My cholesterol is probably high. I haven’t had it checked lately, but I know I’ve been putting on weight (20 pounds to be exact), not exercising (although I am trying to start a routine), and eating bad foods (think fried and processed and not enough fiber). My best friend does all the same bad things I do – weighs too much, no exercise, eats poorly – but his cholesterol is great. Why? Because he takes a pill every day to keep it down.
Now, bad cholesterol is no joke, but I don’t want to take a pill to lower mine. Call me bullheaded, but I know if I take a pill, yes, my cholesterol may lower, but I won’t change any of my bad habits. Within the last two years, I had great cholesterol. But, that was because I was doing the things I knew I needed to do.
This week, news came out which said there may be a natural way to help lower your cholesterol. Researchers at the University of Toronto released a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association this week that said people with bad cholesterol reduced it by eating a diet rich in soy, nuts, and plant sterols. Their LDL (the bad cholesterol levels) reduced on average 14 percent over a six month period. People who followed normal cholesterol lowering diet advice only saw their LDLs reduced by an average of only 3 percent.
The subjects of the study took two teaspoons daily of something called Take Control. It is a butter substitute along the lines of Benecol that includes plant sterols. The makers of Take Control provided the margarine for the subjects. David Jenkins, lead author in the study, said plant sterols have long been known to block cholesterol absorption.
In addition, subjects ate a handful of nuts, two servings of soy (such as tofu or soy milk) and two servings of food high in viscous fiber (such as barley or oats). Soy and nuts both help reduce the synthesis of cholesterol in your liver. Solae, the manufacturer of soy-based ingredients, also lent its support for the study.
Jenkins hopes that physicians will look at their study for patients as at least a way of postponing medication for high cholesterol.