Need advice for stubborn hubbys high cholesterol

[Deda]

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. 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!

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

[ARIZONA73]

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.

[Deda]

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.. 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

[ARIZONA73]

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.

[Wykon]

Originally Posted by Deda

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. 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!

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.