Hi there--

My 54 yr old Dh was just told by his doc that his cholesterol is high, and he needs to go on a lo-fat diet and come back in 6 months to have it checked again.
Here's his levels...

Total cholesterol---246mg/dL
Triglycerides-------226mg/dL
HDL---------------57mg/dL
LDL---------------144mg/dL

Now to me that doesn't seem dangerously high, but then again this is all new to me. :confused: I just want to make sure he gets them down to normal, healthy levels. He quit smoking a year ago, he's about 13 lbs overweight, works a lot, (because he likes to), never has had good eating habits tho, and doesn't exercise because, "I get all the exercise I need working". He is a mechanic, so he does move around a lot, tho not really aerobically. ;)

Here's the problem...He's stubborn and doesn't like the idea of not eating whatever he feels like, such as big steaks, and whole containers of Ben & Jerry's, but I think it's sinking in that he won't be able to do this anymore. The one thing he is being VERY resisitent about giving up is his nightly drink after work. Like vanilla (Whaler's) rum or Seagram's. He has 1 drink every night, and then on weekends maybe 2 drinks. Is this bad for his cholesterol?, because I have no idea. Something's telling me it's not good for cholesterol. He mixes these drinks only with water or diet soda.

Also at work him and a few guys grill food most nights, and he's been having skinless chicken breasts, but he eats 2 of them. Isn't this too much? He thinks it's okay as he's removing the skin.

What do you all think??? After a few replies, I will print this out and show it to him cuz he sure doesn't want to hear it from me! :nono:

If you all know of something good I can read about this, please let me know.

Thank you very much, and best of health to all of you!
DEDA

Deda,

I think your husband needs to establish a more disciplined approach to his diet. As teenagers we may be able to get away with eating as much as we like and whatever we like. However, as we get older we need to adopt more responsible eating habits. Our bodies change, and so must we. Moderation is the key, as well as the avoidance of refined carbohydrates, hydrogenated fats, sugar, and other junk foods such as cookies, cakes, pastries, etc.

Your husband's total cholesterol isn't really all that bad, but his ratio of TC/HDL could be better. Ideally this ratio should be under 4.0, and your husband's is a little over that. But considering the fact that he has been eating pretty much whatever he wants and as much as he wants, there is every reason to believe that simple dietary improvements will result in improved numbers and more favorable ratios. As I see it, his biggest concern should be to bring down those triglycerides. They are too high. True, overeating is never good, and he really should try to exercise more moderation. Controlling his consumption of carbohydrates would be a step in the right direction, as this often results in a marked decline in triglycerides, and quite often an increase in the good HDL cholesterol. Loading up on Ben & Jerry's ice cream is not going to help matters.

I'm not particularly fond of those low-fat diets. They're not very appetizing, and although they can potentially lower total cholesterol, they often have a negative impact on HDL as well. In addition, people who eat low-fat diets tend to naturally consume more carbohydrates and have higher triglycerides, which is something your husband needs to reduce.

So, my advice to your husband would be to eliminate refined carbohydrates, hydrogenated fats, and any junk foods from his diet, and eat more sensibly sized portions. More exercise may also help. He doesn't have to go out and run marathons. Just taking half hour walks three or four times a week can be beneficial. I really don't think the couple of drinks he has is much of an issue here. It's largely his diet that he needs to get under control.

Thank you ARIZONA73 to take so much time to explain this all to me, and in a way that is easily understood. It all makes more sense to me now. I will show this to him, and I'm sure it will help with his attitude about having to revise his old eating habits. I'm sure he will be happy to hear that his after work drinks are probably safe to continue. You almost sound like a dietitian. I've also encouraged him to walk with me, but he never wanted to, but now may change his mind. Thanks a lot!

I had typed you another post about 20 minutes ago, and then it didn't go through.. :mad: I was wondering also about my cholesterol levels that I had checked last July. Although my levels are very low and my Dr. said that is great, my HDL concerns me as it was only 37, with the lab recommendation being over >45. My total was 150, my triglycerides was 78, and my LDL calculated was 97. I was a smoker at the time I had these tests done, although I no longer smoke, quitting 5 months ago. I have almost always followed a low fat diet. Like you said low fat diets often have a neg. impact on HDL. I never knew that. Anyway, my diet now includes more fats, as I have hypothyroid, and due to hairloss I've been trying to eat more proteins, thus eating eggs often and cheese and meats. (I wouldn't doubt that HDL has come up). My Dr. just went on about how great my low cholesterol was, but didn't say anything about my low HDL. Should I have been concerned about it being only 37?

Thanks again, and have a wonderful day!
DEDA

Deda,

There is a belief among many in the medical profession that if a person has a low total cholesterol level, such as yours is, then a relatively low HDL value may not be as much cause for concern. That is probably why your doctor didn't say anything about it. Of course, that shouldn't stop you from doing whatever you can to increase it. The higher our HDL, the better off we all are. Keep in mind one other thing: smokers on average typically have lower HDL levels. You have only recently stopped smoking, but it's quite possible that you will notice an improvement after awhile. There are also supplements which can help increase HDL. Among them are niacin, fish oil, garlic, lecithin, and vitamins C & E. Of course, exercise and healthy eating habits should be at the top of that list. That way, everything else you try will work more to your advantage.

Hi there--

My 54 yr old Dh was just told by his doc that his cholesterol is high, and he needs to go on a lo-fat diet and come back in 6 months to have it checked again.
Here's his levels...

Total cholesterol---246mg/dL
Triglycerides-------226mg/dL
HDL---------------57mg/dL
LDL---------------144mg/dL

Now to me that doesn't seem dangerously high, but then again this is all new to me. :confused: I just want to make sure he gets them down to normal, healthy levels. He quit smoking a year ago, he's about 13 lbs overweight, works a lot, (because he likes to), never has had good eating habits tho, and doesn't exercise because, "I get all the exercise I need working". He is a mechanic, so he does move around a lot, tho not really aerobically. ;)

Here's the problem...He's stubborn and doesn't like the idea of not eating whatever he feels like, such as big steaks, and whole containers of Ben & Jerry's, but I think it's sinking in that he won't be able to do this anymore. The one thing he is being VERY resisitent about giving up is his nightly drink after work. Like vanilla (Whaler's) rum or Seagram's. He has 1 drink every night, and then on weekends maybe 2 drinks. Is this bad for his cholesterol?, because I have no idea. Something's telling me it's not good for cholesterol. He mixes these drinks only with water or diet soda.

Also at work him and a few guys grill food most nights, and he's been having skinless chicken breasts, but he eats 2 of them. Isn't this too much? He thinks it's okay as he's removing the skin.

What do you all think??? After a few replies, I will print this out and show it to him cuz he sure doesn't want to hear it from me! :nono:

If you all know of something good I can read about this, please let me know.

Thank you very much, and best of health to all of you!
DEDA

You might want to read the book "The Cholesterol Myths" written by Uffe Ravnskov before you get too concerned about cholesterol levels.

Personally,

I think the worst offender in the American diet and also your husband's is ice cream in garagantuan quantities.
Man wasn't made to consume butterfat (18% by weight in B&J) as a snack...even CALVES don't get this much (and they only have to live a couple years til slaughter).

At least the steaks give a nice supply of protein with the globs of adipose. But in the ice cream, what isn't blubber is SUGAR!

I'll bet many a man never got up from the table after a huge 24 ounce sirloin and a quadruple heping of Ben and Jerry's. Triglycerides are typically measured a day later but can you imagine what the bloodstream must look like while trying to absorb a meal like that...it must be thick and white instead of red!

Jim's Girl here...Arizona, I need help with the math! You've shared some of your thoughts on my "just say no" thread, I think?

Bad 151, Good, 51....total 241 What kinda math is that? I presume that the 185
triglyceride count is the culprit, as in: 39 bad points for fat?

Doc is not overwrought on the issue, just says do a serious low-fat diet, which is
what I thought I was doing, and frankly, quite tasty. I'm a very good cook, and
I like all the stuff that's supposed to be good for you! So, I've taken to reading labels
on any packaged goods I might buy, as of today. We'll do another fasting lipid in
4-6 months. Nobody's in a panic over this, but I'd like to understand the math,
and I'm sure it will help others on this thread understand.

Jim's girl

jim's girl,

This is how total cholesterol is calculated:

TC= LDL + HDL + (Triglycerides/5)

It may not be an exact science, but the assumption is that 20% of your triglyceride count consists of VLDL cholesterol, which is then added to your total.

In regard to low-fat diets, I suppose that a good cook can whip up something that tastes pretty good. But what do I know about cooking? All I know how to do is make eggs or oatmeal for breakfast, and put together a brown-bag lunch to take with me to work.

The problem I find with many low-fat products on the shelf is that they tend to be loaded up with extra sodium and sugar. I guess this is done to make them taste better, since most of the fat is removed. So, as a result, a lot of people think that since it's low-fat that they can eat as much as they like. Of course, that's simply not true, but that's what many people believe. In fact, they're probably worse off because they're consuming much more salt and sugar.

Deda,

There is a belief among many in the medical profession that if a person has a low total cholesterol level, such as yours is, then a relatively low HDL value may not be as much cause for concern. That is probably why your doctor didn't say anything about it. Of course, that shouldn't stop you from doing whatever you can to increase it. The higher our HDL, the better off we all are. Keep in mind one other thing: smokers on average typically have lower HDL levels. You have only recently stopped smoking, but it's quite possible that you will notice an improvement after awhile. There are also supplements which can help increase HDL. Among them are niacin, fish oil, garlic, lecithin, and vitamins C & E. Of course, exercise and healthy eating habits should be at the top of that list. That way, everything else you try will work more to your advantage.

Thanks Arizona73, I 'll be curious to see if my HDL increases on my next check, now that I'm no longer smoking. I will also add a couple of the supplements that you suggested to what I'm already taking.
And thanks to everyone else that replied. :)

DEDA

Thanks, A! That makes more sense.

I've noticed the salt/sugar thing, too. I already do all the stuff you're supposed to do, within reason. Don't plan anything too radical, just reading the labels on things I wouldn't make myself, but use to some degree, like: mayo, whole grain breads, to see how much I can do without being ridiculous. Very enlightening!

Jim's girl

Personally,

I think the worst offender in the American diet and also your husband's is ice cream in garagantuan quantities.
Man wasn't made to consume butterfat (18% by weight in B&J) as a snack...even CALVES don't get this much (and they only have to live a couple years til slaughter).

At least the steaks give a nice supply of protein with the globs of adipose. But in the ice cream, what isn't blubber is SUGAR!

I'll bet many a man never got up from the table after a huge 24 ounce sirloin and a quadruple heping of Ben and Jerry's. Triglycerides are typically measured a day later but can you imagine what the bloodstream must look like while trying to absorb a meal like that...it must be thick and white instead of red!

Hey Zip2Play--

I liked this about the "Gargantuan" quantities...girl, that fits my hubby to a T, at least up till now. I had to read this to him, and of course he rolled his eyes!! :rolleyes: Hate to sound mean cuz I'm not, but it's kinda funny watching a 54 year old man try to eat normal sized portions, or sensible meals for the very 1st time in his life! (Well, in the 31 years we've been together anyway!)

We went out to a casino on Sunday night to see a show. Afterwards we wanted a quick bite before we started playing. I walked up to the counter and ordered a Veggie burrito with a diet Pepsi. He chimed in after me and said "I'll take the same thing". I about fainted! LOL!! Of course he ate all of his chips and salsa, but I kept my mouth shut as he has done very well lately. I'm really proud of him to say the least. I'm just a little bit worried what's going to happen after he get tested next time, and if his results come out good, (which I'm sure [almost] they will). Hope he doesn't think he can go back to his old eating habits....

Thanks,
DEDA