Tuesday, September 12, 2006

High Cholesterol

Well, after my "something is going to happen to Don" feelings earlier this month, I made Don go to the Doctors and get blood tests done. He went for the follow up appointment today. His cholesterol is 230! She said no more meats, no cheese and no fat! She also told him he needs more cardio, but the man is doing cardio at least 5-6 hours 5 days a week. How would another half hour make a difference? Now I am looking for any good tips or links to ideas for food that he can eat now. We are not big fish lovers, but are aware we need to rethink and retry fish.
Hopefully, this is a huge wake up call for us. I am thinking I should get to the Doctors soon and get my blood run,too. Don is way healthier than I am, so I am not looking forward to hearing how unhealthy I am, but then this is the best time to get this fixed. Not when the boys are addicted to bad foods. We hopefully will start them off the right way.
Come on Michele, I know you have lots of help for me.....

4 comments:

Michele S said...

Laura,

Oh my gosh, could I be any happier to help?????? LOL! Okay, here is what he needs right away. Do you have a Trader's by you? Everything is cheaper there. Here is what he needs.

Vitamin E Mixed tocopherols 400 I.U. per day

Fish Oil/ Omega 3 Fatty Acids 500 mg 2x per day

Flaxseed oil 1000 mg 2x per day

Then from a health food store, Whole Foods etc.,

Grapefruit Pectin 1,000 MG 3x per day

It's not that Don doesn't need fat, it's just that he's eating the wrong type of fat. You need to cut the trans-fat out. Is he eating fast food everyday? If he is, then he's only allowed to eat at Wendy's. They aren't using trans-fat oil anymore. So what is trans-fat? Anything on a label that says hydrogenated. If it says that, don't eat it. Stop using margarine. That is just trans-fat. Start using butter. Start using the right oil when you cook. Either olive oil or grape seed oil. Look for grape seed oil at Sam's, they sell it by the gallon.

If you take those 4 supplements and stop the trans-fat, his cholesterol will drop so fast you won't believe it. I swear to you it will work. If it doesn't work, I will run down the Strip, naked, with a sign that says I'm stupid. I will, I SWEAR!!!!

Michele S said...

And since you ASKED...
What's really important for changing your health is to start reading labels. It requires an understanding of what you are reading. I've read A Consumer's Guide To Food Additives and have a freakish memory, but the rule of thumb is that if you can't pronounce an ingredient, don't eat it. Stay away from high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweetners, preservatives, and food dyes. All that processed food they sell in bulk at Sam's and Costco, is full of trans-fat, high fructose corn syrup, and chemicals. Once you start looking at labels, you'll be astounded at what you've been eating. Then you'll be disgusted and if you are like me, you won't want to put it in your innocent child's mouth.

We really don't eat like wierdos. I just cook regular meals that I make, with real ingredients. Like Dr. Phil says, "If your cheese has a Z in it, that ain't cheese!" Okay now I'll stop commenting, LOL!

Teresa said...

Michele seems to have it ALL down! Maybe I need to take some notes off of that!

I live by the motto of "everything in moderation". My family has a history of high cholesterol and I've managed to keep mine below 200 thus far. I just try to exercise about 3 times a week to keep the good cholesterol good! Also I avoid red meat. I rarely eat it. We're BIG fish, chicken and fruit eaters!

It's all SO confusing.

Keep us updated! I'm glad you made your husband go to the dr. AND I'm glad he took your concerns to heart!

Laura said...

Michele, thanks for the tips. They (and you) are appreciated! If you think of anything else...let me know!