High cholesterol

August 5, 2001 by Linda Lazarides
Filed under Health issues

Promising nutritional research

When the normal diet of 16 male volunteers with normal cholesterol levels were given a diet supplemented with nuts, the men’s total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels dropped by 7% and 10% respectively after supplementation with almonds, and by 5% and 9% respectively after supplementation with walnuts. Abbey M et al: Partial replacement of saturated fatty acids with almonds or walnuts lowers total plasma cholesterol and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol. Am J Clin Nutr 59(5):995, 1994.

In a meta-analysis of 16 randomized trials examining the effects of garlic on serum lipids and lipoproteins, total cholesterol in garlic-treated subjects was 12% lower than in controls after one month of therapy, with the effect persisting for 6 months

Silagy C et al: Garlic as a lipid-lowering agent – a meta-analysis. J R Coll Physicians Lond 28(1):39-45, 1994.

54 volunteers were found to have serum cholesterol levels reduced by 5-10% after 1 week of supplementation with yoghurt. The intake of other foods did not significantly change. Hepner G et al: Hypocholesterolemic effect of yoghurt and milk. Am J Clin Nutr 32(1):19-24, 1979.

Of 158 subjects with high cholesterol given 1,500 and 2,000 mg per day of niacin, there was an improvement in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio compared with baseline and controls. Older subjects improved more than younger ones. Keenan JM et al: Treatment of hypercholesterolemia: comparison of younger versus older patients using wax-matrix sustained-release niacin. J Am Geriatr Soc 40(1):12-18, 1992.

Information compiled by Linda Lazarides
Naturopathic Nutritionist, Author, Educator