Re: plant-based low-fat better than diet with animal products

[Guest guest]

If the diets compared were really identical in " total fat, saturated

fat, protein, carbohydrate and cholesterol " , then the only difference

was the type of fiber.

It is well known that cholesterol is lowered by foods with soluble

fiber such as oat bran, oatmeal, beans, peas, rice bran, barley,

citrus fruits, strawberries and apple pulp. Dietary supplements with

psyllium (Metamucil) or guar gum (Benefiber) also contain soluble fiber.

Insoluble fiber does not lower cholesterol. It is unlikely that the

source of the protein played any role, since only fats and fiber

affect cholesterol levels (and the fats created from carbohydrates, of

course).

Tony

> From the ls of Internal Medicine Tip Sheet, May 3, 2005:

>

> " Plant-Based Low-Fat Diet Improves Cholesterol Levels

> Better than Low-Fat Diet Alone

>

> A diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol and high in plant-based

> foods such as vegetables, fruits, beans and whole grains was better

> at lowering LDL cholesterol levels ('bad' cholesterol) than a similar

> diet without the veggies, a new study finds (Article, p. 725). In the

> four-week outpatient study, the two diets were identical in total fat,

> saturated fat, protein, carbohydrate and cholesterol but one included

> many more plant-based foods. An editorial writer says that the study

> puts diet back as a useful strategy for lowering cholesterol in an age

> of powerful drugs like statins (Editorial, p. 793). "

[Guest guest]

If the diets compared were really identical in " total fat, saturated

fat, protein, carbohydrate and cholesterol " , then the only difference

was the type of fiber.

It is well known that cholesterol is lowered by foods with soluble

fiber such as oat bran, oatmeal, beans, peas, rice bran, barley,

citrus fruits, strawberries and apple pulp. Dietary supplements with

psyllium (Metamucil) or guar gum (Benefiber) also contain soluble fiber.

Insoluble fiber does not lower cholesterol. It is unlikely that the

source of the protein played any role, since only fats and fiber

affect cholesterol levels (and the fats created from carbohydrates, of

course).

Tony

> From the ls of Internal Medicine Tip Sheet, May 3, 2005:

>

> " Plant-Based Low-Fat Diet Improves Cholesterol Levels

> Better than Low-Fat Diet Alone

>

> A diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol and high in plant-based

> foods such as vegetables, fruits, beans and whole grains was better

> at lowering LDL cholesterol levels ('bad' cholesterol) than a similar

> diet without the veggies, a new study finds (Article, p. 725). In the

> four-week outpatient study, the two diets were identical in total fat,

> saturated fat, protein, carbohydrate and cholesterol but one included

> many more plant-based foods. An editorial writer says that the study

> puts diet back as a useful strategy for lowering cholesterol in an age

> of powerful drugs like statins (Editorial, p. 793). "