[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Mr Flopnuts

I'm sure you've gotten lots of good advice here just scanning the first page. That said, to put it in perspective for you, when I weighed in at 430lbs back in January my cholesterol was 135. It's now down to about 110. I hope you're able to lick it, it's the silent killer.

This just proves what my doctor has told me since last year: 90% of the time, it's not about diet, it's about your genes.

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Personally, I'd suggest seeing your doctor and taking the prescribed medication. You have a history of heart disease in your family and without proper medication, you may follow their path.

Cholesterol is created by the liver. While unhealthy eating habits can contribute to high cholesterol levels, more than 90% of those with high cholesterol have a genetic issue, not an dietary issue.

Cholesterol is created by the liver. If your body at age 28 is creating too much cholesterol (240 - danger zone), just imagine how much your liver will be creating as you age.

I had my cholesterol measured at age forty during a life insurance physical. It was 195 (on the high side). I had been eating hard-boiled eggs after each workout and attributed it to the egss (one egg has more cholesterol than is recommended each day). A year later, I had a full physical and my cholesterol measured over 300! The doctor and the nurses were astounded, saying that with my body type and body fat (very athletic), they thought it would be around 190. So I re-tested on week later and after eating only organic berry smoothies and low-sodium and low-cholesterol soup, my cholesterol was STILL 300. My doctor explained to me that he's had 350 pound people in with a cholesterol level of 160 and a 160 pound person in with a level of 300. It's genetics, though diet can help.

I went on Simvastatin (Zocor 20mg) and after 5 months, it's back down to 206. I'll be re-tested in June but I can happily say that I've felt no side effects, whatsoever.

IF you're planning to avoid medication and try to deal with your cholesterol through dieting, keep in mind that you're going to have to be extremely disciplined and even in doing so, your levels may not drop a point. Additionally, if you're going to avoid medication, my advice would be to get checked every year. You dont want it to sky-rocket and go unchecked, as with your family history, it may lead to serious implications.