How does one lower high cholesterol? any ideas? Im really confused. What's good to eat? How can someone that has minimal control over their diet lower their cholesterol?

There are many ways. First is probably diet. Does your family/parents have a history of high cholesterol. Because there is two sources, family history and food. I just recently found out mine and its not where I would like it needless to say!

Since then I am really watching what I eat, and trying to lose some weight, which is also important. When you shop for groceries, read the labels, which I try to really do now, and look for saturated fat and amount of cholesterol....among other listings. Esp. look for something called partially hydrogenated oils/fats.

Plus exercise, regular exercise is also important. If none of this works, and you still have cholesterol problems, then your Dr. may want to try some medications called statins, to try and lower your numbers. Hope this helps!

Oatmeal is supposed to be excellent for fighting cholesterol.You really have to cut waaaaaaay back on the dairy such as cheese,butter and milk.Meats and dairy are supposed to be the major culprits and Tom is right about the exercise as well.

Probably would be best to talk to a doctor and/or nutritionist. There are many differnt factors that can contribute to high cholesterol such as diet, genetics, medications, exercise, weight, lifestyle choices and more.

Only a qualified physician can tell you what will work best for you. What works for me or anyone else here may not be suitable for you.

In addition to the above good advice, you want to generally reduce the amount of fats, especially trans fats, in your diet and increase the amount of fiber. Look for foods that are high in soluble fiber, which is just what its name implies and works in your bloodstream to scour the vessels of cholesterol; whole grain foods are all good sources, as are most fruits and veggies. Alcohol - in moderate quantities, of course! - also works this way by chemically dissolving cholesterol buildup, it's believed. Finally, cardio also works to increase bloodflow to flush cholesterol from your system.

Oatmeal is good; oat bran is even better. Around 10/12 years ago I started eating microwave-able packaged oatmeal topped with about a cup (or more) or oat bran each day for breakfast (to make it appealing I add either syrup or honey, depending on what kind of oatmeal I'm having). I dropped from a count of @ 230'ish to 160'ish. The rest of the diet matters too (minimize unhealthy fat intake), of course, as does exercise. But oat bran is a major boon.

I have shredded oats for breakfast everyday, do not eat anything with trans fat (boxed cookies and crackers, for example), use olive oil, drink a glass of red wine each night, and have a glass of water with psyllium husks stirred in every morning and night. I also swim a fast 2500m 4x per week. My cholesterol dropped from 210 to 160.

Sorry ULTRA, but I just have to ask. Why do you have "minimal control" over your diet? You're being force-fed?
wink

i dont go out a lot to eat for lunch. i stay in a work and eat what is provided. at home i try to eat healthy, but to save money i dont go out to eat for lunch.

Ultra: it wasn't until I decided to stop eating what's provided, and instead to bring my own meal, that I finally got my weight under control (cholesterol, however, was managed even before, b/c of oat bran). I started eating mixed nuts, a banana and fig newtons daily and weight has been easy to manage since then. SFTom's emphasis on exercise is important, too, b/c that's what builds good cholesterol.

so what would be considered a good lunch? i mean fig newtons, a banana and oats, every day? i dont eat much, so i guess that could do but day in, day out. is there anything else that i could eat that's healthy?

I just saw a cooking show,Saturday that said beans are good for fighting cholesterol.I hate beans except for green(string) beans.At least you would have a lot to choose from red,navy,white,black beans etc.

Gosh, it really isn't that hard. A tuna fish or turkey sandwich on whole grain bread, with greens and tomatoes. An apple, banana, plum, carrot sticks. A salad bar (easy on the dressing). The list is almost endless.