Q: After a recent blood test, my 51-year-old husband was told he had
high cholesterol, a seven, and was given a diet to follow. My husband
smokes less than a pack a day and is a moderate
social drinker. What effect do cigarettes and alcohol have on
cholesterol?
The diet recommends eating less beef. What about lean roast pork, as it
is our main source of meat? My husband’s younger brother is also on a
low cholesterol diet. His doctor recommended avoiding processed meats,
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margarine and eggs. Is this necessary?
A: In Canada, the cholesterol level that is considered too high is
anything over 5.2 mmol per litre. Your husband’s level of seven is high
and at his age it puts him in a category where he has five times the
normal risk of getting a heart attack.
Although diet is an important factor, it may not be the only cause.
Some types of high cholesterol are hereditary.
However, smoking adds to the problem. Although smoking only slightly
increases the total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, it
significantly decreases the HDL or “good” cholesterol. It can damage
the walls of the arteries in the entire body as well as the heart.
When blood vessel walls are damaged, cholesterol can stick to them more
easily, eventually building up plaque. This can lead to a complete
blockage, which is what happens to the coronary arteries during a heart
attack.
Alcohol does not increase cholesterol levels, and may even lower it
slightly, by increasing the HDL. The problem is that in excessive
amounts it can also cause high blood pressure, which wipes out the
benefits of lower cholesterol. I recommend your husband stick to one or
two drinks per day.
Pork and beef contain similar amounts of cholesterol, depending on the
cut. Pork may look lean, but the meat still contains hidden fat.
Olive oil, safflower oil or canola oil are lower-fat oils to use.
Eggs are a little controversial. Some people say that eating one or two
a week is OK. As far as I know there is no such thing as a non-fat
processed meat. Many products labelled low fat or light still contain
too much fat.
I recommend your husband eat a fish and vegetarian diet with no cheese
and eggs until he gets his cholesterol to a reasonable level. Shrimp
and lobster are also out. Oatmeal is excellent.
Regular exercise will also help increase the good HDL levels, which
will lower his total cholesterol.
Clare Rowson is a medical doctor with a practice near Belleville, Ont.
Her columns are intended for general information only. Individuals are
encouraged to also seek the advice of their own doctor regarding
medical questions and treatments.
