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lowering cholesterol with UC - ideas needed

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Posted 8/18/2007 5:13 PM (GMT -6)
Has anyone successfully lowered their cholesterol through diet and exercise while controlling their UC? Right now my UC is for the most part under control. However, I still do not handle fresh fruits and veggies well (my body responds with cramping, gas, mucous). And I'm lactose intolerant and I've found that most whole grain "healthy" bread contains milk products. I usually take lactaid to control it, but I seriously cannot see myself popping lactaid that often along with my UC pills. I do get calcium through lactose free milk and soy yogurt. I guess I just really need ideas (and to vent)! I just hate that I know have to try and control just one more thing. I hate that I used to be a fairly healthy person and now I have so many health things to deal with. The doctors have said that it is just "elevated" not "high". But I want to get this under control now. Does anyone think the SCD would help? Thanks!
Posted 8/18/2007 11:40 PM (GMT -6)
Hi, I am trying to lower my cholestrol too. My Dr. told me about a natural substance called polycosanol, that is having good results. It is a wax from sugar cane. She read about it in a newsletter that she recieves from a cardioligist at out big heart hospital in KC. This doctor is a runner and he takes it himself. My doctor wanted to put me on meds for it but I told her no. That is when she said I could try this for 3 months and then get retested. I get it at the health food store, and take one at night. The bottle I take suggest that since it acts on the same pathway as the prescription drugs, it has the same potential to lower your CoQ10 enzyme, so you should take some CoQ10 daily also. CoQ10 is for your heart health. I have been on polycosanol a month and a half and feel fine. I hope it words to lower my fats. My dad takes the prescription Zocor for his cholestrol, and has horrible muscle cramps and other side effects from it.
Hopeso
Posted 8/19/2007 6:04 AM (GMT -6)
Can you tolerate oatmeal? Supposed to be heart healthy.

I eat oatmeal, and it doesn't increase gas or cause constipation.

For dinnertime, have you tried eating boiled greens like Swiss Chard or Collard Greens? Both are high in fiber and vitamins.
Posted 8/19/2007 6:55 AM (GMT -6)

stm177 said...
Can you tolerate oatmeal? Supposed to be heart healthy.

I eat oatmeal, and it doesn't increase gas or cause constipation.

Agree with the oatmeal thing.  Also exercise helps!  A couple of years back I took my # from 220+ to 185 ish.  Also quit eating a lot of fried crap and red meat.
Posted 8/19/2007 10:24 AM (GMT -6)

Prescription statin drugs, which are used to lower cholesterol, are actually antifungal drugs. Have you asked your doctor about trying natural antifungal supplements such as caprylic acid? I know my sister and husband both had their cholesterol levels significantly reduced after following a lo-carb diet, so maybe you could try something like that for a period of time, kinda as an experiment to see if you get positive results. Then you'll know further if that is something to continue, or not. I have been reading on the diabetes forum that those on a low-sugar/grain diet (lo-carb) have also noticed cholesterol levels coming down. I personally believe there is something to the fungus link to it. I have read that fungi make triglycerides and in turn sterols....the last 6 letters in cholesterol!Good luck.........

Kim

Posted 8/19/2007 12:43 PM (GMT -6)
Hi...have you had liver enzyme tests as well? Are they elevated?
High cholesterol could be early signs of UC-related liver problems.

q
Posted 8/19/2007 4:41 PM (GMT -6)

quincy said...
Hi...have you had liver enzyme tests as well? Are they elevated?
High cholesterol could be early signs of UC-related liver problems.

q

Wow, I never knew that!
I have high cholesterol also, I don't think I've ever had my liver enzymes tested. I'll have to find out! Do they test them when you get a comprehensive metabolic panel??
Posted 8/19/2007 10:29 PM (GMT -6)
it seems they are all included.

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cmp/cmp.html

q

Posted 8/20/2007 6:58 AM (GMT -6)
Ah, well then I suppose I'm fine in that area!
Posted 8/21/2007 12:51 PM (GMT -6)
A low carb diet, similar to the SCD, made a huge difference for me. My cholesterol was high when I ate a diet high in carbs and sugar. Now, it's low on a diet of lean meats - chicken, turkey, lean ground beef, fish - eggs, nuts, veggies and some fruit; no grains, no dairy. Last time I had it checked, the lab tech said, "Whatever you're doing... keep doing it!"

Well-cooked veggies and fruits are easier on an impaired digestion because the fiber matrix is broken down. They should be peeled, too. I rarely eat anything raw.
Posted 8/21/2007 5:40 PM (GMT -6)
I gave up red meat entirely for 3 mos. (April - July) at my dr.'s suggestion in an attempt to lower my cholesterol. It worked! My good numbers went up and my bad numbers went down! I've reintroduced it slowly back into my diet but very rarely and always eat the leanest cuts of beef possible.
Good luck!!

Stacey
dx w/UC (pancolitis) March '06
Colazal 750 mg x 9 capsules daily
now on Prednisone, 25 mg. daily
just started 6-MP last week (50 mg. daily)
Rowasa enema nightly, Probiotics (Primadophilus Reuteri)
dx w/Type 2 Diabetes Nov. 2002
Metformin 500 mg. x 2 daily,Caduet 5/10 mg. daily, Micardis 80 mg. daily, multivitamin + calcium daily and one baby aspirin, CinndromeX (4 daily)
Posted 8/28/2007 2:03 PM (GMT -6)

quincy said...
Hi...have you had liver enzyme tests as well? Are they elevated?
High cholesterol could be early signs of UC-related liver problems.

q

Quincy,

I am so glad I found this post.  I have not been on the board for a while, so I am trying to play catch up.  I have posted before (although a while back) about having increased liver enzymes.  My doc took me off ALL meds and my enazymes went back to normal.  He switched my UC med from Asacol to Colozal, and now 6 months later my enzymes are back up again.  I have also been dealing with high cholesterol that seems to not come down, no matter how well I eat or how much I exercise.  Maybe there is something to this for me.........do you know of any other resources I can check further about this?

Posted 8/28/2007 2:33 PM (GMT -6)
Hi..I know 5ASA (and other UC meds can cause a rise in liver enzymes..and maybe the cholesterol in conjunction.

If your cholesterol isn't extremely high, it might just be the meds.

Food changes or certain supplements might help. Niacin is one supplement that has been suggested for cholesterol..maybe that could be of help for you.

What has your doc suggested?

q
Posted 8/28/2007 8:15 PM (GMT -6)
Primadophilus Reuteri made by natures way lowers cholesterol...I had very high cholesterol and was even taking oral RX for it, now my cholesterol is fine and all I take is the probiotic.

:)
Posted 9/2/2007 6:45 AM (GMT -6)

My cholesterol has always been very high. Last August, before I had problems with UC, my cholesterol was 244 which is the lowest it had been in years. I was trying to control it with a high fiber, low fat diet and was making progress. Then I was diagnosed with UC and I couldn't eat all that fiber anymore so I wasn't sure how I was going to control it.

Three months ago, I went to see a physician who is into holistic medicine. He emphasizes diet and supplements. I wasn't sure about his approach, but was willing to give it a shot since I was feeling so poorly. When I went back for my follow-up we did blood tests to compare some inflammation markers that he tested my first visit and I also asked that he test my cholesterol. Both things improved dramatically - inflammation markers are now in ideal range and my cholesterol dropped to 170.

I attribute the drop in cholesterol mainly due to the fish oil that I'm taking - 1 Tbsp, 4 times a day.

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