Nutrition Information |
|
||
Foods Can Lower Cholesterol and C-reactive Protein
If you have high cholesterol, the American Heart Association's low-cholesterol, low-saturated fat diet will fail you. Even when applied conscientiously, it achieves a disappointingly modest reduction in LDL cholesterol of approximately 7%. Starting at an LDL cholesterol of 150 mg/dl, for instance, you would drop to 139. It's no surprise that many people turn to alternative diets (Ornish, Pritikin, Zone, etc.) to get a bigger bang. And no surprise that many physicians go directly to statin agents for their nearly effortless 35% or greater reduction. The Adult Treatment Panel-III (ATP-III) is a committee of experts charged with developing guidelines for cholesterol treatment for Americans. The latest ATP guidelines suggest the use of fibers for a nutritional advantage in lowering cholesterol. Despite the ATP-III's endorsement, however, there has been no "real-world" data that documents the LDL-lowering effectiveness of combinations of fibers and other foods added to an AHA Step II low-fat diet (fat 30% of calories). Dr. David Jenkins from the Clinical Nutrition & Risk Factor Modification Center at St Michael's Hospital, Toronto has therefore explored such a multi-ingredient program, reported in the Journal of the American Medicine Association1. He calls this program the "dietary portfolio," highlighting the inclusion of several different healthy foods combined to achieve the goal of lowering cholesterol. The study enrolled 46 adults (25 men, 21 post-menopausal women) with a mean age of 59 years. All participants were free of known heart disease, diabetes, and none were taking any cholesterol-lowering agents. Baseline LDL cholesterol was 171 mg/dl for all participants. Three groups were designated: 1) Viscous fiber, phytosterols, and almond diet, the so-called "dietary portfolio"; 2) Control diet (AHA Step II); and 3) Control diet with lovastatin 20 mg/day (a cholesterol-lowering statin drug). Cholesterol panels were reassessed after a four week period in each arm. All diets had equal calorie content. The dietary portfolio provided 1.0 g of phytosterols (a soy bean derivative) per 1000 kcal; 9.8 g viscous fibers (as oat bran and oat products, barley, and psyllium seed) per 1000 kcal; 21.4 g soy protein per 1000 kcal; and 14 g (around 12 almonds) per 1000 kcal. A typical 2400 kcal diet would therefore provide 2.4 g phytosterols (2 tbsp Take Control or Benecol), 24 g viscous fiber, 51 g soy protein, and 34 g of almonds (around 34 almonds). Average fiber intake for participants was an impressive 78 g/day. (The average American takes in a meager 14 g/day.) The control diet was also abundant in fiber at 57 g/day, but contained little of the viscous variety, as the primary fiber sources were whole wheat products which lack viscous fibers. The diet was otherwise very similar to the dietary portfolio in fat and cholesterol content, protein, and total calories. The dietary portfolio achieved an impressive 28% reduction in LDL cholesterol. Unexpectedly, there was also a 30% reduction in C-reactive protein (CRP), a popular measure of inflammation. The results achieved with the dietary portfolio were virtually identical to the results obtained with lovastatin. The control diet achieved a paltry 8% reduction in LDL and a 10% reduction in CRP. Interestingly, a third of the participants in the dietary portfolio group reported that there was too much food (given the satiety-effect of fiber rich foods). This was the group that lost the most weight, though only a modest 1 lb. Conclusion: Dr. Jenkins' portfolio of fiber-rich foods had the same effects on LDL cholesterol and CRP as a moderate dose of lovastatin. This is quite remarkable, given the relative failure of the diets usually prescribed to improve cholesterol values. Conventional diets, in fact, have been so ineffective that some physicians have abandoned the use of dietary recommendations in their practices. The fiber-rich foods used in the dietary portfolio are readily available and inexpensive. Though the specific components used in the study have each been shown to lower LDL cholesterol when used independently, the combination has not been examined. Many would likely have predicted that, in view of the similar mechanisms of LDL-reduction among the various components of the portfolio, the LDL lowering effect would not exceed 15%. (Soy protein is the only component with a significantly different mechanism of action-suppression of liver synthesis of cholesterol.) Instead, this powerful combination achieved an impressive 28% reduction, as good as the prescription agent lovastatin. (In our experience with this approach, LDL cholesterol typically drops 30 to 50 points, sometimes more.) The high-fiber approach of the dietary portfolio significantly exceeds the fiber intake of the average American. As a practical matter, people who elect to follow this program should introduce each component gradually and drink plentiful water, as constipation can result if hydration in inadequate. To reproduce the LDL and CRP benefits of the dietary portfolio, a practical combination would be: ? Oat bran-1/4 cup (uncooked) + 3 tsp psyllium seed Jenkins DJA, Kendall CWC, Marchie A, et al. Effects of a dietary portfolio of cholesterol-lowering foods vs. lovastatin on serum lipids and c-reactive protein. JAMA. 2003 290:502-10. William Davis, MD is a practicing cardiologist, author and lecturer. He is author of the book, Track Your Plaque: The only heart disease prevention program that shows you how to use the new CT heart scans to detect, track, and control coronary plaque. He is author of the soon-to-be released new book, What Does My Heart Scan Show?, available by May, 2005 at http://www.trackyourplaque.com
Look For
MORE RESOURCES: Hawaii lawmakers advance vacation rental bill to final votes Honolulu Star-Advertiser Hawaii governor pledges to sign vacation rental regulation bill Courthouse News Service 'A significant step forward': Destinations Florida urges Gov. DeSantis to sign vacation rental bill Florida Politics Opinion: Protesting Transformation of Residential Zones into Vacation Rental Hubs in Moses Lake Source ONE News Oceanside approves cap and new limits on short-term vacation rentals The San Diego Union-Tribune Owners selling vacation rentals from under guests is a growing problem The Seattle Times Key committee passes vacation rentals Hawaii Tribune-Herald Business Report: Vacation rentals Hawaii News Now Vacation Rentals on Business Trips? Who Gets the Best Airline Seat? Skift Travel News New era of policing vacation rentals in Santa Cruz County pushes complaints, violations into public view Lookout Santa Cruz Oceanside City Council continues debate over short-term rentals FOX 5 San Diego Hawaii lawmakers take aim at vacation rentals after Lahaina wildfire amplifies Maui housing crisis West Hawaii Today Vacation Rental Management Association CEO Kimberly Miles Steps Down Skift Travel News Vacation rental laws under review Lakes Area Radio Vacation Rentals: How to Make Your Stay Sustainable The New York Times City of Jacksonville Beach calls for short-term rental bill veto FirstCoastNews.com WTLV-WJXX Why I Prefer Hotels Over Airbnb Fodor's Travel Vacation rentals bill blasted: Commissioners get an earful over proposed TAR regulations West Hawaii Today FL lawmakers pass state regulations on short-term vacation rentals; how will it play out? • Florida Phoenix Florida Phoenix 100+ Best Summer Vacation Rentals to Book Now Condé Nast Traveler As vacation rentals eat up housing in South Florida, controlling them might become harder | Opinion Miami Herald A Statewide Ban On Vacation Rentals? The Idea Is Gaining Steam After The Maui Fires Honolulu Civil Beat These Are the Top 10 Vacation Rentals on Vrbo for 2024 Travel + Leisure Ask Amy: Family friends poach vacation rental Chicago Tribune Vacation Rental Market To Reach USD 128.9 Billion By 2032, Report By DataHorizzon Research Yahoo Finance Lawmakers passed bill to shift control of vacation rentals to state Tallahassee Democrat Vacation Rentals okeechobeecountyfl.gov Green Won't Issue Vacation Rental Moratorium For Maui Honolulu Civil Beat The effort to get the FL governor to veto short-term vacation rental bill accelerates • Florida Phoenix Florida Phoenix The Meteoric Rise and Spectacular Fall of the Queen of Airbnb Business Insider State legislation stalls movement on Pinellas vacation rental regulations ABC Action News Tampa Bay Hawaii lawmakers take aim at vacation rentals after Lahaina wildfire amplifies Maui housing crisis WPLG Local 10 Senator wants uniform standards for short-term vacation rentals, but it seems to be a tough sell • Florida Phoenix Florida Phoenix 5 Desired Features for Vacation Rentals Real Estate 4 Perfect Vrbo Vacation Rentals at the Delaware Beaches Delaware Today Court Says Nantucket Can’t Ignore Zoning Laws on Vacation Rentals The Provincetown Independent Bill Allowing Hawaiʻi Counties To Phase Out Vacation Rentals Gets Senate Hearing Big Island Video News This year's version of a short-term vacation rental bill now goes to the full House • Florida Phoenix Florida Phoenix Hamilton County Commission to consider ban on vacation rentals in neighborhoods Chattanooga Times Free Press Florida's Vacation Rental Bill awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis' review. St. Augustine Record Some Florida mayors are getting testy about a contentious vacation rental bill • Florida Phoenix Florida Phoenix Big Island Lawmakers Attempt To Rein In Short-Term Vacation Rentals Honolulu Civil Beat What happens when someone sells your vacation rental? Elliott Advocacy Future of vacation rentals bill uncertain despite passage WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm Short-Term / Vacation Rentals in Florida - what you should know Islander News.com RedAwning buys Awning.com to set new standards for STRs Short Term Rentalz Vrbo's Vacation Rentals of the Year 2024: A Full List of the Properties Good Housekeeping State lawmakers advancing short-term vacation rental measure News 13 Orlando Bills could force short-term vacation rentals into long-term housing for Maui residents KITV Honolulu Hawaii lawmakers take aim at vacation rentals after Lahaina wildfire amplifies Maui housing crisis Jackson Hole News&Guide Hawaii Legislature Mulls Ban on Vacation Rentals Fodor's Travel This affluent Bay Area county may put hard limit on vacation rentals for first time San Francisco Chronicle Green Bay area vacation rentals ask $10,000 a night for 2025 NFL draft Green Bay Press Gazette Short-term vacation rental bill passes in FL Senate, but regulations on the issue remain unsettled • Florida Phoenix Florida Phoenix York's short-term rental ordinance ignites dueling campaigns Seacoastonline.com UPDATE: Short-Term Vacation Rental resolution pulled from Hamilton County Commission meeting Local 3 News The latest version of a vacation rental bill gets its first hearing in Tallahassee • Florida Phoenix Florida Phoenix 10 Best Vacation Rentals in Dallas of 2024 TravelAwaits |
RELATED ARTICLES
Protein - The Denominator Customary to All Diets The Human Body is in a constant flux with the environment. Matter and molecules flow in and out, casting themselves into its complexities. The Magic in Food: LOVE Remember the old adage, you are what you eat? The simplest magical ritual that you can do is to cut open a fruit or vegetable and eat it while thinking of your magical intention. Below is a compilation of common foods and their metaphysical associations. Glorious Summer Greens Summer brings a lot of fantastic things with it, but one of the healthiest for those of us in the colder climates is more fresh food. The growing season has started and is shifting into full gear. Why You Should Eat Healthier Every where you look you see articles or news or stories on how America is overweight. This probably doesn't surprise anyone, as you only have to take a quick look around to see that our lifestyles don't promote good health. Just How Dangerous Are Splenda and Artificial Sweeteners - Which Side is Spinning? There seems to be fairly poor tracking by any formal standards once a product is approved as a food additive. Despite supposedly tracking adverse reactions, the reality has been different at the FDA. What Everybody Ought to Know About Food Additives Every day we are bombarded with information about food products that are healthy, all natural, have no artificial ingredients, no preservatives, low fat, no fat, no cholesterol, sugar free, vitamin fortified and provide 100% of your daily vitamin requirements. Are these foods as healthy as the advertising tries to make us believe they are?Let's look at the facts. Alcohol as a Key Ingredient to a Healthy Diet Evidence suggesting that alcohol is "cardio-protective" first appeared in the literature about 30 years ago. The Framingham Heart Study [the longest running population study of heart disease which began in 1948] provided the first solid evidence of this association. Food for Healthy Nails Nails are a protective horn at the end of our most sensitive extremities: fingers and toes. They can often become injured from accidents or crushing weight such as heavy walking or running. How Does Glucosamine Chondroitin Help Your Body? Glucosamine is readily produced in the human body and is necessary for the production of joint cartilage. As we age, producing enough glucosamine becomes more difficult and cartilage begins to detiorate causing stiffness and painful joints. Taste the Good Health Fruit Called Apple "To eat an apple before going to bed will make the doctor beg his bread"Apple is a cholesterol and fat free fruit packed with loads of vitamins and nutrients. Apple juice is delicious. Salads Take Center Stage The reason I remember the first time I was served a main-course salad, easily 15 years ago, is that it was such a revelation.It was served to a group of us, six or more, in a large shallow wooden bowl and it was full of all kinds of good things; greens, chickpeas, nuts, seeds, sliced chicken breast and a dressing fragrant with fresh tarragon and basil. How Can Fat Be Essential? How Can Fat Be Essential? By Garry Gamber � ���� Did you know that some fats are essential to the body?� Yes, there are some fats that our body cannot produce which means that we must get them from our food.� Perhaps you've heard of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Death, Aging, Rejuvenation (Part 2) DeathDeath. Why it happens? Why do we die? Why do animals die? Why do plants die? What is the need of this? In my opinion mechanism of death was selected during Evolution. Guerilla Health Tactics: 5 Snappy Rules For a Healthier, Happier You The subject of health care itself often seems plagued with conflicting advice, or even heated controversy. Witness the recent Cruise-Shields incident, which will doubtless occupy several chapters in future health and nutrition texts. Five Reasons You Should Drink More Water I know you've heard this many times - "Drink more water!". Yet, 99% of the people don't heed this advice. Healthy Eating for Executives on the Run For the executive, maintaining the much-needed balance between career, family, and health can often be a challenge and yet without this balance in our lives it is impossible to become focused and efficient during the work day. The one area that seems to be the quickest to fall out of balance is our health. Constipation Cures Exposed! If you're suffering from constipation, you are no doubt looking for some answers to bring relief. Treatments for constipation vary with the type of constipation from which you're suffering. The Danger of Curbing Hunger Artificially Unhealthy eating is a harmful problem in America, and contrary to a very outdated perception, this harm is not limited to those who suffer from obesity[1]. In reality, according to the Directors of Health Promotion and Education, the majority of Americans exhibit unhealthy eating habits, with just over one in four women and only one in five men claiming to eat the minimum five daily servings of vegetables and fruits[i]. Male Infertility and Glutathione Are You Half The Man Your Father Was?It is a well-known fact that sperm counts have dropped by half in the last 50 years, and that modern men have 20 percent less semen volume than their fathers (BMJ, 1992, volume 305).A recent report from researchers in Aberdeen presented preliminary data that suggests the sperm concentration of the men seen in their clinic had declined by 29% over the past 14 years. Healthy Eating Tips for Healthy Living Eating healthy is fast becoming a way of life. American's are living longer, however, the goal of many is not to simply live longer, the goal it is to live a longer and healthier life. |
home | site map |
© 2005 |