Dietary changes have long been known to help with managing high cholesterol, specifically adding plant sterols and increasing soluble fiber intake. A new study, published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, suggests that polyphenols can also lower Total Cholesterol and LDL, the so-called “bad” cholesterol. The study compared a statin, Lovastatin, a first generation cholesterol drug against the use of phytosterols, polyphenols, and pectin to lower cholesterol. Pectin alone did not affect cholesterol levels, but a combination of phtyosterols and polyphenols lowered levels half as much as use of the statin.
These results show that more research should be done to determine whether these supplements can be used in conjunction with statins to improve the management of high cholesterol. Polyphenols are antioxident compounds that are present in berries, tea, beer, grapes/wine, olive oil, chocolate/cocoa, coffee, walnuts, peanuts, borojo, pomegranates, popcorn, yerba mate, and other fruits and vegetables. Make sure to get a cholesterol test and indulge in some of these polyphenol foods to keep your cholesterol in check.
Written by: www.labtestingnow.com