a healthy weight.

It is also a good idea to limit sugars and low nutrient foods high in sugar, such as soda pop, candy, cakes, cookies, etc. (simple carbohydrates).  Exercise has very little, if any, effect on total cholesterol and LDL.  Regular exercise can increase HDL (good cholesterol).

You can get more information here:
Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and Triglycerides: http://www.lipid-clinic.com/lipids.html

Diet & Cholesterol levels:
http://www.lipid-clinic.com/diet.html

Be sure to tell your doctor about the vitamins and fish oil that you take.  If you take enough fish oil to affect your triglyceride levels, the dose is considered a medicine and requires a doctors supervision.

Todd
www.lipid-clinic.com

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