Is there a Doctor in the House???

[amethyst]

I had a general blood test MOT.  Apparently all was fine ..... except for my Cholestrol - which was 7.8

I have a routine appointment with the GP to discuss this.

In the meantime - help!!!  I do not fully understand "Cholestrol" - but have looked up Causes, and think that I may need more fruit and veg in my diet (only enjoy a select few).  Hence my enquiry about a Nutribullet Blender, as I feel confident I would drink a nice combination drink.

How quickly can I lower this Level?  (Providing I can lower it of course).

Will I require medication?

Thank you anyone in anticipation,

Amethyst

[amethyst]

I think the ideas and advice here is excellent.  I will go through each one, and place the information onto one sheet, so that it will help to refer to it in one simple glance.

(I used to enjoy Porridge, but since giving up sugar, I cannot imagine what it would taste like without)!  But may give it a try and find out.

Great responses - Very encouraging.

Thanks to everyone.

Amethyst

[saasher2012]

You could try one or two drops of real vanilla essence, cinnamon , plain low fat yogurt in the porridge !.

[saasher2012]

Interesting! Is it they're own make if so I'm off down there to get some .

[amethyst]

Mmmmm now that sounds very tasty. 

amethyst

[cookiecookuk]

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@amethyst wrote:

I think the ideas and advice here is excellent.  I will go through each one, and place the information onto one sheet, so that it will help to refer to it in one simple glance.

(I used to enjoy Porridge, but since giving up sugar, I cannot imagine what it would taste like without)!  But may give it a try and find out.

Great responses - Very encouraging.

Thanks to everyone.

Amethyst

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i just sprinkle canderel or similar over my porridge and it tastes the same as when i had sugar on it...

[ed_blackadder_1]

OH uses canderel in his just to sweetenit up a little.

[myraandjim]

my cholesterol was found to be very high a few years ago, tried to reduce it with diet first of all and there was no improvement, then started taking statins alongside the health diet, but it is still very high. My GP now says it is a genetic liver disorder, which sounds possible as most of my family have died from heart attacks. There seems to be little more that can be done apart from keep on the stastins and hope for the best, I eat a very healthy diet, don't have a sweet tooth at all, hate the taste of salt, and am if anything underweight. OH has diabetes, is slightly over weight, will eat all the junk food going given half a chance, and his cholesterol is fine.

[ed_blackadder_1]

I hear where you are coming from Myra. I am overweight but my blood pressure and cholesterol are fine. I think these things can be genetic.

[bitsnknots]

I've just checked the ingredients of the muesli and there is dried sweet whey.  I didn't realise this as up until a few moments ago, I hadn't read all of the ingredients.  I'm sorry if I mislead anyone over this.

[saasher2012]

I would agree with that, many people eat loads of things that are deemed bad for you but have a good score, whilst others do everything they can to keep a low score & it makes no difference, but being a diabetic it does help to try & keep it & your weight as low as you can , the longer you do the longer it staves off the high blood pressure, which for most of us is inevitable I'm afraid, which in turn is why most of us are on Statins. I'm fairly lucky that I am not overweight & never have been, but in fairness I'm in a very physical job & I've never had children. So it's been a lot easier for me, but I do sympathise as it's harder as you get older to lose weight so easily!.

[saasher2012]

Do not apologise it's a misnomer that when they say it's sugarless as most of these cereals do in one form or another. We think it's healthy when it contains fruit but that I itself is a natural sugar ( fructose) which can be just as high!
I tell ya it's a bloomin minefield . lol.

[aernethril]

Research stevia as a natural alternative sweetener - not the adulterated stuff - but the 100% natural.

Japanase have used it for decades.

Add fruit to your porridge.

[bitsnknots]

As I've said in a previous post, I can't stand cereals that are sweetened.  I know that I have a sweet tooth but cereals with sugar on don't taste right somehow or other.  I have cut out chocolate for a while now.  I'm not diabetic.  I go swimming every day and when the weather's fine, I potter around in the garden so I'm getting exercise.  I'll see what my cholesterol is when I have to go for a blood test in November.  Trying to lose weight is a nightmare.  I try to eat a healthy diet.  I've been heavier but I'd like to be lighter.  As saasher's said, it's hard to lose weight when you get older.  I'll vouch for that.

[chickengrandma-2008]

I eat a very poor diet.  I eat a fair amount of fresh fruit and veg and have fish at least twice a week, but I also eat a lot of meat, fried food, butter, crisps and alcohol.  I'm overweight (I can't think why) but my cholesterol is fine.

[rainydaywoman11]

I am surprised that you would post that CG.  I always think, when I read the dinner thread, that you eat a great amount of veggies each evening.  I just cannot any more, we'll leave it at that.

I think a poor diet is takeaway food and processed meals which are full of goodness knows what rubbish.  From recall, you cook from scratch and the swimming must help burn carbohydrates too.

[chickengrandma-2008]

I do love my fresh veggies rainy (just wish I could get some into him too!)  In fact there's another thing, he lives on hardly any veggies, not much fruit, but as much cheese, eggs, cakes, pudding and custard as he can.  He used to drink nothing but full cream goats milk too when he kept goats, and his cholesterol is fine too!

I'm still convinced it's more to do with your genes than your diet.  I have friends who never eat 'naughty' things and are not overweight but are on statins.

Hope you're keeping well Carol.xx.

[cookiecookuk]

I agree with the bit about the genes as we had a friend who was a seven stone matchstick and he lived on veg and salads never drank or smoked or ate sweet stuff and he had a massive heart attack that meant he was revived about 6 times .he was told told his cholesterol was that of a very overweight person living on chips and chocolate.he now has to be so carefull as next time he may not be quite so lucky.

[stan3502]

Mr S and I have exactly the same diet (which is quite a healthy one I may add ) both eat a lot of fruit and veg and do about the same amount of exercise each week, both enjoy the odd drink yet I have an excellent cholesterol level and his is sky high, my blood pressure is normal again his is high, so maybe it is genes ???

[ilove2patch]

I have never had my cholesterol level tested so I have no idea what it is. I do have a normal blood pressure though. What symptoms do you display to need your levels checking?

[chickengrandma-2008]

I don't think there are any symptoms Maggie, they usually do it at the 'Well Woman' clinic that you're called in for every year or so.

The blood tests usually include cholesterol,  liver and kidney function and I'm sure there was something else, and a urine test for diabetes, they measure height and weight (the worst bit) and check your blood pressure.

It'll be flu jabs next I suppose! 

Add on the smear tests and the mamos and the bowel screening....I'm surprised we're ever away from the surgery!!