Hi there. I last went for my diabetic check up a couple of months ago (after waiting 2 years) and was told that I am now pre-diabetic but I need to lower my cholesterol or I will be put on statins. Does anyone have any hints and useful information on how I might do this? When I was diabetic I controlled it through diet and exercise - I did not take medication. I have always had a problem with my cholesterol and need help.
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Reducing cholesterol
- Thread starter ZedS59
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Eddy Edson
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- In remission from Type 2
For diet, I found the two main things were reducing saturated fat by a lot, and eating lots of fibre.
Ignore anything you see on the Internet which says that saturated fats are fine. They certainly increase "bad" LDL cholesterol, which is certainly an indpendent risk factor for CV bad things (again despite the Internet). The UK saturated fat guidance is pretty loose & I follow the more hard-core American Heart Association recommendation of no more than 5% - 6% of calories from saturated fats. I eat about 2500 kcal per day, so that translates into a limit of about 5% X 2500 / 9 = about 14g of saturated fat per day. I generally do quite a lot less than that.
Fibre helps clear out LDL cholesterol. I eat a whole lot, 70g+ per day, and it has a notable effect on my LDL levels.
In addition, I take max dose of one of the stronger statins, Rosuvastatin, and the result is LDL at 0.8 mmol/L, a very low level.
I started at 3.2 mmol/L, and I think that low satfats + high fibre bring it down to about 2.2 mmol/L, with the statin doing the rest. But that's just a guesstimate, and the overall message is that statins are likely to have a bigger impact even than being a total satfat/LDL fanatic when it comes to diet, like me.
Ignore anything you see on the Internet which says that saturated fats are fine. They certainly increase "bad" LDL cholesterol, which is certainly an indpendent risk factor for CV bad things (again despite the Internet). The UK saturated fat guidance is pretty loose & I follow the more hard-core American Heart Association recommendation of no more than 5% - 6% of calories from saturated fats. I eat about 2500 kcal per day, so that translates into a limit of about 5% X 2500 / 9 = about 14g of saturated fat per day. I generally do quite a lot less than that.
Fibre helps clear out LDL cholesterol. I eat a whole lot, 70g+ per day, and it has a notable effect on my LDL levels.
In addition, I take max dose of one of the stronger statins, Rosuvastatin, and the result is LDL at 0.8 mmol/L, a very low level.
I started at 3.2 mmol/L, and I think that low satfats + high fibre bring it down to about 2.2 mmol/L, with the statin doing the rest. But that's just a guesstimate, and the overall message is that statins are likely to have a bigger impact even than being a total satfat/LDL fanatic when it comes to diet, like me.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
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- Type 2
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You do not say what your total cholesterol level is but it is the ratio of LDL. HDL and triglycerides that is as important as the total. Yes if those are not good and the total is a bit high then reducing it is a good idea but the body needs cholesterol for all sorts of metabolic functions, hormone production, tissue regeneration among others. The body synthesises cholesterol anyway. Some people try these various products like Benecol drinks or spread and they may help. Statins do work but some people are reluctant because of possible or actual side effects, as with all meds some people can tolerate others not.
The British Heart Foundation web site has information about cholesterol ranges and ratios as I think does the diabetes uk site.
The British Heart Foundation web site has information about cholesterol ranges and ratios as I think does the diabetes uk site.
I don't agree that Saturated fat is the cause of high cholesterol; the data is suspect. It's the liver that decides what goes into the blood and genetics plays part. Many say that going low carb will result in a better LDL/HDL ratio but I have no evidence for that. Make sure you only go onto statins if the various lipids ratios are bad - ignore the total figure. GPs treat statins like sweets. They can cause harm - ask my wife and the effect they had on her liver. I do take them and have no problems but not everyone is OK with them.
D
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As @Eddy Edson has said is the saturated fats, and the fibre.
I did exactly the same.
I also take a statin.
Oh, and you will get told it's all about the ratios.
Get the numbers right, and the ratios follow.
Ignore the numbers, you can still get the ratios right even if your body is solid cholesterol, and while, yes, you do need some, I don't think that much would really be beneficial.
I did exactly the same.
I also take a statin.
Oh, and you will get told it's all about the ratios.
Get the numbers right, and the ratios follow.
Ignore the numbers, you can still get the ratios right even if your body is solid cholesterol, and while, yes, you do need some, I don't think that much would really be beneficial.
Lizzie Wizzie
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Absolutely reducing saturated fat and more fibre… but go for 0% fat Greek yoghurt with berries rather than low fat and make sure it’s got live bacteria’s in it as they are better for you - Aldi Brook Vale 0% Greek yoghurt has them and Fage 0% fat Greek yoghurt too… cut down on cheese, or cottage cheese and stop having butter and try without or benecol spread… lean meats like turkey and chicken and salmon rather than red fatty meat and up the fruit and veg (but not watermelon or grapes or bananas if you don’t want spikes). And lots of water helps with everything…
Gwynn
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I changed from prescribed statins that can cause harm to a plant sterol (plant based statin) which causes no harm.
No idea yet if it is going to be effective. I will find out in September.
Thanks for the info on fibre. I will increase my intake somewhat going forwards.
No idea yet if it is going to be effective. I will find out in September.
Thanks for the info on fibre. I will increase my intake somewhat going forwards.
nonethewiser
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Look for foods with beta glucan, known to help lower bp & cholesterol,
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