VIDEO: Jesse's Heart to Heart Conversation with Dr. Klodas

For the past 8 years, Jesse’s cholesterol has been just above or right at the high range. He decided to try Step One Food's to improve his numbers and he recently shared his experience with Dr. Klodas in a Heart to Heart conversation. Watch now!

“In the last two years, before I started Step One Foods, my numbers were getting much higher,” Jesse said. “I wasn’t that worried because I am 66 years old and I’ve always thought I was pretty healthy, despite my high cholesterol. I exercise daily and I pretty much eat whatever I want without gaining too much weight.” 

Jesse’s mindset changed about his health about two years ago when his sister and her significant other went for a CAC (coronary artery calcium) test (this is a test that measures the amount of calcified plaque in your arteries) and shared their results with him. While his sister’s score was good, her partner’s was not, prompting Jesse to get a CAC test. 

His results were a 234, with all of the plaque being located in his left artery, which landed him in the moderate category with a medium to high risk of having a heart attack. 

“That’s when my doctor prescribed a statin, which I did not want to take due to potential side effects,” Jesse said. “I knew I did not want to take a statin unless it was absolutely necessary.”

In researching natural ways to lower cholesterol, Jesse found Step One Foods through a Google search and placed his first order in September 2021. After 3 months of eating healthier and using Step One Foods twice a day, his cholesterol results were much better and after 12 months they were great. 

Jesse’s cholesterol before Step One Foods

Total cholesterol: 227

LDL cholesterol: 150

HDL: 63

Non-HDL cholesterol: 164

Triglycerides: 61

Jesse’s cholesterol after Step One Foods

Total cholesterol: 124

LDL cholesterol: 87

HDL: 42

Non-HDL cholesterol: 82

Triglycerides: 52

“I am proud to say I no longer have high cholesterol,” Jesse said. “With my improved cholesterol, I no longer have any health issues and my glucose level went from 110 to 93 in the last year. All of my lab results are now in the acceptable range.”

Although Jesse’s improvements were drastic, incorporating Step One into his lifestyle was much easier than he expected. 

“The most surprising thing to me was how quickly I was able to adjust to my healthy diet,” Jesse said. “The first month was hard, but once I got into the routine I really enjoy eating fresh and not processed foods. I gave up fried foods, red meat, bacon, sausage, chips, crackers, cookies, sugars, cream in the coffee, and most of all the bad foods you see on all the recommended food-to-avoid lists. I probably splurge once a week on something like a Chipotle burrito, a turkey sandwich, or some other item. Also, I do partake in birthday and holiday party food, but try to limit portions as much as I can, I don’t eat at restaurants as often as I did in the past, but do select healthy options and limit portions.  I’m surprised I don’t crave unhealthy foods and I really enjoy my current dietary plan.” 

With a renewed sense of health, Jesse is focused on remaining active and maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

“I have an active lifestyle and I want to remain active as long as possible,” Jesse said. “My plans are to continue my current healthy eating habits based on the Mediterranean diet and Step One Foods.”

In addition to staying active and healthy for his overall health, Jesse’s motivation is also heavily influenced by two major people – his 1 and 3-year-old granddaughters. 

“I see my grandchildren regularly and want to continue to assist in their care and watch them grow up,” Jesse said.