Health alert!

   My doctor tells me that high cholesterol is mostly hereditary. My sister, Virginia has it as do I. My brother, David has good cholesterol. His wife Charlene does not. I am not sure about my sister, Ruth.

    I was on high cholesterol medication a few years ago. At that time, my cholesterol was in the 200's. My good cholesterol was very low. I found out I could not take statin medication as it caused me severe back pain (mostly in the area of my kidneys). Statins are used to help your good cholesterol improve, but they have many side affects.

    So, my solution was to quit taking any medication. (Really, I just got lazy and stopped.) In November, I had my yearly physical (for the first time in about 4 years.) Well, surprise, surprise (yes, that is a Gomer Pyle quote), my cholesterol was in the 400's with the average at 333. My good cholesterol was also very low.

    Back on medication. But, I could not take statins. So, I tried using Red Yeast Rice tablets. I got mine at Costco (they are over the counter.) The important thing is to make sure they are Citrinin free. Well, I just had my blood work taken again. My overall cholesterol is lower (but, not in the good range.) But, for the first time ever, my good cholesterol is in the good range.

   So, for all of you who have high cholesterol or know someone who does, please share this info about Red Yeast Rice.

    I read that many drug companies who produce cholesterol medication have paid to try to discredit Red Yeast Rice. Red Yeast Rice has no side affects like statins do. I would highly recommend this.

   This is about another result on my most recent blood work. Normal Vitamin D is above 100. Moderate to insufficient is between 12.5 and 100. Mine was 8.9! So, now I get to take one 50,000 unit pill once a week for 8 weeks. My doctor hopes I will be then up in the 30-50 range at the end of 8 weeks. I already have more energy.

    The following is from WebMD; "

Symptoms and Health Risks of Vitamin D Deficiency

Symptoms of bone pain and muscle weakness can mean you have a vitamin D deficiency. However, for many people, the symptoms are subtle. Yet even without symptoms, too little vitamin D can pose health risks. Low blood levels of the vitamin have been associated with the following:

• Increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• Cognitive impairment in older adults
• Severe asthma in children
• Cancer

Research suggests that vitamin D could play a role in the prevention and treatment of a number of different conditions, including type1 and type 2 diabetes, hypertension, glucose intolerance, and multiple sclerosis."

I also read that psoriasis (whick I have) can be helped through Vit D.

    This makes me wonder what my blood test in November showed. I switched doctors at the beginning of the year and this doctor (a DO) seems much more thorough. My old doctor had told me that I was pre-diabetic. This doctor said my blood sugar level was perfectly normal.

    The first thing my new doctor asked me was if my old doctor had talked to me about diet  and exercise. My answer was "no." So, now I have a membership at the Orem Rec Center. I have been going at least 3 times a week. I am also going on the Mediterranean Diet. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, fish, chicken and very little beef and deserts.

   I am not 100% on this diet yet. I just got a book I ordered to help me. But, I am not eating processed food. I eat whole wheat bread, hummus, fruit smoothies, nuts. I made a frittata with egg, whole grain pasta, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes and cheese. It was yummy! Even Clinton ate some and didn't complain (much) about it being vegetarian.