How do I control high cholesterol when I get bad reactions to the medications I have tried?
Answers
Glad to hear you follow and healthy diet and exercise regularly - can definitely help with cholesterol control. Other things to add include: Make sure you are eating enough fiber (men need 30 grams of fiber every day). Flaxseed either whole or ground (1-2 tablespoons every day). Plant stanols/sterols every day either in pill form such as Cholest-OFF (which is over the counter) or in products like Smart Balance or Benecol spreads (need 1-2 Gm daily which would be 2 tablespoons of spread every day). The plant stanols/sterols actually work in the intestines to help prevent the absorption of cholesterol. Some people recommend ground cinnamon (add 1 to 2 teaspoons to coffee, cereal, piece of fruit)everyday. Several small studies show a benefit and there are no side effects. If your triglycerides are elevated of course fish oil supplements can help (1,000 mg EPA + DHA daily) and staying away from "white foods" - white bread, white rice, white pasta. Make sure you are eating enough fiber (men need 30 grams of fiber every day). Flaxseed either whole or ground (1-2 tablespoons every day). Plant stanols/sterols every day either in pill form such as Cholest-OFF (which is over the counter) or in products like Smart Balance or Benecol spreads (need 1-2 Gm daily which would be 2 tablespoons of spread every day). The plant stanols/sterols actually work in the intestines to help prevent the absorption of cholesterol. Some people recommend ground cinnamon (add 1 to 2 teaspoons to coffee, cereal, piece of fruit)everyday. Several small studies show a benefit and there are no side effects. If your triglycerides are elevated of course fish oil supplements can help (1,000 mg EPA + DHA daily) and staying away from "white foods" - white bread, white rice, white pasta.
Not sure what your reaction was to cholesterol medications but if it was muscle cramping many people experience relief of cramping but taking CoEnzyme 10 or CoQ10 supplements. The muscle pains/cramping caused by cholesterol medications is due to lack of CoQ10.
