Cholesterol Question

I am a drinker and my triglicerides were off the chart because of it. I go to the doctor to have my cholesterol checked next month. But i was wondering.....

Can watching your diet lower your triglicerides?

Yes.  Or to be more specific, the main areas you can help your cholesterol levels are

• Eating fewer meat and dairy products..... and more wholegrains and fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Not smoking
• Not drinking
• Getting regular (daily) exercise
• Being a healthy weight for your height

Thanks for list, GI Jane. I didn't know the high-protein diet could elevate your triglycerides. My CC friends tell me I need more fruit and veggies: now I have another reason to eat them. My triglycerides are too high.

BTW I've already quit drinking and smoking and I need to exercise and lose weight.

my triglycerides, and cholesterol, are also too high.  I don't eat a lot of meat or dairy, exercise A LOT, and get a lot of fruits and veggies.  However, I do have drink red wine (really no other alcohol).  I never though it was excessive, but could be the cause?  How much did you drink?  I'm going to another doc to see what else i can do

Original Post by flamel:

I didn't know the high-protein diet could elevate your triglycerides.

'Fewer meat and dairy products' isn't to be confused with 'a low protein diet' ...  If you eat fewer animal proteins and more vegetable proteins such as pulses (legumes), tofu and certain grains like quinoa you can still get plenty of protein without the intrinsic saturated fats that can contribute to a high cholesterol problem.   Similarly if you eat fewer animal fats (lard, butter etc.) and more vegetable & fish oils you get a similar benefit.

Original Post by msh:

I never though it was excessive, but could be the cause? 

 People can also have genetically high cholesterol levels quite naturally.   If your diet is good, you don't drink much or smoke, you take regular exercise and you're a healthy weight then you could be one of those people.

But don't panic if you are..... high cholesterol in an otherwise healthy person with a healthy lifestyle does not automatically mean they are at serious risk of a heart-attack. 

Original Post by msh:

my triglycerides, and cholesterol, are also too high.  I don't eat a lot of meat or dairy, exercise A LOT, and get a lot of fruits and veggies.  However, I do have drink red wine (really no other alcohol).  I never though it was excessive, but could be the cause?  How much did you drink?  I'm going to another doc to see what else i can do

Do other people in your immediate family have high cholesterol? If so you could have a genetic condition known as familial hypercholesterolemia (basically high cholesterol that runs in your family due to a gene mutation) in cases like that sometimes diet and exercise alone can be insufficient to return cholesterol to normal levels because the way your body deals with cholesterol is different to the normal way. You may need to take certain medications in conjunction with changing your diet. But when you go to see a doctor I'm sure they'll give you better advice.

thanks for all the feedback.  Yes, it could be genetic as my father and grandfather both had rather high cholesterol.  The doctor told me to change my diet re the triglicerides, but when I explained what my diet is, he said the best would be to get tested again in two months and then to do a deeper study and possibly light medication for cholesterol.  I also had questions re: my missing period and rapid weight gain.  He said it was do to my  metabolism changing.  I can't believe that with my exercise and calorie intake control my weight would also just jump way up:( oh well, the frustration continues...

You should not drink alcohol for at least 36 hours before getting your blood drawn for lipid testing, as it can cause a transient elevation. To see what your "real" levels are, you need to give your body a few days without alcohol to get back to its normal baseline.

Thats interesting because my doctor said that it didn't matter if i drank the night before. Last time i got it check my triglicerides were off the chart. He upped my dosage because of it. I'll have to try that. Thanks!

Also, just an FYI, start taking fish oil (or an omega 3/6/9 blend). Helped me get my tri levels down. My sister works at a doc's office and they don't even give you a script for cholesterol meds until you've tried fish oil. It works!