So I went for my last physical and found my cholesterol is high. Odd because I am 20lbs lighter than my physical last year. I am at a stump here, anybody else in the forum have high cholesterol and have a eating regimen that aids in lowering cholesterol? Just looking for suggestion so I can put together a meal plan. My wife is a little worried and I have committed to her that I would get this undercontrol by the time we have another child in the next nine months.
A lot of times my medical challenges reverse themselves when I get really hardcore about my meal plans and workouts. Any help is appreciated. My weight needs to drop another 40lbs for sure. That part is a no brainer for me.
My cholesterol hovers right above 200 (give or take 10-12 points). Needless to say, at 37, 6’2" and a shade over 200, neither I nor my doctor are happy about that.
One year (about 4 years ago), I got it down under 200 (to the mid 190s) and this is what I did consistently (then):
Cut out all of the foods my doctor had on the list. I tried to keep ice cream and my cholesterol went up 5 points in 6 months.
Every day for lunch I had a salad made with baby leaf spinach (with tomato and cucumber with skin on).
Whenever I had potatoes, apples, pears, I ate the skin.
I had about a cup of oatmeal for breakfast each day.
Upped my consumption of heart healthy fish like salmon.
Now all this was well before I had read up on nutrition for body builders or gaining weight, etc. mind you, but it did lower my numbers. I still eat this way now (with other foods added to help my slowly but on some mass without sending my number sky-high).
Total cholesterol of 200 is very good if HDL is higher. There are supplements that easily increase HDL. The major cause of ‘age related’ increases of cholesterol is ‘age related’ decline of hormones, DHEA and T, and the accompanying increase in E:T.
TRT often makes a big improvement in cholesterol levels.
Total cholesterol of 180 is considered ideal. Levels lower than that are associated with higher death rates.
Cholesterol is essential to life. Health fats are vital as well. Low fat diets can be damaging.
I was in the same predicament as you Hulk and was frantic about what to do. Several months ago, T-Nation printed an article referencing Low Carb diets, the article specifically referenced Jonny Bowden and his book “Living Low Carb”. I bought the book and subsequently bought “The Protein Power Lifeplan” by Drs. Michael and Mary Dan Eades.
I can only assume that you’re on a Low Carb / High Protein diet and that’s why I’m suggesting you buy these books. In both books, they specifically cover the fact that too much emphasis is put on HDL and LDL cholestorol, rather the real culprits known as “Very Low Density” Cholestorol combined with High Triglyceride levels.
VLD’s are very small glue like cholestorol particles that stick to artery walls creating blockages. The book states that cholestorol numbers will spike after going on a High Protein / Low Carb Diet, but more importantly Triglyceride and Very Low Density cholestorol numbers will improve dramatically.
You have to ask your Doctor about VLD’s and testing; he may look at you sideways, but he’ll know you’ve done your homework and that you take this shit seriously as you very well should. I follow the Protein Power Lifeplan strictly; no sugars, breads, pastas; basically eat like a cave man. Just a suggestion.