What is the Most Effective and Safest Way to Lower Your Cholesterol as Determined by Scientific Studies? The Cholesterol Lowering Answer — Dr. Fuhrman’s Eat To Live.
Lower Cholesterol Naturally
There is irrefutable scientific evidence that high cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). It has become increasingly evident that the direct relationship of cholesterol level to risk of heart attack exists at all but the lowest cholesterol levels. Less than 10% of the adult population in America actually have the cholesterol levels that meet the newest recommendations designed for more significant reduction in cardiac deaths.
These lower cholesterol levels, that are thought to be truly cardiac protective, are best reflected by the recommendations to maintain LDL cholesterol below 100 or total cholesterol below 150 mg/dl. The conclusion is that the cholesterol levels in the American population need to be much lower to further reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of premature death in America . Recent trials have led medical authorities to recommend cholesterol-lowering drugs to the vast majority of Americans.
Multiple dietary intervention trials have taken place. However, the lack of significant cholesterol lowering and inability of participants to reach the “ideal” cardio protective cholesterol ranges has resulted in the medical literature and most physicians to offer minimal “lip service” to dietary modifications in favor of medications. Most drug trials for cholesterol lowering have demonstrated reduction in total mortality of about 10%, which is important, but it is somewhat of a disappointment.
When resorting to medical intervention, rather than dietary modifications, other problems arise reducing the potential for the mortality rate to decrease. High cholesterol individuals relying on drugs, rather than following a healthy diet with foods, that have been shown to lower cholesterol, are at risk of serious side effects from the prescription medications. The known side effects for various statins (the most popular and effective medications used to lower cholesterol) include hepatitis, jaundice, other liver problems, gastrointestinal upsets, muscle problems, and a variety of blood complications, such as reduced platelet levels and anemia.
In addition, we are missing the boat on the reduction of cancer incidence that would occur if the population were encouraged to adopt a more healthful and effective dietary approach. A diet to lower cholesterol would target two leading causes of death–heart disease and cancer.
LDL Cholesterol Lowering Results
Let’s look at the LDL cholesterol lowering effect of various dietary plans, as documented in published medical journal articles.
| Method | %- Decrease LDL Cholesterol |
| American Heart Association Standard low fat advice1 |
6% |
| High Protein Atkins’ type2 | No significant change |
| Low fat vegetarian3 | 16% |
| High olive oil – Mediterranean4 | No significant change |
| Cholesterol lowering medication Statins5 | 26% |
| Eat To Live – Fuhrman type6 lower cholesterol without drugs |
33% |
Analysis of Scientific Studies
Dr. Fuhrman’s Eat To Live approach is the only dietary plan that has ever been shown in medical studies to lower cholesterol more effectively than cholesterol lowering medications. Other dietary programs, such as the Atkins diet plan, have been relatively ineffective at lowering cholesterol. Though the low-fat vegetarian diet did lower LDL cholesterol 16%, it raised triglycerides 18.7% and the LDL/HDL ratio remained unchanged, reflecting minimal overall improvement. The Eat To Live approach differed in that the LDL cholesterol was more significantly lowered without unfavorable impact on HDL or triglycerides, reflecting sizable improvement in cardiac risk factors.
The implication of the studies and my corroboratory results obtained in clinical practice with hundreds of patients utilizing the Eat To Live approach indicates the ability of superior nutrition to lower LDL cholesterol and prevent cardiac deaths. This has not yet been recognized by our medical authorities and the population at large, but hopefully, more and more people will take advantage of this opportunity to protect their lives in the future.
For those desiring more than mediocrity and a true protection against heart disease and premature death, there is a clear-cut answer – Eat To Live. The most effective and safest way to lower your LDL cholesterol level is through this approach that could save your life.
To learn more about Cholesterol Protection for Life click here.
References
1 Bunyard, LB, Dennis KE, Nicklas BJ. Dietary intake and changes in lipoprotein lipids in obese, postmenopausal women placed on an American Heart Association Step 1 diet. J Am diet Assoc 2002 Jan;102(1):52-7.
2 Sharman MJ, Kraemer WJ, Love DM, et al. A ketogenic diet favorably affects serum biomarkers for cardiovascular disease in normal-weight men. J Nutr 2002 Jul;132(7):1879-85
3 Barnard ND, Scialli AR, Bertron P, et al. Effectiveness of a low-fat vegetarian diet in altering serum lipids in healthy premenopausal women. Am J Cardiol 2000 Apr 15;85(8):969-72.
4 Bemelmans WJ, Broer J, de Vries JH, et al. Impact of Mediterranean diet education versus posted leaflet on dietary habits and serum cholesterol in a high risk population for cardiovascular disease. Public Health Nutr. 2000 Sep;3 (3):273-83.
5 Frolkis JP. Pearce GL, NambiV, et al. Statins do not meet expectations for lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels when used in clinical practice. Am J Med 2002 Dec 1;113(8):625-9.
6 Jenkins DJ, Kendall CW, Popovich DG, et al. Effect of a very-high-fiber vegetable, fruit andnut diet on serum lipids and colonic function. Metabolism 2001 Apr;50(4):494-503.