familial hypercholesterolaemia Calcium, lowcarb, conundrum

[Pipp]

I could use some help from members who have the knowledge and experience please.

First of all, please don’t make this discussion about the statins debate. I know all the pros and cons. Was diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolaemia over 30 years ago, when there were less sophisticated diagnostic methods than there are today. Managed well over the years with primitive statins. My paternal elders all had heart attacks and strokes before they were 60. So far, having reached well beyond that age I have stayed clear of such, apart from hypertension since I was in my early 20s, managed with meds.

Past two years I have been quite ill. Had tumours, thankfully benign, spine, acoustic, thyroid and parathyroid. Some surgeries. Also Basal cell carcinoma. Osteopenia. During this time my cholesterol levels have shot up, and have had allergic reactions to the statins and alternatives ezetimibe and bempedoic. So have been referred to lipid clinic for assessment .

I am advised to increase calcium intake to compensate for the osteopenia. Great! More cheese for me then. . Not so fast… Cholesterol levels are soaring…. Yes I know the debates. Please respect that for some of us those soaring levels can be a problem. I know the high cholesterol levels are mainly due to my own body, manufacturing the cholesterol, but also that fat consumption makes me fat. And so the spinning in circles begins.

My task. To find diet that will be high in calcium, low in carb content, and not too high calories and especially fat. (Did I mention that I gain weight very easily, and have to limit fat, too?)

I have been advised of a diet high in calcium, the malted milk option looked promising, as a single drink could give up to a quarter of daily requirement. Unfortunately it also gives more sugar than I would have in several days. Another option is fortified cereals and bread… hmm, not conducive with low carb. .

I know I ramble on. Does anyone know of an app or other resource that calculates the amount of calcium in foods? It is seldom listed on product ingredients.

If all this has been too much to read, basically I need to get my head round how to increase calcium consumption whilst remaining on low carb regime, but without a huge increase in dairy products and fats.

Oh and I dread having to eat sardines and oranges.

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[Hopeful34]

I also have osteopenia @Pipp and was prescribed Calcichew D3 as I also have low Vitamin D levels. Maybe a route to explore, if you haven't already.

 

[Pipp]

I also have osteopenia @Pipp and was prescribed Calcichew D3 as I also have low Vitamin D levels. Maybe a route to explore, if you haven't already.

Thank you, I do already have these, but apparently not adequate, as endo advice is that diet rather than med for calcium is needed. All the dietary changes suggested conflict with low carb for T2 management and management of FH.
It is possible that one condition will need further medication.

 

[lovinglife]

I notice you say no sardines - but do you like tinned salmon & tinned mackerel? Make a pate with them if you can’t do straight from the tin?
Kale, broccoli, spinach, almonds, seeds like sesame, chia, sunflower, - have you tried chia pudding or chia jam for your low carb toast? Almonds, Greek yogourt, tofu is often fortified with calcium, maybe change any milk for almond or soya?

Myfitnesspal does calculate calcium but you have to pay for the premium one

Just thinking off the top of my head

 

[Pipp]

I notice you say no sardines - but do you like tinned salmon & tinned mackerel? Make a pate with them if you can’t do straight from the tin?
Kale, broccoli, spinach, almonds, seeds like sesame, chia, sunflower, - have you tried chia pudding or chia jam for your low carb toast? Almonds, Greek yogourt, tofu is often fortified with calcium, maybe change any milk for almond or soya?

Myfitnesspal does calculate calcium but you have to pay for the premium one

Just thinking off the top of my head

Thank you,@lovinglife.
I do eat tinned salmon already. I am going to attempt sardine mashed to make patties, disguised with egg and some spring onions. Oily fish does cause me allergic type reactions sometimes. I already eat seeds, and nuts, yogurt but told that these are not giving enough calcium and too much fat. Tofu is recommended, but that and sesame seeds are no good to me. Likewise soya, but I use almond milk. Already using chia seeds and flax seeds.
Have made chia jam before, so will give that a try again. Just don’t like sweet stuff.

I am just trying to get my head round the instructions given, and the units of calcium needed. The chart I have breaks everything calcium based down to stars. Apparently, according to consultant I need to have 21 stars a day. The list is also very limited, and doesn’t support low carb, with the higher stars rating being the dairy and bread and cereals, custard and rice pudding.

https://www.theibsnetwork.org/assets/files/pdfs/Calcium-2.pdf

It looks as though I will have to increase amount of carbs, I am also getting grief from GP surgery about rise in cholesterol, and all the meds for that have given the most intense allergic reactions, so referred to Lipid clinic. Maybe I am just trying to get ahead of them all and control all three conditions myself, before being pushed towards a high medication solution.

I have used MFP in the past, if I can’t find any other way of seeing the calcium levels in foods that are low carb I will subscribe.

 

[lovinglife]

Interesting chart @Pipp -looking at the recommendation I should be on 20 stars?? like you say difficult to get with low carb low dairy, which is what I do for same reason as you, weight gain etc. sometimes no matter how hard we work on our lifestyle/diet it can’t be done with multiple conditions without the help of meds. I know I don’t have to say this to you, but I’m going to say it anyway There is no shame in using any medications, no matter what they are, if it keeps you well & healthier. Lots of people are alive today with the wonder of medical science & medicines available

 

[Pipp]

Yes, thank you, @lovinglife. I agree. I am definitely not averse to taking medications. Just that I have had many and had severe allergic reactions to several.
It is possible I am overthinking things. So perhaps should wait for the lipid clinic consultation. Just that so far , each specialty has concentrated on single condition, and not taken into account the others.
I think if I can work out the calcium content of some of the low carb foods I will be able to formulate a regime that will work for me. Also if I get to know how the cholesterol situation has affected my cardiovascular system, if it has at all, I can make an informed decision about how to manage all three conditions.

 

[Antje77]

I have no knowledge on any of your conditions (well, I know a little about diabetes but still cross posting) so just a thought, based on experience with a dog.

Her calcium levels went dangerously low because of feeding her first litter of pups, which led to a nighttime emergency admittance at the vet and almost dying. Treatment after coming home the next day was lots of yoghurt. (Also frozen pizza pieces applied to her breasts, because 24 hours of no feeding and fighting for her life was enough to cause mastitis, but I don't think this is very relevant for you).

With her second litter we gave her a lot of yoghurt from the moment she gave birth until the pups weren't feeding from her anymore, and she had no problems that time.

Lower fat yoghurt is still pretty low in carbs and high in calcium, without the extra fat and calories from full fat Greek yoghurt, so maybe this is useful.

 

[Pipp]

Thank you @Antje77. I have been thinking of switching from high fat content Greek yogurt to the lower fat or even fat free version. You just reminded me.

I will skip the pizza advice, thanks. Not a good look, and it would stain my clothes, badly.