I did not think I would be worrying about that for at least another 20 years. But, DH's is high (did not ask #) and doc wants him to eat oatmeal every morning. This is going fine. But, I have been searching for other ways to help. It is hard. There is a lot of conflicting information. And, DH will not eat veggies. Not at all. Only onions, french fries and hot peppers (deep fried with cheese). Anyone dealt with slowly "silently" changing a loved one's diet. Fiber is probably a big need of his. So, does anyone have a good oat bread recipe. Thanks.

If I were you, I'd purchase Dr. Weil's Natural Health, Natural Medicine through half.com (usually as low as $3). He has the best outline for what to do to lower cholesterol. I don't have the book anymore because I gave it to my Grandma (Ian has it somewhere from the same class) but Dr. Weil talks about exercising (even walking daily, anything out of the ordinary), eating a low fat diet and very little animal products (low to no meat or dairy would make a dramatic difference; that is what really lowered my dh's). An herb that your dh can try (with doctor knowing) is gugulipid. Also switching to grape seed extract Veganaise instead of mayo (or regular Veganaise; my dh likes the reg but not the GSE) or taking a grape seed extract supplement everyday. The two ultimates to lowering cholesterol is exercise and diet (which can also result in losing weight which will contribute to lower readings.)

If your dh doesn't want to be a vegetarian or a vegan, that is fine but giving up some of his meat and dairy habits will really pay off and eating a few good portions of fruits and veggies everyday.

Jennifer

Hello mpeel,

I know what you mean about conflicting information. Have you checked out:

The International Network of Cholesterol Skeptics
http://www.thincs.org
?

This is an excellent site that basically disagrees with the prevailing theories about heart disease and cholesterol. There is also an excellent book out there entitled

_The Cholesterol Myths : Exposing the Fallacy that Saturated Fat and Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease_
by Uffe Ravnskov

I would urge anyone who is concerned about cholesterol and what it means for their health, to read this book.
Anyway, good luck with navigating your way through all the false information and finding the truth! :)

Skyblue is right, that's an awesome book. I refer to it here and there, but certainly wouldn't mind doing without for a little while (month or two) if you'd like to borrow it. PM me if you do.

Just remember there are two kinds of Cholesterol: High density which is HDL (think of high density as being firm and bouncy) and low density or LDL (imagine these being soft and sticky)

LDLs being the 'sticky' ones, they go around and adhere to vein and artery walls. These are the ones that clog arteries, and cause heart attacks and stuff. The HDLs are actually the ones that help by going around and collecting some of the LDLs. So you want your LDLs to be low, and the HDLs to be well, i guess high. (you should have a good ratio in other words, but the LDLs can be in the 100s and the HDLs in the double digits above 50)

cholesterol comes from saturated fat. Hardly any of your body's cholesterol actually comes from cholesterol you've consumed. CHolesterol is a product your body makes from the saturated fats you consume. Now think about the fact that animal products are where just about all saturated fats come from. In fact, there are very few plant-foods with saturated fats in them period. (avocados, coconuts... that's all I can think of, but there are some more)

HDLs are made the more you excercise. It's about the only way to naturally gain HDL points. Some studies have been done to show that Niacin (a B vitamin) aids this as well as a daily glass of red wine. Sorry though, I don't have links.

My doctor is always impressed with my levels. My total cholesterol at last reading was 153. LDLs were 115 and my HDLs were 38. HDL is actually low, but is not a concern given the ratio, and the overall LOW level of cholesterol.

I attribute that to the fact that I prefer whole grains, eat no meat, and exercise a couple times a week, but am otherwise very active. (a brisk walker, a tidy house, a full day, etc. etc.)

I say get the whole family involved. Make very little meat, go for daily walks or something. I dunno what would actually work well for you and him, but I'd think that making him not alone in his efforts will help get him motivated, and the whole family would benefit anyway.

Put him on a program where he has to try one veggie a week or somthing. Once you find one he likes, have it cut up in the fridge at eye level. Keep fruits washed, make some low-fat (esp saturated fat) dips for veggies if need be. Make salsa and get baked chips. Salsa is definitely a veggie, belive it or not. :) Move the cheese and any snack meats to somewhere inconvenient. Put all kinds of healthy choices where they are easy to get at and will grab his attention (kind of like when grocery stores put the kids cereal at shopping cart level). and make sure they are pre-prepared so there's no fuss involved to get in the way of him eating it.

I know this post was in ramble format, hope some of it helps anyway. :)

I actually have that book, somewhere. I have rooms of books. :) Another recommended on an email list was _Nourishing Traditions_. So I am looking into that too. I am also investigating the "cholesterol myth" sites as well. I am waiting for results on myself. But, the whole family needs to get moving. So, that is probably the best first step.

DH says he can't live without meat. But, we eat healthier meat that most. We do not eat beef but eat venison. We eat chicken and just got some fish to eat (whole case). I am attempting to use less and less. 1/2 lb here instead of a whole lb, 1/2 and 1/2 venison and TVP, etc. The hardest part is lunches. He is on the road and prefers hot meals, not sandwiches. Maybe I just need to get down a "to die for" bread. Then maybe sandwiches wouldn't be so bad.

Thanks all.

some more info here: http://www.amitymama.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=150529&highlight=cholesterol

Another NT fan here :thumbsup:

Strange that this post just started. My dh just had his physical last week. He is 31, a closet smoker, and his total cholesterol was 252!!!!!!!!!
Yikes, he got the jolt from me! He totally is a horrible eater, and buys the exact opposite of everthing I do at the grocery store. He is saying he is willing to give "the health stuff" a try!
Karen

One thing I think someone here expressed, is it is not necessarily the total number. The ratio between good and bad is more important. Also, many "experts" are expressing that the medical establishments view of what is dangerous in terms of numbers may not be right. There is such conflicting information. Sugar seems to be as bad or worse than fat or cholesterol intake. But, I am still researching. I plan to go and buy _Nourishing Traditions_ immediately.

I just bought the book yesterday and it sounds like it would be right up your guy's alley. It was designed by a cardiologist who wasn't happy with the effect of the low fat/low animal product diet on his patient's heart health. He did some research and found that cutting out bad carbs (white flour, sugar, potatoes, etc) and sticking to more low fat animal products (lean cuts of meat, low fat dairy, etc) had a much better impact on his patient's heart health and was much easier to stick with. Even if dh doesn't want to do the whole diet, you could still incorporate the ideas into his food. I highly recommend it.

Cary

My DH doesn't like to eat veggies either. I had a long talk with him about being a good example for our children before we had any.

So we made a commitment and started out slow. 1 Veg once a day with dinner. Then after enough time passed that he would forget the exact wording I commented one day that we had been cheeting because our agreement was 1 green veg and 1 other veg of his choice with dinner. Then I used the oh you forgot the agreement again thing and put in the specific that salads did not count as a green veggi but could count as other (he started putting salad as his green and honey carrots as the other making the veg a sweet which was not the goal)

We now eat dinner with 2 vegs and I am starting to sneek veggis which do not fit into the french fry, chip, or onion ring groups in at lunch.

I also got him off soda by buying him juice boxes. Its more expensive but worth it. Instead of his chicken fast food buscuit in the morning I buy him granola bars. Currently the fun peanutbutter and chocolate kind but in time I will sub for more healthy.

I guess this is the first time I am thankful my DH is forgetfull.

Good luck
julie