Nuts....

First topic message reminder :

I have been told to lower my cholesterol by the doctor here.  I already have a low cholesterol diet and have done for years and eat mainly fish and chicken.   I have been sent a link to a BBC programme all about lowering cholesterol by a friend and it seems oats and certain nuts are the way to go.....  However, I find nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds) very expensive to buy here, even in Eurospin !  Does anyone know of any cheap suppliers that sell big bags at a reasonable cost ?  Many thx.

Yes Gala, I too bought an 'EasiYo' yogurt maker from Amazon and some of the sachets to make the greek style yogurt....my favourite....now I just make it with no sachets just adding the culture from bought yogurt....I add fruits and all sorts, willtry honey, not done that before but I do add it to recipes, all sorts replacing sour cream etc.  If anyone is interested I think Amazon Uk will not be stocking the yoghurt maker for long so best to place an order soon....So simple to use,I make mine at night and it's 'cooked' by the morning so in the fridge it goes....Can recommend....

PS  Amazon uk have reduced their P&P costs internationaly...now it's all about weight so best to go to checkout and see see what the delivery charge is before commiting.....

Hi Angie,

The cholesterol discussion is very interesting and one that my husband and I have been having recently.  There is now a lot of controversy about whether or not high cholesterol is bad for you, along with the use of statins.  My husband is not a human doctor but is a veterinarian.  Here are a few articles that may be of interest.  There are loads more out there.  My husband had also been put on statins by his former doctor and had some unpleasant side effects.  His current doctor said that the statins were not necessary.  He had originally been put on them because of a "presumed" familial history.

Nuts by the way, are healthy for you, particularly walnuts and almonds.  You just don't want to eat too many as they are caloric.  Since I have been eating more of them as a snack, in addition to more fruit (easier for me during the warm summer months) I have lost 14 pounds and feel great.  I have a nutritionist friend who is very highly regarded in our country and she in addition has confirmed the health benefits of them.

http://www.jpands.org/vol19no2/marshall.pdf
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-blog/new-cholesterol-guidelines/bgp-20127383

Thanks Lisa for reminding me about the origin of the post.... I will read the links as it touches on the reason for my previous question which was prompted re "good" and "bad" cholesterol...

Well, Steve, in that particular context, "natural" means in hulled. The reason for the use of that adjective instead of the other is based on the principle of "repetition avoidance", something which is "strongly" recommended in linguistics. In any case, you guessed it right. 
And regarding appliances, it is "strongly" or highly recommended to use them on a regular basis to avoid nasty surprises. Many times we put in the bin valuable attachments because we cannot remember to which appliance they belong....

Lisa, I also had problems with the first three varieties of statins that I was given. I had practically given up, until a specialist put me on av"new generation" statin called "pitavastatin". All my levels are now normal. No side effects.

Lisa, your husband may be interested in this article http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/livazor-pitavastatin-a-new-potent-statin-with-beneficial-effects-on-lipid-fractions-associated-with-heart-disease-launches-in-spain-145362335.html

Gala Placidia wrote:Well, Steve, in that particular context, "natural" means in hulled. The reason for the use of that adjective instead of the other is based on the principle of "repetition avoidance", something which is "strongly" recommended in linguistics. In any case, you guessed it right. :DAnd regarding appliances, it is "strongly" or highly recommended to use them on a regular basis to avoid nasty surprises. Many times we put in the bin valuable attachments because we cannot remember to which appliance they belong....

Obviously a bad site you directed us to then Gala. I never forget what belongs where, it must be your poor memory, perhaps due to .... diet, age or just not downloading the manual when you buy things....

Oh Steve, you are becoming painful and this is something that has nothing to do with diet or age. You are simply born that way. Be a good boy and go back to your "vino sfuso". The sulphate so can be dangerous 
Buona notte!

Gala Placidia wrote:Oh Steve, you are becoming painful and this is something that has nothing to do with diet or age. You are simply born that way. Be a good boy and go back to your "vino sfuso". The sulphate so can be dangerous  Buona notte!

..being born that way has little to do with it, apart from your stereotype attitude that there is some genetical  (yes I know not an actual word) reason for your failings ... I accept mine. By the way (despite having no arrogant bias against it), I never drink sfuso only good enjoyable quality wine which you would have little idea of.... Only status dictates anything that is of value to you....  Most happy to correct you on any point you wish .... xXx

Apologies to those for my excessive  banter with "mother superior" (careful Gala GMS might just stick), but back to the OP... The link from Lisa quotes

High serum levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, whereas a high level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is thought to be protective

, hence my question to Angie re her results. Many years ago... my cholesterol was supposedly high. But when the results were examined by our daughter and her OH (also not doctors, but vets), they were surprised there was any concern in the results, LDL very low and HDL high. The link seem to me indicate there is still a lot of confusion and I for one would appreciate Ghiro's input on it. Personally I think statins may well have some benefit for some, but we are far off knowing their real impact. Superb if they "fix" or stabilise any condition people may have, but I hardly think we are anywhere near understanding the real cause.  Again a personal point of view, but I think you are and what you eat and do... It may well have a lot to do with from whom you were nurtured, but that's no excuse for not trying to breakaway from the cycle ... Further apologies to anyone for the lack of so called "proper" English, but in any case I'm very glad some of us have learnt something from the English heathens here....

Gala Placidia wrote:Lisa, your husband may be interested in this article http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/livazor-pitavastatin-a-new-potent-statin-with-beneficial-effects-on-lipid-fractions-associated-with-heart-disease-launches-in-spain-145362335.html

Thanks, Gala.

Inherited hypercholesterolemia is a serious genetic condition and a silent killer. Sometimes we get a warning through an early angina episode; however, this is not enough. Genetics is a relatively new science, but it can detect potential problems. Unfortunately, these tests and studies are expensive and doctors and medical authorities are reluctant to prescribe them. On the other hand, knowing about our family medical history can help.and a simple blood test can give information about our condition. If positive, it is followed by a visit to a specialist and further tests, together with medication, which may need to be changed according to our personal needs. Also, some changes in diet and activities, but these alone will not work. Here is an excellent and simple explanation about the condition http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Cholesterol_genetic_factors

Thank you Lisa C for your posting.  My cholesterol level, according to recent blood test as I said was high but  no mention of the good and bad types just cholesterolo totale, my trigliceridi was ok though.  I will look at the links you have posted later.  Thx again.  Well done for loosing so much weight, fruit is high on my diet list in this heat, just need a trip to Lidls to get my supply of walnuts.....

See what you mean by the cost of walnuts Angie. In Eurospin today, they were over 7.50 Euro per kilo.
If the ones on the tree here are any good, then you can have a large bagfull, as we do not really eat them.

stevegwmonkseaton wrote:... also good advice on the cheese which is a well know problem regards cholesterol.Nuts, in particular walnuts, are very expensive here and nearly all imported (hence dear), probably because of the very reason quoted by Angie - poor quality. We eat around 5-6 halves of walnuts every day... that is quite a few in a week... Not much good for you I would guess Angie, but we bring them back every time we go to the UK (3-4 times per year), where they are half the price! I know about the snob supermarket factor, that's us! I would never go to lidls until someone told me they sold wonderful California walnuts, so as Sainsbury's had none we went - they indeed do! They were also a lot cheaper than Sains... (about £7/kg as opposed to £12/kg). Was over the moon to see they sold the very same make here in Italy - BUT very disappointed to see they were much dearer here.... Still the cheapest place and very nice too... Almonds do not have as many pests here (a few) and are not quite so expensive, problem is that I don't think they have quite the same benefits as walnuts. Did the doctor tell you exactly what your cholesterol values were? Did they get you to fast before they took the test? I'm sure "G" as an ex-doctor would be able to provide good advice. No too much piave for you then....

Oops sorry Steve, I seem to have forgotten to answer this in full.  Re: fasting before bloods, no I wasn't told to but did as presumed they would want me to....As I said, I have all the results but they do not show the quantities of good and bad cholesterol as we know them.....maybe they are there under different names.  Geo has kindly offered me a bag from his tree, I wll takehim up on it come harvest time......in the meantime it's Lidl's for me.....

Geotherm wrote:See what you mean by the cost of walnuts Angie. In Eurospin today, they were over 7.50 Euro per kilo. If the ones on the tree here are any good, then you can have a large bagfull, as we do not really eat them.

Geo, I assume the Eurospin walnuts were in their shells ?  Thx for offer of nuts, very kind.....and yes please.  All this talk about nuts makes me fancy a nut roast, need something to soak up the neverending ratatouille....or however it's spelt....

As before,
If Geo can supply a lot, dry them so they keep.
Spread them out, in the shells, preferably on a mesh base, sheltered from the rain.
They do go mouldy very quickly if not.

8o)

L'uomodellaluna wrote:As before,If Geo can supply a lot, dry them so they keep.Spread them out, in the shells, preferably on a mesh base, sheltered from the rain.They do go mouldy very quickly if not.
8o)

Good advice for you Angela, an alternative is to use one of those old "S" hooks we found hanging on our store ceilings here and fill old net potato bags or onion bag with the walnuts and hang them on these hooks... We now have onions, squash, garlic hanging around....

As for the good and bad cholesterol, LisaC's posted links made reference have a look at this quote from heartUK org

Understanding HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol

Cholesterol is carried in the blood attached to proteins called lipoproteins. There are two main forms, LDL (low density lipoprotein) and HDL (high density lipoprotein). LDL cholesterol is often referred to as "bad cholesterol" because too much is unhealthy. HDL is often referred to as “good cholesterol” because it is protective. Knowing your levels of these can help explain your risk of heart disease. Your doctor should be able to tell you your levels of “good” and “bad”

If you research "good or bad cholestrol" or "LDL v HDL" I'm sure it will come up with lots on the subject. I only mentioned it because there seems to have been a point where perhaps our GP practice were not recognising this, not too sure if it was new at the time. I do recall they were just starting pre-emptive tests where they called you in to be checked. It was my daughter and son-in-law who looked at the results and said they were good, not bad results... It was a long time back and I can't really recall if it was not the nurse dealing with these tests. I also seem to recall, as I think you have alluded, the goalposts for this have moved constantly over the years....

Yes Steve, goalposts are being moved constantly, I can remember when taking peeps BP 30 yrs ago we were told the reading should be 100 plus their age, botttom 80 - 100 was ok....now everyone is expected to have a BP of 120 over 80 or thereabouts if not, you need medications to control it !  I was also told years ago about my high cholesterol but my good cholesterol readings were high so not to worry...Still I was prescribed statins and tablets to so call lower BP....the latter did not work. I agree a mix of good lifestyle, diet and taking the right medication for you (if you benefit from it) is the way to go....My previous employment has been in the NHS, and working for wholesale plant nurseries, 2yrs recently spent pruning and caring for vineyards in the UK so I have a fairly active lifestyle but would benefit from shedding a few pounds....put on in the last year since living here (Due to eating nice cheese and not working as such....) When this hot spell passes I will try harder !   and I will read Lisa C's links......

Steve and Angie, blood tests differentiate between cholesterol, LDL and HDL levels and your doctor can perfectly well ascertain, at a primary level, the patient's individual situation. Here is a good explanation http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cholesterol/Pages/Diagnosis.aspx
Once the initial assessment has been done, if the patient presents a certain level of risk, the GP should refer the patient to a specialist who would conduct further tests and controls and determine the appropriate treatment, which may be varied after a further battery of tests, etc. Some changes regarding diet and lifestyle will certainly help; however, and particularly in the case of genetic hypercholestemia, they will not work on their own. There is no cure as such for this syndrome, only treatment that will minimize the risk of an early stroke, ischemia, or even death. Loosing weight will help, particularly if you have put it on within a short time. Women are at a particular risk after menopause, as hormones, which cease to be produced, tend to protect the heart (this is why HRT is recommended for women with a family history of heart disease)
In any case, my advice is to look into the family tree, get all the tests done, if high cholesterol is a problem ask to be referred to a specialist (or even two if you are not happy with the first consultation) and keep in mind that it is a diagnose that you will have to live with and adjust your lifestyle and eating habits to it.
Smoking, drinking in excess and eating fatty foods (such as cheese... Sorry Angie  ) are a NO,NO. You can make the odd exception, but you have to take good care of yourself for the rest of your life. Yes, you can do whatever you want, but you will pay the consequences. And I do not mean just death, there are some highly unpalatable problems which are worse than death.

Gala Placidia wrote:Yes, you can do whatever you want, but you will pay the consequences. And I do not mean just death, there are some highly unpalatable problems which are worse than death.

Good to find you in one of your more cheerful moods today Gala!

Well, Ghiro, I have seen people that I loved in this sort of predicament and I do not wish this kind of things to anyone. Nothing to be cheerful about 
And perhaps as a doctor, even if you have retired, they would benefit from your opinion. I am sure that it will be more effective than mine 

Gala Placidia wrote:.... perhaps as a doctor, even if you have retired, they would benefit from your opinion. I am sure that it will be more effective than mine 

... sorry Gala just can't resist, I sure it will too...

Gala, if only the NHS in the UK was as good as you believe, if your GP here says you have high colesterol (and they don't give you the results of tests like they do in Italy) they tell you to change your diet and lifestyle,if that doesn't work they put you on statins, the cheapest generic ones available (they are not allowed to prescribe any others) that's it! you don't see a specialist, you have an regular blood test with the practice nurse who takes your blood pressure, weighs you and asks how much you drink!