December 2005- In a new study researchers compared three types of diets — one high in carbohydrates, one rich in protein and a third high in mono-unsaturated fats.
They found that people who were on the protein and mono-unsaturated fat diets had the lowest blood pressure and cholesterol levels — and even lowered their heart disease risk by up to 20 percent.
“The protein diet lowered LDL cholesterol, the bad cholesterol and also lowered HDL. Now, the unsaturated fat did have no effect on bard cholesterol, but raised good cholesterol,” says Dr. Lawrence Appel, researcher.
A new study done in Boston provides more evidence that lower is better. Doctors found that reducing their cholesterol levels as low as possible, can also help prevent heart attacks, stroke and death.
“This is a big shift for a huge number of people worldwide, not only is treating cholesterol good, but you have to treat is aggressively,” says Dr. Christopher Cannon of Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Dr. Cannon believes that these findings may prompt future changes in cholesterol-level guidelines, and could potentially help save thousands of lives.
