The LDL of Cholesterol ...

   In my Blog   ME ~ The Time Bomb, I talked about my Research Study.  I remember telling you I wasn't going to attend the Clinical Study any longer because the physician felt I would be a wash at the study and in his words "People have dropped dead walking down the street with an uncontrollable blood pressure condition like yours."  I remember like it was yesterday, the fear I felt as I was walking out of the medical building.

 I was expecting to drop dead right then and there.

   This past Friday, I went for my third visit.  Against my better judgement.  Against the fear I had been facing all week long.  I took the bull by the horns, and drove to the Research Clinic to continue on with my Study.

  During this visit I saw a new physician, was given the first round of medication, and the results of my lab work.  It was a busy and informative visit.  My nurse took my Blood Pressure 4 times, as she has done every visit so far.  The readings stayed pretty close to each other, 144/96  144/94  147/97  144/93.  I was happy to see the systolic number staying below 100.  That is the reading while my heart is at rest.  

   The physician I saw this time was very informative.  He told me that the medication Metoprolol, which I take 3 times a day, is more commonly used to regulate the heart than to control Blood Pressures.  I was taken back to the day when my eldest daughter was put on Metoprolol to help control the heart flutters she was experiencing.  We both found it odd that we were taking the exact medication, dosing as well, but for different conditions.  The dosing I was taking, 3 times a day, is what this physician was more interested in.  Again reassuring me that the Clinic will be watching my Blood Pressure very closely, and he suggested that I take my Blood Pressure at home as well. 

   "Get up in the morning.  No talking to anyone and no one should talk to you.  Then take your blood pressure. The minute you wake up."  He advised. 

   While looking over my Lab results I was asked by the nurse "Do you eat dairy products?"  Because I relate that question to just milk I said "No, I only have a small amount of milk in my coffee.  Other than that, I don't like milk."  The physician told me that my LDL {Bad Cholesterol} was high @ 122 and my HDL {Good Cholesterol} was low @ 39.  My Total Cholesterol was within range @ 187, but the physician explained "With your history and your LDL being elevated, you stand a bigger risk of clogged arteries; thus causing a heart attack.  You need to bring down your LDL and bring your HDL up."  

   It was almost like he was speaking another language to me.   I had no idea how to do either, or where I should begin.  The nurse must have seen the confusing look my face, thankfully she can read me.  "No full dairy products." She added "When you start exercising, the HDL will come up some, and the LDL will go down, but not as much as it needs to.  Make sure you cut all full dairy, watch your Sat Fats, and no fatty oils.  Only Olive Oils to cook with."  I soaked in all the suggestions, and told her "Alright, but I don't consume Full Dairy, what else could cause my LDL to be that high?"  She replied with "Do you eat cheese?"  My mouth dropped because I love scrambled eggs and cheese.  I have them for breakfast every morning, and enjoyed them in my Texas apartment.    There wasn't a "Diet Plan" to follow, because when I asked about a calorie count diet that would suit me I was told Calorie Diet plans could be found on the Web. 

  The basic plan was put in motion.  I needed to bring down my LDL by eliminating 'Full Dairy', increasing my exercise to bring up my HDL, record and watch my Morning Blood Pressure,and  lose weight ~ because I was  'heavy' not Obese; but heavier than I should be for my height.   This was no longer a Blood Pressure Research Study, but a full lifestyle change.  

   This was now the mapping for my New Life.  I knew I was going to be doing a lot of research.  What is Full Dairy?  What could I and could I not eat?  

  So the work began.  I found a medical web site that told me all about lowering your LDL.  Plus the meaning of full dairy.  Eating as I knew it, was a thing of the past.  I had quit cooking with Oil a long time ago and found Olive Oil to be my new cooking friend.  We have made plenty of cakes together.  But now it was applying what I learned, into my new life style.  All bets were off.  I had to keep Dairy at bay.  

   Have you ever looked into the whole HDL/LDL lifestyle?  Not only was cheese out of the question, but so was ice cream, sour cream, cream soups, white sauces, puddings,  cake made with icing and/or yokes, plus so much more.  Now, with High Blood Pressure problems, salt intake is a major issue as well.  I have cut out cooking with salt and do not add salt to any of my foods.  I also try to keep from eating salty foods.  That part of living with High Blood Pressure was no problem, I wasn't a big salt person to begin with.  Dairy however, when you factor in what is full dairy, is going to be my biggest challenge.  The days of enjoying Apple Pie with cool whip, are over.  Baked potatoes with sour cream, are a thing of the past.  Tomato soup {with added milk for a creamy effect} and grilled cheese sandwich, are no longer a winter enjoyment for me.   

   Weening myself off the good stuff, wasn't in the plans.  The only way to tackle this kind of battle, was going cold turkey.  

   I have researched the 'Off Limits' food.  I know what lies ahead.  I have my eyes on the bigger picture, a healthier me.  

   I am going to battle this baby full force, take on the lone bull, give 100 percent of myself while giving up the good stuff.

 
   Here are two of the links that I researched to find Healthy Foods while Lowering my Cholesterol.

http://www.healthination.com   Be sure to look under Cholesterol & Nutrition at this link.  There are 2 parts, and videos you can watch.  Very helpful information.

http://www.ehow.com  With this link, in the search bar on ehow.com type in Foods to Avoid to Lower Cholesterol.  Again there is very helpful information on this link.

Back to researching.  Lord help me.