Cholesterol and Menopause

Many women never have a cholesterol issue until they enter perimenopause, and for some post-menopause. I was going through menopause when I found out my cholesterol was high. I felt like the blood drain from my face, since I had always seen myself as taking care of my health. Of course, that was a fairy tale and there are plenty of people out there who have taken care of themselves, only to find themselves plagued by unexpected health issue.

Like I said, I had my own fairy tale going on that meant I would never inherit any of the bad shit, and only the good stuff. Yeah, okay Tracy, shit happens. Six years ago, my doctor who was both a licensed MD and also held a Masters in Chinese medicine, gave me the book “The Great Cholesterol Myth,” I looked through it and thought I will read this at some point (I never did, but if you do, please share your thoughts). She never told me whether I should or shouldn’t be concerned nor did she recommend statins.

I was frustrated, I had been plant-based for two years at that point and thought “what’s the point?” I had been doing it because I thought it was healthier, and yes, it can be, absolutely. In my case, at the time I wasn’t really interested in looking at the quality of what I had been eating, it was something that went onto the back burner, both eating plants and cholesterol. I had other things that interested me (I was getting married for the second time) and my work was blooming.

No one mentioned that estrogen leaving my body may have anything to do with this, but yes, it has a LOT to do with it!! (the book Estrogen Matters helps explain this too) And this doctor who does not prescribe statins as a first line therapy for women, according to a study she discusses in this video, but looks to what works better for women than men.

Anyways, fast-forward to the end of 2022, I went to the doctor, an endocrinologist, as I could not believe how hard it was to lose weight. Someone mentioned, “Hey, perhaps you have a thyroid issue!” and I thought, “Yessssss…….that is exactly what the issue must be!” Off I went to the endo, only to find that all my thyroid numbers looked awesome, but those cholesterol numbers? Not so much.

Uggggghhhhhhhh…it was LDL over 200, total cholesterol over 300, triglycerides over 300 and the endo immediately wanted me on statins. I, immediately said, let me see what I can do on my own. Mind you, I was not on HRT at the time. I started looking into research of what can I do. First, supplements, I immediately added Red Yeast Rice. I was aware of the controversy and that it may cause liver damage, but so can statins, since this is a form of a statin (supplement). The information I located showed that it depended on a few factors, as to whether it was problematic, including a contaminant called citrinin. In my research (please do your own), it appeared most brands nowadays did a tremendous job of making sure their ingredients were clean. I go with Thorne, as it works for me.

The other thing I did was get on psyllium, veggies and fruits, found the Portfolio Diet by Dr. David Jenkins (he also helped create the glycemic index). I followed it, by choosing high fiber foods and cutting out animal products. In three weeks, I dropped my cholesterol over 100 points. Amazing, right? Yes, but the reality is when I was honest with myself, I am not interested in cutting out animal products as a lifestyle change for the rest of my life.

I am post-menopausal, one thing I know is what I am willing to do, and if people want to argue with me, they can choose the wall in my front yard. It would serve them better. The thing is there are studies to back up almost any claim, depending on how you interpret it and my foray into the Portfolio Diet was to see if I could do this without statins.

Now in 2024, my LDL creeped up about 10 points with my eating chicken and egg whites regularly. I decided to cut out processed sugar in the form of candy, cakes, cookies, bread……unless it was vacation or a special occasion. I found I did not miss most of it, I no longer craved it and my eating habits were the healthiest they have ever been in my life.

Fiber, in the form of fruits, veggies, oats, etc are my daily go-to, an apple a day plus more! Also, protein. If I focus on those two areas of nutrients, I feel I am doing the best I can, without completely sacrificing my lifestyle. I do allow myself, something that makes me feel like I get something sweet, though as I like to call it, it’s a bar that makes you poop. They are not chocolate bars, nor are the bars I allow myself many times a week for protein.

I usually have close to 40 grams of fiber and around 100 of protein and weigh around 140 (I’m 5’5). My cholesterol is still something I am working on. I did start estradiol at the end of April, and I am hoping it makes a difference when I am checked in a few months.

The point about cholesterol is this, we don’t know what we don’t know and in my case, I felt there was a risk, even if they do a study tomorrow that says cholesterol is not an issue. In fact, there are a few cardiologists and others proclaiming that cholesterol is not a problem when it comes to heart disease or heart attack. I’m not a doctor, so I cannot say if there is truth in that, please use your own discernment.

For me, I just want to keep doing what I can to make a difference in my health as I age. 🙂

Questions? Email me.