Supplements for high Cholesterol anyone?

I was told many years ago that my cholesterol was high but because of the ratio between good and bad cholesterol it was OK. This was at least 12 yrs ago and it's never been tested since. Are you able to actually go and ask for a cholesterol test at the GP's nowadays even if no problems?

Statins didn't work for us as we both had bad leg pains now we take Ezetimibe which seem to work

Most of the cholesterol in your body is made by your liver; relatively little is directly from diet. In general eating a healthy diet is, of course, very sensible, but properly high cholesterol - particularly high LDL cholesterol - is really only treatable with medicines. But marginally high cholesterol is probably best tackled through diet and exercise in the first instance.

I think most people over 60 will have high cholesterol and GPS seem to be happy to prescribe statins for anyone. I had a chat with my GP and he was happy for me to try Plant Sterols from British Supplements, the reviews show that in many cases they work. If my cholesterol hasn’t come down after 12 months I will think about statins. My brother at 75 was advised to take them 10 years ago but didn’t and his cholesterol is still classed as high but hasn’t increased, it’s everyone’s choice I guess
www.british-supplements.net/products/clean-plant-sterols-95-phytosterol-b-sitosterol-40-stigmasterol-30-campesterol-20?variant=27921281548362

22Maggierose
Thank you so nuch for your post. I was using Benecol but I won't be now. I'll save some money as well. 🤣

petra

Mine has been over 9 for about 15 years. When I first had it taken I stuck to the cholesterol diet for 3 months. It came down from 9.6 to 9.4. That Dr didn’t argue the point but several since then have.
I won’t take them.

I've always understood that for some people diet can help but for many the problem is genetic. A friend's wife is a nutritionist and was ultra-careful with his diet but it made very little difference to him. On statins his cholesterol plummeted to virtually normal.
I take statins and do have some stiffness in my joints but for me it is a price worth paying for a longer life.

Doctors here panic if cholesterol levels go over 6! My Mum, who lived in the UK, had very high cholesterol and didn’t take statins. She developed heart failure and eventually died from a heart attack. I often wonder if she might have lived longer if she had taken them. I would be very worried if I had a level of 9.

My brilliant GP and me have an agreement. When my cholesterol is a shade too high he offers me statins. I say no thank you, but agree to bring it down using lifestyle choice within 3 months.
To do this I cut down (not eliminate) the butter, take red yeast rice capsules, and plant sterols.
I also take nearly 3 grams a day of EPA and DHA Omega-3 fats for achy bones, and this also contributes to raising the HDL which improves the ratio. It is also good to cut down on sugar and carbs.
Good luck.
We do have familial high cholesterol in our family. Don't know whether I do but children do.

It is not so much the cholesterol but the carbohydrates and sugars which cause the problems. Cholesterol is a fat which passes easily along the blood vessels until it gets hooked up on the spikey sugar which is doing the actual damage. Cutting down on fats in the diet keep the test results low. Cutting down on carbs and sugars keep your energy levels high and your health better overall.

My cholesterol is 4.7 brought down from 5.2. I cannot eat fats as upsets my stomach following an operation some years ago. Fibre also can do the same so have to be careful with that. I walk, do Pilates and line dancing. I am overweight, not grossly and am trying to lose some but already the majority of what I eat is low fat. My GP wants me to start statins but I am trying to get my cholesterol down further by lifestyle '. My weight comes from comfort eating which I am trying to control but there are times when I just feel , what the heck, why am I bothering at my age. My blood pressure fine and although I am just prediabetic, diabetes runs in the family so I watch that

Totally agree. Ive never had any problems

Last September my Cholesterol level was 7.81. I found an App called Nutricheck and changed my diet. I cut down on Saturated fat and did more exercise. I lost 1.5 stone and feel so much better. My last cholesterol result was 6.82. My good HDL is 1.82 and my bad LDL has gone down to 4.27. On the GP website my results are shown as no further action needed yet I get a call from the GP pharmacy team recommending Statins. Im another who does not want to take them. I have read and re-read and researched and I still feel unhappy about them. I do appreciate that they will reduce my levels but am still reluctant at the moment. As both of my parents are deceased I do not know if they had high cholesterol. So I am plodding on with the healthy eating, exercise, Cholesterol lowering drinks and will have a re-test hopefully.

Statins are evil things, I do not need them but wouldn’t take them anyway. Spirulina can help reduce cholesterol, but many doctors are looking at cholesterol differently now, opinions are changing and it is not always regarded as a problem. Watch Dr Ken Berry and others on YouTube. Most health problems are caused through high sugar and carbohydrate foods and highly processed foods, our bodies are not meant to have these and cannot process them causing huge damage. The Magic Pill is also thought provoking. I will now wait to be shot down in flames again!

I've taken statins for over 10 years with no side effects whatever.

So have I, without any side effects.

Diet important. I'd give diet exercise a good go first if you see results carry on........ I take Blickbuster if want to look into that. I know, it sounds like a drain cleaner haha. It's enzymes for heart circulation gut etc. Says to clean up arteries. I buy from Good Health Naturally but others sell them. Worth a google anyway.
Good fats like avocado nuts, a little butter not marg, Coconut oil and olive oil to cook with all beneficial. Rainbow foods on your plate It's great in summer to do rainbow with all salad varieties. I feel better very quickly if been off track. Good luck

Ps. It seems calcium goes into arteries if balance wrong. look up magnesium ! Also D3
It's bit D with K2

The British Heart Foundation say if you have Familial high cholesterol you cannot bring it into normal range without medication - in addition to exercise and keeping an eye on weight.
That is the type I have known I have since I was 38, and that is why I take Statins.
Do you know if you have this type Poppyred?

My cholesterol has always been low but I take a low dose preventative statin from which I have no side effects. I have congenital aortic stenosis (narrowing of the arteries) and a family history in both sides of stroke and heart disease. My father suffered from vascular dementia and his decline was heartbreaking to watch. My mother had several strokes and ended up immobile. I don’t wish to follow them; I am divorced and care would devolve upon my children unless I had to go into a care home. I don’t want either! I regard the statin as a small insurance to help prevent this, together with a healthy lifestyle. Even so Fate still throws a curve ball to us! I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and so would still be on medication anyway!

Ezetimibe is a drug I take for high cholesterol and it has worked for me. It is not a statin and has to be prescribed by your Doctor. I do not suffer any side effects.

For heavens sake, take the tablets.
They won’t do you any harm and ultimately may save your life.

I’ve been on them for many years and no side effects whatsoever.

I've always had horrible side effects with all 5 brands of statins that I've tried so eventually my consultant prescribed high dose fish oils. My GP surgery refused to prescribe them (cost purposes) after a few years, so now I buy my own.. no side effects with them.. they don't particularly lower the blood count it is 7.. but I feel better..

Benecol
Got mine down from 8.
Exercise and restricting dietary indulgence(!) help too
However, some people need medication to reduce high cholesterol

Definitely take statins, watch your diet and exercise.

Also, bear in mind that some so-called 'side effects' could be linked to other things like natural ageing twinges etc and would have happened anyway.

There are several different statins to try. I've never noticed any problems with Atorvastatin after 10+ years on it.

Husband takes Natures Best plant sterols - they've worked for him and no bad effects.