Cholesterol high despite healthy diet - what now??

it depends very much on her individal case, here individual health, her individual medical history and familial history and her risk of cardio-vascular disease, heart attack or stroke. He was talking to her, not to the world at large.

jura no argument with that, it was the same with antibiotics. When introduced they were a life saver for many people with serious infections, but when they began to be prescribed to every Tom, Dick and Harry and their female counterparts for really trivial and irrelevant complaints that was when the problems started with antibiotic resistant bacteria.

There are many and good reasons for prescribing statins, to people in specific medical circumstances, but that still does not make handling them out to all and sundry, whether they need them or not a good idea, especially as very few people on statins get the annual liver function tests they are meant to get when on statins.

DH was supposedlyon statins for 5 years (he never actually took them. He had regular blood tests and blood pressure tests, but not once was he offered a liver function test.

How many on this thread are getting regular liver function tests?

And here we totally agree.

Not had time to read all the posts which look extremely helpful and informative and will give me food for thought . Thanks to all - and I didn't know you have to scoff shedloads of oats to gain the cholesterol-lowering effect. That's an eye opener for sure.
I don't want statins unless I'd be putting myself at risk not taking them (unlikely). I'd rather look into other ways of reducing it. The ratio wasn't too bad: triglycerides 0.6, HDL 2.2 and LDL 3.4. I keep getting muddled as to which of the last two are 'good' (think it's the HDL, so I need to get the LDL down further somehow).

I intend to follow up all the links suggested, and any reading matter. I do like to do research on anything pertaining to my health, so I'm very grateful for any useful websites or literature I might not have otherwise come across.

What does everyone think about intermittent fasting? Does it do what it's meant to do? My OH's cholesterol came down noticeably after a while doing 5/2 and he's stuck to doing 5/2 ever since but his cholesterol seems to be creeping up again. I'm trying to do it too, but I don't find it easy to keep within limits.

As to liver function tests: I started worrying about fatty liver disease a while back when my nephew was diagnosed with it. My liver function is fine (I asked for it to be included in a recent blood test) but I will ask again periodically.

Rowantree I've found intermittent fasting good for lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and for losing weight. I found 16/8 or thereabouts easier than 5/2 to stick to. I've seen others post similar. Here's an interesting, fact based article that I found : www.health.harvard.edu/blog/intermittent-fasting-surprising-update-2018062914156

I stick to 15/9 as I read somewhere that’s better for women (no don’t remember where) but the ideas the same.

Nothing after 7.00pm the breakfast at 10.00 am. Might be worth a try?

I expect it’s been said, but I’ll admit to not reading the posts, but DH was in theatre having his third stent inserted and talking (well moaning really) to the surgeon about how hard he tries to eat well, keep his aactivity levels up etc.
Her reply

DNA my dear, and age.

He has decided to go with the flow by keeping as healthy as possible and continue with the pills including statins etc.

Notentirelyallhere That's an interesting article. I will admit to snacking, albeit on fruit and nuts, mainly. Eating early in the evening isn't usual for us: it's more likely to be around 8/8.30 which I know is late for most people though on fast days it's a lot earlier.

I'm going to continue to eat as healthily as I can, despite the disappointing cholesterol results and plateau in weight loss. I'm sure more activity would be beneficial too, but I'm struggling with back pain at the moment and a flare-up of mild osteoarthritis (in my toe joints of all places, as well as hips) which makes walking a little restricted, but the only way is through....

Whitewavemark2 they now say that to me too when I complain that despite lifelong healthy living I'm still borderline on cholesterol and sugar while bp takes 3 pills to keep it reasonable!

blue yes. I am sure that one day genetic scientists will find an answer. But meanwhile we must make the best of it, and certainly not beat ourselves up about something we should or shouldn’t do.

I do envy the wiry, elderly, muscly, weather-beaten people we pass sometimes when on a walk or garden saunter. I'm guessing they're well into their eighties and beyond and, in my imagination, stride out with ne'er a care for dodgy bladders, poor balance, arthritic feet and hips, whizzing across the Pennine Way or rocking the cost paths of Britain (pun intended) and never seem to get breathless or puffed out. I, on the other hand.....

And before anyone says it, I know, I know. People I've described are made, not born. They've got there by effort and consistent effort at that, not by feebly hobbling round Sissinghurst Garden on a spring afternoon.

Whitewave but how are we to KNOW that it's DNA? Is it because everything else has failed so that is the only explanation left? That, and BIIK?

Yes Rowantree when doctors are baffled they blame DNA so I will have to believe them knowing I can't do anything else!

Well I think it’s back to believing those people who have spent years studying the subject, and are therefore experts.

I am quite happy to do just that, in the knowledge that science is a process and will therefore change over time.

When my cholesterol was high I started eating a Benecol yogurt and taking a Benecol drink each day and cholesterol dropped to what my GP said was fine. I also watched my diet. Since then I have lapsed in taking the yogurts and the drinks, but I’ve tried to maintain the diet.

Rowantree "not by feebly hobbling round Sissinghurst Garden on a spring afternoon."

Sounds alright to me! Cake any good?

I'm starting to get feelings of guilt whenever I press on "Active" on here. Because I'm not.

My cholesterol was high and I got it down by using oat bran with my porridge, grapefruit before dinner and benecol drinks along with an effort to eat more fruit and nuts. I put on weight but lowered the cholesterol. I was still given a statin but found I should not eat bran and grapefruit with them. I tried them for a few weeks but then decided to go back to the diet plan. I must admit to a weakness for chocolate bars and bread/toast - recently HCB with butter!

Gonegirl It's them there cream teas - used to have a terrible weakness for them. No longer. I will have a scone and butter (kidding myself that's healthier) or no butter at all. Or we share one! Occasionally, no scone, just tea. I have reined myself in from choosing the gooiest, richest cake on the menu and no longer have that urge for fat and sugar.
I'm inspired by whichever Gransnetter it was who waggled their finger at me and advised NO snacking (sorry, don't want to lose my post by checking back!). Makes total sense, even when the snack is fruit or nuts. Obvious perhaps, but I thought I was doing well by substituting healthy snacks for my previous 6 walnut whips/3 Creme Eggs/ One Bar of Dairy Milk (I did ring the changes). Yesterday I did well till teatime - had been working in the garden, had no biscuit with coffee, healthy lunch - and then DH offered me a hot cross bun. I weakened, but at least I didn't eat it with butter!
Spending today with MIL so I'll see if I can keep off biscuits for the duration.

Allegretto did you have the yogurt as well as the Benecol drink each day?

I have Benecol spread on my bread, and on toast. Love the taste of it anyway. Prefer it to butter.

I don't have any spreads at all unless it's a tiny amount in a baked potato. What's in the Benecol spread? Most artificial spreads seem to be a combo of gunk and crapola but I'm happy to be convinced otherwise!

What I find the saddest part, is that some of you will not trust your doctor, and are unable to say 'look, I've read some awful stuff on internet re Statins- could you please explain why you feel that, in my particular case, it would be really helpful to take them' - and have a good discussion, in trust.