Need to lower cholesterol and glucose levels, please help!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is your glucose level? Did they also test A1c?

Glucose was a 99. They did not test A1c as far as I can tell,

A fasting glucose score of 99 is one point from pre-diabetes. You should really request an A1C test, which is your average glucose over the past three months.

[Anonymous]

Wear a glucose monitor for a month and see how your body is reacting to what you eat. Wearing a CGM I realized I can’t eat a lot of food I considered healthy. I love oatmeal but I can’t eat it because it sends my glucose levels really high. So do other “healthy” options — like a vegetable sandwich on whole wheat pita.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a calcium score test. If your triglycerides are low, it offers a protection against high levels. I have genetic high cholesterol and my calcium score was 0 meaning none of it was sticking to my arterial walls

Good advice.

You seem like you may be increased risk for diabetes since nobody with your lifestyle should have high glucose. So, I’d also try to delay the statin as long as you can since those can trigger diabetes.

Maybe also try a continuous glucose monitor to learn what foods are spiking yours. Maybe you actually need more fat and protein with your carbs.

I was going to suggest this, too. I know it’s the “I’m above fad diets” received wisdom that all fruits and vegetables and whole grains are always good, but certain foods spike some people’s blood sugar.

[Anonymous]

I think the CGM here is a great idea. It’s also probably helpful to see how mixing and matching some foods might be effective. I would do so with some guidance because the data is likely overwhelming and trying to interpret it without actually understanding what you are looking at might cause some anxiety beyond what OP is already going through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My eating is really healthy, tons of veggies, beans, fish once a week, chicken once a week, steel cut oatmeal, quinoa, lots of nuts. No processed foods except for tortilla chips and popocorn which I eat a handful of times a week, but no sweets.

I could see the problem right here.

Not enough meat , too many carbs .

Tortilla chips, popcorn, oatmeal, quinoa , beans, veggies , are all carbs.

[Anonymous]

Apple cider vinegar is also supposed to help with glucose levels and cholesterol. It is also good for digestion. Try drinking one tablespoon diluted in water or added to a smoothie each day.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-proven-health-benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar

[Anonymous]

Don’t fear a statin. Some people just need them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a calcium score test. If your triglycerides are low, it offers a protection against high levels. I have genetic high cholesterol and my calcium score was 0 meaning none of it was sticking to my arterial walls

Good advice.

You seem like you may be increased risk for diabetes since nobody with your lifestyle should have high glucose. So, I’d also try to delay the statin as long as you can since those can trigger diabetes.

Maybe also try a continuous glucose monitor to learn what foods are spiking yours. Maybe you actually need more fat and protein with your carbs.

I was going to suggest this, too. I know it’s the “I’m above fad diets” received wisdom that all fruits and vegetables and whole grains are always good, but certain foods spike some people’s blood sugar.

As estrogen drops in perimenopause, insulin resistance tends to increase. Foods I did fine with previously started to become more of an issue, especially in combination. A CGM took the guess work out. A brisk walk for 15 minutes after meals and getting more sleep also helped. I lowered fasting glucose from 99 down to around 80 in a matter of months. OP, next time you get bloodwork, get fasting insulin checked, optimal is under 5 to avoid issues. Building muscle is also helpful, it is like a sink for glucose in the blood, so, the more the better.

https://happyhormonesforlife.com/insulin-resistance/

The links between insulin resistance and things like mood disorders, some cancers and Alzheimer's were super motivating to me to make changes. What I had thought was "healthy" for me needed adjusting. My hair had been thinning and became thicker and I lost skin tags, that was visible proof of progress before new bloodwork.

This book has a lot of actionable advice. For the male readers, insulin resistance is often linked to ED, so motivation for you, too.

Why We Get Sick: The Hidden Epidemic at the Root of Most Chronic Disease--and How to Fight It

A scientist reveals the groundbreaking evidence linking many major diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease, to a common root cause—insulin resistance—and shares an easy, effective plan to reverse and prevent it.

https://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Get-Sick-Epidemic/dp/1953295770/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t fear a statin. Some people just need them.

My blood sugar has gone way up since starting a statin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a 46 year old female who eats very healthy and exercises five days a week. Unfortunately, my cholesterol levels have crossed into the high range. I have a family history of diabetes also, and my glucose levels are at the very high end of normal. It's so frustrating as I eat really well, exercise, and don't drink. What can I do? I'd like to avoid a statin for as long as possible.

Type 1 or type 2? Type 1 is what it is and can't be prevented.

I would talk to a nutritionist to figure out if you can reduce cholesterol. I have always had genetically high cholesterol. Even when I first had it tested in my 20s when I was in incredible shape, running marathons and eating very well. My HDL has also always been high.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t fear a statin. Some people just need them.

My blood sugar has gone way up since starting a statin.

Right. That's what happens.

[Anonymous]

Vitamin K2 for cholesterol. Also, did they to fasting glucose only? I am asking for myself, my fasting is great, but I am wondering if I need to check it after eating.

[Anonymous]

Not Op but coming to say that with an A1C at 5.6 (pre diabetes is 5.7) at 42 year old, i am planning to get a CGM and tune my diet accordingly.

I am thin and eat very healthy but i have PCOS + diabetes in my family so i know i am more at risk and probably have higher insulin resistance than average.

OP: for your cholesterol, can you break it down? High total cholesterol is not necessarily a problem if it is the HDL that is high. You also want to ask for a more precise test: apob

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/01/08/apo-b-cholesterol-test/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want to lower your glucose, this will do it:
Eat only protein (chicken breast and fish) and non-starchy vegetables. Eat healthy fat with every meal (nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil) so that you won't get hungry. Eat nuts or vegetables for in between meal snacks.

Read the book The Sugar Solution 10 Day Detox for complete details of this diet. I do not eat coconut butter because I am not certain it doesn't clog your arteries in spite of what the author claims. I take fiber before every meal (Benefiber) in a tall glass of water and I take vitamins.

What to avoid:

sugar
gluten
beans
rice
flour of any type including gluten free
dairy
processed foods of any kind
fruit other than 1/2 cup berries a day

How do you explain me then? I eat rice, gluten, fruit, all kind of fruit, even dates. Heck, I eat apples and peaches and grapes all the time. I eat fruit pies, I make them though, I eat bread and meat and wheat. I am 53 and not even close to prediabetic, in fact perfect sugar levels and no cholesterol other than good HDL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want to lower your glucose, this will do it:
Eat only protein (chicken breast and fish) and non-starchy vegetables. Eat healthy fat with every meal (nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil) so that you won't get hungry. Eat nuts or vegetables for in between meal snacks.

Read the book The Sugar Solution 10 Day Detox for complete details of this diet. I do not eat coconut butter because I am not certain it doesn't clog your arteries in spite of what the author claims. I take fiber before every meal (Benefiber) in a tall glass of water and I take vitamins.

What to avoid:

sugar
gluten
beans
rice
flour of any type including gluten free
dairy
processed foods of any kind
fruit other than 1/2 cup berries a day

How do you explain me then? I eat rice, gluten, fruit, all kind of fruit, even dates. Heck, I eat apples and peaches and grapes all the time. I eat fruit pies, I make them though, I eat bread and meat and wheat. I am 53 and not even close to prediabetic, in fact perfect sugar levels and no cholesterol other than good HDL.

How about….You’re living in a different body than the other posters?