by Brad » Mon Jun 20, 2011 8:19 am I am very pleased to be able to report an initial success on drop in cholesterol and weight loss.
First I’d like to thank everyone on this website who gave me direction, feedback, support, and recipes. It is important to note that that includes the success stories of others. I have written the Reader’s Digest version first, and then more details follow for those interested.
Summary
I had chest pains while running at the end of April this year, had a cardiac catheterization done and discovered I had coronary artery disease (CAD) with 50%, 40%, and 70% blockages. The doctor prescribed statins which I didn’t like and stopped taking within a week. My cholesterol has been averaging 174 to 187 the past 5 years with the last being 187. After 7 weeks of the McDougall diet and the last 4 weeks with no oils my cholesterol dropped to 125 exceeding my hopes. That is a 33% drop from my previous level with NO statins!! I also have lost 15 lbs.
I do not have the HDL, LDL, or triglyceride levels yet, I get those in 2 weeks when I have a full blood workup. Several doctors have said that the blood donation overall cholesterol screening is accurate.
Family History
All 4 grandparents lived into their 90’s
Father: died at age 76 of kidney cancer, had a triple by-pass when he was 65.
Paternal Uncle: died at age 56 of heart attack. Heavy smoker, drinker, and eater.
Mother alive at 82, active, both hips replaced, stent in one coronary artery 2 years ago.
Brother 2 years older: 95% blockage in widow-maker artery (descending?), had a stent, on statins and (gasp!) niacin.
Personal History
I am a 57 yr. old male living in Florida. I currently weight 198. I always thought I ate healthy. I cut back on red meats and ate more fish, lessened candy intake, and cut back on drinking. I had done every diet there was and have lost over 2,000 lbs. in the past I also thought my healthy lifestyle of running (ran 3 marathons, still ran 6 miles on weekends, do yoga 1-2x week) was protection against heart disease. And my cholesterol level has always been under 200 for the most part. But apparently that is enough for my system to block my arteries significantly. I was rather put off by the fact that my brother who had a stent at the same age as I am now weighs 250 lbs and doesn’t exercise. I guess the exercise kept me from getting a stent, but still, a wakeup call that exercise alone will not prevent heart disease.
Thankfully, it was my running that alerted me to the condition my coronary arteries were in. I had had intermittent chest pains while running the past 3 years. The last diagnosis was an interaction of allergies (to mold, cat, and a tree of some sort), acid reflux, and asthma (cold or exercise induced) which caused this. Likely it was the beginning warning signs. I had had 2 nuclear stress tests passed with flying colors, one of the highest VO2max they had seen. 2 years after my last test and about 2 months ago, my chest pains returned and my running slowed significantly. I thought it was because I had gained 20 lbs (again) but these pains kept recurring. I was running 200 yards, walking till pain resided, running again, etc. I decided it was time to see a cardiologist. The physician assistant saw me and suggested another stress test. Then called back a couple hours later and told me the Dr. wanted to do a cardiac catheterization the next day due to family history and textbook angina. My last son’s graduation from college was the following day so we agreed that 7 days later was okay provided I didn’t exercise, took statins and aspirin, and would come in if I had chest pains. Thinking I was invincible I figured moving furniture for new rugs would be okay. Luckily, it was.
My cardiac catheterization was done on 5/3/11 and revealed a 50% and 40% blockage in main arteries and 70% blockage in a supporting one which was apparently enough to trigger angina when running. I had been doing my own stress tests apparently! He prescribed continued statins. At this point I had started reading about alternatives, but the day after my appointment with my cardiologist (5/18/11) propelled me into action. I went running my usual 3 miles (the shorter run) and felt like I was running through molasses. The next day my legs felt like I had just run a marathon, it really hurt to just walk and stairs were agony. This was apparently a reaction to the muscle unfriendly statins. A friend who had had a 100% blockage and stent was a McDougaller and I started immediately and dropped the statins. Thanks to the support of multiple people who helped me get going and in the right direction (NO OILS!!!!!) I was able to stick to the diet and learned along the way about what to eat (What, soy milk has fat?!, What, no nuts or avocados?!,) and how to cook (You can sauté with water?!).
Weight loss on this diet was a bonus as my initial goal was to lower my cholesterol immediately. I have never lost weight easier without feeling hungry and eating so well. I continued drinking coffee and alcohol. Since it has no oil I started drinking my homebrew again. The last batch of Oktoberfest had aged nicely! I did not drink every night, and usually only one or two drinks when I did.
I was determined to prove my cardiologist, wife (nurse), and our friends wrong (many nurses), that you can reduce cholesterol significantly with diet. She had quoted my cardiologist as saying you could eat cardboard and not lower your cholesterol. My cardiologist also told me that the research indicated you could only reduce cholesterol 10% with diet. As you know, there is so much incorrect thinking out there...”you need more protein”, “your brain needs oil”. I cannot wait to discuss this with him.
My hope was a cholesterol level of 150, but 125 is amazing. I really stuck to the diet with few diversions except;
1. Restaurants. I ate a veggie burrito with avocado. I’m sure the flour tortilla had fat and we know the avocado does. I also eat dry wheat toast which likely has oil. And I have had restaurant hummus 2 times which of course is usually made with olive oil. Lastly was a black bean burger grilled on the grill which I should have sent back since I said no oil. “But it was only grilled, not fried” said the waiter.
2. Pizza crusts and garlic knots with the outside removed (I tried, I really did) dipped in pizza sauce one night which I’m sure all had oil in them.
I am feeling healthier, see ancillary health issues below. I am back to running well again. I ran 5 miles on Saturday at a good pace with no pains.
I am going to continue this until my more extensive blood work in 2 weeks. And then I will decide what I am going to do after that. I will definitely stay McDougall (Vegan). But restaurants are a big hassle. We go out regularly with friends to breakfast and occasionally dinner. Vegan no-oil is a real pain. A little oil would open up more veggies and soups. And (not vegan) a little egg would open up waffles and pancakes, perhaps 2 times a month. But I would monitor the effects of these and my cholesterol level is more important than the hassles if it comes to that.
Again, thanks to everyone for posting tips and suggestions, recipes, direction, and support! I wish you all continued health and success.
Brad
Ancillary Health Issues
1. I have a sleep study diagnosed sleep apnea for which I use a CPAP machine I had to take everywhere. I no longer use the machine and have stopped snoring. I had one episode a week ago after doing yard work and being congested. (Well, one other time, when I had had 4 beers...I’m sooooo ashamed…well, not really.)
2. My blood sugar blood level has been 200 and I suspect it has plummeted as well, we’ll see.
3. Asthma (not sure I really had it, but gone)
4. Sinus/allergies. Free and clear except the yard day as mentioned. I really do feel an improvement in my nasal breathing!
5. Degenerative Spinal Arthritis. Unfortunately, the damage was done. I am feeling better, but not sure if that is just wishful thinking.
6. I have arthritis in my hands. It is better and I am no longer taking Chondroitin/glucosamine.
7. I am no longer waking up sore and stiff and feel 15 to 20 years younger. Still want my coffee though and it doesn’t appear to affect cholesterol levels too much
8. Toenail fungus. Seriously? Had it on one toe for many years. I tried tea tree oil, chlorine, and Vick’s vaporub (a new homeopathic remedy) with no success. It is almost gone!! I only mention this because I remember a guy in a health food store telling me 5 years ago that it was my diet causing this!!!
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Can't wait to see the more complete blood test results!
