10-18-05
Diet and Cholesterol

Cholesterol-lowering drugs are becoming so common that many people who need to reduce their cholesterol are turning to pills instead of diet. But is this a good for their overall health?

Cholesterol-lowering drugs have revolutionized American cardiology, by lowering the bad cholesterol, or LDL, by as much as 60 percent. Those drugs are not risk-free says Amy Olson, registered dietitian at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.

SOUND BITE: "Some people cannot tolerate cholesterol-lowering drugs and for them, diet really is the only option that’s out there. And for them, dieting is the best way for them to go, although they may initially not see as much of an improvement as you initially do taking the drugs, over time you see those improvements . . ."

Olson says studies show for people with cholesterol problems, medication works best when it’s accompanied by a good diet. A good diet offers benefits far beyond improved cholesterol and heart disease. For years, the American Heart Association has recommended a diet of no more than 300 miligrams of cholesterol and about 30 percent of total calories coming from fat. A recent Canadian study recommended a new eating plan, called the portfolio diet, which reduces those amounts by one-third along with other changes in eating.

SOUND BITE: "They recommend that in place of that saturated fat, which is usually your animal fats and hard fats like Crisco and margarine and butters. that you eat almonds, about an ounce of almonds per day. That you also eat foods that are high in what’s called viscus or soluble fibers. The fibers in oatmeal and barley and some of your fruits and vegetables like apples, especially the apple peels and citrus fruits."

Olson says anyone who has problems with high cholesterol levels should see their primary care physician, who may recommend talking with a registered dietitian. A dietitian can help an individual work toward maintaining a healthy, low-cholesterol diet.