So, I was a bit skeptical, because dad has it and so does my younger brother, Greg. High cholesterol, that is - dad told me he tried changing his diet and increased his exercise regimen, "but it didn't even budge the numbers. It's genetic and only the Crestor lowered it for me" I'll admit I was pretty cocky 2 years ago (2009) when the nurse came out to our home in Batesville to run a blood and urine test for our new life insurance policy. "You want to look at my blood and urine?" I thought..."go ahead, take a look." At that point I was one of the healthiest people I knew. I exercised vigorously 4-5 days per week, was eating a mostly vegetarian diet, took my vitamins, meditated, received chiropractic adjustments 2-3x per month and I was pain free....Well, what a wake up call I received a week later when the account rep called to inform me that I had a high cholesterol reading and that my monthly life insurance rate would be $40 more each month! What a slap in the face!
Long story short. On March 25th, 2011, per recommendations from my doctor, Zach Bush, MD, (www.revyourhealth.com), I began a vegan diet (2 other doctors and my father STRONGLY suggested getting on Statin medications). Dr. Bush was sure the diet would lower the cholesterol score AND better my health. Well, 3 months later - on my birthday - and very skeptical and worried - he gave me the results of my recent blood labs. It went from 253 down to 198! (anything under 200 his considered "normal"). Other side effects of the vegan diet were a loss of 10 pounds of body fat, lower blood pressure, lower pulse and improved sinuses.
The jokes on me. So I phoned in the result to the rep and now she wants me to take the blood and urine test AGAIN from their nurseAackWell back on the hard core vegan diet (so I celebrated a bit, come on!) again and testing this SaturdayI'll let you know how it goes!