Right Direction Chocolate Chip CookiesTM lower cholesterol and
improve lipid subfraction profile, lowering the risk of heart
disease, according to a published study in The Journal of Nutrition
(October).
The chocolate chip cookies, made with a combination of psyllium
and plant sterols, are a tasty all-natural approach to reducing
cardiovascular risk associated with cholesterol.
The study revealed eating two Right Direction Cookies daily
showed a ten percent decrease in LDL cholesterol as well as
shifting the LDL particles toward a less atherogenic pattern.
Normal cholesterol levels are usually associated with a lower
risk for cardiovascular disease, but not always. Recent studies
reveal small, dense LDL particles have been linked to increased
formation of fatty substances and cholesterol buildup in the
arteries, even for individuals with total cholesterol levels under
200 mg/dl.
The randomized, double blind study researched 33 healthy adults
with moderately high cholesterol between the ages 35 to 65 at the
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. Participants were randomly
assigned to the Right Direction Cookie group or the placebo cookie
group.
Final results revealed a ten percent decrease of LDL cholesterol
levels in the plasma of the participants of the Right Direction
Cookie group. The decrease was in the worst kind of lipoproteins,
those that were smallest and most likely to raise risk for heart
disease. Body weight did not change and there were no changes in
HDL (good) cholesterol. According to the Center for Disease
Control, a 10 percent decrease in total cholesterol levels may
result in an estimated 30 percent reduction in the incidence of
coronary heart disease.
"Our results suggest dietary treatment with Right Direction
Cookies significantly affected the total number of lipoprotein
particles and reduced plasma concentrations," said Jay Udani, a key
researcher of the study and Medical Director of Medicus Research.
"LDL levels dropped due to the high amount of plant sterols and
soluble fibers in Right Direction Cookies."
(China Daily October 6, 2006)
