Cholesterol

[John Anthony]

The usual disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, not offering medical advice, and as always YMMV.

Like many of you, I've had some issues with cholesterol over the years. Total cholesterol was 216 and my ratio of HDL (the good stuff) to total cholesterol was 7.4. LDL (the bad stuff) was in the low 140's. Yech!!

About two years ago, my doctor suggested we try Niacin as a way to get things back in line. I take one gram twice a day. The results have been pretty spectacular.

Total cholesterol is now down to 82, which is about 20% below the low end of the normal range. LDL is now down to 39, a 75% or so reduction from my old levels! My HDL/total cholesterol has dropped from 7.4 to 2.6 and my triglycerides are down from 224 to 60.

My doctor tells me that my numbers are now in the range of a teenager (wish my weight was what it was when I was in my teens!!) and he's keeping me on this program as it's his belief that we're in the range where I'm now starting to possibly reverse normal damage to the heart.

If you've struggled with managing your cholesterol in the past (there is only so much oatmeal one can eat), you may want to discuss the Niacin option with your doctor.

John

[Horst]

well, we're mostly male here, mostly 40+ sooo ....

my numbers are fairly low but my ratio is about 4 because the good stuff is too low :( and not much I can do about that.

so I watch my food intake very carefully, getting lots of fibre and not much fat ... it works. It's amazing how healthy you can eat when you simply cut out all junk food and prepared food ... eat fresh meats, fresh veggies and fresh fruit ... why not ?

:)

[MrClean]

I did the same , mine went from 247 to 135 in 3 months , using the non flush .


The usual disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, not offering medical advice, and as always YMMV.

Like many of you, I've had some issues with cholesterol over the years. Total cholesterol was 216 and my ratio of HDL (the good stuff) to total cholesterol was 7.4. LDL (the bad stuff) was in the low 140's. Yech!!

About two years ago, my doctor suggested we try Niacin as a way to get things back in line. I take one gram twice a day. The results have been pretty spectacular.

Total cholesterol is now down to 82, which is about 20% below the low end of the normal range. LDL is now down to 39, a 75% or so reduction from my old levels! My HDL/total cholesterol has dropped from 7.4 to 2.6 and my triglycerides are down from 224 to 60.

My doctor tells me that my numbers are now in the range of a teenager (wish my weight was what it was when I was in my teens!!) and he's keeping me on this program as it's his belief that we're in the range where I'm now starting to possibly reverse normal damage to the heart.

If you've struggled with managing your cholesterol in the past (there is only so much oatmeal one can eat), you may want to discuss the Niacin option with your doctor.

John

[Sink]

I use BACON to control my cholesterol! Works great! Anyone need some extra???? Cholesterol that is....

[NCrider]

Last time I had my checked it was 76, and the doctor said it still wasn't good enough because my good to bad ratio was off. Kinda frustrating.

[DixieFlyer]

Been on a regimen of Advicor for about 3 years. Advicor is a combination of lovastatin & niacin. Has given me good control of cholesterol levels, but one caveat. Directions call for taking an aspirin just prior to the advicor tablet at bedtime. Never one to read instructions, I skipped the aspirin part. For the first week or two just after taking the tablet and laying down to sleep, I felt like someone had lit me on fire- red hot night sweats. My wife told me I was having sympathetic hot flashes with her. LOL Anyhoo I called the Dr and he advised reading the directions. Flushing/hot flashes stopped and now all is hunky dory. Losing weight and improving diet would have probably had the same effect, but that's not the cowboy way. My dad is 91 and going strong, so hopefully I received a couple of his good genes. LOL

[Snoweyowl]

My total cholesterol used to be 299. Wish niacin had worked for me. Doctor had me try them & diet. Lost weight but not much change in cholesterol. Didn't need to lose weight I was only 145lbs. Don't like to take medications if I can possibly help it. Now I take Lipator and eat pretty much what I want. Total is now 145 and ratios very good.

[John Anthony]

My HDL numbers have changed relatively little. The significant drop in my LDL is what brought my ratio way down. I don't have the will power for diet alone. Too many chorizo and hot link sausages have my name on them!

John

[Imrubicon]

My number was 144 but they said since it was low I didnt have to worry too much about the bad .
I dont think they really know at this stage

[Sink]

OK, my mother's total was over 600. She has had her heart checked many times and it is clean. The Dr. told her to not tell anybody that her cholesterol is that high and her heart is clean. It depends on your body and how it uses it.

[sherob]

I ride the same engine CC size of my cholesterol :eek:

[ligito]

I ride the same engine CC size of my cholesterol :eek:

A 125?:D :04biker:

[ligito]

As of 1-10-06

My RLB Cholesterol is 230
Fasting Triglycerides 140
HDL CHOL 40
LDL Chol 162
Chol/HDL 5.8

Doctor said to try to watch my diet.

I have just cut my diet down, in the last month and a half.
No fast food, only the slow stuff that falls out of a can.

I can't get another health appraisal until next year, so won't know until then, how well I'm doing.

[Horst]

c'mon you guys !

one of our own here died at 52 last year ... isn't that enough motivation ???

in the last few years more than a handful of friends passed away prematurely, and this really sucks.

I'm done with junk food ... it kills, man ... call me a modern day hippie if you want ... I'M GOING GRANOLA !!!

:biker:

[Elmo]

It's funny I should read this today. As of about 5 months ago, I now take one 20mg tablet of Lipitor daily. My total cholesterol was around 230, I believe. With the medication, it's now under control.

But, I also found out that my sugar was high. I got a couple articles off the internet and I'm convenienced that sugar is basically poison. Back in the early to mid 1900's, the average intake of sugar was around 7 lbs. per person, per year. Today, it is over 100 lbs.! I know, I know, it's a question of whether or not you believe what you read, but the articles were from different sources and they both had a lot of common information. I read a lot more about it, but too much to discuss here.

I've got a whole new outlook on sugar intake and I'm going to try and do something about it!

Here's to good health!



Elmo

[sherob]

It's funny I should read this today. As of about 5 months ago, I now take one 20mg tablet of Lipitor daily. My total cholesterol was around 230, I believe. With the medication, it's now under control.

But, I also found out that my sugar was high. I got a couple articles off the internet and I'm convenienced that sugar is basically poison. Back in the early to mid 1900's, the average intake of sugar was around 7 lbs. per person, per year. Today, it is over 100 lbs.! I know, I know, it's a question of whether or not you believe what you read, but the articles were from different sources and they both had a lot of common information. I read a lot more about it, but too much to discuss here.

I've got a whole new outlook on sugar intake and I'm going to try and do something about it!

Here's to good health!



Elmo


Your not crazy... they add sugar in everything now :( In an age that kids drink more soda, machines in the school too, it makes sense ;) Just look at the dietary info on any packaged food product... look at the "Total Sugars" and you'll see what I mean ;)

[George]

My HDL numbers have changed relatively little. The significant drop in my LDL is what brought my ratio way down. I don't have the will power for diet alone. Too many chorizo and hot link sausages have my name on them!

John

I like the sausages, too. Deba just whipped up a batch of Italian Sausage, red bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms in olive oil. Yummmmmmmmm.

Last time I had my ch checked, it was over 300, but my HDLs were high and ratio looked good. Doc didn't seem concerned. I'm due to go again, tho. Deba is making appointments.

[ChucksKLRST]

OK guys, Last summer I found out I had Coronary Artery Disease. Lucky I did not have a heart attack to find it out . Received a Coronary Stint. 90% blockage in the Artery. My Total Cholesterol was 202, HDL was 35 and LDL was 144 TC/HDL 5.8 Triglyceride 114. Really not too bad for a 56 year old. Bad enough to cause Coronary Blockage. I am now on Lopressor 50mg daily, Zocor 40 mg Daily and Plavix 75 mg daily. Today the new lab results are Total cholesterol 146, HDL 36, LDL 88 TC/HDL 4.1 Triglycerides 111. Doc said I will most likely be on Plavix for a very long time. Doc also told me NOT to ride Motorcycles. As my Son would say "Yea, Sure, Right, Fine Dad" It is no fun trying to remember to take the meds every day. And when I do ride I do think about what would happen if I fell down. A Risk I am willing to take now. Maybe not later. I do still have light bouts with Angina from time to time. By the way I never smoked in my life and was a very light beer drinker.

Start taking better care of your selves. I still have a bunch of miles to ride before I check out.

[MrClean]

http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=16162

This works as well

[RibsST1300]

I was over 300 ch and 300 triglicerides..
Zocor fixed it.

[George]

Chuck, glad ya found it before it got worse.

IIRC, my HDLs were in the mid/hi 70s. Doc said it was among the highest he'd ever seen.

Never had an artery screen. If it's good, they might lie and tell me I need a stint anyway. :^)

[STumpy]

My Chol count used to be about 399. Now it averages in the 160's. I take Lipitor which does the major amount of work. My Dr also prescribed pharmaceutical Niacin. Dont ask, I have no idea what the difference is between a prescriptive niacin and over the counter stuff.

HOWEVER if you are DIABETIC the NIACIN will INCREASE your sugar levels. It aint much, but something to watch out for if you decide to take Niacin and have diabetes.

Another GOOD SOURCE recommended by most Drs to lower cholesterol is Omega 3. However not all fish oil are the same. Make sure you purchase fish oil that is 99% pure. There are a couple of Internet Suppliers who do provide a certified 99% pure oil.

Omega 3 has other benefits, but dont expect immediate changes with cholesterol. I have been on Omega 3 for about 1 year before I noticed a slight lowering of my cholesterol in addition to the Niacin and Lipitor.

:)

[John Anthony]

Now that I'm mostly retired, one of the things I'm trying to do is to get more exercise. I'm a fan of "24", so I'll grab one of the DVDs and head for the exercycle at least 3 times a week. Two episodes runs about 85 minutes or so and I can work up a pretty good pit during that time. (The high energy scenes cause me to cycle faster!!). I'll follow that up with two grapefruit. Good way to start the day.

Since my wife and #1 daughter are dieting (for no good reason that I can think of, but then, that's another thread) so I'm also trying to fix more healthy dinners as well. Fish a couple of times a week.

John

[George]

I had a serious exercise event yesterday! As I was erecting a 4'x8' sign, on 8' 4"x4" posts, a dust devil descended and...

Knocked the sign over! At the same instant, a receipt for the materials was sucked out'a my shirt pocket and headed straight north! The sign was already on the ground, so I took out after the receipt.

Now, keep in mind I used to be on the AT&T corporate track team. I haven't run much lately, but I used to be FAST! (The older I get, the faster I was. ;^)

I chased that sucker at full tilt for a 1/4 mile, finally caught it in the middle of a busy east-west 4-lane (without getting run over.) I was BREATHING HARD as I walked back to finish erecting the sign. No heart attack, tho.

All this after digging two 18 inch deep holes, in calechee and granite infested packed dirt. Also, there was NO WIND while digging the holes. It didn't arrive until the sign was vertical. Go figure??!! ;^)

[Gug]

My cholesterol or I should say my bad cholesterol isn't bad. It's the good (HDL I believe) that hovers around 20 that my Dr. is concerned with. Over the Christmas holiday I was diagnosed with diabetes as well. Inherited both from my mother, she has the same issues. Have been on a diabetic diet (more a lifestyle change) since then and have lost about 24 lbs. Looking to lose about 20 more and put me in the 210 range. About where I was when I quit smoking 15 years ago. The key is regular exercise seems to help most. I try to walk 2 miles daily and still punch a speed bag a few times a week. Fortunately none of this seems to have slowed me down. Nothing like something life threatening to bring you around or at least what you perceive as life threatening.

The niacin thing is interesting. I will mention it to the Doc and see what he says. Thanks for the feedback folks.

[BamaRider]

Chuck- how come the doc didn't want ya to ride?

I'm not a doctor but have been physically active for 25 years. My numbers are more then good for a 51 year old.

I was reading some of y'alls posts, and it seems to me alot of y'all are on medication for only slightly elevaed Chlo. Like I said, I'm no doctor, but if a guy has no other risks factors, like hypertension, family history, smoking, I dunno if there is a need to go med for a chol of 220? Perhaps just eat little better and move more and you're under 200 without medication, but alas that's the HARD way.

Now if I'm 78 and my chol is 230 I prolly ain't gonna lose any sleep, but at 55, I'm gonna take action. I've been on both ends of the spectrum (in shape/outta shape) and in shape makes EVERYTHING you do easier. From riding, to other "activities." I don't know if it will help me live longer, I think it will, but don't know for sure, but I do KNOW how it makes me feel TODAY.

Being able to have more time to train greatly influeced my decesion to retire, just as much as being able to ride more, I was making more money then I ever thought I would, but I wanted the best chance I could give myself not only for a long, fun riding career, but life as well. The effort you put it in everyday to get there is worth it.

[ChucksKLRST]

Chuck- how come the doc didn't want ya to ride?


Because of the blood thinners. Plavix 75 mg daily. I guess If I fall down I will bleed internally very easy. I guess he is concerned about that. I think the doc just has a bias against motorcycles. So I ride with caution and do not put my self in the situations that increase the risk of falling down or getting hit. I try to stay away from traffic and congestion when I ride.:03biker:

[Sink]

Let me get this right... you eat right, excercise and do nothing to put yourself in harms way, and you get to spend your later years in a NURSING HOME with all of your friends long gone???? AND you missed out on all that BACON in the mean time???? I dunno bout you, but I'm not sure it's worth it....
By the way, I do excersise 3 to 5 times a week and my numbers are in line. (and I don't really eat BACON everyday...)

[John Anthony]

We all take good care of our rides: change the oil when we should, make sure we're putting in the right fluids, checking tire pressure, all of that good stuff; so why not be just a bit more aware of our body's maintenance needs. I'm certainly not a fanatic about it (or I wouldn't have had those 2 chorizo sausages the other day), but I'm more aware of my weight and what I'm eating than I was a few years ago.

John

[STill Fiddlin]

Guess I should've skipped that egg and cheese kolache at the meeting I just left, but I can't stop myself. I'm going to look into niacin. My total has been hovering around 210 - doc fusses at me, and it went up some last time I gave blood. Maybe I should start to pay attention...

[StHerman]

for any on this forum that enjoy reading books on nutrition and health... consider "Eat Drink and be Healthy" by W. Willett from the Harvard school of medicine. He talks alot about cholesterol, bad fat, good fat(omega 3), diets, weight control, etc. All the stuff that 40+ people should know about and deal with - or take the risks. The real kick in the **ts for me was the fact that when we get to be 50-ish and have gained say 30 pounds since we were 30, most of us have also lost 10- 15 pounds of muscle as well, so we actually could have 45 pounds of extra fat on! ARRRGH! Nothing like a spring diet and exercise program..... i want to loose at least 30 pounds. Then I could fit the leathers I bought back in '87.
Herman

[Sink]

Guess I should've skipped that egg and cheese kolache at the meeting I just left, but I can't stop myself. I'm going to look into niacin. My total has been hovering around 210 - doc fusses at me, and it went up some last time I gave blood. Maybe I should start to pay attention...

HANG ON THERE MISTER... did you say EGG AND CHEESE KOLACHE????? I'm czech ya know, and I'm on my way! Can I maybe have some BACON on that??? Oh, and a diet soda pleeeeeze! Then I gotta go to the Y. Water aerobics at 1.

[tkresler]

HANG ON THERE MISTER... did you say EGG AND CHEESE KOLACHE????? I'm czech ya know, and I'm on my way! Can I maybe have some BACON on that??? Oh, and a diet soda pleeeeeze! Then I gotta go to the Y. Water aerobics at 1.

I think it's hilarious. I live in the burbs of Chicago, and the only Kolache's you'll find around here are sweet, not savory. Stuff like apricot, plum, cream cheese, that kind of thing. My parents have moved to Dallas. First time I was down there for a meeting and they provided sausage kolache, I almost fell over. Looked like a bagel dog to me.

By the way, my readings are great, my ratio is good, I'm 31, and my doctor still put me on fish oil capsules last year. He did it just because I have a family history of cholesterol problems. I like taking them, when you burp it tastes like sturgeon.

I've also pulled all the junk food and fast food out of my diet. I know it's harder to eat on the road, that kind of stuff, but its made me feel 1000% better. I also no longer drink soda of any kind. I still drink Beer, because you gotta live for something.

Be well everyone!

Tim

[ChucksKLRST]

Guess I should've skipped that egg and cheese kolache at the meeting I just left, but I can't stop myself. I'm going to look into niacin. My total has been hovering around 210 - doc fusses at me, and it went up some last time I gave blood. Maybe I should start to pay attention...



Yes Please

[Sink]

I think it's hilarious. I live in the burbs of Chicago, and the only Kolache's you'll find around here are sweet, not savory. Stuff like apricot, plum, cream cheese, that kind of thing. My parents have moved to Dallas. First time I was down there for a meeting and they provided sausage kolache, I almost fell over. Looked like a bagel dog to me.

Tim

Cottage chees and raisin is one of my favorites!

[STumpy]

Cottage chees and raisin is one of my favorites!

YUCK - GIVE ME PLUM and I am in heaven. :D

[motoman]

Boy, this is an old man's thread, ain't it? ;)

That being said, I am a life member of this group, post-stent, currently on Crestor, Zetia, Niacin, Plavix, and Thyroid (My pharmacist loves me!).

My numbers are down, but what I really need is synthetic HDL to clean out my existing arterial deposits. I hear sumpin' is in the works, hope it comes out before I croak.

I wonder what the correlation is between ST Ownership and High Cholesterol? Does the joy of owning an ST give you high cholesterol? Or does high cholesterol make you want to get a big Sport Tour bike like an ST? Is attraction to the V-4 really an unconscious symbol of the 4 chambers of the heart?

Inquiring Riders wanna know. ;)

:06biker:

[STill Fiddlin]

I wonder what the correlation is between ST Ownership and High Cholesterol? Does the joy of owning an ST give you high cholesterol? Or does high cholesterol make you want to get a big Sport Tour bike like an ST? Is attraction to the V-4 really an unconscious symbol of the 4 chambers of the heart? Stress from my job and a teenager (what was I thinking...) give me high cholesterol. The ST helps keep it down. If I'm gonna have a heart attack, it'll be when that deer jumps out in front of me (unless our daughter cleans her room first, unlikely); not sitting in front of the TV

[George]

If yur daughter won't clean her room threaten to clean it for her! ;^)

I had a JUMBO chili dog, with cheese 'n onions for lunch. It ain't the same as Skyline, but it'll do til I get back to Cincinnati in April.

Skyline STOC, Noon, April 20, 5th and Vine. Any takers?

[dmulk]

anyone get the hot flashes / itches with the Niacin / Niaspan?


Feels like a bad sunburn?


<D>

[MrClean]

anyone get the hot flashes / itches with the Niacin / Niaspan?


Feels like a bad sunburn?


<D>

Oh god yes.
I used to take 2 grams and boy did I flush

[dmulk]

I am supposed to take 2 grams, but even with 1 if I am dehidrated, I'll flush. So I have kept it at 1 gram and my numbers are really good now (combined with 20MG of Zocor).

Cheers,

<D>

[John Anthony]

anyone get the hot flashes / itches with the Niacin / Niaspan?


Feels like a bad sunburn?


<D>

Yep. The first brand caused this problem. Would last for about 10 min. or so. Felt like hot flashes and prickly skin. Switching to a different formula (slow release) did the trick.

John

[Horst]

"Start taking better care of your selves. I still have a bunch of miles to ride before I check out."

Amen to that !

ditto the excess sugar comments ... when you know there is a problem, you fix it ... taking a pill is a band-aid solution.

if you must take medication then of course you do it, but to keep on eating the same crap you've been eating when you know it's gonna kill you is, well ... not logical.

<Spok mode off>

:)

[CruisingDog]

Your not crazy... they add sugar in everything now :( In an age that kids drink more soda, machines in the school too, it makes sense ;) Just look at the dietary info on any packaged food product... look at the "Total Sugars" and you'll see what I mean ;)

The problem is not sucrose alone but also fructose. Actually to be more precise, high fructose corn syrup. Basically you can overload your body with sugar and this stuff is everywhere. Drink diet drinks regardless. You don't need those calories!! Even better, drink water or tea!!

[UNTMatt]

May have to look into that niacin thing.

Haven't had my numbers run in a while. Need to. Currently I eat...vast majority of mornings...a bowl of oatmeal enhanced with two tablespoons of ground flaxseed. A multivitamin and a 1200mg Omega-3 fish oil gelcap to finish it off. Would like to see if it's doing any good as I'm trying to stay off the pills.

[UNTMatt]

high fructose corn syrup.

You can thank our government for that...they subsidize the corn farmers encuraging them to grow more of that evil stuff. Now, it's killing us in our food, killing our cars, and killing our environment.

Any foods that spike your blood sugar content should be kept to a minimum.

[STeve Kelly]

You guys are lucky if you can take statin meds. My Dr had had me try a few and I react the same to them all. After a week or so I can hardly move my arms and legs because of the pain from these meds. Stop taking them and the pain goes away in a few days.

[John Anthony]

You guys are lucky if you can take statin meds. My Dr had had me try a few and I react the same to them all. After a week or so I can hardly move my arms and legs because of the pain from these meds. Stop taking them and the pain goes away in a few days.

That's one of the reasons I like this niacin option and am happy to have had such a positive reaction to it. The fewer drugs the better. My wife looked at the last lab results and now she's ready to jump on the wagon.

John

[Sink]

You can thank our government for that...they subsidize the corn farmers encuraging them to grow more of that evil stuff. Now, it's killing us in our food, killing our cars, and killing our environment.

Any foods that spike your blood sugar content should be kept to a minimum.

I believe the government has subsidized the farmers to keep them farming. A lot of the corn is going for ethenol right now. I will agreee that the high fructose corn syrup is one of the things that is killing us, but maybe the fact that we live longer than we did 50 or 100 years ago has something to do with it????? Just MAYBE?????

[STeve Kelly]

That's one of the reasons I like this niacin option and am happy to have had such a positive reaction to it. The fewer drugs the better. My wife looked at the last lab results and now she's ready to jump on the wagon.

John

Is this niacin something other than a statin? Did you need a prescription from your doctor?

[tkresler]

Niacin is just vitamin B. You can find out a ton about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niacin

On a related note, you can buy no or non flush Niacin. My doc and I talked about it on my last visit, but we decided not to start me on it yet. If I called him and asked, he'd say "go ahead". I decided there were enough side effects that I didn't feel like messing with it.

I take the Omega3 fish oil pills, a multi vitamin, and that's about it. I avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup like the plague, also Trans Fats and anything diet, like diet soda. I REFUSE to drink diet soda, and I pretty much avoid all diet anything. I figure if I want something like ice cream, it's way better for me to just have a small amount of it as opposed to eating an entire gallon of low fat / diet stuff and gorging myself.

Tim

[Danny C]

Sadly cholesterol is very much a genetic condition.
I haved worked out on a very regular basis since I was about 18 either running or weight training and cardio in the gym. Used to run marathons. Have never smoked a cigarette in my life. Weight always in very good range. Heathier eater by today's standards. 6 1/2 years ago at the age of 46 while doing some easy running on a treadmill I felt a funny feeling in my chest. Got off. Everything fine. A few days later, same thing. Long story short. Two blocked arteries. One double bypass and an angioplasty later, things seem ok. Used to take Lipitor, now take Crestor. Also have high blood pressure.
The wife eats similar diet but smokes and doesn't exercise much. She's also 5 years older and yet all levels are good. Its, sadly, mostly genetic.

[John Anthony]

Is this niacin something other than a statin? Did you need a prescription from your doctor?

As noted, no prescription needed. I get 500mg tablets in a slow release formula. Costs about $8 per month. Check with your doctor if you want to pursue this, but what I remember is that niacin is a water soluble and there is little risk to any of your organs. Even with the slow release formula, occassionally I'll have some minor flushing, but it only lasts a minute or two and it's no big deal, well worth tolerating given the positive benefits I've received.

John

[Horst]

as a general comment ...

I've noticed here on this thread and board, as well as a BMWMOA rally I attended, that west coasters and in particular Californians are much more aware of what we put into out bodies than other populations.

This is true in BC also ... high awareness of polution ... of nutrition ... of recycling .... I guess when you still have something left to save ..... :)

but really ... you have no control over the genes you inherit, where you are born, and a bunch of other stuff ... what you put in your mouth is one of the few things you control !

* LIVE LONG AND PROSPER *

[UNTMatt]

I believe the government has subsidized the farmers to keep them farming.


They could be substidized on another crop other than corn. Just a thought.

[UNTMatt]

as a general comment ...

I've noticed here on this thread and board, as well as a BMWMOA rally I attended, that west coasters and in particular Californians are much more aware of what we put into out bodies than other populations.

This is true in BC also ... high awareness of polution ... of nutrition ... of recycling .... I guess when you still have something left to save ..... :)

but really ... you have no control over the genes you inherit, where you are born, and a bunch of other stuff ... what you put in your mouth is one of the few things you control !

* LIVE LONG AND PROSPER *

No kidding.

My wife and I both read the labels. No hydrogonated or partially hydrogentated oils in anything we buy and if we do, it's an accident and it gets thrown away.

We try hard to make sure what we bring home is at least somewhat healthy for us. No sugar drinks...mainly water, soy milk, coffee in the morning, unsweetened tea, and that's about it for drinks. We avoid high fat, high cholesterol foods as best as we can. It costs more at the grocery store but both of us suffer from high choleterol. Since my wife and I started dating until now, her cholesterol has dropped from well over 200 to well under 200. Her good cholesterol has gone up substantually. This is a woman that is in perfect health...you can see a pic of her in the Post your Picture (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18177&page=9) thread. Genetics and diet have played a role in both our levels. I need to get mine checked soon.

[Sink]

They could be substidized on another crop other than corn. Just a thought.

OK, but corn makes ME some good money!

[Mechanic]

I think I’m in the right place!
5 Weeks an ST owner and only my second post on this site. I saw the title for this thread and found the contents compelling reading.
My doctor has been telling me for the last four years my cholesterol has been going in the wrong direction, and after my last checkup (the same time as I got the ST) he’s started me on meds. I mention this only because I find it mildly amusing that I seem to be the perfect demographic for ST ownership ;) and I mean that in the nicest way.
It’s hard to mentally accept that your 21 year old mind is being transported around in a 50 year old chassis! Biking has been my passion since age twelve, and from 17 onwards I’ve never had less than two bikes in the garage. I currently have… far too many!
The highlight of my hobby is the weekends (or longer) away on the bikes with wife and friends. I’m really excited about traveling with the ST this year – my first factory touring bike. Part of that pleasure has always been the eating out and good food. I knew the time was coming, but now it’s here and I need to watch what I eat.
One particularly interesting post was that of ChucksKLRST. Something that had never occurred to me was the possibility of being on meds that might require that I give up riding! I’m not there yet – hopefully the day is many years away.
OK, I’m awake…yup I can definitely smell coffee.
Make mine a double latte, no sugar, with extra bran please.

[Horst]

"...21 year old mind is being transported around in a 50 year old chassis..."

yup that's it ... I'd even be happy with a 30-year old chassis ... :)

but giving up riding one day ... wow ... I'm pushing that one out as far as I can ... if it means eating well so be it.

I'm not giving up riding !

:D

[drmedak]

Ok, I'll chime in...I deal with cholesterol and nutrition a lot in my practice. What I am going to explain is some relatively simple physiology and biochemistry.

High cholesterol is one of three possible problems. 1) You eat too much cholesterol 2) Your body makes too much cholesterol, or 3) You do not break it down...mostly in the liver. Since most people eat approximately 20% of their cholesterol..your body makes between 70-80% of your total cholesterol, it's most beneficial to investigate why your body is making so much or not breaking it down.

Most of the time you are making too much cholesterol to feed the adrenal glands. Most of your hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, pregnenalone, aldosterone, DHEA, cortisol, cortisone) are cholesterol-based. The most common reason your body makes so much cholesterol is to make cortisol to help balance blood-sugar. This is why niacin works. Niacin is the primary co-factor in the first-step of the breakdown of cholesterol into pregnenlalone in the adrenal cortex.

Along with niacin, red rice yeast extract, lecithin and garlic will often help lower cholesterol. The single biggest help in my own personal health was to eliminate all wheat and sugar. My cholesterol and blood pressure has dropped significantly. I eat butter and meat almost without restriction, with no deleterious effects on my cholesterol. The key is the avoidance of starches and sugar. And the other positive side effect is that I FEEL GREAT...better than I have in 10-15 years.

Most of the research on lowering cholesterol has to do with decreasing heart-attack risk. What they don't tell you is that the mortality rate doesn't change. Heart attack incidence decreases, but you just die of something other than heart attack....stroke, heart failure, and suicide are among the more common.

As a chiropractor, my license does not allow me to recommend or recommend against taking any prescription medication. I recommend a book to my patients by Uffe Ravnskov, MD entitled The Cholesterol Myths (http://www.ravnskov.nu/cholesterol.htm)

More good reading: www.spacedoc.net Former NASA doctor on the dangers of statin drugs.

[STill Fiddlin]

Most of the research on lowering cholesterol has to do with decreasing heart-attack risk. What they don't tell you is that the mortality rate doesn't change. Heart attack incidence decreases, but you just die of something other than heart attack....stroke, heart failure, and suicide are among the more common.That's comforting! Seems like I just wasted $5 on a bottle of niacin pills, 'cause between you and me, I'll take a heart attack over those three any day. Going out with a bang, maybe doing something exciting :rolleyes: vs. lying in a coma until they pull the plug, taking days drowning because your heart can't keep your lungs clear, or picking my own poison - thanks I'll take what's behind curtain #1. I'm having steak tonight folks!

[Geoff]

I spent my first night in a hospital on nov 28th..and I'm 61 years old..203 chloestrol count, no family history of heart problems, light smoker and drinker, very active, and weigh 165 lbs at 5'11"...so therefore no real problems but why was the artery blocked..my doctor's theory was that a piece of plaque broke off in the artery and got lodged sideways and then accumulated more plaque as the blood flowed by it..true? who knows but now on zocor, etc. Whoever thought I would have one of those little seven day pill boxes with the days of the week on it..these golden years suck folks..remember when we were 30 to 40 we talk about girls and about 45 to 55 we talked about IRA's and pensions and now we are counting chloestrol numbers..if this is the passage of life it ain't right not that you can help it..Now I so depressed that I'm going out and get on the ST and go for a ride..Mental health is important too.:confused: :bsflag: :sick1:

[Fred]

Fellow high cholesterol riders, you may want to read this

http://www.spacedoc.net/cholesterol_scam.html

[Mark]

I'd like all of you that are running out to buy niacin to be sure you read those bottles.
Niacin can cause liver (and hence blood) issues. The niacin dose you need to take to make a difference puts you right in the range of causing the problems.

After a year on statins I had muscle twitches and muscle weakness; my dr didn't tell me they were side effects and I had to hunt a lot of literature to find the data.

I dropped my numbers over 60 points by giving up *all* dairy and meat except for fish for 18months and the dr said "yup, that's the most you can do with food".

Now I ignore the numbers and hope that I got a couple of the right genes from my dad's side of the family... all his brothers and sisters are in their 80s and 90s without issues.

Good luck to all of us... but remember... no one (recently) has gotten out of life alive! :D

Ride Safe,
Mark

[Hashimoto]

Yup, Cholesterol is largely genetic. My sister has been a health nut all her life. She's very active eats nothing but sticks and twigs, (a mild exaggeration) and she still has to take stain drugs to control her cholesterol. I also have to take them to control mine, so does my mother. Diet and exercise does help, a little, but usually not enough. If you're genetically predisposed to having high cholesterol, it's not at all likely that diet and exercise alone will take you out of the risk category.
PS. If you're taking stain drugs... don't eat grapefuit.

[John Anthony]

... Niacin can cause liver (and hence blood) issues. The niacin dose you need to take to make a difference puts you right in the range of causing the problems. ...
Mark

Mark - good comment. I get my blood checked at least a couple of times a year and when I got my last check, one of the liver ensymes (?) was elevated. My doctor is having me discontinue Niacin for a few weeks and we'll test it again to see if that's the culprit. I've got some other minor med. issues right now, so it may be one of those instead.

John

[Sink]

OK... BACON Boy got his numbers back from the Dr after the blood test and here they are:
Total cholesterol: 147
HDL:51
LDL:76
Triglycerides:102
I'm sure that eating a pound of BACON every day is what gives me these numbers...... But it may be the reason for global warming.....

[ChucksKLRST]

OK... BACON Boy got his numbers back from the Dr after the blood test and here they are:
Total cholesterol: 147
HDL:51
LDL:76
Triglycerides:102
I'm sure that eating a pound of BACON every day is what gives me these numbers...... But it may be the reason for global warming.....


Just got my lab results back in preparation for my second heart cath, next week. Had to postpone a bike trip to Birmingham Ala. to the bike museum out there. Will now make that trip in conjuction with CheapSTOC.

Total Cholesterol 121
HDL 32
LDL 73
TC/HDL 3.8
Triglycerides 81

I am sure that Zocor is what is getting my Numbers down. :03biker:

[Mellow]

I just gave blood last week and even though the chol count they do for that is not very accurate and doesn't break it down into good/bad, it's been fairly close to when I've gone in for a checkup... Mine was 240 this time...

I really liked drmedak's post, sugar and wheat products (sorry farmers) are very hazardous... but it's also addicting and a hard habit to break...

I got some niacin, will start exercising again, I've dropped off a ton since last year... and once I drop 20-30 lbs I'm sure everything will be back in check...

[UNTMatt]

I just gave blood last week and even though the chol count they do for that is not very accurate and doesn't break it down into good/bad, it's been fairly close to when I've gone in for a checkup... Mine was 240 this time...

I really liked drmedak's post, sugar and wheat products (sorry farmers) are very hazardous... but it's also addicting and a hard habit to break...

I got some niacin, will start exercising again, I've dropped off a ton since last year... and once I drop 20-30 lbs I'm sure everything will be back in check...

If you would put your head down I'm sure you'd be alright.

[drmedak]

I just gave blood last week and even though the chol count they do for that is not very accurate and doesn't break it down into good/bad, it's been fairly close to when I've gone in for a checkup... Mine was 240 this time...

I really liked drmedak's post, sugar and wheat products (sorry farmers) are very hazardous... but it's also addicting and a hard habit to break...

I got some niacin, will start exercising again, I've dropped off a ton since last year... and once I drop 20-30 lbs I'm sure everything will be back in check...

Mellow,
Before you begin exercising, go buy a heart-rate monitor. Exercise at a heart rate of 180 minus your age as the top number...subtract 10 for your bottom number and stay in that range. You will be in an aerobic range there. As you become more fit, your pace will increase while your heart rate stays the same. If you exercise too intensely, you will be working in an anaerobic mode which can actually worsen blood-sugar problems and adrenal stress, eventually leading to injury.

At first you may feel as if you are barely working out, don't worry, you are, just trust the heart rate monitor.

Have fun!
Jimbo

[Mellow]

I have one. I always wear it just to keep track of my aerobic health .. when I first get on the bike after a lay off it takes no time at all to shoot into the 150s... after a week or so, I have to hustle to keep it near 140.

don't you mean subtract 10 for my top number (170) and my age for bottom (137) ? I've got it all plugged into my monitor and I think 134 is the bottom and 153 is the top or something like that.. I stay around the mid 140's.

Mellow,
Before you begin exercising, go buy a heart-rate monitor. Exercise at a heart rate of 180 minus your age as the top number...subtract 10 for your bottom number and stay in that range. You will be in an aerobic range there. As you become more fit, your pace will increase while your heart rate stays the same. If you exercise too intensely, you will be working in an anaerobic mode which can actually worsen blood-sugar problems and adrenal stress, eventually leading to injury.

At first you may feel as if you are barely working out, don't worry, you are, just trust the heart rate monitor.

Have fun!
Jimbo

[drmedak]

I have one. I always wear it just to keep track of my aerobic health .. when I first get on the bike after a lay off it takes no time at all to shoot into the 150s... after a week or so, I have to hustle to keep it near 140.

don't you mean subtract 10 for my top number (170) and my age for bottom (137) ? I've got it all plugged into my monitor and I think 134 is the bottom and 153 is the top or something like that.. I stay around the mid 140's.

180 - Age = Top number.

Subtract 10 from Top Number for lower end of range.

For example: In my case I'll be 40 next month so my top number is about 140 and my lower end is 130. So my workout range is 130-140. If you are exceptionally fit, you can raise the top end 5-10...but most people aren't that extremely fit.

You will likely be working out slower than you are used to at first...give it a couple of months and your pace should be picking up while your heart rate stays in the zone.

[Mellow]

Okay, got ya.. I was thinking subtract 10 from 180 for the bottom.. I'm 43 so mine is pretty close to your numbers..

Although, when I ran the obstacle course in Tuscon for DesertSTOC I think I hit 180 at one point.. LOL.. I think that's when I lost my head.

[Bobbydog]

To use a great line:

"If you are what you eat...I'm fast, cheap and easy!" ;-)

14 months ago I went to my doctor with a concern about high blood pressure and high cholestrol. Thankfully, my doctor is one of those that gives it to ya straight. He looked at my chart and said, "Bob, you've been coming to me for about ten years and in that time you have gained about 60 pounds. Now, I'm not a rocket scientist, but I'd say that there might be a corrolation."

His emphasis was to make a goal of losing one pound a month since I had gained the weight slowly the best way to lose it was slowly. The road has been bumpy, but I got to observe some of the crazy ways I was "taking care of myself".

- My portion size would make Andre the Giant proud
- Lunch at Mickey D's has no calories if you get a Diet Coke
- Drinking a couple "large glasses" of wine every night has a funny way of slowing down the metabolism...and your thinking!
- If I drink...I will want more food...guaranteed.

I'm down 30 pounds in 14 months by just changing a few things and my cholestrol is in the normal range. I'm 52. Fourteen months ago people would guess my age at 55. Now people think I am 45.

Do what you do for your ride: Think about what you put into it. Do the same thing for that "other ride" you have for the rest of your life.

OK...thanks for letting me get that off my thinner chest.

Bobbydog

[Yogi]

I ride too fast to worry about Cholesterol LOL

[drmedak]

I ride too fast to worry about Cholesterol LOL

I am pretty sure that is NOT what your doctor meant when they said FASTING cholesterol.:D

[ChucksKLRST]

I ride too fast to worry about Cholesterol LOL


Thats what my Doc said 20 years ago. He was not going to worry about my Cholesterol of 230 as long as I ride a motorcycle.
Today I just came back from my second heart cath. to make sure my coronary stent is not clogging up. All is OK. No intervention required at this time. But I will always have coronary artery disease. Doc's words not mine. Slow down and take care of your self so you can ride longer.
Todays Cholesterol total 114. with the help of meds.

Ride Long and Prosper

[GitGoFast]

You guys are scarin’ me. Last time I was checked I was at LDL 220. My problem ain’t the raw sugar, it’s the … shhh … beer. On a molecular level there is very little difference between sugar and alcohol! Beer is almost pure carbohydrates. My sugar was at about 112 fasting!

I have what is now termed as Metabolic Syndrome. Imagine a big hole in the ground. In the hole is Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Gout, Stoke, Arterial Sclerosis and a myriad of other weight / fat / age related problems. I don’t yet have any of these afflictions but I do have one foot perilously hovering above the hole, just waiting to drop in. A lot of us 50 plus guy have it.

Be careful and take care.

[John Anthony]

The latest chapter for me is that I'm taking a break from the mega Niacin doses, working to eat better and get more exercise, on my way to dropping 40 pounds. Last month I dropped 10 pounds just by exercycling regularly and staying away from the junk food. One of the benefits of being mostly retired and working from home is that it's easier for me to watch what I eat. When I want to take a break and exercise, no problemo.

For all of us with medical issues, getting informed, taking a few steps to move you in the right direction, and monitoring your progress makes a lot of sense. I also ask my dr. a lot of questions. Our HMO has on-line services for e-mail, test result tracking, ordering refills, that's pretty cool.

John

[Mellow]

I'm wondering if a Health Issues sub-forum is a good idea... It's not necessarily related to motorcycling however, it's something we can all benefit from and may even provide a little reinforcement for those having a hard time keeping on track.

[Herleman]

I think the health forum is a great idea. You may be aware that I'm having some nerve damage issues ijn my arm following my doggie encounter. My note here led to my getting some very good information and encouragement from the clan.

I have a neighbor (unfortunately a Harley guy) who is having some dizziness episodes when he rides. He assures me that he always pulls over to the roadside and waits till it passes before he continues riding (on I-95 at 80 mph).

Health issues can be scarey and there are very few places to discuss them with one's peers.

Go with it.

[Sink]

Joe... If you want numbers like mine, try "SINK'S WORLD FAMOUS BACON DIET". Just send 4 payments of $49.95 (plus $49.95 s$h) to SINK! BUT WAIT! THAT'S NOT ALL! IF YOU ARE AMONG THE FIRST 50 CUSTOMERS, YOU ALSO GET THE NEW PATENTED FUNNEL FOR POURING THE CHOLESTEROL RIGHT DOWN YOU GULLET!

Don't wait, call today!

[Sink]

Oh, by the way... +1 on the health issues sub-forum.

[John Anthony]

I think it's worth taking for a test drive. We've got quite a few members who are getting long of tooth and guys aren't always that good at talking about health issues. Having a place to exchange ideas can help get/keep folks moving in the right direction.

I'd also suggest we start a sub forum on secrets to maintaining marital bliss. Nah, on second thought, there probably wouldn't be too many posts in that one. :)

John

[sirbike]

As I understand it,

cholesterol is a repair substance,
various fats, especially processed vegetable fats and sugar are involved in a process that damages the arteries,

the body produces and uses cholesterol to repair the damage,
and in the function of chronic repair cholesterol builds up and blocks the arteries.

Lowering cholesterol with drugs prevents the buildup towards blockages, but this may lead to inability to efficiently carry out normal maintence repair.

Cutting out the damaging foods would cut down the cholesterol build up/blockage, but not fast enough for an immediately life threatening situation.

Amimal fat from healthy animals is nourishing and does not cause this arterial damage.

This is as I understand it and largely believe it to be at this time.

[sirbike]

Some of the statements have shock value but read through it, this site is based largely on simple but in depth observation.

http://www.westonaprice.org/moderndiseases/benefits_cholest.html

drmedak, if I need straightening next time I ride to Myrtle Creek I'll look you up.

[Sink]

Amimal fat from healthy animals is nourishing and does not cause this arterial damage.

This is as I understand it and largely believe it to be at this time.

I told you guys BACON is good for you!!!!!! See, you never believe me! You keep listening that that STumpy guy when he tells you I lie!

[drmedak]

Some of the statements have shock value but read through it, this site is based largely on simple but in depth observation.

http://www.westonaprice.org/moderndiseases/benefits_cholest.html

drmedak, if I need straightening next time I ride to Myrtle Creek I'll look you up.

Great website www.westonaprice.org I have that one linked off my website.

Feel free to give me a shout if you are in MC.

[Sailormilan2]

Several years ago(about 9 or so), I got tested and had a overall cholesterol level of about 192, which I considered not too bad for guy built like a teddy bear. The Dr. told me that was a good level.
I retired almost 2 years ago, and about 4 months ago, I went in and go retested. My cholesterol level is now about a 172. Dr was a little concerned that my HD was a little low, and my LD was a little high.
I just had a new test done, but I don't have the results. Dr said if it was off or not good he would give me a call, and there has been no call.
Why is it that many of the "skinny" people have very high levels, and us big people often have low levels?

[gec343]

I take 40mg of Lovastatin daily, plus two glasses of red wine.

P.S. I like the wine:D

[John Anthony]

... I just had a new test done, but I don't have the results. Dr said if it was off or not good he would give me a call, and there has been no call.


One of the reasons I like my HMO is they've got a lot of my info. on line, including lab results as well as lab histories. I can plot my cholesterol results (or anything else for that matter) over a long period of time. It's also nice to e-mail my doctors and set up appointments.

John

[STumpy]

What you have to remember is that no one is really sure what a GOOD Cholesterol level really is ? That is why one time a Doctor will conclude that 190 is great, and another will say it is too high.

They cannot agree on what a safe level is, but like everything else in this world everyone is ready jump on their horses and chase those windmills.

I distinctly recall back in the 80s, LA Doctors and Hospitals felt that 220 was a safe and healthy margin. It was not long after that 150 was consider the benchmark. Through the years I have heard a range of numbers - including some reactionary Doctors believing 120 was too high.

My current Internal Medical Dr feels anything below 180 is ok, but he will also said that they really dont know what that magical number should really be, and most likely it will vary tremendously based on our genetic make up. Where 180 is great for you, may be too high for your neighbor who should be below 140 while his neighbor may be good at 200.

Unfortunately we are too ealry in medical development to have a simple test to determine wat is our individual safe cholesterol range. So for now just use common sense. We all know what is too much or too little.

However if your like Sink who eats a pound of bacon lard a day, but uses his wife's blood to test for cholesterol, well then dont be surprized when that stroke hits you. (dont worry that blowhard harldy eats any bacon). ;)

[Mechanic]

A BALANCED DIET IS A BURGER IN EACH HAND!

[George]

I'm wondering if a Health Issues sub-forum is a good idea... It's not necessarily related to motorcycling however, it's something we can all benefit from and may even provide a little reinforcement for those having a hard time keeping on track.

Well, I think health IS moto-cycle related and vice-versa. ("You don't quit riding because you get old, you get old because you quit riding.")

Stress relief goes a long way toward a healthy life style and moto-cycling is a great stress reliever. Being physically healthy is (to me) conducive to better moto-cycling. So, it's a closed loop: Go Ride! Relieve Stress! Get healthy! Then...

GO RIDE!!

...some more.

It's, like, an extension of Aerostich motto:

Eat,

Sleep,

Ride,

Repeat.

[STumpy]

I have always struggled with high cholesterol. Usually my range was between 250 and 325. Doc put me on Lipitor and NIACIN. Last check up my bad cholesterol was 48.

[MGDaversa]

Add another yes vote to the health sub-forum. I'm also a member of the high cholesterol club. Got that from my dad's side and high blood pressure from my mom. Congestive heart failure runs on her side of the family, strokes and aneurysms on his. As I see it, I never had a chance.

[STumpy]

For you guys thinking of taking niacin - check with your Dr. There is a pharmaceutical niacin they can prescribe. Usually this type will require smaller dosages to acquire the same effect. Downside is that it is more expensive than the over the counter stuff. Some Rx insurance will cover it, making it more affordable. :)

If your diabetic - niacin will raise your sugar levels, but your meds or insulin should make it controllable.

[rbs]

Man after reading all this health news I went to James Coney Island and had a New York style polish sausage, and a regular coney!

Now when I get mine checked and they say it needs to go down it will not be so hard.:eat2:

[STumpy]

Joe... If you want numbers like mine, try "SINK'S WORLD FAMOUS BACON DIET". Just send 4 payments of $49.95 (plus $49.95 s$h) to SINK! BUT WAIT! THAT'S NOT ALL! IF YOU ARE AMONG THE FIRST 50 CUSTOMERS, YOU ALSO GET THE NEW PATENTED FUNNEL FOR POURING THE CHOLESTEROL RIGHT DOWN YOU GULLET!

Don't wait, call today!

4 Months ago I weighed in at 317 lbs. I saw Sink's Ad and decided to try it. In 4 months I lost 317 lbs and feel ...... as light a a ghost :rolleyes: !!!

[motorcyclelarry]

Fact is and that guy you call a doctor (guess work in a white coat) can't dispute that "NO" definitive medical study has ever, ever proven that high cholesterol is directly linked to heat disease, it is all assumption. At the turn of the 1900's people ate much more fats than we do today yet heart disease was much lower than it is today.

Most doctors today I think pretty much work for the drug companies and the amount of men over 40 taking Lipitor shows this. I took Lipitor for 2 years then last year stopped cold turkey and started exercising on a bicycle full time. I lost about 15 pounds is all, but my cholesterol went from 220 before Lipitor to 180 with Lipitor to 135 without it and just getting the cheese out of my *** and exercising hard. And I feel much better today also. There are some other "advantages" those close to you will also like as you will also with a regular hard workout routine and it isn't sweaty socks.

Larry

[LeeWonnacott]

.... Doc also told me NOT to ride Motorcycles.

Sounds like it's time to find a different doctor! If mine said that to me she's probably be very disappointed at my response ... "Are you Effing CRAZY? It's the only thing that makes me want to live!" :butt1:

[Louie Louie]

I take lipitor, an aspirin a day and 1 fish oil gel. Hopefully this will keep me riding for a while longer.Never had any heart problems but MD said its good prevention..

[John Anthony]

I belong to an HMO and the doctor who prescribed the meds has seen me for about 30 years, so I don't think he's in the pocket of any of the drug companies. He doesn't even dispense sample meds.

I do like the idea of getting more healthy through more exercise. Bowflex and exercycle in the basement with a big screen to keep my mind off exercising and a great neighborhood to walk through.

I've been off the high Niacin program for about 6 months and will report the results after my next physical in another month or so.

John

[hawkeyeST]

OK guys, Last summer I found out I had Coronary Artery Disease. Lucky I did not have a heart attack to find it out . Received a Coronary Stint. 90% blockage in the Artery. My Total Cholesterol was 202, HDL was 35 and LDL was 144 TC/HDL 5.8 Triglyceride 114. Really not too bad for a 56 year old. Bad enough to cause Coronary Blockage. I am now on Lopressor 50mg daily, Zocor 40 mg Daily and Plavix 75 mg daily. Today the new lab results are Total cholesterol 146, HDL 36, LDL 88 TC/HDL 4.1 Triglycerides 111. Doc said I will most likely be on Plavix for a very long time. Doc also told me NOT to ride Motorcycles. As my Son would say "Yea, Sure, Right, Fine Dad" It is no fun trying to remember to take the meds every day. And when I do ride I do think about what would happen if I fell down. A Risk I am willing to take now. Maybe not later. I do still have light bouts with Angina from time to time. By the way I never smoked in my life and was a very light beer drinker.

Start taking better care of your selves. I still have a bunch of miles to ride before I check out.Sounds like we should all smoke and drink more? :)

[Sink]

I get to see my Doc tomorrow and see how my BACON diet is working..... I'll report back!

[UNTMatt]

Food induced cholesterol is debatable on whether or not it's as dangerous as once thought.

Eat a balanced meal in small portions and exercise are your best bets to improve your health. Not just your cholesterol but improve your overall health. Know what to look for on a nutrition label and read all the labels.

Forget just running/walking/bike riding...go get personal training with resistance training. That's the quickest way to lose fat, improve health, and maintain good health. One needs to be doing both resistance and aerobic training. Why personal training? One is motivation and the second is to make sure you know what to do, how to do it, and the proper form for doing any particular exercise. I can walk through a gym and point out everyone that doesn't know squat about how to do resistance training and that usually amounts to somewhere around 80% or better. If you don't train with the weight machines and free weights properly you not only substantually reduce the effectiveness of the training but your asking for injury.

Otherwise, you'll be giving up riding at a fairly young age with the high probability of heart failure, CHD, cancer, etc. If you think this is a joke, it's not. We have a family member that rides...has been for years but his riding days are almost over due to his poor health. There are people on this board that are much older than him and ride much longer distances. A long ride for him is under 200 miles...and the bike only comes out maybe three or four times a year....mostly for rides under 100 miles.

It's a lifestyle change, it's not easy, and it's up to you. I can tell you I felt much better when I dropped 65 lbs four years ago and now that I've gotten back into the gym I'm feeling better about myself.

[curmudgeon]

NightRDR, I agree with you 100%. The biggest thing lacking in most Americans lives is proper exercise. Proper exercise will always include resistance training. Losing weight through diet alone can be a mistake. Especially rapid weight loss. Losing weight rapidly will cause the body to burn muscle along with fat. Muscle is the supercharger in the body for burning calories. So after a rapid weight loss you'll have less muscle which means the body will burn less calories causing you to gain weight easier.

Phil

[John Anthony]

Maggie just came back from a visit to her doc. Her cholesterol is pretty elevated. Their "prescription:" 3 fish oil gels a day along with at least 30 min. of exercise. She does that for 3 months and then gets a check back. I'll let you all know the results.

One of the cool things about our HMO is they'll put all of your lab results on line. Makes it nice if you want to track something like this over a long period of time.

John

[skidlid1300]

It's just a shame that there isn't any fast food places out there on the road, that have food that is good for us. Are there any? We talk of all these things to avoid - i.e. corn syrup, starches, saturated fats, high fructose, sugars, etc, what else is there? I don't want to eat this crap... I say this out of frustration that I wish there were easier choices and alternatives. What do the people overseas do? I mean, eat to be healthy, it seems that there are alot of foods around us, here in the US, that are easily accessable, that are NOT healthy for us at all. When we are on the road on a bike trip, what else is there besides eating fruits, granola, or an apple? I agree with all of you, except for maybe Sink's bacon idea... :) I have no heath issues with cholesterol, my family on both sides, have all lived well into their 90's and my grandmother is 101 this year and still lives at her own home... But, what's not to say that it can be in my future? I don't know about the rest of you, but I feel kind of 'trapped" into eating the crap foods when I'm out on a motorcycle trip... Any ideas?

[John Anthony]

Hmmmm. Healthy food out on the road. Great question. I'll hit Mickey D's from time to time in the AM for a couple of breakfast burritos and those don't seem too bad. I've also had their chicken salads and they seem pretty wholesome.

John

[drmedak]

Ok...on my soapbox:eek:

I highly recommend the book The Maffetone Method. He explains the difference between fitness and health in a concise and understandable way.

I agree that exercise in any form is the missing factor in most cases. The overconsumption of pop and other beverages sweetened with high fructose corn syrup is also a HUGE factor. Trans fats are also a big problem.

I have had no problem helping my patients bring down their cholesterol. It comes down to whether they are motivated to help themselves. I also must admit that I would NEVER take a statin drug. IMO they are harmful far beyond any potential benefit. And what's the point in lowering cholesterol....Lowering cholesterol doesn't change mortality rates...the heart attack rate drops slightly but the overall mortality rate doesn't change!! You just die of something other than heart attack...heart failure, stroke, suicide...etc.

The kind of exercise that is most helpful for becoming more healthy is real aerobic exercise. This is exercise at an intensity that you utilize oxygen, glucose and fat for fuel. Anaerobic utilizes glucose and muscle glycogen for fuel. Most resistance training is anaerobic. It is useful for strength, coordination and fitness, but not the most effective for being healthy. You can be ripped and at the same time be very unhealthy. A combination of aerobic and resistance training can be excellent for fitness and health once a base of aerobic fitness is established.

A very simple explanation of cholesterol metabolism is HERE (http://www.theuplink.com/Guides/The%20Uplink%20Issue%2030%20Cholesterol%20Notes.DO C).

[curmudgeon]

I eat lots of salads now, but when on a motorcycle trip all bets are off. I will eat grease burgers etc and to H*ll with the consequences.
One healthy fast food can be Subway sandwiches with turkey. The big thing you can do if you're going to eat burgers etc is to drink only water and skip the fries. Cheaper and eliminates quite a bit of the bad stuff. Sure the burger is still bad but not as bad as a burger with fries and a soft drink. I tend to drink nothing but water all day except for two cups of coffee in the mornings.

I agree with not taking statin drugs. I do take a 1200 mg fish oil gel every morning. It will be interesting to see if my HDL/LDL ratio is better next time.

Phil

[drmedak]

I eat lots of salads now, but when on a motorcycle trip all bets are off. I will eat grease burgers etc and to H*ll with the consequences.....


Hey...ya gotta live a little. I even tell my patients that. You have to be able to enjoy life....and food is something a great many of us enjoy.

Eat a few things you shouldn't every once in a while....enjoy them...then stop.

[ChucksKLRST]

When I am on the road I use to have scrambled eggs bacon/ sausage home fried potatoes, white bread and milk for breakfast. Every morning on the road. Now it is just eggs and a piece of bacon and a glass of milk. The evening meal now consists of Subway for my cold cut combo. No more greasy burgers. A couple of stout beers and I am good to go.:03biker:

[LeeWonnacott]

Ok...on my soapbox:eek:

I also must admit that I would NEVER take a statin drug. IMO they are harmful far beyond any potential benefit. And what's the point in lowering cholesterol....Lowering cholesterol doesn't change mortality rates...the heart attack rate drops slightly but the overall mortality rate doesn't change!! You just die of something other than heart attack...heart failure, stroke, suicide...etc.


Well.... until you came aboard with that comment I was only mildly amused at this thread - Last year my doc went unglued after seeing my lipids profile and put me on Lipitor ... four weeks later I'm in the hospital for a week. What put me there? Yup... So after I got out we tried Crestor. Result, sure, a much better lipids profile, but muscle pains galore and constant stomach cramps. "Sorry, Doc, I'll chance the clogged vessels!"

Last week I my neurologist read the results of a brain scan. Damn, this is scary! He's sending me to an Alzheimers specialist and at the same time telling my general practice doc I have small vessel disease and to put me on statins!

I'm pretty sure I don't want to worry about the cholesterol at this point. All I want is to find where the hell my keys are and be able to read the map that has a good route headed west! I think most of the guys on this forum may be well advised to take your comments to heart. Don't obsess, just don't what you can cope with and then ride to forget your problems... or anything else for that matter.

Okay, found the keys - where's my bike?:eek:

[UNTMatt]

The kind of exercise that is most helpful for becoming more healthy is real aerobic exercise. This is exercise at an intensity that you utilize oxygen, glucose and fat for fuel. Anaerobic utilizes glucose and muscle glycogen for fuel. Most resistance training is anaerobic. It is useful for strength, coordination and fitness, but not the most effective for being healthy. You can be ripped and at the same time be very unhealthy. A combination of aerobic and resistance training can be excellent for fitness and health once a base of aerobic fitness is established.

A very simple explanation of cholesterol metabolism is HERE (http://www.theuplink.com/Guides/The%20Uplink%20Issue%2030%20Cholesterol%20Notes.DO C).

I'm going to disagree slightly here.

One must have a combination of aerobic and resistance training. Aerobic is great for conditioning the heart and lungs which, as you said, improves part of your health.

Muscle fitness requires resistance training. Overall, during rest, resistance training will continue to burn more fat and build muscle endurance/strength than aerobic alone. In combonation with aerobic exercise it is one of the most efficent ways to burn off excess fat. I'm not saying work to be Arnold but you need resistance training.

You need both in their proper amounts as they both comprise your overall fitness. There are several books out there that are good. One to start with is Body For Life (http://www.bodyforlife.com/). Although I don't agree with everything he states, the foundation is excellent.

[skidlid1300]

I'm asking if there are any good tasting healthy meals to eat while out on the road during a bike trip. I know you all will think, "Well, I gotta live also, the hell with that heathy stuff... I'll eat whatever out on the road." That's my point: In the US, there are no healthy eating establishments as far as fast foods. Why aren't there any? Except, if you want to eat Subway sandwiches twice a day. That gets old after a couple of days. Is that our idea of "living?" Is stuffing our faces with junk food filled with preservatives?

I'm just putting these questions out there. It's just funny what our American ways are, when it comes to food, especially fast food. It's just crap that is so nutritionally bad for us, we eat it anyway, and we think that we are "living it up" by eating it... Ok, my .02 cents has been spent...

[jbim]

I use BACON to control my cholesterol! Works great! Anyone need some extra???? Cholesterol that is....

I'm like SINK, my numbers are very good.

The only time I had a full test done is when I was training for the Ironman Triatlon back in 1988. I was 35 at the time. I know that makes me 55 next year. I was training 3-6 hours a day at the time and my numbers were not got. I remember my doctor looking at me as if I was a couch potato. :eek: Anyway, I decided I wouldn't bother with medical issues unless I am sick. In my mind, it is not the "dying" it is the "being healthy while you live".

Over the course of a year, I train on average one hour a day. I paddle a kayak, do cardio and weights. I measured my resting pulse at 42 a few weeks ago. My blood pressure is usually as per the book. I am sure my cholesterol numbers would be high now. I prefer to avoid taking pills, drugs, etc.

I find it ironic that someone riding a motrocycle is concerned about the cholesterol numbers and, I guess, of dying of a heart attack. It would be interesting to know the odds of dying one versus the other. I must say I would take a riding pill if there was one :) .

[jbim]

I'm asking if there are any good tasting healthy meals to eat while out on the road during a bike trip. I know you all will think, "Well, I gotta live also, the hell with that heathy stuff... I'll eat whatever out on the road." That's my point: In the US, there are no healthy eating establishments as far as fast foods. Why aren't there any? Except, if you want to eat Subway sandwiches twice a day. That gets old after a couple of days. Is that our idea of "living?" Is stuffing our faces with junk food filled with preservatives?

I'm just putting these questions out there. It's just funny what our American ways are, when it comes to food, especially fast food. It's just crap that is so nutritionally bad for us, we eat it anyway, and we think that we are "living it up" by eating it... Ok, my .02 cents has been spent...

I would suggest protein bars and water. The are not filling and won't make you sleepy. I alsways stuff a few in my bag. They will replinish some of the electrolyte lost by sweating if hot. I like the Power Bars or Zone. There are plenty out there. Just check the number of grams of fat. I try to take no more than 3 grams of fat per 100 calories.

[UNTMatt]

I'm asking if there are any good tasting healthy meals to eat while out on the road during a bike trip.

I eat Subway four days a week. It's difficult to eat healthy on the road and it really takes a lot of work to make it happen.

Go to the fast food websites and look up their nutrition information. LOADED with transfats, saturated fats, sodium, carbs, and little good nutrition. The only reason I know this, is I just looked it up recently. Dee and I have made a decision to not eat at most fast food joints anymore.

Some people are born with good genitics that allow for lower cholesterol but Dee and I are not two of those people. Since Dee and I got married two and a half years ago her cholesterol has dropped substantually as we both eat much healthier (I have since 04 when I dropped 65 lbs) and try to take care of ourselves.

[UNTMatt]

I would suggest protein bars and water. The are not filling and won't make you sleepy. I alsways stuff a few in my bag. They will replinish some of the electrolyte lost by sweating if hot. I like the Power Bars or Zone. There are plenty out there. Just check the number of grams of fat. I try to take no more than 3 grams of fat per 100 calories.

Good idea, like you said, read the lables. Many of the 'health' bars are loaded in simple carbs and not really all that healthy for you.

The electrolytes we need are:

sodium
potassium
chloride
calcium
magnesium
bicarbonate
phosphate
sulfate

Unfortunately, most 'sports' drinks are lacking much of any real value in replenshing most of them, except sodium...and a lot of simple carbs.

[motorcyclelarry]

"I have had no problem helping my patients bring down their cholesterol. It comes down to whether they are motivated to help themselves. I also must admit that I would NEVER take a statin drug. IMO they are harmful far beyond any potential benefit. And what's the point in lowering cholesterol....Lowering cholesterol doesn't change mortality rates...the heart attack rate drops slightly but the overall mortality rate doesn't change!! You just die of something other than heart attack...heart failure, stroke, suicide...etc."

The gentleman who made this comment in a above post hit it right on target. Lipitor is not going to keep you alive if anything it might do harm. Like I said earlier NO, NADA, medical study has ever shown conclusively that high cholesterol causes heart disease. Go ahead and ask your doctor that is shoving Lipitor down your throat to show you where he read it. Best he will find is a "conclusion has been drawn" or It is thought to cause heart disease.

Bottom line boys work your *** off exercising, don't smoke, not bad to not drink either but if you do, do so sparingly and for God sake, BE HAPPY. My father died at 51 from a heart attack. Most people say it was the way he ate and his smoking. I agree those things did not help but honestly he was pretty miserable and I think that in and of it self will kill you faster than almost anything.

Like Richard Carlson said "Don't sweat the small stuff" to bad he died from a heart attack, go figure.

Larry

[curmudgeon]

"I have had no problem helping my patients bring down their cholesterol. It comes down to whether they are motivated to help themselves. I also must admit that I would NEVER take a statin drug. IMO they are harmful far beyond any potential benefit. And what's the point in lowering cholesterol....Lowering cholesterol doesn't change mortality rates...the heart attack rate drops slightly but the overall mortality rate doesn't change!! You just die of something other than heart attack...heart failure, stroke, suicide...etc."

The gentleman who made this comment in a above post hit it right on target. Lipitor is not going to keep you alive if anything it might do harm. Like I said earlier NO, NADA, medical study has ever shown conclusively that high cholesterol causes heart disease. Go ahead and ask your doctor that is shoving Lipitor down your throat to show you where he read it. Best he will find is a "conclusion has been drawn" or It is thought to cause heart disease.

Bottom line boys work your *** off exercising, don't smoke, not bad to not drink either but if you do, do so sparingly and for God sake, BE HAPPY. My father died at 51 from a heart attack. Most people say it was the way he ate and his smoking. I agree those things did not help but honestly he was pretty miserable and I think that in and of it self will kill you faster than almost anything.

Like Richard Carlson said "Don't sweat the small stuff" to bad he died from a heart attack, go figure.

Larry

Good stuff Larry!

Phil

[drmedak]

I'm asking if there are any good tasting healthy meals to eat while out on the road during a bike trip. I know you all will think, "Well, I gotta live also, the hell with that healthy stuff... I'll eat whatever out on the road." That's my point: In the US, there are no healthy eating establishments as far as fast foods. Why aren't there any? Except, if you want to eat Subway sandwiches twice a day. That gets old after a couple of days. Is that our idea of "living?" Is stuffing our faces with junk food filled with preservatives?

I'm just putting these questions out there. It's just funny what our American ways are, when it comes to food, especially fast food. It's just crap that is so nutritionally bad for us, we eat it anyway, and we think that we are "living it up" by eating it... Ok, my .02 cents has been spent...

The short answer is...yes there are good tasting, healthy meals to eat while out on the road. One problem is agreeing on what the definition of "healthy" is.:) If you want to eat well on the road you'll have to resign yourself to eating in a little higher class restaurants. I like to eat at a nice restaurant for dinner. I'll hit a local diner or Denny's-like restaurant and have an omelet for breakfast, stop by a grocery store for lunch and have a nice meal for dinner. In-between I eat protein bars that I get from one of my vitamin suppliers.

And a link to another great article (http://www.philmaffetone.com/a2007012week.cfm)

[Red Duke Rider]

Because of the blood thinners. Plavix 75 mg daily. I guess If I fall down I will bleed internally very easy. I guess he is concerned about that. I think the doc just has a bias against motorcycles. So I ride with caution and do not put my self in the situations that increase the risk of falling down or getting hit. I try to stay away from traffic and congestion when I ride.:03biker:

Chuck:

I have a history of heart disease. My doctor has me on 75 mg of Plavix and a full 325 mg of aspirin a day. I bleed at the drop of a hat. Every time my dog nips me playing, working on a house I'm restoring, working on one of the bikes, etc. I'll be working and all of the sudden look down and there's blood everywhere.

I've just learned to live with it. It does encourage me to wear full leathers whenever I ride because I know if I go down and get all skint up there will be a lot of bleeding.

The most difficult part of having a heart attack, by-pass surgery, coronary artery disease, etc. is what it does to your head. I worried and fret over it for years. I finally decided to crawl out of my hole and start living life again. My cardiologist said it was the best thing I ever did.

One of the things I love to do is ride my bike to a doctors appt. There is not a better feeling in the world than walking into a cardiologists office in leathers with a helmet in your hand.

Life is meant to be lived.

Pete

[Red Duke Rider]

anyone get the hot flashes / itches with the Niacin / Niaspan?


Feels like a bad sunburn?


<D>

Oh yeah. Happens about once every 2 months. I take 500 mg a day. Starts on my back and works it's way down my legs. Just "ride it out". The feeling usually passes in about an hour. What is happening is the niacin is dilating your very tiny exteme arteries.

There have been some tests done that show that a combination of niacin and a statin can actually reverse plaque build up.

In response to some people's post on this board about it not being proven that lowering cholesterol prevents heart attacks, if you read the reports in detail you will find that the test drug out so long, they could never legally say that in fact they do prevent coronary artery disease. I'll take my chances and keep taking a statin on my doctor's advise.

Go on line and find a study that the University of Washington did on the combination of niacin and statin. Very impressive.

[zombiebritts]

Niacin has many benefits . I take it to be 'regular'


I have found that if you take about 15 minutes after a meal , you can avoid the hot flashes .

[STill Fiddlin]

I just had 4 eggs, biscuits and sausage gravy with hashbrowns for breakfast on Saturday. Was that bad???

Anyway, my cholesterol on Monday was "only" 202, so I'm in my normal range. Had a spike a few years ago - stress related due to position change, and teenager ... I got the bike around that time, and things have been improving :).