Diet may reduce cholesterol better than drugs

Most people with high cholesterol take prescriptions to lower their risk for atherosclerosis and strokes. However, these types of medications will often act negatively with other prescribed drugs, according to The Post-Standard.

Research shows changes in a person's diet can reduce cholesterol, almost as well as drugs, but without the undesirable side effects.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends the TLC diet, or the Total Lifestyle Change diet. Depending on how a person already eats, the TLC diet is said to reduce cholesterol by 20 to 30 percent. The TLC diet recommends the following dietary changes:

• Lessen your amount of saturated fat intake to fewer than 7 percent of calories. In other words, eat less high-fat dairy such as butter and ice cream, less fatty meats like salami, and less coconut and palm oils that are found in packaged foods.
• Eat less than 200 milligrams per day of dietary cholesterol, the amount found in about 2 ounces of cheese.
• Lose 10 pounds if you’re overweight.
• Eat more foods with soluble fiber, like broccoli, beans and bananas.
• Have 2 grams per day of plant sterols/stanols. You can find this in a supplement or in fortified foods.

The Post-Standard recommends trying the TLC diet before starting cholesterol medication. But, as always, talk to your doctor before quitting any medication.