The Good Doctor’s Advice on Controlling
Cholesterol--Naturally
I have always enjoyed reading the health articles of The
Good Doctor--Dr. W. Gifford-Jones. His articles have always
provided the most down-to-earth, bone-marrow-wisdom kind
of information about health problems and concerns. As a medical
doctor, his philosophy is to provide excellent care and advice,
including the courage to persuade patients to become proactive
about their own health--which means not only eating right
and exercising but choosing natural and safer remedies (rather
than drugs) for medical issues.
A good example of his philosophy is his most recent publication
that I came across last week--his article on foods that can
control cholesterol naturally. Here are the some of the recommended
foods and supplements that work.
Foods and Supplements
That Lower Cholesterol
Taking Vitamin C at breakfast is one of the
best ways to start a "Lower Your Cholesterol" day. It increases
the removal of cholesterol from the blood in the form of bile
acids; it also triggers the necessary bowel movement that will
remove these bile acids. The dosage he recommends is 2000 milligrams
and depending on one's tolerance of ascorbic acid, this dosage
and more has been touted not only by the good doctor but
Nobel Prize Winner, Dr. Linus Pauling, as well.
Oat Bran with fruit such as oranges, apples, prunes and pears
are also smart breakfast foods. Oat bran is a soluble fiber
that helps with elimination of bile acids, thus reducing
the body's absorption of cholesterol from the intestines.
Even wine is good for your body; one glass of wine can boost
high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or what is commonly known
as the good cholesterol while also removing excess cholesterol
from the blood. In addition to this, red wine produces all
kinds of benefits for the heart, including the formation
of a chemical that reduces the risk of angina. Moreover,
red wine reduces the risk of blood clots. It seems to me
you cannot get better advice than that for "medical treatment"!
Dr. Gifford-Jones, however, cautions against indulgence.
The key to health is moderate consumption and I would wager
this caution applies even to oat bran and apples.
Soy Protein naturally boosts HDL levels, a situation proven
in a study in which patients were given 40 grams of soy protein
in the form of cookies. Guess what? After 12 weeks, these
patients showed a five percent increase in the good cholesterol-HDL.
And we can get soy protein in all forms-- tofu, shakes, burgers
or high energy drinks.
For those of us who enjoy nuts, we will certainly delight
in the doctor's recommendation of almonds. A study in Toronto
shows that 2 handfuls of almonds a day over a period of three
months reduced the bad cholesterol (LDL) by 9.4 percent;
as well, these two handfuls of almonds decreased the risk
of cardiovascular events by 20 percent.
Even a simple teaspoon of cinnamon in coffee or tea can decrease
the bad cholesterol by 20 percent as will black tea, raw
garlic and psyllium to a less dramatic extent.
The most consoling aspect about reading the Good Doctor is
that there is neither drama nor urgency in his appeal. His
voice is that of Common Sense: Eat well. Choose wholesome
foods rich in fiber and nutrients; make sure you get your
Vitamin C, soy protein and oat bran; enjoy your meals with
a good glass of red wine. Last but not least, exercise on
a regular basis. You don't have to run a marathon or aim
for the 24 pack abs. But you can work your body on a daily
basis because exercise is known to increase HDL.
In the face of far too many television commercials harping
on drugs to control cholesterol level, reading the Good Doctor
is like getting a breath of fresh air!
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