Re: my current LDL = 250

From: elgoog (bjdefend-newsgroups_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 02/18/05 

Date: 18 Feb 2005 08:46:51 -0800

A couple of things occur to me immediately. What is your total
cholesterol? It's just as important to know your "good" cholesterol
levels (HDL) as it is your bad. Research shows that high levels of HDL
decrease your chances of heart disease, while high levels of LDL
increase your chances of heart disease.

Ideal levels of cholesterol are considered to be less than 3.5 ratio of
total cholesterol divided by HDL. A ratio of >5 is considered
potentially harmful.**

Total cholesterol = LDL + HDL + Triglycerides.

A desireable total cholesterol measurement is <200 mg/dl.

I share your skepticism about statins and drugs to control your
cholesterol. The drugs should only be used in rare cases where diet
modification doesn't work (or the patient is unwilling). I suggest you
discuss with your physician. But, I would try diet modification first.

Lavish on the celery, onions and garlic that actually lower LDL. Work
on eating more unprocessed foods like fruits, whole wheat bread
products, oats, legumes, bran, brown rice, bulgur wheat, barley, whole
grain breakfast cereals, couscous. More fruits and veggies. Drink tea,
eat blueberries. Eat dark chocolate.***

Avoid highly processed foods like corn syrup (such as soda) or refined
sugar (such as sweet breakfast cereals, many bakery items, and hard
candy), bread items made with bleached processed flour ("white bread").
Cut down on the fried foods(French fries, potato chips, and doughnuts).
Avoid milk chocolate.

I would suggest you start by making modest permanent modifications in
your diet rather than drastic sweeping changes. Maybe start by drinking
water or tea instead of soda. Use olive oil instead of butter or other
oils. Choose whole grain items instead of highly processed goods. Eat
celery, carrots and unsalted, roasted nuts instead of chips.

**http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/fats.html
***http://my.webmd.com/content/article/88/99702.htm

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