Consuming Specific Plant-Based Foods Can Help Reduce Bad Cholesterol
Key Takeaways:
- Incorporating plant-based cholesterol-lowering foods, such as nuts, into one’s diet can significantly decrease cholesterol levels, upwards of 13 percent, compared to a lower fat diet alone, which can only decrease LDL by roughly 3 percent.
- Plant sterols found in certain foods play a substantial role in the reduction of bad cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
- Maintaining healthy LDL cholesterol levels below 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) is critical to prevent heart disease and stroke.
- Diet modification, such as integrating foods rich in plant sterols, high viscous fiber, soy protein, and tree nuts and peanuts, can be as effective as cholesterol-lowering medications in reducing cholesterol levels according to short-term studies.
- Individuals who adopt a predominantly plant-based diet are expected to see the most significant decrease in LDL cholesterol levels.
A discovery supporting the effectiveness of certain foods in reducing cholesterol levels is gaining attention. The study reveals that integrating plant-based cholesterol-lowering foods, such as nuts, into one’s diet results in a more significant decrease in cholesterol levels compared to solely relying on a low-fat diet.
Effects of Foods With Plant Sterols
The research presents another interesting fact – plant sterols, compounds found in certain foods, play a substantial role in the reduction of bad cholesterol, also known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL). With a lower fat diet, foods rich in plant sterols can reduce LDL by more than 13 percent, surpassing the effects of a low-fat diet alone, which only decreased LDL by 3 percent.
Dr. David J.A. Jenkins, holding the Canada Research Chair in Nutrition, Metabolism and Vascular Biology at the University of Toronto, remarked that utilizing a diet enriched with food components recognized for their cholesterol-lowering abilities led to a 13 to 14 percent decrease in LDL cholesterol. He added that the people who yielded these results were those who were already mindful of their diet and had healthful eating habits. According to him, “The extra effort of choosing the right foods had a very good effect.”
The Research Design
The study was made possible through funding by the Canadian government, along with contributions from several prominent food manufacturers. The findings were then published in a reputable medical journal.
The Importance of Regulating LDL Cholesterol
It’s crucial to maintain healthy levels of LDL cholesterol, reaching below 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Any range between 100 and 129 mg/dL is still considered near the optimal range. High LDL levels pose a threat as the cholesterol can accumulate on artery walls, thereby increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The Integral Role of Diet
Transitioning to a healthier diet, like eliminating foods containing animal fat and increasing fiber intake, can substantially lower cholesterol levels. However, according to the research, certain foods are more potent in reducing cholesterol. These include:
- Foods enriched with plant sterols like specific margarines
- Foods high in viscous fiber such as oats and barley
- Soy-based products containing soy protein
- And nuts like tree nuts and peanuts
Short-term studies have indicated that merging these specific cholesterol-lowering foods with a low-fat, high-fiber diet could reduce cholesterol levels comparably to cholesterol-lowering medications. Nevertheless, long-term studies on this dietary combination have yet to be conducted.
The Study Participants and Groupings
The study involved recruiting 351 individuals, mainly in their 50s, from different parts of Canada. The participants were randomly classified into three groups:
- A control group given advice on a low-fat, high-fiber diet (103 participants)
- A routine dietary portfolio group given advice on incorporating cholesterol-lowering foods into the diet plus healthy diet advice (124 participants)
- And an intensive dietary portfolio group that received the same advice as the second group but had five additional study visits over a 6-month period (124 participants)
Results On LDL Cholesterol Levels
Altogether, it was concluded that individuals adopting a more plant-based diet attained the most successful results. Participants on a predominantly plant-based diet saw the most considerable drop in LDL levels.
Final Comments From The Experts
Dr. Robert Eckel, a spokesperson and past president of the American Heart Association and a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, voiced his thoughts. He said, “When added to an existing heart-healthy diet, cholesterol-lowering foods appear to have an added benefit.”
Two notable recommendations arose from the findings. Firstly, even with the addition of cholesterol-lowering foods, it’s important to remember that moderation should still apply when consuming high-fat foods. This is to avoid counteracting the effects of the beneficial foods. Secondly, the effects of these cholesterol-lowering foods are amplified when incorporated into an existing healthy diet.
More Information
For more information on maintaining a heart-healthy diet, visit the American Heart Association.
