OTCs and other easy health tips

[Ginger]

Hi, Stargazingboi.

My doctor did a full blood and urine check in January and I showed high cholesterol (for the first time ever!), and low vitamin D.

Taking the vitamin D and calcium are my doctor's idea.

As for the cholesterol level, I didn't want to take anything for it so she agreed to give me three months to regulate it myself with diet and (increased) exercise. I will go back in April for another check and to see if my efforts worked.

That's a good idea, to see a nutritionist. I wonder if my insurance covers it.

I eat really healthy, lots of quinoa, leafy vegetables, fish, etc, and I always have except for binging on ice cream (which I haven't done for months).

The fish oil and baby aspirin, I take because my mom and sister take them. All three of us have high cholesterol and so far my sister has been able to control hers with diet. Our dad died last month and it was not related to any of these things.

I agree with you that it's always better to try to fix things with diet rather than supplements.

I wonder what foods have vitamin D in them. I should look that up.

Ginger

[stargazingboi]

Originally Posted by Ginger

Hi, Stargazingboi.

My doctor did a full blood and urine check in January and I showed high cholesterol (for the first time ever!), and low vitamin D.

Taking the vitamin D and calcium are my doctor's idea.

As for the cholesterol level, I didn't want to take anything for it so she agreed to give me three months to regulate it myself with diet and (increased) exercise. I will go back in April for another check and to see if my efforts worked.

That's a good idea, to see a nutritionist. I wonder if my insurance covers it.

I eat really healthy, lots of quinoa, leafy vegetables, fish, etc, and I always have except for binging on ice cream (which I haven't done for months).

The fish oil and baby aspirin, I take because my mom and sister take them. All three of us have high cholesterol and so far my sister has been able to control hers with diet. Our dad died last month and it was not related to any of these things.

I agree with you that it's always better to try to fix things with diet rather than supplements.

I wonder what foods have vitamin D in them. I should look that up.

Ginger

top 10 foods highest in Vitamin D

http://www.healthaliciousness.com/ar...in-D-foods.php

Omega 3 (fish oil) helps reduce cholesterol...so it's a plus that you have decided to take it since you stated you're on the high side. I too have that issue, but found that after I lost the weight and took medication for it that I am unable to control mine as it is a genetic issue. My over all cholesterol number looks great, until you look at the break down. Diet and exercise can control it for many, so, I wish you luck with your journey with yours.

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by stargazingboi

top 10 foods highest in Vitamin D

http://www.healthaliciousness.com/ar...in-D-foods.php

Omega 3 (fish oil) helps reduce cholesterol...so it's a plus that you have decided to take it since you stated you're on the high side. I too have that issue, but found that after I lost the weight and took medication for it that I am unable to control mine as it is a genetic issue. My over all cholesterol number looks great, until you look at the break down. Diet and exercise can control it for many, so, I wish you luck with your journey with yours.

Thanks Stargazingboi. I just read the list of foods that help reduce cholesterol and I'm right on track!

[DapperButch]

Ginger, consider buying Omega 3 instead of Fish Oil (typically has Omega 3 and Omega 6). People think Omega 6 is all grand, but unless the supplement has the correct balance of Omega 6 to Omega 3 (which they usually don't), it is best to just grab the Omega 3. People are catching on to this, so this is why you see a number of Omega 3 bottles, when it used to be just "Fish Oil", you would see.

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Ginger, consider buying Omega 3 instead of Fish Oil (typically has Omega 3 and Omega 6). People think Omega 6 is all grand, but unless the supplement has the correct balance of Omega 6 to Omega 3 (which they usually don't), it is best to just grab the Omega 3. People are catching on to this, so this is why you see a number of Omega 3 bottles, when it used to be just "Fish Oil", you would see.

Dapper I just looked at the small print on the bottle and it says it has 300 mg of Omega 3 though the main label just blares out, Fish Oil. So I guess this is okay. Thanks

[meridiantoo]

I started reading this thread a couple of months ago and did some research and this is what I came up with as far as supplementation and food:

Starting with a 7 day detox that consists of an organic mix of herbs/spices that promote the detoxification process:

blessed thistle/milk thistle
burdock
dandellion
fenugreek
garlic
oregano
tumeric
alfalfa
rhubarb
marshmallow
slippery elm
stinging nettle

Planning to drink mostly water and eat fish, veggies, and quinoa and a few select fruits while on the cleanse. Also continuing with matcha tea, 2 cups per day, morning and evening.

Supplements after detox include:

Full/comprehensive organic multivitamin with:
spirulina
digestive enzymes and probiotics
Liver support
Energy support

Mushroom capsules with shiitake, trametes, maitake, and cordyceps

Have not had bloodwork yet to confirm any other areas that need addressing such as high cholesterol, etc. That will be done soon and I may add or modify this according to the results.

Thanks for this thread - I've really enjoyed reading it.

[Ginger]

Thanks, this is really interesting, Meridian. I eat mostly veggies, fruit, rice or quinoa and fish, plus lots of oatmeal and yogurt.

I hadn't thought of the herbs you mention. Will look into it.

[Kelt]

Hi, I just read through the thread and it looks like you are doing an exemplary job of things. A couple of things I wanted to add;

The fish oil and the baby aspirin are both blood thinners that work in different ways so it would be best to let your Dr know you are on both. Lots of folks do this so it is probably fine but blood "slipperyness" is a specialty of its own for people with specific issues.

Also, I see that you are balancing your omega 3/6 ratio. Something to consider is your animal protein source. I've seen that factory raised and fed animals (including fish) can have the levels seriously out of whack so it might be a good idea to stick with organic land raised and wild caught on the fish.

Okay, one more. You are probably aware but vitamin D is actually a hormone and it comes in several ways;
"Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that exists in various forms. The animal form is vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and the plant form is vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). Vitamin D2 and D3 are not biologically active; they must be modified in the body to have any effect.
The active form of vitamin D is indeed a hormone and is known as 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] or calcitriol. Both vitamin D2 and D3 have been commercially synthesized and both forms seem to be effective at maintaining blood levels of vitamin D in the body."

A source that I use to check for science based verification on supplements and if they are proven to really do what is claimed is Examine.com, a really great site. Here is a link to the fish oil findings as an example. Scroll down to the tables, they are quite good.

Congratulaions on all you are doing!

[Ginger]

Thanks Kelt. I will try to find fresh caught or wild fish. The might have it at my grocery store.

And I didn't know that, about the fish oil and baby aspirin doing same thing.

And I didn't know vitamin D is like a hormone.

So much to know!!!

[meridiantoo]

Originally Posted by Kelt

A source that I use to check for science based verification on supplements and if they are proven to really do what is claimed is Examine.com, a really great site.

This is a great resource, thank you for sharing it.

[meridiantoo]

Originally Posted by Ginger

Thanks, this is really interesting, Meridian. I eat mostly veggies, fruit, rice or quinoa and fish, plus lots of oatmeal and yogurt.

I hadn't thought of the herbs you mention. Will look into it.

I did a lot of research before I got the supplements I did, so they are targeted towards specific things such as cleansing, detoxing, and antioxidants. I have had a pretty bad diet and smoked, so I am in need of that. Plus, I've had recent illnesses that made me think cleansing would be a good option for me. I don't necessarily think others should do it - I'm not even sure I should, but I've done cleanses before and felt amazing afterwards.

I don't know about taking any of these long-term, but I will only be using the multivitamin, mushroom capsules, and matcha tea after the cleanse.

Has anyone tried inositol?