Sticky Fibers and Plant-Based Foods Do More For You Than A Low Fat Diet

Thursday, August 25, 2011
Found this interesting article yesterday by Shirley S. Wang in the online Wall Street Journal which I thought was particularly interesting. I love when I find something to support my theories! For instance, I have never thought a strictly low fat diet was an ideal way to approach life. It also has always seemed too narrow a focus. Below are the highlights I read:

Eating more plant-based fat and protein lowered cholesterol more than eating a diet low in saturated fat, according to a study published Tuesday.

The report offers further evidence that low-fat diets aren't the most effective way to improve heart health.

Participants in the large, randomized trial were instructed either to eat a diet low in saturated fat, or to add to their diet largely plant-based foods, primarily nuts, soy, plant-based margarine spreads and "sticky" fibers like barley and oats.

The latter group lowered their low-density lipoprotein, or LDL—the "bad" type of cholesterol associated with heart disease—by some 13%
.

I think this may be one of the reasons why my cholesterol has lowered so dramatically, including my LDL.  So much more of my diet is plant based.


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