Lowering My Cholesterol

After about 10 weeks on the Inegey - which is a combo of a statin and ezetimibe - I have stopped taking them. After a bout of unexplained vomiting and generally feeling unwell , loss of appetite I blamed the Inegy. It could be someting else - but since I started taking them I have been feeling depressed, getting back pain, and also lost interest in sex. I have been off the statin - (simvastatin) and ezetimibe mixture for two weeks now - and feel a lot better. I haven’t told my GP yet - but I know I should soon.  I need to tackle my lifestyle now - more exercise is the main thing I need to be doing. So less blogging too.

I still have doubts about the whole "cholesterol is bad" - after reading several articles. I need to investigate more about the effects of cholesterol - and will try and put any findings on here.

I know that many of the bad effects of cholesterol can be offset by exercise. That is something that I know I don’t do enough of. I have a bike, I live in a scenic rural area of Ireland, I work from home  and even have an exercise bike inside too - so I have no excuse really do I. Motivation is probably my downfall - lack of it. Time is another factor , as well as doing work from hoem (web design etc) - I look after a 4 year old son as well as generally being the main "home-maker". There is aleays something to be done - and exercise gives me a sense of guilt because I always feel I should be doing something else. I will ahve to change that attitude if I want to live beyond 50.

I know that I should exercise more than I do. I must promise to do at least 3 hours exercise a week. I have no excuse really - apart from feeling guilty if I am not doing something else. I work from home and my wife works full time outside the home. With 4 kids - there is plenty of other work to keep me busy like cleaning, cooking, shopping , washing. SO - I don’t really seem to get much time for formal exercise. Having a 4 year old at home restricts things a bit. But I know I could do more if I really try - like stop blogging!

My Cholesterol level is high - so I am told by my doctor - but what is cholesterol? Why do we need it? Why is too much cholesterol bad for us? Is cholesterol needed by our body or not? How can I reduce cholesterol in my blood? 
My father had a heart attack when he was only 42 - I am 44 now. Is cholesterol going to kill me? This blog is my way of recording my research into  Cholesterol, why it is bad and how I can try and lower my cholesterol levels.

My cholesterol "count" in October 2006 was 6.4. In January 2007 it was 5.8

I know I don’t exercise enough. My diet is pretty good - low fat milk in my tea,  no fatty meats, very little butter. I need to cut down on treats like biscuits and cheese though. If it is genetic - maybe diet will not help? I will try and find out more and keep notes of what I find here to remind myself and possible help others.