Does sport/training reduce your cholesterol

[Barend de Arend]

My cholesterol is usually 4.5 -> 5.3. (in SA 5.0 seems to be the cutoff, not all countries measure the same.)

 

If I've been relaxed for an extended period, it's 4.5.

If I've been stressed out for an extended period, it's 5.3.

 

I've done the HDL/LDL ratio tests, and those are "good", so the doctor isn't too worried.  Just keep an eye on it.

 

This seems to be true no matter what my diet, including going vegetarian.  The only thing that dents it is stress.

 

Saying "don't stress" for me is like saying "don't think of a pink elephant."  I'll stress about not stressing.  I'm stressing about posting this, because I'm not a doctor.

 

Since cycling reduces my stress, it seems to help

 

 

I recommend regular tests (not daily!), keep an eye on it, and try one change at a time.

[keithbe]

So you would rather believe a non-scientific populist article on some random internet site?

 

I posted one link and said do your own research. Strawman comment much?

 

My point is there are many opinions which everyone is entitled to make.

[lechatnoir]

Studies done on elite/world champ athletes show their cholesterol to be very high. So the generally accepted (read: blindly accepted) dogma about the link between cholesterol and heart disease might not be true.

 

There's a LOT of personal research you can do on this. One particular place I'm finding fascinating on this is the Livin La Vida Low Carb Show by Jimmy Moore. Don't fret about the LCHF thing, and find the stuff about cholesterol in there. Especially episodes 1166 onwards. Lots of science-y bits in there, but it's useful stuff, if you're receptive.

 

A word of caution: think very carefully if a doctor mentions statins and do your research

 

just my 20c (inflation, you know...)

[Bateleur1]

Pulse has pretty much covered it - there will be some improvement from exercise - but probably not enough for your medical aid...

 

I suggest trying to hit all the conventional wisdoms - reduction in stress levels, exercise, healthy diet (although what that exactly is is not very clear these days) and a glass of red wine every evening.

 

Edit - and if she is a smoker, then quitting completely

 

Good luck with getting your wife on a trainer.... you might have better luck getting her to ride downhill races.. or walking the dog daily....

 

I think stress was a contributor but genes is the biggest.  Her dad had always had very high readings.  Herself and brother and sister all are normally just over the recommended levels.

 

But she has bought a business and is in process of taking it over so stress I think is a big contributor at the moment.

 

The red wine is a good idea.  I'll join just in case.  She doesn't smoke.

 

The trainer is not so far fetched idea.  She is actually keen in getting one.  But we might have to move house soon so finances might be a problem in the short term.

 

Oh and the doctors said it is actually nothing to worry about.  Just the medical aid that uses an excuse not give her a discount on her monthly payments.

[V12man]

I think stress was a contributor but genes is the biggest.  Her dad had always had very high readings.  Herself and brother and sister all are normally just over the recommended levels.

 

But she has bought a business and is in process of taking it over so stress I think is a big contributor at the moment.

 

The red wine is a good idea.  I'll join just in case.  She doesn't smoke.

 

The trainer is not so far fetched idea.  She is actually keen in getting one.  But we might have to move house soon so finances might be a problem in the short term.

 

Oh and the doctors said it is actually nothing to worry about.  Just the medical aid that uses an excuse not give her a discount on her monthly payments.

Genetics is usually the biggest contributor - but I did manage to resist telling you to get her to change her parents.

 

I agree that minor elevations are not huge cause for concern - but they do need to be monitored so you don't miss a  big change - some people seem to suddenly for cause unknown have a sudden escalation in levels.

 

Regular long medium effort exercise is important for more reasons than just cholesterol level management, - so like I say - even a daily walk the dog walk is better than being sedentary - if she is open to trying the trainer, give it a go - you could always sell it I guess if finances are under pressure, or if you don't enjoy it much - zwift.com can be "fun"

 

My wife has shown measurable improvements in her cholesterol levels on a daily glass of red wine - (she is a diabetic, so it's progression is of concern).

 

The other intervention you should probably try is a daily niacin dose - this is a b group vitamin - and has been shown to be effective - try and find a long acting/slow release one and only after eating - or you will experience a hot flush (completely harmless, but disconcerting) - you will need to experiment a bit to find a tolerable dose in the 100 - 1000 mg level range - I would say start at about 250 and if it's tolerable then move up to no more than 500 a day

 

http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/110/23/3512.short

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0002914989907546

 

are for interest - apologies if you don't fully follow them, but they really need some physiology background/understanding

[Bateleur1]

Genetics is usually the biggest contributor - but I did manage to resist telling you to get her to change her parents.

 

I agree that minor elevations are not huge cause for concern - but they do need to be monitored so you don't miss a  big change - some people seem to suddenly for cause unknown have a sudden escalation in levels.

 

Regular long medium effort exercise is important for more reasons than just cholesterol level management, - so like I say - even a daily walk the dog walk is better than being sedentary - if she is open to trying the trainer, give it a go - you could always sell it I guess if finances are under pressure, or if you don't enjoy it much - zwift.com can be "fun"

 

My wife has shown measurable improvements in her cholesterol levels on a daily glass of red wine - (she is a diabetic, so it's progression is of concern).

 

The other intervention you should probably try is a daily niacin dose - this is a b group vitamin - and has been shown to be effective - try and find a long acting/slow release one and only after eating - or you will experience a hot flush (completely harmless, but disconcerting) - you will need to experiment a bit to find a tolerable dose in the 100 - 1000 mg level range - I would say start at about 250 and if it's tolerable then move up to no more than 500 a day

 

http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/110/23/3512.short

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0002914989907546

 

are for interest - apologies if you don't fully follow them, but they really need some physiology background/understanding

 

She saw Twift and actually took alot of interrest into it.  So it is jut a matter of time.

 

Being in Europe and having two dogs in the house, daily walks with the dogs are a given.  She normally takes them out for a 5km walk in the nearby forest almost every second day over and above the normal twice a day walk.

 

Just before we left SA (about 6 months prior) we went for checks and for the first time since I have known her, her levels dropped below five.  The one factor I forgot now to take into consideration is the stress.

 

Thanks for all the info

[Mailman7412]

i want to know is there an alternative to statins? They control mine very well (LdL of 2.8) but is recently causing havoc on my body with aches and pains. My GP actually took me off my meds completely for a month. Dont know how effective it would be as i am only on my 3rd day now

[NickGM]

I think stress was a contributor but genes is the biggest.  Her dad had always had very high readings.  Herself and brother and sister all are normally just over the recommended levels.

 

But she has bought a business and is in process of taking it over so stress I think is a big contributor at the moment.

 

The red wine is a good idea.  I'll join just in case.  She doesn't smoke.

 

The trainer is not so far fetched idea.  She is actually keen in getting one.  But we might have to move house soon so finances might be a problem in the short term.

 

Oh and the doctors said it is actually nothing to worry about.  Just the medical aid that uses an excuse not give her a discount on her monthly payments.

My Cholestrol went down from 6.1 to 3.5 between two Discovery screening assessments (those things we do to get all the points). The ONLY thing that changed between the two tests was that I cut sugary stuff out of my diet. I don't mean no sugar in my coffee and no chocolate. I mean everything - jam, fruit juice, anything that has been sweetened by another human basically. 

 

I have no idea if this is the reason for the reduction in cholestrol, and it's not why I started. But I'm sticking with it. So it may be worth trying to see if you get the same results. 

 

A family friend has worked in the sugar production industry for decades. The heart doctor told him it was bad for him and he said "But I've made my living from sugar". The Doctor said "Yeah, me too".

[NickGM]

(Deleting repeated post) 

 

[lechatnoir]

i want to know is there an alternative to statins? They control mine very well (LdL of 2.8) but is recently causing havoc on my body with aches and pains. My GP actually took me off my meds completely for a month. Dont know how effective it would be as i am only on my 3rd day now

 

CoQ10. Available from health stores and also present in olive oil. Oddly, statins have been shown to affect memory and 'mental sharpness' as well as play a role in ED.