Our health issues

I am a regular blood donor and I did not know that!

Honestly I no longer believe Cholesterol is bad for you - necessarily.

At 30 I was constantly in a fight with my doctor about my high cholesterol. It was only 240 then - it is much more after menopause. But I refused statins and she essentially fired me. At 50 I got into it with my doctor again, but this time I demanded a Coronary Calcium Scan. A very light CT of your heart. This will tell you if you have blockages. There is a free movie on You tube called "the widowmaker" that will tell you about it.

20 years of high cholesterol -- my CAC score was zero. That means I have ZERO blockages at 50. That is as good as you can get. My doctor still wanted me on statins even though the American heart Association says that is not the standard of care.

There is so much that your body needs cholesterol for. I think the doctors are completely wrong on this. Did you know your body makes nutrients for the heart called Cardiotonics? Those keep your heart pumping strongly. Guess what your body makes those out of? Cholesterol.

I would recommend you ask for a coronary calcium scan to know your true heart risk.

With regard to the high blood sugar.... honestly -- you must reduce carbs and sugar. Also do some fasting. I did Alternate day fasting (but that is a bit hard) and my blood sugar level got down to an A1C of 5.0%. I eat veggies but not high starch ones. I would look into time restricted eating.

High blood sugar is a culprit with regard to damage to the vascular system. Among other things there is this hair like structure in your arteries called endothelial glycocalyx. This keeps things away from the sides of the arteries. Studies have shown that when you have high sugar in the blood this hair like structure flattens. Thus damage to your artery walls is more likely at that time.

Did you know that blood viscosity has been more tied to heart damage than cholesterol? There is an easy way to reduce blood viscosity. Donate blood regularly. And yes there are studies that show reduction in heart disease with those who regularly donate.

High blood sugar also makes your blood more thick if viscous. The American diabetes Assocation recommends everyone with diabetes take an aspirin for this reason (but I think aspirin can be dangerous).

Menopausal weight gain: How to Shed Those Extra Pounds

I need to lose weight. My metabolism rate is puny. But I honestly believe my blubber keeps me from getting hurt (other than bruises) when I fall. I once fell backward on my concrete driveway, and my first body part to land was my big rear!

There is also the advantage of carrying that extra weight in that it conditions your musculoskeletal system and helps prevent osteoporosis. I had my first DEXA scan earlier this month and my bone mineral density Z score is 3.4 which places me above the 99th percentile for sex and age. I will even have a conversation with my internist to whom I sent the results in September to make sure there is no underlying condition causing such a high skeletal mass (6 lbs). But since I feel just fine, I do not think there is an underlying condition. I think it is just that I consume a ton of dairy products rich in calcium, get sunlight, supplement with Vit D3, have some experience with weight training, but mostly am simply carrying my body on these bones, training them.

Emaciated women, by contrast, are at a high risk of porous bones.

Menopausal weight gain: How to Shed Those Extra Pounds

I need to lose weight. My metabolism rate is puny. But I honestly believe my blubber keeps me from getting hurt (other than bruises) when I fall. I once fell backward on my concrete driveway, and my first body part to land was my big rear!

Do men have trouble with their weight after a "certain age" or is it just us women? [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

snip:
Your chocolate cravings, though. Dark chocolate is good for you. Or do you crave milk chocolate?

snip:men always risk having a beer belly

Blood donation has a ton of benefits. The Benefits of Giving Blood | The Art of Manliness

It truly does seem true that bloodletting (blood donation) has some benefits. Of course, in the past it was barbaric to just open up someone's body in a non controlled way but I think the medical system should consider it now.

I know what you mean. I was hoping for spme great new information, too.

Menopausal weight gain: How to Shed Those Extra PoundsI need to lose weight. My metabolism rate is puny. But I honestly believe my blubber keeps me from getting hurt (other than bruises) when I fall. I once fell backward on my concrete driveway, and my first body part to land was my big rear!

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