high cholesterol levels

I know there is more to your question than this, but if you are at some point researching whether or not specific meds are safe to take while nursing (or how safe), the InfantRisk Center (infantrisk.com, or they also have a phone hotline) is THE resource to get ahold of. It’s connected with Dr. Hale, who is the top expert on this topic, and they will give you specific information based on the age of your baby and how often he or she is nursing. A lot of doctors don’t know if it’s safe or not so they advise to wean.

Hope you get some other great advice and support. I’m sure there are things to try before meds if that is what you prefer (I think I would!). 

If you really want your cholesterol down, diet will do a better job than meds and you’d not have to worry about the effects on future babies.

To lower cholesterol–you do need to find some time to at least walk.  And drop:  All refined sugar, especially fructose (small amounts in whole fruits are OK) drop saturated fats, reduce oils and fats to less than 20% of calories, and eat as many fresh fruits and veggies as you can possibly stand.  Reduce refined flours, pastas, etc.  A number of programs have shown that a regimen like this will not only lower cholesterol, but can actually reverse buildup in arteries.  I have reduced my cholesterol from 260 to 140 on this program.  For further information, you can google Dr. Esselstyn.  Most doctors will roll their eyes and recommend the meds anyway, but this is SO worth trying first!

I did cut dairy entirely.  But I did not cut carbs–just refined ones.  If you try this sort of plan, and your cholesterol does not go down as far as you want, then too much fructose could be the problem.  You might up the veggie/fruit balance.  I still eat fruit, but veggies rule!  Try to eat less refined grains when possible—I treat bread and pasta as treats, eating whole cooked grains when possible.  ONLY brown rice.  Watch dried fruit—you get a lot of sugar in a serving!  Again, I consider that an occasional treat.  It makes OK car food when everyone else is eating a candy bar.  🙂  Fantastic cookbooks for this style of cooking are the Happy Herbivore cookbooks.  

Eating healthier and doing some sort of activity are always good but do make sure you learn about cholesterol levels while lactating.  I’ve heard (and I believe from the AMA) that you shouldn’t even get tested while you are nursing a child becasue the numbers will be high and that is totally normal.  Please don’t start taking the medicines.  I’m really disappointed your doctor is pushing this.

There are those that also suggest that higher cholesterol levels are connected to longevity and that, especially when sick, the levels may show higher than normal…..because cholesterol helps to fight infection. My DH had lab work done a year and a half ago while fighting and infection. Levels were high enough to discuss meds. He declined. His diet includes garlic and cod liver oil, at times resveratrol and he gets plenty exercise. His levels are within the normal range. I’m no expert, but I think diet and exercise will get the levels back into the range currently considered “normal.” Might it also be due to nursing? I’ve never researched it, but is it possible that your body has higher cholesterol levels while lactating? Anyone know?

This just came to my inbox this morning. I thought I’d post it for you.

http://www.cheeseslave.com/does-cholesterol-really-cause-heart-disease/?utm_source=Cheeseslave+Weekly+Newsletter&utm_campaign=cd65a450f1-CHEESESLAVE_Newsletter_April_21_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ae0ef53569-cd65a450f1-219261305

It should be helpful in forming questions to ask the doctor.