Hubby's bad cholesterol, help!

Cutepavi · Nov 27, 2008

Nandu,
Great Analysis.. Even my husband is having trouble with Tri glyceride... so am trying my best to control Deep fried items... though i give him ghee paratha once in a while... am planning to implement the juice... its great and i want to push him to go and workout... both of us are lazy!

Thanks for the info...

Nandshyam said: ↑

Hi,

This is the information I gathered from IL and as well as other sites.

Hope this helps...

By latamurali:

I prepare KOLU / HORSEGRAM SUNDAL or SALAD almost 4 days a week , since it helps us to control cholestrol ( please check our Recipe forum for KOLLU recipes

Use very very little oil for cooking , like jus for seasoning, no deep frying and all

Say BIG NO to GHEE BUTTER CREAM CURD FRIES PICKLE

And, even before we have cholestrol, very very very rarely i use COCONUT

Use GARLIC daily in any form

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By Sunitha:

A juice made from Apple cucumber and celery is known to fight cancer and reduce cholesterol. It also improves any sort of stomach upset and headache. This juice is a must have once you have crossed your 30's. If you have this juice every other day, then you will not have to worry about your cholesterol level any more.
Sample proportion - 2 parts apple, 1 part Cucumber and 1 part celery
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Daily meal should have:

* One medium-size fruit (apple, orange, banana, pear).
* 1/2 cup of raw, cooked, canned, or frozen fruits or vegetables.
* 3/4 cup (6 ounces) of 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice.
* 1/2 cup of cut up fruit.
* 1/2 cup of cooked or canned legumes (beans, peas).
* 1 cup of raw, leafy vegetables (lettuce, spinach).
* 1/4 cup of dried fruit (raisins, apricots, mango).

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Avocados. Although this is one of the few fruits high in fat, it’s mainly monounsaturated fat. Several studies find that eating one avocado a day can lower your LDL as much 17 percent while raising your HDL. Try them in salads and sandwiches or mashed with a bit of lemon juice, onion, and chopped tomato as a topping for baked potatoes. Just don’t go overboard; one avocado has about 340 calories.

Garlic. Garlic can lower cholesterol modestly as well as prevent blood from becoming sticky and forming dangerous clots. The compound most studies focus on, allicin, is the same one that gives garlic its distinctive odor. In one analysis of five trials in which participants received either garlic supplements or a placebo, the authors concluded that you could lower your total cholesterol about 9 percent with the equivalent of 11/2 to 3 cloves of garlic daily for two to six months.

You need to crush, chop, or otherwise bruise the cloves to release the allicin. For
a sweet way to get your garlic, remove the loose paper covering from a head of garlic, cut off the tops of the garlic, drizzle olive oil on it, wrap in foil, and bake in a 350°F oven until soft, about an hour. Then squeeze the heads of the cooked garlic onto toasted bread and spread.

Oranges. Think of your morning orange juice as cholesterol medicine in a glass.
After drinking three glasses of orange juice a day for four weeks, 25 participants in a Canadian trial increased their HDL levels 21 percent and lowered their LDL/HDL ratio 16 percent. Of course, if you’re watching your calorie intake, three glasses of juice is a lot; you’ll probably want to stick to a glass or two a day.

Prunes. Prunes (dried plums) contain a special kind of soluble fiber called pectin,
which forms a gel in your intestines that sops up cholesterol before it hits your bloodstream. Blend cooked prunes with water into a puree that can replace oils and fats in baking, add dried prunes to stews for a delicious sweetness, or chop and sprinkle over salads, yogurt, cottage cheese, or cereal.

LDL Less than 100mg/dl is best
You LDL goal may depend on other medical conditions you may have. Your LDL level affects your risk for heart disease
and stroke. The lower your LDL cholestrol, the lower your rsik. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you know your personal risk factors and goal LDL.

HDL Greater than 40 mg/dl
This goal may be higher if you are female or if you have other medical conditions. In general a higher HDL is better.

TRIGLYCERIDES Less than 150 mg/dl

Good luck and God bless !
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asuitablegirl · Feb 15, 2009

Hi ladies,

So my dh is going in for his first doctors visit since the initial bad news of high cholesterol. He's going to be getting a blood test on 26th, please pray that through your good suggestions he has lowered his cholesterol.

Occasionally he has indulged and eaten the wrong foods, but for the most part he has been eating very well. I will be so happy if he has reduced a little bit. I will let you all know the results and also what the doctor says, maybe he will give some good tips about cholesterol that the rest of us can use too!

Ok ladies, thanks so much again for all your help, you're the best! :bowdown

reshmirn · Feb 18, 2009

asuitablegirl said: ↑

Hi V,

When I met my dh he was in such good shape, he could run a marathon, went to the gym everyday, ate right, but after getting married he stopped going to the gym, started eating more fast foods, now he is overweight. He says it's because he has no time to exercise because of work.

similar case is my DH's with slight variation

My DH smokes ( though 1 pack a day has reduced to 5-6 cig a day). Now he is 32, just 3 years since we got married; his BP, chol, triglyceride levels are all too high when checked 10 days back and gotta take tabs. He never bothers to take care of his health. No exercise, no compromise on tasty food – that means I can’t reduce salt in food, he can’t go without non-veg, fried items, fast food etc. he even takes alchohol and that adds up extra calories.

I know theres no point in asking for help from my dear ILs unless and until my DH is ready to change his habits and attitude. Hope I'll be able to change him sooon.

Click to expand...

asuitablegirl · Feb 20, 2009

Hi reshmirn,

I can understand your frustration! Believe me, seeing my dh smoke really drove me nuts! To the point where I would cry and cry thinking about how he would die early because of the smoking. Finally, before we got married he gave it up because he saw how sad it was making me. To this day I let other things slide because I'm so thankful he gave up at least one bad habit.

I agree with you, your dh must want to change before any suggestions will be useful. I think after seeing his sky high cholesterol number for himself, my dh realized the problem. What I did though was find alternatives for the yummy dishes he likes. For example, I now make malai kofta by baking the koftas and using evaporated milk instead of cream. Although it's still not 100% healthy, it's a big improvement. Likewise, when we order pizza out I request "light on the cheese" and they will add only 1/2 the amount as normal, and it still tastes just as good.

Instead of having red meat dishes 3 times a week, now it's red meat once and three to four times of chicken and fish. Just simple substitutions like that. If your dh is not willing to give anything up, is he willing to add something? Eating a bowl of oatmeal in the morning is excellant for lowering cholesterol.

I think one thing that kept my dh motivated was knowing that every once in a while he could still go to burger king and get a whopper and fries. My dh is a total foodie and could never give up indulgences either. He also likes alcholic beverages just like your dh. When I suggest him what to eat he pouts and and makes a face like a puffed up frog! Although we can't make our husbands to become John Abrahams going to the gym 24/7 and eating healthy foods only, we can at least take the initiative and make some healthy changes in what we cook. Unless of course your dh loves to cook like mine. no paneer pakora? He will come into the kitchen and fry his own! :rotfl

Good luck reshmirn! Don't give up hope!

reshmirn · Feb 21, 2009

Hi 'asuitablegirl'
both yours and my DH's seem to have somewhat similar characteristics but yours at least stopped smoking for you..but mine not doing that for me or our kid!!! I too have cried lots, even fought with him, tried several tactics that has at times helped but just for few days before he finds himself with a new pack of cig! He had a minor surgery for sinusitis few months back and then he had promised to quit the habit. But still he cant keep away from cig for more than 3 -4 days. bonk

Anyhow now he keeps away from red meat, no burgers/shewarmas etc. Prefer grilled chicken/fish instead of deep frying.Hey even he cooks esp. non veg. buy chicken thighs,clean them,add masala and deeeeeeep fry. OOOh god when he starts pouring oil, I'll start screaming.Rant

Now the prob is that I've started losing my patience and find myself criticising him;though I know that I need to keep a cool head to bring hom my way.
It is only for his bad habits and carelessness regarding health matters that we pick up a fight!:hide:

Oh god, pls help me change this darling of mine.

asuitablegirl · Mar 3, 2009

Hi ladies,

In November when my hubby's cholesterol was at 274, you offered me great suggestions on how to improve his health. I'm happy to say, yesterday we got back his most recent cholesterol results and now he's at 235!!!

It's still higher than normal, but wow, at least there was improvement! The ultimate goal is to get below 200. The doctor said to keep on his current diet and increase exercise. Hubby has since taken up golf and is eating a very healthy diet. :biggrin2:

To anyone reading this with cholesterol problems, I'd suggest looking through the wonderful replies the ladies here gave me, because you will definitely see a positive change. Also, be sure to get a check up with a doctor to make certain you're on the right track!

Thanks again for all your help, I really appreciate it.

Ansuya · Mar 3, 2009

ASG

Well done to your husband on decreasing his cholesterol! While I'm sure he deserves some credit for this improvement, we all know it's often the caring and supportive wife in this scenario who has made the most difference!

I watched my mother nurse my father back to health after he suffered a heart attack and a underwent bypass surgery in his mid-40s, and a lot of the things she implemented (diet and lifestyle changes) were taken up rather grudgingly by him. Despite his bad attitude (he still fusses when he has to go for check-ups, etc.), he is still alive today, and it is largely thanks to her, in my opinion.

So, congratulations to you for tackling this problem in such a conscientious and informed manner. Your husband is lucky to have someone like you looking after him!

asuitablegirl · Mar 4, 2009

Awww thanks Ansuya. My dh is enthusiastic about golf, walks around the block, etc. but NOT so enthusiastic about healthy eating and yearly check ups. Rant

Guess I will have to be like your mom and stay on top of things, else they'd never get done. He got mad at first when he found out I scheduled the appointments and said he would have done it himself. So I asked, when??? His answer.... Someday. Which basically means, never. :crazy

Anyways, let me do this one thing for him and take care of his health. It benefits him and me. He gets to stay alive and I get to keep my hubby around for many more years to come! :kiss

Thanks again for all the mails you sent me about this topic, it was really encouraging. :thankyou2:

SandyTM · Apr 5, 2010

Hi..
Am in exactly the same situation as you. My hubby has very high cholestrol and doctor has given him medications for few months. However i dont want him to be on medication. The problem is he is not at all conscious of his condition. He never exercises and has no control over food. Am tired of telling him everyday about this and it leaves me frustrated when one does not take care of one's health. On my side i take care of what i cook. Hope the situation changes.

And to give some tips: Use flax seed powder in cooking and eat walnuts. Have heard that they increase the "good cholestrol"

OOPALL · Apr 6, 2010

Hi there!
Definately add oatmeal to the diet. Within 3-4 weeks you will see a drop in the numbers. I know for most men, meat is essential part of the meal. Try smaller portions of meat. Salmon (fish) is good alternative. Flaxseed is also good for reducing cholestrol. Has lots of OMEGA3. Exercise is a big part. Go in pairs to the gym, this way he has a workout buddy. I understand that sometimes we make work our top priority but health is most important. Even a 30 minutes dedicated to exercise will do wonders.