Hi Maurni,

I was reading ur reply to Reena, and caught the line where u mentioned that u were diagonised with high cholesterol postpartum...
Well I seem to have a similar problem...last year during my physical my cholesterol was 201 (ideal <199) well then got preg. gained about 40 lbs, out of which I have now lost about 35 or so. Last week I went for my this weeks physical and my Cholesterol level was higher up...at 223, the increase was only in the bad cholesterol (LDL)...I am not heavy build either...5'4\"; weight 112 lbs
I was wondering if cholesterol and pregnancy are in anyway related, and wanted to ask u girls ur opinon...now that u mentioned about ur high Cholesterol I though u could help me out...also being a fitness expert, u might have better pointers.
What measures did u take to reduce ur level? Any change in food habits/life style?? Did u check ur level after that inital rise? I have been advised to try and avoid fried foods, and being a non vege, I've been told to stick to chikcen and fish. All through I usually have less fat in my diet, avoid too many sweet things etc, and I see my level go up and my hubby's go down...we both eat the same things at home, while he eats little more junk that what I do! I am confused!!!

Well, Maurni, or anyone reading this post if u could give me helpful pointers and guide me in this it'd be good.

Thanks,
Tweetie Tweetie replied. Thanks for your suggestions, currently I am using olive oil, will incorporate more garlic in my diet, also almonds...red onions I don't get it easily...let's see.
Hope to add more fiber like oats and carrots, apple etc. I hope the levels get better.

Take care Girls,
Tweetie Jayashree replied. Hi Tweetie,
I have heard that using Olive oil for cooking is very heart healthy and that it cuts cholestrol. The oil that I plan to use is Bertolli's Classico.
Regarding diet, eating a little raw red onions with lunch and dinner, adding garlic to cooked food, and eating 2-3 almonds everyday helps.
Chk with your doc on these, if possible.

Rgds,
J
maurni replied. Don't know if cholestrol and pregnancy are related or not. My cholestrol was high once before I got pregnant and after some thyroid tests done by my GP, it turned out that I was hypothyroid and that was causing my higher cholestrol level. I say that because i was put on thyroid medication and 6 weeks after that my cholestrol was at 190.
This time around, my inital cholestrol was 243 and 6 weeks later, after I changed my diet and started excercising, and it came back at 190. The change also indicated that my thyroid was abck to normal as well so I am off those meds. High Cholestrol runs in my family so I have to be extra careful.
The only change in my diet was eating low fat dairy products, more fiber and cutting back on sugar and very little fried foods. When I was pregnant, I was eating like crazy. Everything.
I know what you mean about the diff between us and our hubbies. Mine is overweight and has the lowest cholestrol and he eats a lot of things I wouldn't.. A lot, I believe, has to do with our individual metabolisms. Hope yours recovers well.
~M