Annual Physical

[nightrythm]

Well, things mostly checked out. They gave me an EKG 'cause I'm over 40 and apparently my heart looks great. So that's good. However, for the first time ever my bloodwork was not so good. I have elevated "bad" cholesterol. My "good" cholesterol is also higher than average. (That's apparently ok

Comments

[cerrberus]

Possy thots!
At least you're not as decrepit as me.
;>)

[goaskalice71]

Take a look at your results and see where your LDL (bad) falls on the scale, just so you know what your target is. Also be very aware of your Triglycerides as these affect your LDL and if they are high, it's a concern and you'll need to work on getting them down. As for the HDL (good), it can be as high as it wants to be. Mine is actually more than double what the maximum of the range is and has helped to keep my off of the drugs they'd put normal people on with LDL and Triglycerides like mine. Well, that and the fact that I want to get pregnant and breastfeed which most cholesterol lowering drugs are not a good mix with at all. I've been managing to avoid the drugs since I was 21, we'll how much longer I can last. :) I have a handy list of dietary recommendations, I'll scan and email.

Also, I love you.

[nightrythm]

You know, it's funny the doc offered me my numbers and I shrugged it off.

He really didn't seem very concerned. He told me to excercise more. And then when I asked about food, he also gave me a list of dietery recs. Most of it seems pretty common sense.

I'm confused about Avocado though. His list says to avoid it, but the "natural health" websites say that it's good to have when lowering cholesterol.

[goaskalice71]

I'd ask them to mail you a copy.

As for avocado...I cannot speak to the benefits or perils of it since I think it's totally gross and I never eat it. :) Most of the time, I hear it placed in the good in moderation column. I'd do what you're comfortable with. Since I'm quite certain your situation isn't a dire as mine is, you probably don't have to make the giant lifestyle changes I do. If you like that icky fruit, go ahead and have it once or twice a week. It's your taste buds that will suffer. :D

[argentla]

Was his advice based on its affects on cholesterol, or just the fact that it's pretty high in calories (as evidenced by the fat squirrels in your yard)?

[evilgerbil]

It would be awesome if Patch got on board, especially because it would benefit him, too. If he's just eating whatever he wants, it's like trying to quit smoking when your partner smokes. Not impossible, but tempting and hard, especially if you're going to eat the same things. I think a lot of my appetite for sweets has gone away because Jeff has no interest in them.

If I am frying things, I use either Earth Balance, which is vegan, or an oil like sunflower oil, which is high in Vitamin E. I've also replaced all of grain products with whole grain. Not sure how this all has affected my cholesterol, but I've definitely lost weight. Good luck! Sounds like you are off to a good start.