By Tim Rigby (copyright IFM Media)
An interesting new discovery published in the scientific journal BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine has concluded that people who have been identified as having high cholesterol would help their condition to a greater extent by eliminating carbs, rather than saturated fats. The goal, of course, is to help a person with hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) avoid the risks associated with heart disease. A team of researchers from The University of South Florida examined popular trends in dietary intake associated with hypercholesterolemia, such as it being recommended to avoid animal food sources like meat, eggs and cheese; coconut oil was also indicated, however, the researchers could not definitively conclude that the avoidance of these foods helps lower cholesterol.
Perhaps surprisingly, the researchers, who had conducted a meta-analysis of existing studies and consulted with an international team of health experts (including five cardiologists), drew the conclusion that avoiding sugar and other fast-digesting carbohydrates would produce a more heart-healthy effect. People who are overweight, hypertensive and diabetic should pay particular attention to the implementation of such a diet. In support of these findings, another study conducted almost simultaneously (and drawing the same conclusions), was published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
