Diabetics, who have a tendency toward high cholesterol, may benefit the most from increased intake of plant sterols. Experts in cholesterol management now recommend an intake of 1.3 grams of phytosterols (plant sterols) per day to help lower dietary cholesterol...
cholesterol
Not just weight loss: Chromium also lowers heart attack risk
Chromium is a trace element that helps balance blood sugar and may aid in weight loss. New research suggests that chromium deficiency is linked to a higher risk of heart attacks, and that the mineral may aid in healthy cholesterol levels. Researchers from Johns...
Mineral helps prevent, ease diabetes
In a long-term study at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, researchers examined a possible link between low magnesium intake and increased risk of type 2 diabetes. They monitored the health and diet of 85,060 women and 42,872 men with no history of...
Beta glucan helps fight infections
Beta glucans are complex glucose molecules found in baker’s yeast and the bran of oats and barley. Several studies suggest beta glucan supplements can boost immune response, help prevent cancer and help lower cholesterol. In a study at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown...
Orange Power: Citrus compound lowers bad cholesterol
A compound found in the peels of citrus fruit has the potential to lower cholesterol more effectively than some prescription drugs, and without side effects, according to a study by US and Canadian researchers. The joint study identified a class of compounds isolated...
Help cut cholesterol with green tea
In a trial at the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, researchers set out to determine if green tea consumption, which has been associated with decreased cardiovascular risk, had any impact on cholesterol levels. In...
Older women need calcium and D
Deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D are common in older individuals, particularly those who live in nursing homes. These deficiencies increase the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. Recent studies show supplementation can decrease this risk and provide...
Niacin shines in cholesterol study
High cholesterol, a key risk factor for heart disease, can be modified through diet, lifestyle and drugs, yet many people still struggle to lower their cholesterol levels. Recently, scientists from the University of Maryland published a review stating that niacin,...
Good Fats for Healthy Heart: Flaxseed and nut oils reduce risk for disease
A Penn State study has shown that a diet rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid found in flaxseed oil, walnuts and walnut oil, not only lowered bad cholesterol but also decreased markers for blood vessel inflammation in men and women. The study...
Going Veggie is Easy! Studies show most make a smooth change for better health
In a new study, Neal D. Barnard, MD, and his colleagues show that patients easily transition from a standard omnivorous diet to a low-fat, vegetarian diet that helps people lose weight, lower blood pressure and otherwise improve their health. Many doctors are aware...