Colesterol and statins

[bobinski]

Hi Bob, ive been on statins for 6-7 years. They do lower cholesterol, buts it more complicated than that. There are different types of cholesterol, HDL, LDL. LDL being classed not so good as HDL. But its not as clear, because triglycerides play a part aswell as ratios of HDL to total cholesterol.

Did you get a full cholesterol test or just total value?

Side effects for me were slight leg cramps.

As you probably know ive changed my diet and eating pattern- fasting. This has had a major influence on my bloods. My triglycerides are extremely low. Triglycerides help transport cholesterol around the body.

Even though I eat lots of saturated fats, my cholesterol is just above normal. I'll be retesting again in 3 months to see which way my cholesterol is heading.

Hi Andy,

yes, I have followed your other posts.

I only have total value so far.

I am not adverse to fasting. I am also intrigued by Cathryns post. i Am waiting fora gp appointment to discuss the results and will ask for further blood tests then and either fast or perhaps modify my diet before I go and see if either impacts the results.

 

[Drago]

Jeez Bob, thats a helluva range. Mine is typically in the 40's when Im asleep, but can dip into the 30's, but to get to 160 id have to be busting my huts with effort

Hope it gets properly sorted matey.

 

[ColinJ]

Jeez Bob, thats a helluva range. Mine is typically in the 40's when Im asleep, but can dip into the 30's, but to get to 160 id have to be busting my huts with effort

Mine used to be 34 bpm when lying down and relaxing, and I once saw 198 bpm when climbing a 25% ramp into a headwind. My low is more mid-50s nowadays. I daren't push hard enough to find out what the maximum is now, but I reckon it would still be close to 180 bpm.

 

[CXRAndy]

How are you fasting? I’m always curious and how does it work alongside an active lifestyle? I get so hungry!

I generally have either 1 meal a day or two meals a day. I stopped having breakfast. I try to eat in small window of 4 hours down to 1 hour per day.

Ive reduced my carbohydrates to a low level less than 75 grams per day, so my body has adapted to body fat fuelling.

ITS THE CARBOHYDRATES THAT DRIVE HUNGER. Carbs are basically sugar, which are addictive. You dont need carbs to live, actually you can live perfectly on zero carbs. Howver some vegetables have fibrous carbs, which are fine to consume, as they form a small portion of their volume

I dont feel hungry throughout the day. What I do eat is lots of leafy vegetables, fish, meats, saturated fats, nuts, olive oils, butter etc.

Steer clear of any low fat foods or processed foods loaded with sugars

Intermittent fasting has other benefits too other than fat fuelling. You can control weight loss, body has long periods of low glucose/ insulin levels helping reverse insulin resistance, pre diabetes (I have) and diabetes. There are improvements in tiredness issues and autophagy benefits.

I watched quite a few videos by Dr Jason Fung and Dr Ekberg aswell as reading quite a few diabetic sites also nutritional specialists.

Noticeable effect is I feel hardly tired, no hunger concerns and easy weight control lost (30lbs in 2 months).

I can train weights and cycle for 2.5hours in a fasted state and not feel knackered.

 

[slowmotion]

Why not just take the drugs and eat what you want?

 

[PaulSB]

Jeez Bob, thats a helluva range. Mine is typically in the 40's when Im asleep, but can dip into the 30's, but to get to 160 id have to be busting my huts with effort

Hope it gets properly sorted matey.

It's a wide range but may not be unusual though @bobinski doesn't say when he hits 166.

I've a low HR, I've just taken it at 42 and I know it dips below 40 when I'm asleep. On Saturday my average HR was 114 on a 72 mile ride but I did ride at 150/160 on a couple of sharp inclines.

I've always understood the rate at which one's HR drops after exertion or exercise is the important number. Typically mine drops 30bpm.

 

[Drago]

I generally have either 1 meal a day or two meals a day. I stopped having breakfast. I try to eat in small window of 4 hours down to 1 hour per day.

Ive reduced my carbohydrates to a low level less than 75 grams per day, so my body has adapted to body fat fuelling.

ITS THE CARBOHYDRATES THAT DRIVE HUNGER. Carbs are basically sugar, which are addictive. You dont need carbs to live, actually you can live perfectly on zero carbs. Howver some vegetables have fibrous carbs, which are fine to consume, as they form a small portion of their volume

I dont feel hungry throughout the day. What I do eat is lots of leafy vegetables, fish, meats, saturated fats, nuts, olive oils, butter etc.

Steer clear of any low fat foods or processed foods loaded with sugars

Intermittent fasting has other benefits too other than fat fuelling. You can control weight loss, body has long periods of low glucose/ insulin levels helping reverse insulin resistance, pre diabetes (I have) and diabetes. There are improvements in tiredness issues and autophagy benefits.

I watched quite a few videos by Dr Jason Fung and Dr Ekberg aswell as reading quite a few diabetic sites also nutritional specialists.

Noticeable effect is I feel hardly tired, no hunger concerns and easy weight control lost (30lbs in 2 months).

I can train weights and cycle for 2.5hours in a fasted state and not feel knackered.

Interesting.

Im prone to prone to porking a bit, so need to watch my intake. It diesn't help that I still lift and do protein shakes etxpc, so as well as the scales I weekly resport to the tape measure to keep a true tab on my bodily dimension.

Very light oats breakfast with OJ, very light lunch of a single wrap with some veggies, and a regular meal in the evening but with portion size regulated by Mrs D controls my weight very well. Occasional light snacks during the day of unsalted peanuts, protein shakes 5 days a week before workouts.

I don't feel hungry because im eating relatively normally, and most certainly don't risk weight problems by tripping my brain into starvation mode and actually putting on weight as some do when the various fasting regimes don't suit their physiology.

These "fasting" things do indeed work for many, but in the excitement people have forgotten that a relatively normal diet but with rigidly controlled ingredients and volumes is equally effective.

 

[bobinski]

It's a wide range but may not be unusual though @bobinski doesn't say when he hits 166.

I've a low HR, I've just taken it at 42 and I know it dips below 40 when I'm asleep. On Saturday my average HR was 114 on a 72 mile ride but I did ride at 150/160 on a couple of sharp inclines.

I've always understood the rate at which one's HR drops after exertion or exercise is the important number. Typically mine drops 30bpm.

The 166 was at the pointy end of a zwift ride with a tough climb. If racing it will go into the 170’s. Cruising in the 110-120 range. And yes, I always monitor the rate of HR drop and am now looking to understand and monitor heart rate variability with my watch.

 

[bobinski]

Why not just take the drugs and eat what you want?

😀 I am just exploring the experience of this group of relatively fit cyclists to see if there are any alternatives. As I have said already I tend to trust science on medical matters but will avoid medication unless necessary.

 

[yello]

As I have said already I tend to trust science on medical matters but will avoid medication unless necessary.

I am, or have been, of the same attitude. Of course, we all will have our own definitions of "necessary" and that's cool.

I've never wanted to take anything unless it was absolutely necessary. Even paracetamol or ibuprofen for aches and pains. There was nothing heroic in my motivation either, I don't think it builds character to suffer or anything daft like that. I just preferred not to dick around with my body's (unique) chemical make up.

My doctor, 12 or so years ago, persuaded me into taking my blood pressure meds with a graphic description (eye balls bursting) and I've since seen the wisdom in his advice. Took a few goes to find the right pill though. The case for statins (when they were first mentioned to me maybe 5 years ago) was less clear cut and I declined them then because, as I said up-thread, my cholesterol level was borderline at worst. There was no argument from my doctor either, and I learnt something from that.

We have the choice to take or not to take, and it's worth remembering that. You are in charge of your own health. And I think that's as it should be. Listen to the learned advice, inform yourself a little if you feel like it, but consider yourself to be the decision maker. Even if you decide to agree with every bit of advice from your doctor!

 

[Dogtrousers]

On 20mg atorvastatin following a TIA (mini stroke). No side effects.

 

[bobinski]

I am, or have been, of the same attitude. Of course, we all will have our own definitions of "necessary" and that's cool.

I've never wanted to take anything unless it was absolutely necessary. Even paracetamol or ibuprofen for aches and pains. There was nothing heroic in my motivation either, I don't think it builds character to suffer or anything daft like that. I just preferred not to dick around with my body's (unique) chemical make up.

My doctor, 12 or so years ago, persuaded me into taking my blood pressure meds with a graphic description (eye balls bursting) and I've since seen the wisdom in his advice. Took a few goes to find the right pill though. The case for statins (when they were first mentioned to me maybe 5 years ago) was less clear cut and I declined them then because, as I said up-thread, my cholesterol level was borderline at worst. There was no argument from my doctor either, and I learnt something from that.

We have the choice to take or not to take, and it's worth remembering that. You are in charge of your own health. And I think that's as it should be. Listen to the learned advice, inform yourself a little if you feel like it, but consider yourself to be the decision maker. Even if you decide to agree with every bit of advice from your doctor!

An example is ibuprofen. I would prefer not to take it. But I have no ACL in my right knee and had meniscus and cyst surgery 2y ago. My knee is wobbly, I have worked on muscle strength or support but the knee will often flare up And become a bit reluctant to work. I find Low power spinning on the bike often sorts this but if not I use ibuprofen to deal with the discomfort and pain so I can ride. I do so at the necessary tipping point so I get to ride and also to race on Zwift.

 

[fossyant]

Worth trying the diet, but also check family history as it's genetic - like mine is. Plenty of others here with good diets, exercise, and higher than ideal cholesterol. Also lockdown didn't help anyone - certainly more diagnoses of Type 2 being found.

 

[Norry1]

Hi Bob - I take Simvastatin and Ramipril (blood pressure) following a TIA 15 years ago. I was overweight and unfit at the time. As you know, I am reasonably fit now and a decent weight and I often wonder if I still need to take the drugs. My doctor says he suggests I do unless I am experiencing any side effects. I don't think I am, so I carry on taking them. My cholesterol sits around 5 but as others have said, it is more the good/bad cholesterol ratio that is important.

I reckon the doctors are scared to say, yes stop taking them, just in case something goes wrong.

 

[vickster]

An example is ibuprofen. I would prefer not to take it. But I have no ACL in my right knee and had meniscus and cyst surgery 2y ago. My knee is wobbly, I have worked on muscle strength or support but the knee will often flare up And become a bit reluctant to work. I find Low power spinning on the bike often sorts this but if not I use ibuprofen to deal with the discomfort and pain so I can ride. I do so at the necessary tipping point so I get to ride and also to race on Zwift.

Why not get the ACL reconstructed, much easier than repairing the cartilage that you may well be damaging having an unstable knee and presumably missing meniscus. Once articular cartilage is damaged to any extent, it's nigh on impossible to repair (other than with bits of or a whole new knee!) All assuming your cartilage isn't wrecked already of course!

If taking ibuprofen regularly, get yourself a prescription of omeprazole to prevent damaging your GI tract