Guest post provided by Rebecca S. Reeves, DrPH, RD, FADA

2013 is shaping up to be a year of prevention, which should have you thinking about how well you are treating your own heart. If you are trying to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, or your doctor has said that you need to lower your cholesterol, you are probably trying to keep a close eye on your diet.

This does not mean that you must avoid all your favorite foods. What it might take is substituting different ingredients in a recipe or stir-frying a food rather than deep fat frying it.

Learning the difference in the types of fat that we eat and where these fats are found in our food is also important to controlling the cholesterol levels in our blood. Taking precautions today could prevent a heart condition tomorrow.

Here are some of the most common myths and facts that you should know.
Continue reading ‘Common myths about cholesterol, foods and fats’ »

Phytosterols (plant sterols) are similar in structure to cholesterol. Consuming phytosterols as part of your diet can decrease total cholesterol because molecularly they are very similar to cholesterol. As you digest phytosterols they can prevent cholesterol from being absorbed into the bloodstream and therefore the cholesterol that is not absorbed is removed from the system as waste.

Red yeast rice is a fermented product where red yeast has grown on rice. It acts as a natural statin drug in that it forms monacolins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) that lower cholesterol levels. Red yeast rice contains isoflavones, sterols, and monounsaturated fats that also promote lower cholesterol levels.

A study published April 2012 in the Journal of Dietary Supplements studied 18 individuals with high cholesterol. Daily for six weeks the 18 participants received a combination of phytosterols and red yeast rice.

Study results found the supplement combination decreased total cholesterol 19% and LDL Cholesterol 33%. No changes were seen in triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI, or liver function.

For comparison, a 1999 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found statins to reduce LDL Cholesterol 28%.

Granted, this wasn’t a large study, but it does show there is likely a way to achieve the results of statins (or even better results) without needing the medication and the potential side effects.

Explore all your options with your doctor.

Keep in mind that even though red yeast rice is naturally occurring, it can deplete coenzyme Q10 levels just like statin drugs. Coenyzme Q10 plays a key role within every cell for energy production. Some coenzyme Q10 deficiency symptoms include aches/pains, fatigue, sore muscles, weakness, and shortness of breath. Be sure to supplement coenzyme Q10 if taking red yeast rice or statin medications.

Access the free e-course How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps at http://lowercholesterolwithlisa.com.

Heart Health Made Easy: Master the Basics to Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol for a Longer, Healthier Life Click here to learn more.

Plant sterols and stanols are not found at high levels in foods. For this reason food manufacturers have found ways to fortify foods with plant sterols and stanols.

Some foods that are fortified with plant sterols and stanols include spreads, juices, milk, breads, salad dressings, and yogurt.

Continue reading ‘How do you increase your intake of plant sterols?’ »

I think it’s fairly well known that walnuts provide some heart health benefits, but were you aware pistachio’s can be a good choice as well?

Pistachios are a good source of many nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

A 1 ounce (28 grams) serving of pistachios provides:

170 calories
6 grams protein
2.9 grams fiber
73.4 mg omega 3 fatty acids
59.9 mg phytosterols

Pistachios are also a good source of copper, manganese, vitamin B6, thiamin, magnesium, and phosphorous. They also provide lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids associated with a lower risk of age-related macular degeneration.

But, how do pistachios positively impact cholesterol and heart health?

Continue reading ‘Lower LDL Cholesterol with Pistachios’ »

Here are three foods you can incorporate into your diet to promote a lower cholesterol.

1. Navy Beans

Navy beans are a great source of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber promotes a lower cholesterol level, specifically soluble fiber which can lower LDL cholesterol 1% for every 1-2 grams of soluble fiber consumed daily. Aim for 25-35 grams of dietary fiber daily. Cooked navy beans provide 6 grams of fiber per ½ cup.

Some additional sources of dietary fiber include broccoli, oatmeal, blueberries, and brown rice.

Continue reading ‘3 Foods to Lower Cholesterol’ »

Let’s do a quick review. Step 1 of a diet to lower LDL cholesterol is to reduce saturated fat intake, step 2 increase soluble fiber, and step 3 increase plant sterol intake. The fourth step does not involve diet, but is an important part of maintaining a low LDL cholesterol level.

Here is the fourth of four options for lowering LDL cholesterol:

Physical Activity
Inactivity can cause higher cholesterol levels. Increase physical activity to increase HDL, lower LDL, and lower triglyceride levels. Check with your physician before starting an exercise program if you’re not currently active.

Lower LDL Cholesterol Diet – Step 1
Lower LDL Cholesterol Diet – Step 2
Lower LDL Cholesterol Diet – Step 3

Receive a step by step plan to promote heart health with a Mini Diet Makeover. As a special New Year’s bonus you’ll receive a complimentary copy of the Calorie Counter for Dummies. Learn more here – http://www.lisanelsonrd.com/minidietmakeover.html

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps

All right, in steps 1 and 2 we covered saturated fat to lower LDL cholesterol and increasing soluble fiber to lower LDL cholesterol. Now, let’s cover plant sterols.

Here is the third of four options for lower LDL cholesterol diet:

Plant Sterols

Eat plant sterols everyday. Eating 2 grams of plant sterols each day will on average reduce your LDL cholesterol 10%.

Plant sterols occur naturally in foods at low levels, so some foods have been fortified. Here is the amount of plant sterols in some foods:

Avocados, 1 small 0.13 grams
Corn Oil, 1 tablespoon 0.13 grams
Sunflower Seeds, 1/4 cup 0.19 grams
Oat Bar with plant sterols, 1 bar 0.4 grams
Orange Juice with plant sterols 1.0 gram
Vegetable oil spread with plant sterols, 1 tablespoon 1.0 gram

Benecol is also an option to boost plant sterol intake.

Lower LDL Cholesterol Diet – Step 4

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps

One way to improve heart health and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol is to include plant sterols as part of your everyday diet. Plant sterols, also called phytosterols, actively remove cholesterol from the body by blocking cholesterol absorption in the intestine.

Eating 2 grams of plant sterols each day will on average reduce your LDL cholesterol 10%.

Plant sterols occur naturally in foods at low levels, so some foods (such as margarines, mayonnaise, and dairy based drinks) have been fortified. Here are some options you can use to increase your plant sterol intake and promote a healthy heart!

Avocados, 1 small 0.13 grams
Corn Oil, 1 tablespoon 0.13 grams
Sunflower Seeds, 1/4 cup 0.19 grams
Oat Bar with plant sterols, 1 bar 0.4 grams
Orange Juice with plant sterols 1.0 gram
Vegetable oil spread with plant sterols, 1 tablespoon 1.0 gram
Fruit & yogurt flavored minidrink with plant sterols, 3 oz. bottle 2.0 grams

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