It’s thought that people using functional foods with approved health claims may be less likely to adhere to prescribed drug therapy. Researchers in The Netherlands assessed the influence of the use of phytosterol/-stanol-enriched functional foods on adherence to statin (cholesterol-lowering) therapy among patients initiating treatment.
Prof. Ernst has reviewed the evidence. Here’s what we know.
Researchers at the MedStar Research Institute, in Hyattsville, Maryland, reviewed studies of nutrition in women. Those emphasizing gender differences in nutritional requirements were selected for this review.
A healthy diet should be rich in vegetables and fruits, whole-grain, high-fiber foods, and fish, and should contain a small amount of saturated and trans fats. Researchers at Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, in France, reviewed dietary approaches proven to be associated with lowering LDL-cholesterol.
Researchers from Concord Hospital, in New Hampshire reviewed the evidence and graciously provide us with succinct conclusions. Here’s what we know.
Dr. Robert Kelly (photo) is associate director and curriculum coordinator for the Fairview Hospital /Cleveland Clinic Family Medicine Residency Program. He lists aspects of diet and exercise that are most and less effective in controlling cholesterol.
Researchers from the University of Milano, Italy, list what we know.
 Researchers from Wageningen University in The Netherlands reviewed the research on the LDL (bad) cholesterol–lowering effects of different phytosterol doses.
This study shows it can be done, with reductions that are relatively small. But read the comment to see what can be accomplished with diet, exercise, and omega-3.
“People should not routinely be recommended to take plant sterols and stanols for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD).” That’s the word from the London-based National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).
MayoClinic.com has posted a review. Here’s the skinny.
A news release promotes this product as a “natural cholesterol supplement [that is] effective without side effects.” And on the LipidShield website there is an unpublished study in 30 men and women to prove it.
I received some emails promoting Nature Made CholestOff. It contains plant extracts called phytonutrients, specifically phytosterols and phytostanols. They work by reducing the absorption of LDL “bad” cholesterol and total cholesterol from the intestines. The ad emphasizes a 24% reduction in LDL cholesterol when combined with diet and exercise. However…
They’re modestly effective.
During a seminar at the American Heart Association 2006 meeting titled “The Science Behind Popular Nutrition Claims,” medical researchers summarized the research on a number of complementary options to “help maintain a healthy heart.” Here is a summary of the Medscape article. Links to more info are highlighted.
Three of 16 products failed the content analysis test. One product did not release its ingredients and two others had less than half the expected ingredients. That’s less than a 20% failure rate, which is better than often reported by this lab. An article in Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals reports that the following supplements were […]