Psyllium husks

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Anton xyz - 30 Jul 2005 13:01 GMT

My cholestol figure was 5.8 two months ago. The normal range is
between 3.5 & 5.5 my doctor says. If I couldn't get the figure down he
was going to suggest medication as a solution. I do tests again in a
couple of weeks.
He suggested trying Psyllium husks to reduce the cholestrol level. So
I hide it in my porridge for supper. The taste isn't too unpleasant.
The health store person said two or three teaspoons per day should be
helpful but she did mention not to have it with medication as it had a
coagulating/binding effect and would reduce or stop the effect of the
medication.

Anton

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Ozgirl - 30 Jul 2005 13:31 GMT

> My cholestol figure was 5.8 two months ago. The normal range is
> between 3.5 & 5.5 my doctor says. If I couldn't get the figure down he
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> coagulating/binding effect and would reduce or stop the effect of the
> medication.

Want the bad news? The upper limit for total cholesterol in
diabetics has been lowered, for quite a while now too. From
memory it is supposed to be less than 4.0 for us and
triglycerides < 2.0. When I have my lab tests my doctors
always write Type 2 Diabetes as the "reason" for the tests.
When the results come back it shows the total cholesterol
then in brackets the normal range e.g. 3.5-5.5 then on mine
it has an added type written piece that says *Recommended to
be < 4.0 for diabetics. Mightn't be a bad thing to try the
medication.

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Anton xyz - 30 Jul 2005 13:46 GMT

>Want the bad news? The upper limit for total cholesterol in
>diabetics has been lowered, for quite a while now too. From
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>be < 4.0 for diabetics. Mightn't be a bad thing to try the
>medication.

Thanks for the good 'bad news' and thanks for the data. The 5.8 figure
I mentioned was my first testing done after diagnosis and with
exercise and watching my diet since then it should be down a bit now.
I have tests again soon and will keep your final suggestion in mind.

Anton

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bj - 30 Jul 2005 18:27 GMT

> Want the bad news? The upper limit for total cholesterol in
> diabetics has been lowered, for quite a while now too. From
> memory it is supposed to be less than 4.0 for us and
> triglycerides < 2.0.

Suppose you have high HDL?
Do they also want that lowered if the LDL & tri's are low? or do they have
specific targets for all the components?

I know I needed to take something off my LDL, so I started meds (will get
tested in a few weeks to see how it goes), but my HDL is usually pretty
high & tri's low.
bj

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Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD - 30 Jul 2005 23:49 GMT

> > My cholestol figure was 5.8 two months ago. The normal
> range is
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> be < 4.0 for diabetics. Mightn't be a bad thing to try the
> medication.

Far wiser to become lean and trim thereby possibly obviating the need
for cholesterol lowering medications.

In Christ's love and service,

Andrew

--
Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist

**
Suggested Reading:
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Alan S - 30 Jul 2005 14:10 GMT

>My cholestol figure was 5.8 two months ago. The normal range is
>between 3.5 & 5.5 my doctor says. If I couldn't get the figure down he
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
>Anton

I've never heard that proviso about psyllium and medication.
I'd be wary of a "health store person" and I think I'd check
that with the doc before giving up the psyllium if he
prescribes medication.

I take about a tablespoon of psyllium in the evening with my
cereal. I'm not sure if it helps my trigs or HDL (it didn't
affect my LDL) but it sure improves my regularity:-) I also
take lipitor20 and my doc is aware of both.

Cheers Alan, T2, Australia.

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Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.

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Anton xyz - 30 Jul 2005 14:24 GMT

>>He suggested trying Psyllium husks to reduce the cholestrol level. So
>>I hide it in my porridge for supper. The taste isn't too unpleasant.
>>The health store person said two or three teaspoons per day should be
>>helpful but she did mention not to have it with medication as it had a
>>coagulating/binding effect and would reduce or stop the effect of the
>>medication.

>I've never heard that proviso about psyllium and medication.
>I'd be wary of a "health store person" and I think I'd check
>that with the doc before giving up the psyllium if he
>prescribes medication.

I think she meant not to take it at the exact same time as medication.
I have my metformin at Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. But I have Psyllium
at supper three hours after dinner.

Anton

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bj - 30 Jul 2005 18:27 GMT

> On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 23:10:55 +1000, Alan S
>>I've never heard that proviso about psyllium and medication.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> I have my metformin at Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. But I have Psyllium
> at supper three hours after dinner.

I take my Lipitor in the morning, around breakfast -- which is also when I
have both Benefiber & psyllium.
I'll see in Sept. how my lipids are doing. I haven't had any tests since I
started the meds.
bj

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Ozgirl - 30 Jul 2005 23:57 GMT

>>>He suggested trying Psyllium husks to reduce the cholestrol level. So
>>>I hide it in my porridge for supper. The taste isn't too unpleasant.
>>>The health store person said two or three teaspoons per day should be
>>>helpful but she did mention not to have it with medication as it had
>>>a coagulating/binding effect and would reduce or stop the

effect of

>>>the medication.
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> I have my metformin at Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. But I have Psyllium
> at supper three hours after dinner.

Anton, because I can't take statins part of my cholesterol
lowering regimen is ProActiv margarine, it has lowered mine
considerably over and above other dietary changes.

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Trinity - 31 Jul 2005 20:33 GMT

>>My cholestol figure was 5.8 two months ago. The normal range is
>>between 3.5 & 5.5 my doctor says. If I couldn't get the figure down he
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> Cheers Alan, T2, Australia.

Even the bottle of metamucil states to not take this within 2 hours of
any medication.
Trinity

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trinitytype2@nospamyahoo.ca
remove nospam
dx Oct 2003, Type 2
metformin 500mg/2xday
low dose aspirin 3x week
A1C 8.9, 6.3, 5.5, 5.5, 5.9
39y/o, 125lbs (target wt) from 162lbs

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Alan S - 31 Jul 2005 22:24 GMT

>Even the bottle of metamucil states to not take this within 2 hours of
>any medication.
>Trinity

Thanks Trinity.

Interesting; I buy my psyllium at the supermarket off the
cereals shelf so there are no warning labels. But I'd
certainly accept that sort of warning.

I'm afraid I've heard some fairly odd things from health
store clerks about the various products they sell.

Cheers Alan, T2, Australia.

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Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.

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Trinity - 01 Aug 2005 15:57 GMT

>>Even the bottle of metamucil states to not take this within 2 hours of
>>any medication.
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Cheers Alan, T2, Australia.

I'm only taking metformin am, pm, so I usally take it before bed.
Cheers,
Trinity

Signature

trinitytype2@nospamyahoo.ca
remove nospam
dx Oct 2003, Type 2
metformin 500mg/2xday
low dose aspirin 3x week
A1C 8.9, 6.3, 5.5, 5.5, 5.9
39y/o, 125lbs (target wt) from 162lbs

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