High bad cholesterol as a vegan, statins, dietary changes...

[JP]

So, been in and out of doctors recently (after not visiting one in 15+ years) because of high bad cholesterol.

Short version of the story:

There is a high cholesterol running in my family, all over. I got mine checked, the total cholesterol was 3.6, which is low, but the good and bad were wrong way around.

After some pondering, the doc would like to start me on statins. This is suboptimal because the side effects would be something that would be really bad for me

Does anyone have any firm belief that i could make changes in any dietary or lifestyle means?

Doctor doesnt think so, i am already vegan, and physically active.

But, i dont think there is enough omega 3 intake in my diet (does it make a difference) and i do occasionally eat hydrogenated fats via fucking awesome and cheap curry (ok, several times a week) - does this matter?

What about anything else? Flavoid rich berries and shit like that?

or should i just neck the meds and get it done?

[Gulliver]

Limit yourself to fucking awesome and cheap curries to one a week, or make sure you go for tomato or yoghurt based ones over coconut milk (as orgasmic as it is).

There is some vague evidence linking higher omega-3 intake with lower bad cholesterol. Spirulina and Chlorella are excellent sources of vegan bioavailable omega fatty acids. They smell like fish ass, but taste harmless (even pleasant in a smoothie).

Try reducing your "bad" fat intake for 3 months, and get tested again. Then, if there has been no change, I'd go for the statins.

[baldy]

There is a high cholesterol running in my family, all over. I got mine checked, the total cholesterol was 3.6, which is low, but the good and bad were wrong way around.

My family also have high cholesterol, dad is on the pills and my sister should be. I got mine checked 18 months ago at a chemist and it was also low at about 3.8 I think, maybe I should get the full test done then to see the good/bad ratio.
Will be reading this thread with interest.

[Konstantin]

Loads of bad cholesterol in my family, I got tested and mine is fine. This was no suprise as the older generations were all heavy consumers of animal products.

At the time I wondered what I would do if I got an arse result as I was already eating well. I did some research and found there were a few things like sesame seeds, almonds and cranberry juice that could help. Can't remember much now, but I would also say give it a try on diet first.

I don't know how reliable this page is but is probly worth reading.

Statins have been hailed as the most wonderful thing ever. Although there does seem to be value in them no-one knows what the long term effects may be and already there are some critics emerging.

[cassie]

A vegan diet does not necessarily protect you from high cholesterol. There are plenty of unhealthy vegan foods.

Cut out junk food in general. Sugar and simple carbs (white bread, processed cereals, etc.) have been shown to increase triglycerides and lower HDL.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-04-21-sugar21_ST_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

[beforewisdom]

There is some vague evidence linking higher omega-3 intake with lower bad cholesterol. Spirulina and Chlorella are excellent sources of vegan bioavailable omega fatty acids. They smell like fish ass, but taste harmless (even pleasant in a smoothie).

Jack Norris of veganhealth.org claims that algae and seaweeds can interfere with b-12 absorption.

[beforewisdom]

Hi JP.

I've known several people whose genetics have made statins a necessity despite doing all of the lifestyle things correctly. I've got no answers for you. On the upside a vegan diet is still giving you other benefits even if it isn't solving a cholesterol problem.

I've read studies that people, even nutrition experts, will consistently underestimate their calories and overestimate the quality of their diets unless they track what they eat. It is sort of like how mind numbingly accurate the "talk test" and "perceived exertion" test are in cardio training.

Why not give yourself and your ideas for dietary changes a good month, while you track everything you eat to make sure you really did give it a good try?

It could be one of those things where a little bit of an otherwise unnoticed difference makes the difference.

If not, at least you will know you gave it the best try you could have.

[Gulliver]

Jack Norris of veganhealth.org claims that algae and seaweeds can interfere with b-12 absorption.

Yes, but they are about the only vegan source of omega-3 DHA in a bioavailable form. Flax etc provide omega-3 oils, but not EPA or DHA, which are some of the most healthful.

It does, though, contain vitamin B-12 analogues, which mess up the vitamin's absorption.

It's a toss-up between getting the right omega oils and getting the right vitamins in. The best solution, I think, is to suck on my vitamin B complex pill an hour at least after having my green protein glop and hope for the best.

[beforewisdom]

It's a toss-up between getting the right omega oils and getting the right vitamins in.

You can buy the supplement "Omega 3 Zen" which has loads of DHA

[LisaB]

A nutritionist told me to try ground flax seed when my cholesterol was high and it seemed to help. A vegan DHA supplement would probably help too. I wouldn't rely on sprirulina for DHA, I think it is very low in DHA unless you eat a ton of it. I think the vegan DHA supplements made from algae are concentrated.

[LisaB]

Oh, and trans (hydrogenated) fat makes both your LDL and HDL levels go in the wrong direction, so your curry could really be part of your problem: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/trans-fat/CL00032

[JP]

Oh, and trans (hydrogenated) fat makes both your LDL and HDL levels go in the wrong direction, so your curry could really be part of your problem: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/trans-fat/CL00032

WORST NEWS EVER!!!! Dublin dave, brother, are you reading this DEVASTATING STUFF!!!!!

[DB]

Now I just LOVE a good fucking curry. Especially when it's made with coconut milk. Unfortunately, coconut milk is pretty friggin' high in saturated fat. Oh well, life is too short to skimp on curry.

[LisaB]

Oh, and trans (hydrogenated) fat makes both your LDL and HDL levels go in the wrong direction, so your curry could really be part of your problem: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/trans-fat/CL00032

WORST NEWS EVER!!!! Dublin dave, brother, are you reading this DEVASTATING STUFF!!!!!

Sorry dude.

[LisaB]

Now I just LOVE a good fucking curry. Especially when it's made with coconut milk. Unfortunately, coconut milk is pretty friggin' high in saturated fat. Oh well, life is too short to skimp on curry.

The saturated fat in coconut is actually pretty good for you. It is the vegetable oils that are hydrogenated that will kill you.