Guest guest Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 Managing Cholesterol with Diet JoAnn Guest Oct 16, 2005 16:03 PDT " Food Your Miracle Medicine " Some components of cholesterol are dangerous to arteries, while others are beneficial. Furthermore, what you eat may actually " detoxify' detrimental cholesterol so it cannot harm arteries. Regardless of cholesterol's complexities, one thing is undeniable- What you eat can put a striking dent in dangerous cholesterol and more spectacularly, according to new findings,change its " character " so its not quite so deadly! This radical way of controlling cholesterol by detoxifying it, according to new research, promises to dramatically slow the progression of atherosclerosis by 50 to 70 percent and even help reverse existing artery clogging by shrinking the 'clumps' of " plaque " on artery walls, says leading researcher Daniel Steinberg, M.D., at the University of California School of Medicine in San Diego. " We can now attack the disease at the artery wall as well by simply lowering LDL cholesterol. It's very exciting, " he says. HOW YOU CAN USE FOOD TO CONTROL CHOLESTEROL Essentially, you should eat in a way to lower one type of cholesterol, called LDL (low-density lipoprotein), and boost another type, known as HDL (high density lipoprotein). That's because LDLs contain the raw material that is used to " clog' our arteries. In contrast, HDLs help control the LDL villains, taking them to the liver where they can be annihilated! Obviously, the more HDL and the less LDL you have in your blood, the safer your arteries. Certain foods help bring this about by destroying detrimental LDLs and creating beneficial HDLs, Now enters an exciting new theory that promises to make it possible to control cholesterol with food in ways unimagined even a few years ago. According to the new theory put forth by Dr. Steinberg and many others, here's how arteries become clogged: Special forms of oxygen known as *free radicals* in the blood collide with fatty *LDL* cholesterol molecules, *oxidizing* them. The LDL then turns rancid, much as unrefrigerated butter does. In this altered form it is quickly gobbled up by cells called macrophages. Stuffed with 'fat' globules, the macrophages enlarge into dreaded " foam cells " which insinuate themselves into artery walls, triggering artery destruction! If you can prevent this 'toxic transformation " , your LDL cholesterol may remain relatively harmless. So the issue is not just how much LDL cholesterol your blood contains, but how much of it is " Toxic Oxidized LDL, " capable of clogging your arteries. Dr. Steinberg and many others now believe that LDL cholesterol is not so dangerous to arteries unless it is converted into a toxic form by oxygenated " free radicals " in your blood. That's where diet can be a powerful weapon. Mounting evidence shows you can block LDLs *toxic* transformation, and thus its awesome hazards, by eating foods packed with 'protective' antioxidants. This means you may intervene at the very " genesis of atherosclerosis " at every stage, blocking the cascade of arterial events that create clogged arteries, heart attacks and strokes. It is a thrilling prospect. Bottom Line: To combat hazardous blood cholesterol, reduce bad LDL cholesterol, eat foods that boost HDL (good) cholesterol, and keep as much as possible of your LDL from becoming toxic to your arteries. Here are your best bets for doing it with diet. Foods that Raise Your Good (HDL) Cholesterol levels: Onions, Leeks, Scallions, raw Garlic (fresh is best for its " allicin " content) Alaskan Salmon, sardines (in water), & other cold-water fish (it is best to avoid farmed fish... it is genetically altered) Unprocessed Organic Oatmeal Almonds Brazil nuts Macademia nuts & Oils Avocadoes Extra Virgin Olive Oils Olives Vitamin C rich foods ( red (hot) peppers, bell peppers, broccoli, oranges) Beta-carotene-rich foods (carrots, spinach, broccoli) Red Wine in moderation Caution: Diets containing processed refined oils (omega 6s) and foods which contain hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils and fats ( all margarines, including Benecol and Take Control) are known to *depress* HDL (good cholesterol)levels. " Food your Miracle Medicine " (How Food can Prevent and Cure Over 100 Symptoms and Problems) by Jean Carper ==================================================================== Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 7:55 pm Post subject: LDL Cholesterol Lowered by a High Fiber Diet: --- A study published in the November 2003 issue of the journal " Metabolism " suggests that a diet low in saturated fat but high in fiber, almonds, non-gmo soy protein and plant sterols (called a portfolio diet by the researchers) can produce reductions in cholesterol equal to those reported in recent studies using statin drugs. In this study of 25 individuals with high cholesterol, for 4 weeks, 13 followed a portfolio diet while 12 ate a low-saturated fat diet based on whole-wheat cereals and low-fat dairy foods. The groups then switched diets for a second 4 week period. While the low-fat diet was far less effective than statins, reducing LDL cholesterol by 12%, the portfolio diet, which reduced LDL cholesterol by 35%, was more effective than statin drugs. The portfolio diet also improved the ratio of beneficial HDL- cholesterol to LDL cholesterol by 30%. The researchers concluded that combining a number of foods known to help reduce levels of LDL cholesterol may be more 'effective' than taking statin drugs. Fiber's ability to decrease cholesterol is one reason that studies consistently report that people whose diets contain the most fiber have a significantly reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. A study published in the September 8, 2003 edition of the Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that eating high fiber foods, such as dry unprocessed beans, organic flaxseed, apples, bananas, barley, oats and prunes, helps prevent heart disease. Almost 10,000 American adults participated in this study and were followed for 19 years, during which time 1,843 cases of coronary heart disease (CHD) and 3,762 cases of cardiovascular disease (CVD) were diagnosed. People eating the most fiber, 21 grams per day, had 12% less CHD and 11% less CVD compared to those eating the least, 5 grams daily. Those eating the most water-soluble dietary fiber fared even better with a 15% reduction in risk of CHD and a 10% risk reduction in CVD. ===================================================================== Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 8:12 pm Post subject: How is high cholesterol defined? --- High cholesterol or hypercholesterolemia is defined as total cholesterol greater than 200 mg/dL with the high risk category greater than 240 mg/dL. At these levels, particularly when the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol is greater than 4:1, risk of cardiovascular disease is significantly increased. The ratio of LDL: HDL should be at least 4:1 because each HDL can pick up and transport 4 LDL back to the liver. ==================================================================== Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 8:14 pm Post subject: If I have high cholesterol levels, can a healthy way of eating lower them into a normal range? Absolutely! In fact, a study published in the July 2003 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association in which a whole foods diet was compared head-to-head with treatment by statin drugs found the whole foods approach to be so effective that the Comment accompanying this JAMA article is entitled, " Diet first, then medication for hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol). " (For more discussion of recent studies see below: Research Studies Confirm the Importance of Healthy Foods and Healthy Cholesterol Levels.) What foods may help me lower my LDL cholesterol and maintain or improve my ratio of LDL to HDL to healthier levels, e.g., 175 mg/dL with a 4:1 ratio of LDL:HDL ? A diet low in saturated fats and high in soluble fiber from foods such as oats, peas and beans (especially soy beans), has been found to lower elevated levels of LDL and improve the ratio of LDL to HDL. Cold water fish, garlic and onions, olive oil and other sources of monounsaturated fats have also been shown to lower LDL, while cranberries, soy foods and niacin have been found to raise HDL. ===================================================================== Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 5:24 p Post subject: Foods Shown to be as Effective as Statin Drugs - Foods Shown to be as Effective as Statin Drugs in Lowering Bad Cholesterol " Employing a non-gmo soybean protein-containing dietary intervention for the management of lipid [fat] disorders was recommended recently by the Adult Treatment Panel 111 of the USA National Cholesterol Education Program, and the American Heart Association. The cholesterol-lowering effect has been shown to act through activation of the LDL [bad cholesterol] receptor pathway. Moreover, Jenkins et al, demonstrated that a dietary [program,] consisting in a diet low in saturated fats [but] containing organic (non-gmo) soybean proteins, nuts, plant sterols, and [sticky] fibers, [given] to healthy [high-cholesterol bearing] subjects, was as effective in lowering cholesterol and C-reactive protein [a marker of impending heart disease] as was statin treatment. Emphases added. In: The Journal of Nutrition, vol. 134, 2004. By: Duranti, Lovati, Dani, Morazoni, et. al., Depts. of AgroFood Molecular Sciences and Pharmacological Sciences, U. of Milan, -20133 Milan, Italy & Scientific Dept. INDENA S.p.A., 1-20139, Milan. =================================================================Post ed: Wed Feb 02, 2005 3:34 pm Post subject: What's the Connection between Cholesterol & Kidney Disease? Today's Question I was concerned when I read that you're more susceptible to kidney disease if your " good " cholesterol is low. What's the connection and what can you do about it? -- John Today's Answer (Published 08/22/2003) Results of a study from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston reported in the August, 2003 issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology showed that apparently healthy men with low HDL (high density lipoprotein), the " good " cholesterol, and high LDL (low density lipoprotein) or " bad " cholesterol and triglycerides have twice the normal risk of reduced kidney function. The study included more than 4,000 initially healthy men whose blood levels were checked an average of 14 years apart. The findings were alarming because reduced kidney function can lead to kidney failure, a chronic life-threatening condition that makes one susceptible to malnutrition, anemia and bleeding, hypertension, seizures, neuropathy, and a host of other dangerous metabolic disorders. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), between 10 and 20 million Americans have early-stage kidney disease. Because failing kidneys often don't cause any obvious initial symptoms, many people have no idea that they're affected. Once detected, controlling one's diet, blood pressure and cholesterol may help slow the loss of kidney function while reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. The only treatments for kidney failure are dialysis and transplant. A month before the study findings were published, the NIH launched a major new study to look at the health of people with chronic kidney disease, in an effort to understand why this condition worsens rapidly in some people and why some are more prone to heart disease than others. The six-year study will recruit 3,000 volunteers at seven medical centers throughout the United States. (Visit www.cristudy.org for more information.) In addition to low HDL and high LDL and triglycerides, risks of kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure or a history of kidney problems. Risks are higher than average among African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans. If you're at risk, ask your physician for a blood or urine test for kidney disease. If you have low HDL (less than 40 mg/dl) and high non-HDL cholesterol (your total cholesterol minus your HDL is higher than 196.1), you could be at increased risk for kidney disease, according to results of the Brigham and Women's study. You can raise HDL by increasing outdoor exercise, drinking wine in moderation, and eating only certain healthy fats (monounsaturates such as extra virgin olive oil and omega-3s from sources like alaskan salmon and sardines). Dr. Andrew Weil http://www.drweil.com/app/cda/drw_cda.html-command=TodayQA- questionId=290495-pt=Question _________________ Desired Goal: To combat 'hazardous' LDL blood cholesterol, boost good HDL cholesterol, and keep as much as possible of your LDL from becoming 'toxic to your arteries'. ===================================================================== Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2005 10:37 am Post subject: Phytochemicals in garlic found to dramatically lower cholesterol --- Phytochemicals in garlic found to dramatically lower cholesterol production in the liver, just as statins do http://www.newstarget.com/000248.html It's better than statin drugs: garlic is one of the most powerful cholesterol-lowering foods on the planet, and it's great medicine for a variety of problems (like cancer). Nearly everyone would benefit from getting more garlic into their diets, and if you can stand raw garlic juice, that's the most potent form of all (it's also wicked). Forget statins: garlic does the job at a fraction of the cost, without killing you like statins do (major risk of sudden heart attack). Prescription drugs are never the answer. Superfoods (see related ebook on superfoods) like garlic provide all the healing you'll ever need. Related articles on this topic are also available on the NewsTarget Network, including: Everyday herbs prove to be convenient healers; garlic proves itself against cancer and cholesterol. ==================================================================== Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 8:12 pm Post subject: The effect of a plant-based diet on plasma lipids -- The effect of a plant-based diet on plasma lipids in hypercholesterolemic adults: a randomized trial. Gardner CD, Coulston A, Chatterjee L, Rigby A, Spiller G, Farquhar JW. http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/PaperFrameSet? Stanford University Medical School and Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California, USA. cgar- BACKGROUND: A variety of food combinations can be used to meet national U.S. guidelines for obtaining 30% of energy or less from total fat and 10% of energy or less from saturated fat. OBJECTIVE: To contrast plasma lipid responses to 2 low-fat diet patterns. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. SETTING: 4-week outpatient feeding study with weight held constant. PARTICIPANTS: 120 adults 30 to 65 years of age with prestudy low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations of 3.3 to 4.8 mmol/L (130 to 190 mg/dL), body mass index less than 31 kg/m2, estimated dietary saturated fat at least 10% of calories, and otherwise general good health. MEASUREMENTS: Plasma lipid levels. INTERVENTION: Two diets, the Low-Fat diet and the Low-Fat Plus diet, designed to be identical in total fat, saturated fat, protein, carbohydrate, and cholesterol content, consistent with former American Heart Association Step I guidelines. The Low-Fat diet was relatively typical of a low-fat U.S. diet. The Low-Fat Plus diet incorporated considerably more vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, consistent with the 2000 American Heart Association revised guidelines. RESULTS: Four-week changes in the Low-Fat and Low-Fat Plus groups were -0.24 mmol/L (-9.2 mg/dL) versus -0.46 mmol/L (-17.6 mg/dL) for total cholesterol (P = 0.01) and -0.18 mmol/L (-7.0 mg/dL) versus -0.36 mmol/L (-13.8 mg/dL) for LDL cholesterol (P = 0.02); between-group differences were -0.22 mmol/L (-9 mg/dL) (95% CI, -0.05 to -0.39 mmol/L [-2 to - 15 mg/dL]) and -0.18 mmol/L (-7 mg/dL) (CI, -0.04 to -0.32 mmol/L [-2 to -12 mg/dL]) for total and LDL cholesterol, respectively. The 2 diet groups did not differ significantly in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels. LIMITATIONS: 4-week duration. CONCLUSIONS: Previous national dietary guidelines primarily emphasized avoiding saturated fat and cholesterol; as a result, the guidelines probably underestimated the potential LDL cholesterol-lowering effect of diet. In this study, emphasis on including nutrient-dense plant-based foods, consistent with recently revised national guidelines, increased the total and LDL cholesterol-lowering effect of a low-fat diet. Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial PMID: 15867404 [PubMed - in process] _________________ JoAnn Guest mrsjo- www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes ==================================================================== Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 9:04 am --- Cholesterol is a intricate and confusing subject and grossly misunderstood. Orthodox medicine confirms that there are three types of cholesterol in the form of lipoproteins that circulate in our bodies at any given time. The portion of cholesterol ready for the body's use emanates from our liver although we also derive a certain portion from the foods that we eat. However all cholesterol ic metabolized in our liver. Whether or not our blood cholesterol contains any of the 'foreign' material or free radicals with which our bodies " oxidize " cholesterol really depends on the health of our liver which removes these toxic substances. All of us take in 'free radicals everyday from the air we breathe, the foods we eat and even the sunlight contains minimal amounts of free radicals which can be harmful if we get too much on a daily basis. Our bodies are under constant attack from chemicals and food additives, and yes this is true even if we attempt to eat organically. We are subjected to radiation and chemicals on all fronts, even in our homes from our appliances and modern conveniences. It is extremly hard to avoid " free radicals " . They enter our systems and our bodies have a difficult time fighting them off and adjusting to the introduction of these unnatural substances with which we are forced to cope. Big corporations have taken control of our foods supply and we have very little to say about the way our foods are prepared, etc. They are genetically engineering everything we eat and yes that includes the meat, milk and eggs as well. Even if we try to eat organic foods, the " genetic drift " between fields makes it hard to avoid! Corn for instance is just one example of the way our foods are perverted! Corn is all genetically engineered and being fed to factory fed animals. I have heard that even now corn is an " approved " feed for supposedly organically grown animals, eggs, etc. This is not my concept of organic (!) but I suppose it is very difficult to keep our food supply pure. The terrible additives they have put into our foods and the foreign genes they have inserted in our foods are a main source of " oxidized " free radicals. Even if we try we cannot really avoid them they all and so they are always circulating in our bodies! All of us have them some of us more than others depending on how carefully we eat on a daily basis. Many of the free radicals emanate from the oils we include in our diets and they are hidden in our foods. The food manufacturers can include genetically engineered " enzymes " ... just one example and there are others... in cheese without labeling it. Even mayo contains free radicals from the hydrogenation process (brushed hydrogenation if I recall correctly due to a technicality does not have to be labeled as such) it undergoes does not have to be labeled!! We is really difficult to avoid them all no matter how hard we try! When these free radicals enter our bodies they do not really have an exit strategy so they will not really be " removed " unless we have a good supply of the " good cholesterol " that I mentioned.... and that's simply because it IS the GOOD CHOLESTEROL which removes it by way of the LIVER! GOOD CHOLESTEROL " sweeps " the BAD CHOLESTEROL into the liver where it is 'eliminated' hopefully!!! However this also depends on our liver and its state of HEALTH at any one point in time. So you see its not as easy as all the articles state that it is. Some people make it sound so easy. Just pop these little pills and your troubles will all be over. I know it isn't all that easy, cholesterol management is directly related to our diets and especially as we grow older and come up against all the chemical assaults which our bodies face everyday! We can never say that we have " arrived " . It is a constant DAILY fight... and here's where the antioxidants come in and just a few well chosen ones can do the job very effectively. I especially am aware of the fact that our bodies may become accustomed to certain vitamins and minerals to the point that they no longer work as well as they once did. That's why its important to change over to another brand occasionally. They can become ineffective if used over an extended long period of time... that's my experience anyway and some others have related similar experiences. I'm glad that you mentioned antioxidants. They are VERY, VERy Important to keep our arteries clear! However, I find that we need to be digilant regarding the efficacy of our supplements as well. I did some research regarding vitamins earlier this year, discovering to my dismay that many of our vitamins are curently controlled by big drug companies. Many are in denial about the way our vitamins and minerals are made. For instance, Vitamin C as far as I can determine is largely derived from genetically engineered cornstarch and other vitamins are made with soybean oils ( a large portion of the vitamin E for instance) soybean oil is genetically engineered which does not make it organic. It should not be in our supplements! I really am not that excited about putting " foreign " genes in my body. So I try to purchase better brands and ascorbates that have the natural C as their source! Rose Hips is a good source of vitamin C and there is nothing more healing than the juice of an organic orange. Of course we take the vitamins as well to enhance their efficacy however the main components MUST come from our organic foods! When you talk about antioxidants, I think we must be on guard there as well. We must also be careful about our selection of antioxidants, or we can inadvertently find ourselves purchasing " free radicals " to put into our bodies! It has been said that autopsies confirm that we ALL have cancer genes in our bodies just waiting to accelerate and grow. This is one more reason that we need to keep our immune systems healthy. It is our immune system which really determines the state of our health. when our immune system fails, we fail... literally!!! We ALL need to keep digilant and even more so as time goes on! I do not find the situation improving, rather it is becoming more difficult to ensure the purity and safety of our foods, supplements and environment! JoAnn ==================================================================== JoAnn Guest mrsjo- www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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