Bread

Question
Hi Melissa

I am a 54 year old male. My last cholesterol reading was 650 & triglycerides were sky high at 2000. I'm on 80 mg. of Zocor/day & a little afraid of taking Gemfibrozil because of possibility of rare but fatal muscle disease when combining Gemfibrozil with statins.

I've read on the internet where cutting out starches, breads, carbohydrates, cereals, pasta, fats, & sugars of course, has been known to lower some people's trigycerides a great deal.

I am also not a drinker, take no caffeine in beverage or any form, & try to limit my sugar intake.

I can do without the cereal, pasta, potatoes, rice, & starches but I do LOVE bread. Is there any form of healthful, low calorie, or non-grain bread I could purchase or even make myself which would be low calorie &/or gluten free & might serve to help possibly lower my triglycerides? I'm afraid the multi-grain bread I buy at the store may fall short of what's actually on the ingredients.

I've heard "hunza" bread or "pita" bread are good. Just wanted to know if you might have any other good recommendations.

Thank you very much for any assistance.

Sincerely,

Mike E.

Answer
Mike,
There's usually lots of good bread choices at the store. Look for a brand that has less than 50 calories per slice and less than 7 or 8 net carbs per slice. Net carbs are calculated by subtracting the fiber from the total carbs. Watch out-some bread packages give nutrition for 2 slices instead of 1.
I'd also recommend starting the gemfibrozil. Yes, the risk of muscle damage is increased with gemfibrozil and statin together. But let's compare... your risk of dying from this rare muscle disease, even with both the statin and the gemfibrozil, is still about one in five thousand. With your numbers, if you don't start managing your cholesterol very aggressively, exercising, and controlling your weight,  I'd estimate that your risk of dying of heart disease before the age of 65 is better than eighty percent. Some doctors beat around the bush, but I believe in being honest. If you do not do absolutely everything in your power to lower your risk of heart disease, you are committing suicide. If you choose not to take the gemfibrozil, diet, or exercise, then you can stop making contributions to your 401(k), because you will not be alive to enjoy retirement.
So I'd encourage you to choose life, take the pills, and start a very aggressive diet and exercise program without delay.
Good luck!
Melissa

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