What percentage of a cholesterol decrease can be attributed to statins ?

"Joe Smigiel" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My question relates to how much of the drop in cholesterol could be
attributed to the statin? I'd like to get off the drug if I could and
am wondering if the diet and lifestyle changes are the main cause of the
lowered cholesterol or if it is the Lipitor? Any studies out there that
have shown what percentage of cholesterol loss can be attributed to the
various factors including statins?

I'm curious and want to get off the statin because of the reported side
effects. I think I've suffered "pump head" and am currently undergoing
testing for losses in cognitive ability, but I've also read statins can
produce similar effects.

Thanks for any info or pointers.

Joe

I'm not a Dr. and hopefully someone more knowledgeable than I am will respond.
I'm not aware of any such studies - showing the results of statins vs. diet
vs. exercise - , but they would probably not be very meaningful anyway because
the results would vary with the type of diet change (the particular before and
after diet), exercise change, particular statin and dose, and the individual.
What is known is that in a broad range of individuals statins reduce LDL
cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular "events". However, if you
are concerned you could talk to your Dr. about going off the Lipitor for a
period of time and see what happens. That is the only real way of telling.

As far as I know, however, the cognitive effects of statins are not
established and also you are on a very low dose. So I think the risk there is
very small. Also I note that your HDL is very low at 27. Exercise can increase
this. You said you exercise, but you did not mention how long or how
vigorously. You might also talk to your Dr. about taking a small amount of
niacin to improve your HDL. Also, a lot of people recommend fish oil capsules
for heart patients in general.

Bill

Just came across this possibly related article:

Bill

___________________

Statin Therapy Slows Alzheimer's in Small Study

LONDON (Reuters Health) Sept 22 - Simvastatin significantly slowed disease
progression in Alzheimer's patients, according to the findings of a small
German study released on Monday.

Professor Konrad Beyreuther, of the University of Heidelberg, Germany said 44
patients were randomized to receive either simvastatin or placebo in a 26-week
double blind study.

He told the 16th European College of Neuropsychopharmacology conference in
Prague that by the end of study, there was a significant difference in the
patients' average Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) scores.

In the treatment arm, the slowest rate of disease progression was seen in
patients with moderate rather than severe Alzheimer's disease, suggesting a
narrow therapeutic window. He said other studies by his group using guinea
pigs were also encouraging.

Several lines of evidence have raised hopes for statin therapy against
Alzheimer's. Cholesterol metabolism and the disease are genetically linked.
The apoE4 gene is associated with higher cholesterol levels and has been shown
to increase the risk of developing the disease three to seven-fold.

Experimental suppression of cholesterol by statins reduces the formation of
the short and long forms of amyloid beta. Epidemiological studies have also
shown that statin therapy reduced the relative risk of Alzheimer's threefold.

Beyreuther said: "Our hopes go towards brain cholesterol lowering therapies
because (these) studies, our experiments in cells and animals, and our initial
clinical trial suggest that treatment with cholesterol-lowering drugs reduces
amyloid beta production and disease progression."

But he cautioned: "Long term trials in larger population will have to clarity
whether statins indeed are able to slow the progression of cognitive symptoms
in Alzheimer's disease."

Joe Smigiel said:

I had a heart attack June 9th, 3xCABG on June 13th, and am feeling
pretty good now. I'm 49 and male with a history of CAD in my family
(older brother 5xCABG, father 3XCABG, paternal uncles all with MIs,
CAD). I went through a hospital cardiac rehab regimen in about 4 weeks
time this summer and have increased my exercise rate about 25-30% since
graduating from the program.

My cardiologist has me on Lipitor 10mg/day as well as metaprolol,
Altace, aspirin, and a daily multivitamin. The last time checked &
several years before the heart attack my cholesterol was 202. Last
month it was 116 with the hdl/ldl ratio about 3.5. Yesterday I had
another blood test and the total cholesterol was less than 100, hdl @
27. (Glucose 88, BP 90/58 which was low, usually around 100/70.)

Since surgery I've done some lifestyle changes including quitting
smoking (was 1 1/2 packs per day for 32 years), continuing to exercise
5-6 times per week and I have changed my diet considerably. I'm eating
oats instead of eggs for breakfast, probably have one meal with lean
meat daily (usually chicken or lean pork) and try to do a vegetarian
meal per day. I've switched to mostly non- or low-fat, low-salt foods
and am doing more fruits, veggies, fish and nuts, olive oil. etc., and I
haven't had a cup of regular coffee since the cardiac event. I'm still
about a 20 pounds overweight (although not obese) even with the
increased exercise and diet changes. I've been trying to shed the extra
weight since April but have only lost about 8 pounds total. (I figure
the exclusion of nicotine and caffeine have probably affected my
metabolic rate and helped prevent some weight loss. I could do fewer
carbs...)

My question relates to how much of the drop in cholesterol could be
attributed to the statin? I'd like to get off the drug if I could and
am wondering if the diet and lifestyle changes are the main cause of the
lowered cholesterol or if it is the Lipitor? Any studies out there that
have shown what percentage of cholesterol loss can be attributed to the
various factors including statins?

I'm curious and want to get off the statin because of the reported side
effects. I think I've suffered "pump head" and am currently undergoing
testing for losses in cognitive ability, but I've also read statins can
produce similar effects.

Thanks for any info or pointers.

Joe

(replace the "o" in the email address with an "e" to reply to me
directly)

Your HDL is very low. Above you state your TC is under 100 but I think you
mean LDL?

Have you cut out refined carbohydrates? I think cutting out refined carbs
can help you raise HDL. Of course exercise can also help. The type of
exercise in how vigorous, length of time, and how often are all factors in
raising HDL. Some believe that fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and
herring can also help your HDL, and fish oil capsules as well. Olive oil
may help and eating nuts, too. Walnuts contain the omega 3's. Certain nuts
are high in monosaturated fat like hazelnuts, almonds, pecans, and
macadamia nuts.

You don't need meat every day, regardless of whether it's chicken or pork.
Consider a mediterranean style diet and replacing some of your meat meals
with beans and rice -- brown rice. Consider having whole wheat pasta.
Consider more vegetarian type meals and eating small portions with snacks
such as one ounce of nuts along with a piece of fruit. You don't have to
feel full after eating a meal. I think one of the biggest mistakes people
make is a need to feel full after having a meal. Walk away from the table
with room for more. About two hours or so later, have some nuts and a piece
of fruit.

Consider getting "Eat, Drink, and be Healthy" by Dr. Walter Willett.

I am not a doctor, just someone like you trying to do the right thing.

Mel

"Bill" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

"Joe Smigiel" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My question relates to how much of > > As far as I know, however, the cognitive effects of statins are not

established and also you are on a very low dose. > Bill

They are exceedingly well established in a clinical study reported
only a few months ago. Do a google search on this newsgroup for the
reference. What this study showed was that 100% of the patients put
on a statin for a period of six months suffered a drop in IQ. The
mean of the placebo control group showed a small increase in IQ as to
be expected due to practice taking the test six months before at the
start of the study.

You need to do your homework better Bill.

"M. Schwartz" wrote:
(snip)

Your HDL is very low. Above you state your TC is under 100 but I think you

Quoted message said:

mean LDL?

Have you (snip)

Quoted message said:

Mel

Uh no. I meant what I said. Total cholesterol under 100. I'm aware there
are other things I could be doing which might lower it even further, but why?
My question basically is asking if I had fairly low cholesterol to begin with
(202) and have since lowered it considerably (under 100), can I get away with
continuing the lifestyle changes and at the same time cutting out Lipitor?
Does Lipitor account for perhaps 10% of the decrease, or 50%, or 90%...?

Joe

In my case, Zocor was solely responsible for a significant lowering of
my cholesterol. Diet and exercise did not help at all, in fact my
cholesterol kept rising until I took Zocor.

--

Herb
Boulder, CO

"Joe Smigiel" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I had a heart attack June 9th, 3xCABG on June 13th, and am feeling
pretty good now. I'm 49 and male with a history of CAD in my family
(older brother 5xCABG, father 3XCABG, paternal uncles all with MIs,
CAD). I went through a hospital cardiac rehab regimen in about 4

weeks

Quoted message said:

time this summer and have increased my exercise rate about 25-30%

since

Quoted message said:

graduating from the program.

My cardiologist has me on Lipitor 10mg/day as well as metaprolol,
Altace, aspirin, and a daily multivitamin. The last time checked &
several years before the heart attack my cholesterol was 202. Last
month it was 116 with the hdl/ldl ratio about 3.5. Yesterday I had
another blood test and the total cholesterol was less than 100, hdl @
27. (Glucose 88, BP 90/58 which was low, usually around 100/70.)

Since surgery I've done some lifestyle changes including quitting
smoking (was 1 1/2 packs per day for 32 years), continuing to exercise
5-6 times per week and I have changed my diet considerably. I'm

eating

Quoted message said:

oats instead of eggs for breakfast, probably have one meal with lean
meat daily (usually chicken or lean pork) and try to do a vegetarian
meal per day. I've switched to mostly non- or low-fat, low-salt foods
and am doing more fruits, veggies, fish and nuts, olive oil. etc., and

I

Quoted message said:

haven't had a cup of regular coffee since the cardiac event. I'm

still

Quoted message said:

about a 20 pounds overweight (although not obese) even with the
increased exercise and diet changes. I've been trying to shed the

extra

Quoted message said:

weight since April but have only lost about 8 pounds total. (I figure
the exclusion of nicotine and caffeine have probably affected my
metabolic rate and helped prevent some weight loss. I could do fewer
carbs...)

My question relates to how much of the drop in cholesterol could be
attributed to the statin? I'd like to get off the drug if I could and
am wondering if the diet and lifestyle changes are the main cause of

the

Quoted message said:

lowered cholesterol or if it is the Lipitor? Any studies out there

that

Quoted message said:

have shown what percentage of cholesterol loss can be attributed to

the

Quoted message said:

various factors including statins?

I'm curious and want to get off the statin because of the reported

side

Quoted message said:

effects. I think I've suffered "pump head" and am currently

undergoing

Quoted message said:

testing for losses in cognitive ability, but I've also read statins

can

Quoted message said:

produce similar effects.

Thanks for any info or pointers.

Joe

(replace the "o" in the email address with an "e" to reply to me
directly)

Joe Smigiel said:

"M. Schwartz" wrote:
(snip)

Your HDL is very low. Above you state your TC is under 100 but I think you

Quoted message said:

mean LDL?

Have you (snip)

Quoted message said:

Mel

Uh no. I meant what I said. Total cholesterol under 100. I'm aware there
are other things I could be doing which might lower it even further, but why?
My question basically is asking if I had fairly low cholesterol to begin with
(202) and have since lowered it considerably (under 100), can I get away with
continuing the lifestyle changes and at the same time cutting out Lipitor?
Does Lipitor account for perhaps 10% of the decrease, or 50%, or 90%...?

Joe

Sorry, just noticed you were stating HDL/LDL ratio.

It's pretty hard to know how much effect your Lipitor has on lowering the
TC or LDL. I would guess a 10 mg dose of Liptor is reducing your
cholesterol by around 30 percent.

You could stop taking the drug and see how it goes. Your numbers are good
except for that HDL of 27 which is theoretically quite bad. If you do
decide to stop the drug and experiment, I would suggest following a diet
that includes chicken 2 or 3 times a week, salmon twice a week, beans and
rice at least once a week, a meat substitute like Lightlife's Gimme Lean
that can be used to make meatballs. Those are suggestions for dinner. Lunch
should be sardines at least once a week, veggie burger at least once a
week, ratatoulle twice a week, turkey breast once a week, porcini mushroom
and barley risotta (from Dr. Willet's book) - lunch menus are not
practical if you have to work outside your home :-)

You really should get Dr. Willett's book and follow his food pyramid - just
my opinion.

One more very important thing, when taking a statin drug, you should
definitely be taking a Co-Q10 supplement. Statin drugs prevent the body
from manufacturing this much needed nutrient. A daily dose of at least 100
mg is highly recommended - not the powdered capsule but the softgel.

Mel

Herb said:

In my case, Zocor was solely responsible for a significant lowering of
my cholesterol. Diet and exercise did not help at all, in fact my
cholesterol kept rising until I took Zocor.

Did you cut out all refined carbohydrates? I take 10 mg of Zocor and it did
reduce my cholesterol by around 25 percent. However, when I cut out refined
carbs and made other changes to my diet, my total cholesterol dropped even
more and my LDL dropped from around 98 to 81.

Mel

Joe Smigiel <[email hidden]> wrote in part:

Quoted message said:

Does Lipitor account for perhaps 10% of the decrease, or 50%, or 90%...?

The data I've seen show that a statin reduces cholesterol much more than the
reduction achieved by diet alone, for most people. In other words, the statin
probably accounts for more than 50% of the reduction, possibly much more than
50%.
--
Jim Chinnis Warrenton, Virginia, USA

"Jim Chinnis" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Joe Smigiel <[email hidden]> wrote in part:

Quoted message said:

Does Lipitor account for perhaps 10% of the decrease, or 50%, or 90%...?

The data I've seen show that a statin reduces cholesterol much more than

the

Quoted message said:

reduction achieved by diet alone, for most people. In other words, the

statin

Quoted message said:

probably accounts for more than 50% of the reduction, possibly much more

than

Quoted message said:

50%.
--
Jim Chinnis Warrenton, Virginia, USA

Some Data on Low Cholesterol Diet - No Statins taken.
Same lab used for both tests - VA Medical Center in Martinsburg, WV. I will
be having my blood tested every six months so I should get some good long
term data.
I also get some form of exercise every day.
See Below:

As you can see the total Cholesterol went up but look at the breakdown and
ratios.
In addition to being on low carbs, I eat fish at least three times a week,
eat LOTS of vegetables, cook using olive oil and drink home made dry red
wine every day. Typical breakfast is eggs and sausage and meat is either
fish, chicken, pork or beef - either pan fried in Olive oil or baked.

Started Low Carb diet in May 2003
Age: 58
Height 6 foot 1/2 inch

Date 7-Mar 17-Sep

Weight 230 207
Total Cholesterol 194 229
Triglycerides 65 31
HDL 58 86
LDL 122 136.8

Ratio of Total / HDL 3.34 2.66
Ratio of Tri / HDL 1.12 .360

Joe Smigiel said:

I had a heart attack June 9th, 3xCABG on June 13th, and am feeling
pretty good now. I'm 49 and male with a history of CAD in my family
(older brother 5xCABG, father 3XCABG, paternal uncles all with MIs,
CAD). I went through a hospital cardiac rehab regimen in about 4 weeks
time this summer and have increased my exercise rate about 25-30% since
graduating from the program.

My cardiologist has me on Lipitor 10mg/day as well as metaprolol,
Altace, aspirin, and a daily multivitamin. The last time checked &
several years before the heart attack my cholesterol was 202. Last
month it was 116 with the hdl/ldl ratio about 3.5.

You probably mean LDL/HDL ratio.

Quoted message said:

Yesterday I had
another blood test and the total cholesterol was less than 100, hdl @
27. (Glucose 88, BP 90/58 which was low, usually around 100/70.)

Your HDL needs to be higher. More exercise should help that.

Quoted message said:

Since surgery I've done some lifestyle changes including quitting
smoking (was 1 1/2 packs per day for 32 years),

Good.

Quoted message said:

continuing to exercise
5-6 times per week

This needs to be aerobic for at least 30 minutes daily preferably before
supper.

Quoted message said:

and I have changed my diet considerably. I'm eating
oats instead of eggs for breakfast, probably have one meal with lean
meat daily (usually chicken or lean pork) and try to do a vegetarian
meal per day. I've switched to mostly non- or low-fat, low-salt foods
and am doing more fruits, veggies, fish and nuts, olive oil. etc., and I
haven't had a cup of regular coffee since the cardiac event. I'm still
about a 20 pounds overweight (although not obese) even with the
increased exercise and diet changes. I've been trying to shed the extra
weight since April but have only lost about 8 pounds total. (I figure
the exclusion of nicotine and caffeine have probably affected my
metabolic rate

This does more to increase appetite than to lower metabolic rate.

Quoted message said:

and helped prevent some weight loss. I could do fewer
carbs...)

Carbs don't cause obesity.

Quoted message said:

My question relates to how much of the drop in cholesterol could be
attributed to the statin?

Much of it could be from the statin.

Quoted message said:

I'd like to get off the drug if I could and
am wondering if the diet and lifestyle changes are the main cause of the
lowered cholesterol or if it is the Lipitor?

Ask your doctor about going without it for a couple months to see.

Quoted message said:

Any studies out there that
have shown what percentage of cholesterol loss can be attributed to the
various factors including statins?

Population averages don't predict individual experiences very well.

Quoted message said:

I'm curious and want to get off the statin because of the reported side
effects. I think I've suffered "pump head" and am currently undergoing
testing for losses in cognitive ability, but I've also read statins can
produce similar effects.

Thanks for any info or pointers.

Joe

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com

M. Schwartz said:

Joe Smigiel said:

"M. Schwartz" wrote:
(snip)

Your HDL is very low. Above you state your TC is under 100 but I think you

Quoted message said:

mean LDL?

Have you (snip)

Quoted message said:

Mel

Uh no. I meant what I said. Total cholesterol under 100. I'm aware there
are other things I could be doing which might lower it even further, but why?
My question basically is asking if I had fairly low cholesterol to begin with
(202) and have since lowered it considerably (under 100), can I get away with
continuing the lifestyle changes and at the same time cutting out Lipitor?
Does Lipitor account for perhaps 10% of the decrease, or 50%, or 90%...?

Joe

Sorry, just noticed you were stating HDL/LDL ratio.

It's pretty hard to know how much effect your Lipitor has on lowering the
TC or LDL. I would guess a 10 mg dose of Liptor is reducing your
cholesterol by around 30 percent.

You could stop taking the drug and see how it goes. Your numbers are good
except for that HDL of 27 which is theoretically quite bad. If you do
decide to stop the drug and experiment, I would suggest following a diet
that includes chicken 2 or 3 times a week, salmon twice a week, beans and
rice at least once a week, a meat substitute like Lightlife's Gimme Lean
that can be used to make meatballs. Those are suggestions for dinner. Lunch
should be sardines at least once a week, veggie burger at least once a
week, ratatoulle twice a week, turkey breast once a week, porcini mushroom
and barley risotta (from Dr. Willet's book) - lunch menus are not
practical if you have to work outside your home :-)

You really should get Dr. Willett's book and follow his food pyramid - just
my opinion.

One more very important thing, when taking a statin drug, you should
definitely be taking a Co-Q10 supplement. Statin drugs prevent the body
from manufacturing this much needed nutrient. A daily dose of at least 100
mg is highly recommended - not the powdered capsule but the softgel.

Mel

What does Co-Q10 do? Can I get it from food sources?

John Merlano

MD/PhD said:

Joe Smigiel said:

I had a heart attack June 9th, 3xCABG on June 13th, and am feeling
pretty good now. I'm 49 and male with a history of CAD in my family
(older brother 5xCABG, father 3XCABG, paternal uncles all with MIs,
CAD). I went through a hospital cardiac rehab regimen in about 4 weeks
time this summer and have increased my exercise rate about 25-30% since
graduating from the program.

My cardiologist has me on Lipitor 10mg/day as well as metaprolol,
Altace, aspirin, and a daily multivitamin. The last time checked &
several years before the heart attack my cholesterol was 202. Last
month it was 116 with the hdl/ldl ratio about 3.5.

You probably mean LDL/HDL ratio.

Quoted message said:

Yesterday I had
another blood test and the total cholesterol was less than 100, hdl @
27. (Glucose 88, BP 90/58 which was low, usually around 100/70.)

Your HDL needs to be higher. More exercise should help that.

Quoted message said:

Since surgery I've done some lifestyle changes including quitting
smoking (was 1 1/2 packs per day for 32 years),

Good.

Quoted message said:

continuing to exercise
5-6 times per week

This needs to be aerobic for at least 30 minutes daily preferably before
supper.

Quoted message said:

and I have changed my diet considerably. I'm eating
oats instead of eggs for breakfast, probably have one meal with lean
meat daily (usually chicken or lean pork) and try to do a vegetarian
meal per day. I've switched to mostly non- or low-fat, low-salt foods
and am doing more fruits, veggies, fish and nuts, olive oil. etc., and I
haven't had a cup of regular coffee since the cardiac event. I'm still
about a 20 pounds overweight (although not obese) even with the
increased exercise and diet changes. I've been trying to shed the extra
weight since April but have only lost about 8 pounds total. (I figure
the exclusion of nicotine and caffeine have probably affected my
metabolic rate

This does more to increase appetite than to lower metabolic rate.

Quoted message said:

and helped prevent some weight loss. I could do fewer
carbs...)

Carbs don't cause obesity.

Doesn't eating refined carbs contribute to gaining weight?

John Merlano

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

My question relates to how much of the drop in cholesterol could be
attributed to the statin?

Much of it could be from the statin.

Quoted message said:

I'd like to get off the drug if I could and
am wondering if the diet and lifestyle changes are the main cause of the
lowered cholesterol or if it is the Lipitor?

Ask your doctor about going without it for a couple months to see.

Quoted message said:

Any studies out there that
have shown what percentage of cholesterol loss can be attributed to the
various factors including statins?

Population averages don't predict individual experiences very well.

Quoted message said:

I'm curious and want to get off the statin because of the reported side
effects. I think I've suffered "pump head" and am currently undergoing
testing for losses in cognitive ability, but I've also read statins can
produce similar effects.

Thanks for any info or pointers.

Joe

"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" schrieb:

Quoted message said:

Joe Smigiel wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and helped prevent some weight loss. I could do fewer
carbs...)

Carbs don't cause obesity.

A growing number of scientists will disagree with you on that. However
that may be, cutting out most carbs will cause a vast majority of obese
people to lose weight. In addition, it offers a whole host of other
health benefits like reduced bloodpressure and lower triglcerides. If
you are interested in how this works, I'd recommend the book "Protein
Power" by Michael and Mary Eades to you.

Thorsten

--
"Nothing in biology makes sense, except in the light of evolution"

(Theodosius Dobzhansky)

"James" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Bill" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"Joe Smigiel" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My question relates to how much of > > As far as I know, however, the

cognitive effects of statins are not

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

established and also you are on a very low dose. > Bill

They are exceedingly well established in a clinical study reported
only a few months ago. Do a google search on this newsgroup for the
reference. What this study showed was that 100% of the patients put
on a statin for a period of six months suffered a drop in IQ. The
mean of the placebo control group showed a small increase in IQ as to
be expected due to practice taking the test six months before at the
start of the study.

You need to do your homework better Bill.

Could you be so kind as to provide the reference.

Bill

John Merlano said:

M. Schwartz said:

Joe Smigiel said:

"M. Schwartz" wrote:
(snip)

Your HDL is very low. Above you state your TC is under 100 but I think you

> mean LDL?
>
> Have you (snip)

> Mel

Uh no. I meant what I said. Total cholesterol under 100. I'm aware there
are other things I could be doing which might lower it even further, but why?
My question basically is asking if I had fairly low cholesterol to begin with
(202) and have since lowered it considerably (under 100), can I get away with
continuing the lifestyle changes and at the same time cutting out Lipitor?
Does Lipitor account for perhaps 10% of the decrease, or 50%, or 90%...?

Joe

Sorry, just noticed you were stating HDL/LDL ratio.

It's pretty hard to know how much effect your Lipitor has on lowering the
TC or LDL. I would guess a 10 mg dose of Liptor is reducing your
cholesterol by around 30 percent.

You could stop taking the drug and see how it goes. Your numbers are good
except for that HDL of 27 which is theoretically quite bad. If you do
decide to stop the drug and experiment, I would suggest following a diet
that includes chicken 2 or 3 times a week, salmon twice a week, beans and
rice at least once a week, a meat substitute like Lightlife's Gimme Lean
that can be used to make meatballs. Those are suggestions for dinner. Lunch
should be sardines at least once a week, veggie burger at least once a
week, ratatoulle twice a week, turkey breast once a week, porcini mushroom
and barley risotta (from Dr. Willet's book) - lunch menus are not
practical if you have to work outside your home :-)

You really should get Dr. Willett's book and follow his food pyramid - just
my opinion.

One more very important thing, when taking a statin drug, you should
definitely be taking a Co-Q10 supplement. Statin drugs prevent the body
from manufacturing this much needed nutrient. A daily dose of at least 100
mg is highly recommended - not the powdered capsule but the softgel.

Mel

What does Co-Q10 do? Can I get it from food sources?

John Merlano

It is required for energy production. A deficiency of coenzyme Q10 is
associated with impairment of myocardial function, with liver dysfunction
and with myopathies (including cardiomyopathy and congestive heart
failure).

It is a naturally occurring nutrient normally present in every cell in the
body, and also available through foods (especially fish and meats,
particularly organ meats). The body makes CoQ-10, but many people probably
don't make it very well, due to the highly complicated biochemical process
required for its production. HMG CoA reductance inhibitors (statins) block
the endogenous biosynthesis of an essential cofactor, coenzyme Q10.

What that means is people taking a statin drug have CoQ-10 blocked from
being made in the body. Therefore, it is advisable to supplement with at
least 100 mg of the softgel form. There are two kinds of CoQ-10: capsule
and softgel. For getting the most absorption of CoQ-10, it must have some
form of fat to aid the process. Capsules are in a powdered form and need a
fatty meal to help the absorption process while the softgel comes in an oil
base to provide the needed fat and help better absorb more of the nutrient.

Mel

Thorsten Schier said:

"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" schrieb:

Quoted message said:

Joe Smigiel wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and helped prevent some weight loss. I could do fewer
carbs...)

Carbs don't cause obesity.

A growing number of scientists will disagree with you on that. However
that may be, cutting out most carbs will cause a vast majority of obese
people to lose weight. In addition, it offers a whole host of other
health benefits like reduced bloodpressure and lower triglcerides. If
you are interested in how this works, I'd recommend the book "Protein
Power" by Michael and Mary Eades to you.

Thorsten

I'll agree with you that cutting out refined carbohydrates is a good thing,
but complex carbohydrates serve a very important nutritional function.

I eat lots of complex carbs and I'm 5'7 3/4" tall without shoes and weigh
131 pounds before breakfast, and, my triglyceride level is 65. Blood
pressure at last reading was 118/70.

Mel

John Merlano said:

MD/PhD said:

Joe Smigiel said:

I had a heart attack June 9th, 3xCABG on June 13th, and am feeling
pretty good now. I'm 49 and male with a history of CAD in my family
(older brother 5xCABG, father 3XCABG, paternal uncles all with MIs,
CAD). I went through a hospital cardiac rehab regimen in about 4 weeks
time this summer and have increased my exercise rate about 25-30% since
graduating from the program.

My cardiologist has me on Lipitor 10mg/day as well as metaprolol,
Altace, aspirin, and a daily multivitamin. The last time checked &
several years before the heart attack my cholesterol was 202. Last
month it was 116 with the hdl/ldl ratio about 3.5.

You probably mean LDL/HDL ratio.

Quoted message said:

Yesterday I had
another blood test and the total cholesterol was less than 100, hdl @
27. (Glucose 88, BP 90/58 which was low, usually around 100/70.)

Your HDL needs to be higher. More exercise should help that.

Quoted message said:

Since surgery I've done some lifestyle changes including quitting
smoking (was 1 1/2 packs per day for 32 years),

Good.

Quoted message said:

continuing to exercise
5-6 times per week

This needs to be aerobic for at least 30 minutes daily preferably before
supper.

Quoted message said:

and I have changed my diet considerably. I'm eating
oats instead of eggs for breakfast, probably have one meal with lean
meat daily (usually chicken or lean pork) and try to do a vegetarian
meal per day. I've switched to mostly non- or low-fat, low-salt foods
and am doing more fruits, veggies, fish and nuts, olive oil. etc., and I
haven't had a cup of regular coffee since the cardiac event. I'm still
about a 20 pounds overweight (although not obese) even with the
increased exercise and diet changes. I've been trying to shed the extra
weight since April but have only lost about 8 pounds total. (I figure
the exclusion of nicotine and caffeine have probably affected my
metabolic rate

This does more to increase appetite than to lower metabolic rate.

Quoted message said:

and helped prevent some weight loss. I could do fewer
carbs...)

Carbs don't cause obesity.

Doesn't eating refined carbs contribute to gaining weight?

John Merlano

No.

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com

Thorsten Schier said:

"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" schrieb:

Quoted message said:

Joe Smigiel wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and helped prevent some weight loss. I could do fewer
carbs...)

Carbs don't cause obesity.

A growing number of scientists will disagree with you on that.

If that were true, it should be easy for you to cite research studies
describing carbohydrates causing obesity.

Please don't cite Dr. Atkins:

(1) He's dead.

(2) He wasn't a scientist. Being a diet guru was not the same.

Quoted message said:

However
that may be, cutting out most carbs will cause a vast majority of obese
people to lose weight.

Cutting out anything will cause weight loss. Problem is that research
studies indicate that such "dieting" has dismal long-term success rates..

Quoted message said:

In addition, it offers a whole host of other
health benefits like reduced bloodpressure

That happens from losing weight.

Quoted message said:

and lower triglcerides.

This also happens largely from losing weight.

Without carbohydrates, there will be hyperketonemia. This is not a good
thing physiologically.

Quoted message said:

If
you are interested in how this works, I'd recommend the book "Protein
Power" by Michael and Mary Eades to you.

I prefer peer-reviewed journal article to books like "Protein Power."

The latter sounds too much like "White Power."

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com