Diet combos help in lowering cholesterol

Consuming cholesterol-lowering foods every day can reduce cholesterol levels as effectively as taking a first-generation statin drug. Researchers from the St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto found that the only side effects seen with the diet including large quantities of fibre and soy along with plant sterols and almonds, was mild weight loss The researchers instructed 66 people with high cholesterol levels to eat seven servings of foods containing viscous fibre - for example, a slice of oat bran bread, or two teaspoons of psyllium, or two cups of raw eggplant; seven servings of foods rich in soy protein, such as a cup of soy beverage or a soy burger; 5 teaspoons of margarine containing plant sterols; and 42 grams, or 1.5 ounces, of almonds. Study participants were able to consume close to the required amount of almonds and plant sterols, but had a tougher time eating the full amount of fibre and soy. Fifty-five people completed the yearlong study. At 12 weeks, participants' level of bad (LDL) cholesterol had dropped by 14 percent. One year later, it remained 13 percent below pre-study levels. Just under one third of study participants had LDL cholesterol reductions greater than 20 percent. Participants, who slashed their bad cholesterol more than 20 percent, had adhered most closely to the diet and there was no difference in the results seen with the diet and with statin treatment. The 20 percent-plus reduction is similar to that seen with first-generation statin drugs, which have been linked to a 25 percent to 35 percent reduction in death from heart disease. The findings suggest that diets like those used in the study will become increasingly attractive to people who choose not to take statins for personal reasons or who experience side effects from the drugs, especially as more foods containing soy, fibre, almonds and plant sterols become available.