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Lowering LDL to help bones
I recently consulted with Keith McCormick, DC, (author of the excellent book "Great Bones"), who said I have to get my LDL down. Until reading about it in his book, I had never heard of high cholesterol affecting bones. High cholesterol runs in my family. Since the consultation I have been eating almost only healthy fats and reducing my fat intake overall. For example, I used to eat a fair amount of cheese and crackers and am switching to carrot sticks and hummus or baba ganoush. More fish and chicken and less red meat. It has resulted in a little weight loss but also seems to have eliminated edema at the ankles. I have very thin bones to start with and 5 vertebral fractures. I wonder how long it takes to show a difference in LDL. Has anyone has success reducing cholesterol with diet?
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If not too much trouble, it would be great to have links to these sources. Thank you for your helpful comments.
Hi, Willow5 - I did a search for "scientifically proven facts about EVOO" and what came back was: Cognitive function improvement; Anti-Inflammatory properties; prevent heart disease; antioxidant. However, there is tons of other info that adds to this list, including control of cholesterol and helping to soften elasticity of blood vein etc. In addition, as I wrote about before, the Mediterranean diet and inclusion of EVOO seems to extend life in Mediterranean countries and the Blue Zones of California to over 100. I don't care to live to 100 but perhaps will live healthier incorporating EVOO in my diet. I am not a scientist, but what I am reading far and wide about EVOO almost sounds like its a miracle substance. We'll see. I have a blood draw in late September. I am hoping for a 50% decrease in my LDL by ingesting 4 tbsps per day of EVOO and drinking green tea in addition to diet modification. Fingers crossed. And YES! I did indeed count the calories in 4 tbsps of EVOO per day! Not horrible within a traditional 2000 calorie per day diet (about 1/4th of daily calories) as a percentage, and the benefits seem to outweigh this undesirable effect of the added calories from EVOO. However, in my case, EVOO has become an appetite depressor too, so that's an added bonus and an offset of those extra calories. Like you, I haven't been eating eggs or dairy except for a little cube of cheese. A cholesterol of 175 doesn't sound so awful, but then I'm not an expert. Mine was 255.
Hi, I did find some good information on the Harvard and NIH websites on EVOO. And I have wondered if I used it more if it would help be more filling. I may experiment on that!
175 was a fine cholesterol - it’s the lipoprotein A and B that is off the charts for me, that’s the genetic component that diet doesn’t seem to change. So my understanding from the cardiologist is keeping my cholesterol as low as possible through Repatha injections, can help offset the high Lipo A and B. That’s what she said. Hope it’s true.
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3 Reactionsactually -- no - fat is not fat. Unsaturated fat is a GOOD lipid and can reduce bad lipids. You need some lipids for cancer protections. Read some books on the subject. I took nutritional chemistry in college so I can tell you the popular trends are nonsense and not based on digestion. If you are really concerned I'd advice some good reading! You will never regret it and your heart will thank you!
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1 ReactionI can clarify -
Fat is fat, for me, in terms of calorie intake.
Not the good, bad, etc. The Harvard website and NIH were very informative about this subject, and I do trust the information taken from there, since it is down to earth and easy to understand. i love there’s many ways to get the good fat, also, beyond just oil., too!
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1 ReactionHi, Willow5 - You know, I keep talking about the Mediterranean diet, EVOO and green tea, but I have neglected to consider the genetic component of high LDL. That is so much more difficult to manage if one is allergic to statins, i.e. me. oh dear!! In any case, I am on the march to see if my overabundance of LDL is caused by genetics or diet. In either case, it seems EVOO can help lower LDL. As for appetite, it makes me feel full taking it as a dip with bread. I've lost 2 lbs. so far. I just looked up "studies of EVOO" and ran into the following article. It is very interesting. Everything I read about EVOO touts its benefits. Hard to ignore. Let me know what you think. I acknowledge this is not written by a cardiologist or health scientist, and that the study is very small, but still interesting. (It takes copius hours of reading to be really "up-to-date" on the science of lowering cholesterol with EVOO). 🙂 d. PS I've been reading ad nauseum about EVOO, and have finally found one that: comes in a dark glass bottle, is USDA certified s 100% EVOO, is an early harvest, is produced and packaged in one country, has no additives, is not blended, is organic, cold pressed, is unrefined. Whew! Here is the title of the article: "This Oil May Help Lower Cholesterol—Here’s What a New Study Says
High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease. This pantry staple can help you lower yours."
By Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Published on August 6, 2025
Reviewed by Dietitian Mandy Enright, M.S., RDN, RYT
Thank you for your reply. I would really appreciate what you find in your late September draw.
Thank you so much.
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2 ReactionsThanks for the reply, I really appreciate it. Great information.
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1 ReactionHi, Maggie25 - Very interesting post! Who knew high LDL affects bones!!!d.
Repatha has done wonders for my LDL and other lab tests! Minor side effects, the first three months but now I feel better when I am on it than not taking any self injection! Drippy nose, some swollen, sinus issues, fatigue the day, after resolved by a nap, once in a blue moon, at the beginning of lower back ache, I took a Doan’s back ache pill and that completely resolved it in 20 minutes