What do you use to lower cholesterol without statins?

ruthbru

I love that we can bounce around our experiences, ideas, research etc. here. It makes us better patients, and therefore makes our physicians better doctors (or in some cases makes them our ex-doctors!).

jg10

cp418, good for you and for your doctor for entertaining various causes! I have often wondered if anti-estrogen therapy inadvertently affects other aspects of the endocrine system, such as thyroid function, which if properly identified can safely minimize anti-estrogen therapy side effects.

Momine, you're welcome. One of the reasons a hypothyroid diagnosis is frequently missed (as happened with me) is because the symptoms are so similar to menopausal symptoms, and by definition anti-estrogen therapy: fatigue, joint and muscular pain, elevated cholesterol, foggy thinking and weight gain, although women who are thin can also suffer from hypothyroidism. Even my hot flashes were dramatically lessened with thyroid replacement. I had trouble finding medical explanations for that phenomenon, although I learned that thyroid hormones are needed for proper arterial contraction and expansion, which would explain the hot flush improvement and is the very reason why thyroid balance is essential for heart health. Mary Shomon on http://thyroid.about.com is a great thyroid resource.

cp418

There are numerous recent articles for elevated cholesterol linked to breast cancer recurrence which has been on my radar with my elevated cholesterol.  I was interested in researching more on plant beta-sitosterols as mentioned earlier by Golden.  I found this reseach article very informative - if a bit long....

Plant Sterols as Anticancer Nutrients: Evidence for Their Role in Breast Cancer

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3635199/pdf/nutrients-05-00359.pdf

 

rafitamia

I would like to share what mom took and what I take now for cholesterol, and High BP, we used 1 tble spoon applecider vinegar to 16 oz of water at least once a day, then 1 tsp coconut oil, also used to olive oil in salads, 1 tsp or so.  Rasins, help to reduce BP, and cholesterol.  Avacado's have the good fat, tomatoes, also take care of the cholesterol.  What I take take for fot it is Hawthorn Berry extract in pill form 1 everyday, and my test came back normal.  So you might want to first read up on these and give them a try.  Noting to loose but the cholesterol!   GBU all.

ziggypop

Shortly prior to my diagnosis I had my cholesterol levels checked - I was sent a letter saying they were *excellent* so much so that I had my PCP tell me they were the best levels she had ever seen & and an endocrinologist tell me that she knew people who would 'kill for my levels' -  counterintuitively - I was on a high fat, high protein, high dairy, lots of eggs, VERY low carb diet. I also know of two people who raised their good cholesterol and lowered their bad cholesterol with the same. 

MelissaDallas

Ziggy, I've been doing the same & although my total is still too high (as it always is) my ratio is great, my good cholesteral is great & my triglycerides are only 67.

Anonymous

Ziggy I do the same as you. Lot's of good protein and fats. Clean dairy. Low carb seems to be the most powerful tool to keep cholesterol in range.

I read yesterday that long term statin takers get 6X more breast cancer.

lightandwind

Same here, except only goat dairy, and I try to eat 8 servings of fruits and veggies each day. I wondered how each of you define low carb? I allow one small serving of whole grain such as steel cut oats, quinoa, millet, or polenta most days. No refined carbs, gluten, or sugars. What types of fats do you normally consume? I've been cooking w/ coconut oil, make salad dressings w/ olive oil, put hemp oil in my oats, take lots of cod liver oil. I haven't had my cholesterol tested yet, but seems research is consistently pointing us in the direction of needing to keep this closely monitored. 

corky60

I lowered my cholesterol by eating low carb but with no eggs or dairy.  The low carb with eggs dairy made it worse.  We're all different.

Anonymous

I define low carb as below 60 grams carbs. I probably eat half of a potato covered with raw butter, maybe a slice of sprouted wheat bread. Rarely have fruits because they're tasteless here and a waste of carbs IMO.
Main fats are butter and fats from meat or coconut oil. I used to use more olive oil. I should use fermented cod liver oil but never got around to it--which is a huge gap in my general diet.

The whole cholesterol thing is being gradually discredited, it seems. It used to be used as a marker for hypothyroidism.

althea

I'm glancing through this thread for the first time today.  Apple cider vinegar is the first thing that popped into my mind when I saw the title.  Then I remembered, that's what I take to keep my blood pressure down.  ...and it works when I actually take it.  blech blech and blech, even if it's the tablets.  ACV is so good for so many things, I'd be surprised if it doesn't help regulate cholesterol also.  

I've had overall cholesterol levels that just don't seem to budge no matter how much I tweak my diet (which is ALWAYS, very slowly).  I'm not sure I saw anyone on this thread yet talk about the ratio.  There's a formula for calculating the ratio of the HDL, LDL and triglycerides.  All I can remember offhand is my overall number seems permanently stuck at around 230, but I have made good strides at improving my ratio.  

Besides, homocysteine levels are the place to look for risk of heart attack anyway.  Did you know that 50% of heart attacks happen to people with cholesterol in the normal range?  My mom takes cholesterol meds, and even though her numbers have dropped steadily the last 3 years I've been preparing her meals, no adjustment in her med has ever been made, or considered when I asked about it.  And yet, her homocysteine levels are never checked.  sigh 

ziggypop

lightandwind - Honestly I don't pay much attention to it now. I had gained about 15 pounds several years ago & went on the Atkins diet because I figured it was something I could do - at the same time 2 (male) friends tested really high for cholesterol (one was a chef and one owned a restaurant). I lost the weight & they lost weight and saw their bad cholesterol drop (a lot). After losing the weight, I loosened up on the diet requirements and just cut back on carbs. But I eat lots of butter, dairy, etc. so I was quite surprised at how good my cholesterol rates were. (but who knows, maybe it's genetic). On the other hand - I have been reading again and again about how basic thinking on the matter is wrong & things like butter are actually good & the thinking on carbs has really changed in the last decade or two. 

 

sgreenarch

Hi. Wonder what you all think about this...you seem like a really nice, smart bunch, thanks.

My cholesterol has always been about 200 but the individual numbers were really good. (Bad chol low, good chol high, etc.) I exercise, eat really well (mostly plant based, low complex carbs, high fiber, the right oils,take omega 3 tabs, eat fish, etc.) All until Femara...

WIthin 6 months my LDL was 165, within a year it was 185. My total cholesterol is now 285. I've gained about 5 lbs.  I've been to my GP and a cardiologist and everyone agrees that this is an SE of Femara since it only started when I started taking the drug.. They are adamant that I need to start on a statin, to protect myself during the time that I'm to be on Femara (another 4 years, at least.) I am 53. They say that this is beyond what diet modifications can do and is dangerous. I had Lobular BC and Femara is supposed to be superior to the other AI's so I prefer not to switch, even though I have read that the other two are less likely to cause weight gain and raised cholesterol. I'm such a big believer that diet can be very powerful and really don't want to take yet another pill but also dont need to die of a heart attack while fighting BC! Any advice, ideas would be appreciated...thanks.

cp418

sgreenarch - I'm exactly in the same situation as you described with choletserol levels increasing taking Femara.  I have decent ratios too but the LDL and total vaues are too high.  My GP also wanted me to start a statin but I am holding off trying to use diet and exercise.  I'm searching for ways to safely manage cholesterol levels without toxic or dangerous side effects. ( The statins concern me with the reported side-effects and I saw articles too linking to increase BC while others say opposite -- too much conflicting information!)  My MO told me to avoid Red Yeast as he had a patient go into liver failure after using this supplement. It seems to work for some patients but can be bad for others.  So far, I've been doing some reading on beta-sitosterol (plant sterols) and recently came across gugulipid research, also artichoke leaf extract.  I will only try after consulting with my nutritionist for any recommendations and how to take, etc.  Like any medication, I will not take a OTC supplement blindly unless my doctors know/approve what I take.  (Check the alternative forum for more article links)

althea

I just remembered something else I've read recently about cholesterol testing.  I read Wheat Belly by William Davis MD, and in that book he describes the testing process of cholesterol levels.  In most cases, the HDL level is not tested, but calculated based on the scores of the LDL and triglycerides.  (This is from my memory, so please reference the book itself for confirmation).  Testing my memory further, HDL has more than one size, and the commonplace way of calculating the level may be overlooking one size of the HDL molecule.  Now I'm realizing I can't recall offhand what he recommends as the best way to test cholesterol.  Wheat Belly was eye opening for me on a number of issues.  I give it a big thumbs up. 

sgreenarch

HI, All:

Thanks already! cp418, please post, if you don't mind, the items that your nutritionist approves. I should also add, that thanks to the info on this thread, I asked for my thyroid levels to be tested and they came back totally normal. I know that traditional medicine frowns on trying to control symptoms completely through diet, but I was able to help my daughter overcome PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) by changing her diet. We mostly (not even completely, hard to do to a social teenager who likes going out for ice cream or pizza from time to time...) just eliminated sugar, white items (rice, flour, etc) and most dairy (kept low fat organic milk occasionally) substituted lots more fruits, veggies and good protein. Added more nuts, legumes and beans. Various kinds of whole grains. We have organic chicken once a week and very rarely beef. Olive and grapeseed oils. So this is how I eat, too, and she's cured (really!) and my cholesterol is through the roof. Quite frustrating. I admit that I am not a vegan. I  am not convinced (nor is the new cardiologist) that if I completely eliminate eggs or meat, that this will impact my cholesterol levels enough (they want the LDL close to 130 and mine is now 185.) She's says a few more months wouldn't matter. Do any of you think that a drastic change, such as fasting a few days a week, or becoming a full vegan, would make enough of a difference? Thanks you.

cp418

I just came across an interesting article explaining how different individuals produce and absorb cholesterol - - this would impact how they respond to various cholesterol lowering treatments.  http://www.bostonheartdiagnostics.com/science_portfolio_cholesterol_balance_test.php

sgreen - I just recently started a beta-sitosterol supplement so I do not know if it works until future bloodwork done.  I tried Source Naturals - Mega Strength Beta Sitosterols and my GP and nutritionist know I am trying this supplement.  My understanding is it may take weeks to a few months to see cholesterol levels improve.  Also, I did stop eating Kale as possible link to hypothyroidism with high consumption and my TSH is also elevated the past year.  So for now I'm trying these dietary changes hoping for better results. 

My nutritionist likes supplements manufactured by Pure Encapsulations and Thorne Laboratories, also a few by Life Extensions as standardized ingredients and minimal fillers, etc. I take Curcumin, Ubiquinol CoQ10, Indole 3 carbinole, calcium D Glucarate and a few others for my neuropathy issues from chemo (never resolved).  Plus Omega 3 and Vitamin D, calcium citrate and magnesium for osteopenia.

Fallleaves

sgreenarch, I'm not so sure going vegan will make a big difference either. As a point of reference, I switched from a vegetarian to mostly vegan diet a year ago (with occasional wild salmon) and when I got my blood work last summer I found my cholesterol was 150 (hdl 63, ldl 77). This was not much different from when I was vegetarian (one time 138, another 155). Meanwhile my husband who eats pretty much whatever I'm eating (since I do most of the cooking) consistently has cholesterol 50-60 points higher. Of course, who knows how much higher it would be if we were eating the standard American diet.

Of course, the only way to know how it will affect you is to try it and see. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to be doing all the right things and still have high cholesterol!

LtotheK

Well, glad there is a thread on this.  My cholesterol has always hovered in the 200 range, but after cancer it was 211, and then with fish oil, down to 187, and then this year off fish oil, back to 218.  LDL not great, I think 120 or so.

I am vegetarian.  I eat too many sweets and drink alcohol.  Wondering if I should go back on fish oil, but I thought this was bad now.

Help? Ideas?

Momine

LtotheK, you may consider intermittent fasting. It seems to improve cholesterol numbers for many people.

ruthbru

I wouldn't worry about the 218, but you do want to work on getting the LDL down.....which of course means less of the alcohol and candy....boo hoo....have you tried eating a bowl of oatmeal every day?

LtotheK

As usual, my bc.org gang is wonderful.  Two already great ideas I will implement. Any thoughts on the fasting welcomed, are there sites?

Momine

LtotheK, I did it for a while, just using fitness.pal to calculate calories. The info I had was to do 600 calories a day for two, NON-consecutive days a week and no carbs. I ate a red pepper with a dip of no-fat yogurt for breakfast, a salad dressed only with lemon and topped with a little poached chicken for lunch, then a pureed soup of carrots and cauliflower for dinner. It was totally doable.

jojo68

I don't know if anyone else mentioned this, but coconut oil can help lower bad cholesterol...

http://coconutoil.com/cholesterol/

FireKracker

if coconut oil helps lower cholesterol mine would be normal not almost 300

I eat it everyday,use it on my gums cause it's supposed to be good for that too

I do hair tx once a week and leave it in till I wash it again

I put it on my entire body too.

Been doin it for about 2yrs.now and it did nuthin for the cholesterol

I'm now takin the no flush niacin.

Getting blood work next month..10000mgs

Momine

Firecracker, I just checked and the evidence for the health claims made about coconut oil appear to be on the thin side. Olive oil is more likely to have a positive effect on cholesterol than is coconut oil: 

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/coconut-oil-and...

http://www.cspinet.org/nah/articles/coconut-oil.ht...

voraciousreader

Eat apples. Really!  Look it up!  Study out of Oxford!

MelissaDallas

voracious, that study was a tongue-in-cheek thing that got reported seriously. Here is KevinMD's take on it and medical reporting:

http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2014/01/medical-literature-mislead-journalists-public.html

wyo

Hi all

I wanted to share my husband's experience with high cholesterol- had a hypertensive crisis x2 and in testing found cholesterol >230.  Of course wanted to put him on beta blocker and statins- he said "no way".  He ended up with an internal medicine doc who had an interesting regimen. Alfalfa, no-flush niacin and citrucel- that is the most interesting, this doc who was from eastern europe and quite good feels that the methylcellulose binds with cholesterol to remove it from the body- dose is 2 tabs per day its not for bowel regularity in this case but it does have that secondary effect.  He makes his own "cookies" and bars from oats, yogurt and banana that he eats for breakfast.  His cholesterol in 6 months went to 180- the doctor was the only one not surprised hahaha.  I take the citrucel but not the no-flush niacin, sometimes the alfalfa. 

Here is my question for me- the information and people's choices are all recommending something different.  Can you take any kind of vitamin that is not "risky"  I used to take fish oil, citrucel, calcium and a multi-vitamin.  I have stopped everything since the Breast Cancer except the citrucel and the calcium- I am really really tired- I don't think I am getting enough protein or fruits/vegs because I don't eat that much.  Breakfast usually an egg with toast, yogurt or sometimes a protein bar (when rushing) . Lunch- don't always have it (I know)  Dinner- some type of lean meat/chicken or fish and sometimes rice or beans etc.  I just think I have a poorly balanced diet and can't take anything to supplement??? I have cut waaaaay back on sweets but do have dates, apricots and prunes about 3-4 x/week.  Would be interested in the collective wisdom.

MelissaDallas

If that is all you are eating it isn't enough.

I thought I ate the healthiest I ever did when I was on an old version of Weight Watchers. It was 6-8 oz of protein, 2 servings of low-fat dairy, at least 3 servings of vegetables, 2 servings of fruit, 4 servings of carbs (bread or starch vegetables or cereal) and 1 tablespoon of fat. That works out to about 1200 calories. You are not eating even that much. You may be tired because you aren't taking in enough calories.