Benecol - is it beneficial in helping reduce cholesterol?

[Pinch of sparkle]

Has anybody used Benecol to help reduce their cholesterol levels? On my last blood test my HbA1c levels had dropped from 90 to 40 which I was delighted with and my cholesterol level had dropped from 6.2 to 5.1. However, the diabetes nurse suggested starting statins to get it below 4 but I persuaded her to see if I can do it with diet and exercise as I really don't want to take more meds (currently on 4 x Metformin daily - hoping to reduce if things are still going well in three months time). Just for info, I have reduced my carb intake but still eat carbs every day, at around 3.5 gms of carbs a bottle I wonder whether its worth trying.

 

[Leadinglights]

I tried Benecol or Activia for a while and used the spread (which I didn't really like) but it really didn't make any significant difference whereas the statins have and I am at 3.2 despite increasing fats to go with the low carb regime for the blood glucose control.

 

[Drummer]

As we are likely to live longer if our cholesterol is normal to slightly high, I do wonder at the motivation.

 

[trophywench]

IT IS THE BALANCE BETWEEN THE 3 ELEMENTS OF TOTAL SERUM CHOLESTEROL WHICH IS CRITICAL - not JUST THE 'TOTAL'.

Sorry - caps lock accidentally deployed. - not shouting, honest.

 

[Perfect10]

I have my blood tests some point this week, it will be the first test for 6 months so will be interesting to see what my cholesterol now is. I eat more fats now but do drink benecol when I remember and use the benecol spread. Cholesterol was 6.8 6 months ago but I was told the ratio was fine so didn’t need statins.

 

[rebrascora]

My cholesterol was 5.1 at diagnosis and now down to 4.8 which is a minimal drop but the interesting thing is that I eat at least 3x more fat now than I did then and quite a lot of it saturated fat and yet my cholesterol has barely changed.

Some HCPs are more enlightened than others when it comes to cholesterol and look at you as an individual not just tick a box on their checklist of advice for diabetics. Yes the NICE guidance is that they would like all diabetics below 4 but the breakdown of your cholesterol components is very relevant and if you have a good ratio and low trigycerides then that may be more desirable than dropping your levels with statins and perhaps upsetting the balance. My DN and consultant have both commented on my cholesterol level being above the recommended level of 4, so ot is not like they have overlooked it, but have said that my ratio is good and I am fit and healthy and there is no reason to prescribe statins. I personally am very happy with this advice and I would probably resist anyone trying to push them on me unless there was an obvious problem.

I can't advise on Benecol as I have never used it but would recommend that you get a break down of your lipid results so that you know the ratios and can then make a more informed decision. Some cholesterol is beneficial and necessary for a healthy body, but like fat it is made out to be a killer. The balance of components of it are really important. Obviously, if you had a reading of 10 it would be another matter, but of you were not diabetic then a reading of 5 would be fine. If your diabetes is under good control and your HbA1c is in the normal range then why should you be treated any different to a non diabetic person. That is my view anyway.