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"Your cholesterol is elevated," the doctor frowns as she delivers the news. "I'd like to try you on a Statin drug to lower your level".

You may frown at this if, like me, you do not like taking pharmaceuticals of any kind on a regular basis. My preference for just about every chronic health problem is to try dietary changes and lifestyle modifications first. And so I did. I tried exercise and diet changes. I walked for exercise. My dog was ecstatic. I walked with him every morning for a full half an hour. Nothing too strenuous, just walking at an easy pace, after a week I went out and got a good comfortable pair of sneakers to make the trip easier on my old feet. I enjoyed my morning walk so much that I started going out in the evening a few nights a week after dinner too.

I started eating more vegetables, not more starches or grains, but greens and other root vegetables. I cut back on my sugar intake. I found that grilling, broiling or sauteing vegetables, leaves them tasty and most enjoyable. I added a few beneficial fruits like pomegranate to my daily routine and started eating more celery as these two things are reputed to lower cholesterol. I also started taking hawthorn berries, blueberries and cranberries. I added a cup of oatmeal to my day, usually in the morning but sometimes as a snack. I started using more garlic both cooked and raw. I developed a recipe for 'three garlic pasta'. Its posted here somewhere under a freezable meals heading. All these dietary changes and additions were suggested to me by an herbalist.

After a few months, I went back to my doctor for my repeat blood work, she was happy to announce to me that not only did I drop 32 points in my cholesterol but I had lost 27 pounds too! Talk about a win/win solution. I feel so much better. I am so glad that my elevated cholesterol prompted me to change my diet and get walking. It has made such a difference in the way I feel. Another bonus is that I like the way my cloths fit me now and I have so much energy.

My advice to anyone faced with an elevated blood cholesterol level, is simple, hit the bricks. Get moving. If you cannot walk outside, join a gym or get yourself a treadmill. But get going. As far as diet goes, cut back on the rich meats. You do not have to cut them out, just eat less of them and start loading up on red, yellow, purple, blue and green vegetables. They can taste really great. Remember to include a few well-chosen vegetables and fruits, added on a regular basis they will make a diffenence.

Learn more about this author, A. C. O'Brien.
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