I guess you could say I have a love-hate relationship with my cholesterol. A few years ago when I tested for high levels I told my doc that I'd eat right and exercise to correct it. I really didn't want to go on any medication. Well after two solid months of exercise (consisting of 30 minutes on a stationary bike every day), taking two Centrum Cardio multivitamins daily, and eating healthy - nothing but tuna fish, spinach, carrots, almonds, and so many other ultra-healthy things I actually lost weight (added bonus) and my cholesterol dropped to healthy levels.
Well that was years ago. Since then I've not been able to continue the exercise regimen (hard to find the time to fit it in my schedule nowadays) and my eating habits - well lets say they leave much to be desired.
So now after another cholesterol check my doctor finds my levels up again - now at 210! I wasn't even going to both suggesting I exercise and blah blah because I knew that wouldn't last. M doctor put me on a medication named simvistatin. After two months my cholesterol levels dropped to a healthy level...it went from 210 down to 120! WOW! My doctor said that any risk of stroke was now completely gone. Very nice. Of course my blood pressure - well, that's another story.
But cholesterol problems it turns out aren't so uncommon for us. According to the CDC, about one in every six adults—16.3% of the U.S. adult population—has high total cholesterol. The level defined as high total cholesterol is 240 mg/dL and above.
Also people with high total cholesterol have twice the risk of heart disease as people with optimal levels. A desirable level is defined as lower than 200 mg/dL.
And continuing on - for adult Americans the average level is about 200 mg/dL, which is borderline high risk.
Oh boy. Lots of people at risk - I'm not alone. We're not alone. But what can you do if you have this problem?
There are alot of resources. Explore these links and learn more for yourself. And of course - always check with your doctor for the best course of action. What works for one person may not be best for someone else - our bodies are all different. But hopefully if you have high cholesterol - something here may help point you in the right direction.
Information:
http://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/facts.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cholesterol.html
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/What-Your-Cholesterol-Levels-Mean_UCM_305562_Article.jsp
Medication / Pharmeceuticals:
http://www.lipitor.com/
http://www.simcortablets.com/
http://www.crestor.com/c/home.aspx
http://www.lescolxl.com/index.jsp
Corowise:
http://www.corowise.com/
Centrum Cardio (my favorite - I still take it every day):
http://www.centrum.com/ourproducts/cardio.aspx
