There is a lot of conversation, around the watercooler and on the internet that cholesterol is not the only thing to watch out for when it comes to health. This is true to some degree. Some people are able to eat pretty much what they want and stay slim without the negative effects on cholesterol. Some of us, though, really have to watch what we eat and work hard to stay or get slim and to avoid high cholesterol. Although cholesterol may not be the big picture, getting your cholesterol tested and knowing where you stand can help to guide you to the right lifestyle choices to be healthier, longer.
Recent research published in the journal PLoS One describes an interesting and potentially vital tip for keeping your cholesterol low. Apparantly, eating a grapefruit right before a meal that is high in fat and sugar, can reduce the amount of cholesterol that develops by 42% and raise insulin sensitivity by 64%. The study suggests that naringenin, a molecule in grapefruits that gives the fruit its bitter taste, can help to treat arteriosclerosis, hyper-metabolism, and even diabetes.
I love the new information that could mean that a grapefruit before my Big Mac might make it go down easier, or at least cause fewer problems down the road. While researchers are out hunting up these new tidbits of information, the rest of us need to keep on with our healthy diets and cholesterol testing, just to be on the safe side!
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
