I did by keeping my fat levels down to those of a healthy diet with less than 20g saturated fat. I was very strict and made a spreadsheet (which I called my Low Fat Spreadsheet). I found it really difficult to get 2000 calories in though
It was hard downing all the unprocessed carbohydrate. I lost 7lbs. I also let it lapse after I got vit D deficiency.
There is a diet around which uses plenty pulses (especially soy), nuts (especially almonds) and oats to reduce cholesterol.
Generally you replace saturated fats such as butter and dairy and red meats with non saturated fats such as olive oil, rapeseed, nut oils, oily fish.
You also need to reduce omega 6 fats in relation to omega 3. It is easy to get too much Omega 6 from things like sunflower oil and chicken. Rapeseed oil is better than sunflower and don't go overboard on chicken (try more pulses instead).
Just to add, I am on the fence on statins. I know someone who took them and said it was brilliant because she could eat what she wanted and one who had to stop taking them because of muscle pain (she is still around and eating what she likes
) I would rather not take them.
Old studies show that an active lifestyle is the best thing. There is a classic one that compares bus drivers and bus conductors - guess which one had the best cholesterol results
Someone I know went for a walk immediately after dinner every night with her husband, before the dishes were washed and it did help, but they got bored with it.
Plenty fruit and veg are your friends, along with wholegrains of different types. Keep refined stuff like biscuits, cakes and Tunnocks teacakes for special treats
Like I said above, I fell of the wagon when I got vit d deficiency, and also when I discovered nuts make my throat swell, but still try and eat plenty pulses and oats and less butter.
I haven't had a blood test in ages, but the last ones were still ok - slightly over on the total number but good ratio.
