Effectiveness of Altering Serum Cholesterol Levels Without Drugs

Drug therapy with statins and other agents can result in dramatic lipid-lowering effects. Despite the wealth of data supporting the beneficial effects of pharmacologic therapy on cardiovascular risk, patients often express a desire to accomplish similar goals with diet alone. And, except for patient...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings - Baylor University. Medical Center 2000-10, Vol.13 (4), p.351-355
Main Author: Rosenthal, Robert L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Care and treatment
Diet therapy
Hypercholesterolemia
Methods
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Summary:Drug therapy with statins and other agents can result in dramatic lipid-lowering effects. Despite the wealth of data supporting the beneficial effects of pharmacologic therapy on cardiovascular risk, patients often express a desire to accomplish similar goals with diet alone. And, except for patients with extreme cholesterol elevations, consensus panels all promote dietary therapy as an initial step in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. This review examines a variety of dietary strategies designed to lower lipid levels, including the American Heart Association diet, the Ornish diet, the Mediterranean diet, exercise, phytosterols, fiber, soy products, and fish oil. Though the declines in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels with these methods range from 0% to 37%, cardiovascular risk may be more significantly impacted than would be predicted from these changes alone. Significant benefits can be reaped from nonpharmacologic measures.
ISSN:0899-8280
1525-3252
DOI:10.1080/08998280.2000.11927704