Martha's
Testimonial, October 2008
I
don't usually do this, but I felt compelled to relate my
success in
following recommendations in your book "Cholesterol Down
- 10 Simple
Steps". I am a 53 year old mom of 3 teenage girls. Though
not a
nutrition freak, I have always eaten mostly good food (ice cream
and
mocha's being my weakness), staying away from red meat, chips,
fries,
and lots of desserts. I have always been big on exercising, having
filled
my adult life with jogging, swimming, triathloning, and recently
playing on a masters water polo team.
So
I was taken aback when I first learned (at age 49) that I
had elevated blood pressure. Then after monitoring that for
a couple of
years, my cardiologist suggested that we do something about
my
cholesterol that seemed to be creeping up. I knew my cholesterol
was a
little high, but thought I was OK as my HDL was high and my
cholesterol/HDL ratio was usually 2.5 or lower. But when a
test showed
my numbers had reached:
cholesterol
220, LDL 136 and HDL 75
she
gave me a prescription to Lipitor (20 mg) - she indicated
the
potential, but unlikely side effects. I checked with my
older brothers
who I knew had started down this path as well, and didn't
like what I
heard - incredible aches and muscle cramps at night, having
to switch
drugs because of negative effects on liver... I was so
bummed out, I
went to the internet to see what others were doing. That
is when I
came across your book - read so many recommendations I
felt I had to
give it "the old college try" using your suggestions.
I
decided I would only make changes in my diet that I thought
I could sustain
over time. And I was happy that most of the things you
suggested were foods I could add to my diet easily.
I decided I could
not do the Metamucil or garlic - and I knew I already
had the exercise
covered. So that left 7 out of 10 which I hoped could
cause noticeable
results. I also read labels religiously and tried to
keep my intake
of cholesterol as close to 0 as possible - no butter,
salad dressing,
whole milk, ice cream, whipped cream,....I made breakfast
my big
hitter, with 3/4 cups oatmeal made with 1 1/2 cups
of low fat soy milk,
2 TB flax seed grounded, 1Tb Promise margarine (with
sterol). Snacks
were an apple, 23 almonds, hummus and whole wheat pita,
Promise activ
yoghurt drink. I tried to include some sort of beans
in lunch or
dinner, and whenever we went out, I ordered salmon.
Other dinners I
tried to eat low-cholesterol foods - fruits, veggies,
grains, chicken
or legumes - and I added grains/starches which I had
mostly eliminated
years ago.
Based
on the studies, I decided I would retest my blood after 6
weeks.
I was prepared for no improvement, as almost everyone
I talked to said
they had tried to reduce their cholesterol with diet
to no avail - and
they now took drug x. But in the back of my mind,
I hoped that this
would work - there were so many stories about people
like me in the
book. And sure enough, after 6 weeks:
cholesterol
147, LDL 81, HDL 60 (not sure why HDL went down, but I
can live with it)
As
I mentioned, the things I did (especially my "power" breakfast)
are
things I can continue long term. I would like
to have the occasional
coffee mocha, chocolate dessert, or creamery
butter with bread, but
these will be special occasion rather than everyday
events that had
been more of a habit than need.
Now
I feel like I have at least some control over side effects
of
aging. And my blood pressure has gone down
10 points on average. I am
going to share my success with everyone I know!
Amazing!
Thanks,
Martha S.
Susan's
Testimonial, October 2008
Good
Morning, Dr. Janet,
Last
July my cholesterol was 238, HDL 52, and LDLs 159. Since
July I've
been following your Cholesterol Down program with a few slippages
with being on vacation etc. I had my numbers checked again
last week
and got the results in the mail over the weekend. Here are
my numbers:
Old/New
Total Cholesterol: 238/212
HDLs: 52/52
LDLs: 159/132
Triglycerides: 160/141
BP: 126/80 114/78
My
doctor was amazed at the improvement in so little time. I've
also lost 12 pounds. I will continue my weight loss
until I'm where I need
to be which is another 20 pounds along with monitoring my
eating.
Between your program and the DASH diet we follow to keep
blood
pressure in check, my family is going to be the healthiest
in the
state of NY.
Thank
you again for developing this plan and allowing people to
learn
that they can simply eat right and manage health issues.
Have
a great day!
Susan
L.
Mellicent's
Testimonial, September 2008
Greetings!
Thank you so much putting out the Cholesterol down book. It
has helped me decrease my total cholesterol by 51 points in 2
months! As a pharmacist, I recognize that drugs are not
necessarily the answers to solving all our health problems. Your
book is part of the solution!
Gratefully,
Mellicent Y., PharmD
Marcene's
Testimonial, August 2008
Hello
Dr. Brill -
I want to thank you for writing this book and letting us know
how we can
take control of ourselves and lower cholesterol by diet and exercise.
I'm
63 and 2.5 months ago went to the doctor for my six month
look. My
weight was 174 and my blood work came back with cholesterol
of 223.
My doctor wanted to put me on meds.
I said no - I want to see if I can get this cholesterol down
by myself.
She said - ok, I'll give you 3 months ... and was pretty abrupt
with me.
In the past 2.5 months I have lost 12 pounds and stayed pretty
faithful
to your diet suggestions in the book.
My new blood work just came back and my cholesterol is 181
!!! (LDL
111/HDL 50)
I was so excited!!
I will continue to follow the eating habits I've developed
from following the book and am continuing to work to lose 10
more
pounds.
I read the book over and over to reinforce the information
I need to
remember. I'm also interested in more recipes or other recipe
books you would
recommend. Thanks again so much - you rock!!!!
Marcene S.
Mary's
Testimonial, August 2008
Dear
Dr. Brill,
Thank you so much for this book! My Dr. gave me 3 months to get
my numbers down or he would put me on drugs. I went directly
to my local
library and your book was on the shelf. I think I read the whole
thing
through in one weekend, taking notes and feeling that I could
do this.
I thought I was taking care of myself pretty well but it was
more
things I was NOT doing. Attached is the daily chart I came up
with (I
also checked out the national nutrition guide to be sure I was
getting
what I needed as an active 59 year old.) I checked it off daily
for
about 6 weeks until I just "learned" it and created
a new lifestyle.
I live alone so it was easy for me to set a meal plan and stick
to
it, my grocery bills are actually less now. I found a beautiful
park
right on my way to work where I can safely walk early in the
morning
( no gym or extra gas costs). I just kept saying to myself "priorities" I
even went to the beach for 2 weeks with my grandchildren, stayed
with my charts and ate all the fish my son-in-law was able to
catch...including crabs!.
Today
was my 3 month checkup. The total count went from 253 to
195,
HDL from 66 to 49 and LDL from 163 to 99!!! I know how to adjust
to
get the HDL up a bit but I am so pleased with these results
(so is my
Doctor!) I also just plain feel better overall!
Thank
you once again and God bless you for the work you are doing.
Sincerely,
Mary S.
Kim's
Testimonial, July 2008
Hello,
I just wanted to thank you for the great information you provided
in your book "Cholesterol Down".
I had my cholesterol checked 2 years ago and was told it was
starting rise ( at that time my level was just under 6), I made
sure to eat a healthy diet ( what I thought was healthy) and
was shocked when I went back for another cholesterol test March
17, 2008. Here are the results from that test... Yikes...after
eating healthy it went up!!!!!
Total
Cholesterol: 7.75
HDL: 1.69
LDL: 5.69
Chol/HDL ratio: 4.59
My
doctor wrote me a prescription for Zocor. And told me to
come back once again for another test in a few months.
I did not want
to take the medication and this is when I discovered
your book.I followed your program and was very happy to
find my new results
from another Cholesterol test June 18, 2008. Here are
the results from that test..... Wow...by adding the foods
you recommend
it made all the difference!
Total
Cholesterol: 5.32
HDL: 1.45
LDL: 3.54
Chol/HDL ratio: 3.67
I'm
very excited about the results and will continue following
this way of eating !!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks to you I'm on my way to great cholesterol
numbers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Best
Regards,
Kim R
Mary's
Testimonial, March 2008
Hello,
Dr. Janet.
Another Success Story!
Add
another glowing testimonial to the many I'm sure you receive
daily. My MD friend didn't believe I could lower my
cholesterol significantly without drugs. I accepted the challenge
and luckily found your Cholesterol Down book. I wanted to be
sure I gave the program enough time, so I actually waited 6
months before I had my cholesterol rechecked. The results
are terrific! My total cholesterol has dropped 50 points and
my LDL's have dropped 57 points. The other numbers are very
good as well. I'm passing along the good news about Cholesterol
Down to everyone, especially MD friend! Thank you.
Mary K.
Weaverville, NC
Mike's
Testimonial, February 2008
Dear
Dr. Janet,
I just received my cholesterol scores from my doctor. I am amazed
and I want to give you a hug and say thank you.
On
11/30/2007 my total cholesterol was 220, LDL 166, HDL 43,
and triglycerides 53. Today after using your book since 12/15/2007
my cholesterol total is 134, LDL 91, HDL, 31, triglycerides
58. This is an amazing turn around. I did not use the Metamucil
because I was prescribed a blood pressure med at the same time.
The concern was that the Metamucil would bind to the blood
pressure medication and limit its benefit.
I am sure glad that I trusted you and resisted taking Lipitor
as recommended.
Thanks
Again.
Mike
Jeanie's
Testimonial, January, 2008
Hi
Dr. Janet,
I am LOVING your book!!! It is WONDERFUL. Thank you so much
for letting the world know that a bit of a lifestyle change
may help us live longer.
I can't wait to walk into my next visit with my Dr. and show
him the book. XXX
OOOO & thanx a trillion again....
Sincerely,
Jeanie
