High Cholesterol

[J41 Pilot]

Does anyone know if any of the cholesterol lower drugs are approved to be taken while still maintaining a first class medical?

Thanks,

 

[ACWild]

You can take cholesterol lowering medication and maintain your first class without a waiver. I'm taking Lipitor and I know people who take other similar medications. My medical examiner said it's not a problem. Having a heart attack will give you a bad first class medical day.

 

[wil]

Get the Atkins "New Diet Revolution". You will not need medication when you learn how to eat. This country has been involved in a failed "low fat" experiment that has sent obesity and Diabeties soaring. All the best- Wil
ps- my friend followed the guidelines in the book and kept his flight status in the AF.

 

[Pilotadjuster]

Atkins

Gotta second the Atkins recommendation. Lost 32lbs since May on that and never had more energy. Keeps your blood sugar on a more constant level throughout the day. The extreme highs and lows are what helps develop diabetes, weight gain, etc.

 

[trainerjet]

Guess what? I eat a balanced diet consisting of grains, fruit, vegetables, proteins, lean meats, etc...three times a day; and get regular exercise. I have lost 40 lbs since June, when I decided to make a lifestyle change. My blood sugar has never wavered from it's normal level (between 90 and 105), no matter what time of day or night that I check it. My cholesterol, as well as all other blood counts, are in the normal, healthy range. And in 5 or 10 or 20 years, I know that I will still be healthy. No Atkins, or any other diet for that matter, needed. Just a healthy lifestyle.

 

[ACWild]

I keep trying to do the Atkins diet, but it's too hard to follow on the road. Does beer have carbs too?

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Nope, not one carb in beer, nor any calories.

 

[ACWild]

Awesome! Since beer and Krispy Kremes are o.k., it's Atkins all the way!

 

[Pilotadjuster]

Beer?

Sorry guys, don't know if it was tongue in cheek (I know the KKs were - **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** I wish they were carb-free!), but beer has plenty - o - carbs! I haven't tried it yet, but Michelob Ultra Light only has like 3-4 carbs. A GOOD bottle of beer has about 18-20. 20 is an entire day supply on the first phase of the diet. ONce you are out of the first couple weeks a beer or two here and there won't kill ya.

The healthy living and balanced diet thing does work for some, but I ballooned 40lbs trying to eat like that in the past two years. Some of us just don't have metabolisms that respond like that to a lot of grains and sugar. Or maybe my 38 yr old metabolism just doesn't want to run as fast as I do...

 

[wil]

Mich Ultra is 2.6 g per bottle, 95 cal and Miller lite is 3.2 and 95 cal. The folks in Marketing at Miller sure missed out on the low carb craze. They could have had the market before Ultra. Bud and the rest are from 9 g and up. Remember in the rank of how your body burns fuel- 1st alcohol, 2nd carbs, 3rd stored body fat. Stay below 20 g per day and you should be running on body fat-

 

[trainerjet]

Re: Beer?

The healthy living and balanced diet thing does work for some, but I ballooned 40lbs trying to eat like that in the past two years. Some of us just don't have metabolisms that respond like that to a lot of grains and sugar. Or maybe my 38 yr old metabolism just doesn't want to run as fast as I do...

Part of what I'm doing, besides the "balanced diet thing" is eating far less quantities of food than I used to. Watching the portion sizes, etc. I also wouldn't say that I am eating "a lot of grains and sugar". (Of course, according to the Atkins plan it is, but you can't argue with the results. And these results are directly related to a lifestyle change that will provide long term health benefits and long term success.) My daily carb intake is around 200g, and I'd say that less than half of that is sugars. My metabolism is over ten years older than yours, but whatever I'm doing certainly seems to be working for me. Like I said, I have lost 40 lbs and my blood sugar, cholesterol, etc. are consistently at ideal levels. Hopefully, what you are doing will continue to work for you, as well.

 

[flx757]

Somehow the original subject of the thread, whether or not cholesterol lowering medication is allowed for a First Class Medical, has turned into an Atkins Diet debate.

There are people who are genetically disposed to higher levels of cholesterol, (I'm not saying this is the case here, however....) and sometimes diet and exercise are not enough to control it. If this guy's Doctor recommends that he be on a cholesterol lowering medication, who are any of us to suggest otherwise? Besides, as others have indicated, taking these medications do not disqualify one from holding a First Class Medical. However, the effects of continued high cholesterol levels most certainly could.

 

[wil]

I did not intend to start a Atkins debate. I was trying to offer something other than medication. Our country is completely overprescribed. Many macronutrients, diet changes, holistic, herbal remedies can replace prescription drugs. All the best- Wil

 

[J41 Pilot]

Thanks to everyone who has responded with their advice. Of course I have heard of the Atkin's diet, but I do not have to lose weight so I'm not sure if it would help. I'm thin and always have been thin. Subsequently I've always eaten whatever I wanted and not really gained weight. Now it is catching up to me with high cholesterol. I have an appointment with my doctor this week to discuss how to lower my cholesterol, and I am just trying to plan ahead as to whether the drugs would even be an option. I don't have any other health problems(yet) and don't want to take any medication. I like the idea about niacin dosing and something along those lines is what I would prefer to do. I suppose that I have to stop eating pizza and cheeseburgers on a regular basis and go to the gym more often.

Thanks again for all the advise.

 

[Pilotadjuster]

losing weight

Trainer---guess that's the bottom line; NOTHING works for everyone. If it works, keep doing it, which is what both of us are doing!

 

[Chas]

my plan

knocked my cholesterol down 30 points Eat 5 small meals a day and avoid all cheese dropped 25 lbs and feel great BTW Niacin will make your face look red ( flushed) in large doses Chas