Good news about cheese

[vaneramos]

Two things out of the doctor's appointment yesterday:

• She was completely supportive of my expressed concerns about tweaking antidepressant medication, so we won't change that for now. However I will continue taking vitamin D, add omega-3 supplements, and look into therapy offered through her clinic. It is covered by the government health plan.
  
• She is not especially concerned about my cholesterol. I effused about Dad's atherosclerosis and how it is certainly genetic, but she said that unless any men in my family have had heart attacks before the age of 50 (they haven't) it isn't a risk factor. Dad is 75 and, "At that age most people have some atherosclerosis," she said. So perhaps I overreacted to the warning call from her office. She is most concerned that my ratio of good to bad cholesterol is low, and coincidentally the omega-3 supplements will also help balance that.

More exercise and healthier eating are still called for, but it appears I can stop being miserable and continue eating good cheese.

Comments

[artricia.livejournal.com]

Good cheese is a balm to the spirits.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Amen to that!

[inishglora.livejournal.com]

I've long been skeptical of the whole hypercholesterolemia thing as nothing more than a new way for Big Pharma to sell more pills. That site I referred you to on vitamin D has a lot to say about it as well.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I read this article with interest. It mentions "the lack of appropriate balance in the diet of the polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is also a problem," and that seems to be what my doctor wants to address. As I understand, there is not much point in reducing my intake of cholesterol, because the body produces much more than we get from any food. But with my family's disposition toward atherosclerosis, I need to be mindful. It seems that a strategy to balance my diet, increase exercise and reduce stress would be the best.

[inishglora.livejournal.com]

That strikes me as an eminently sensible approach. :o)