New Research Supports Need For Healthy Diet In Conjunction With Statins To Effectively Lower Cholesterol

Main Category: Cholesterol
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;  Statins;  Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 05 Sep 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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New research commissioned by Flora pro.activ revealed that two thirds of GPs polled feel that it is very important for patients on cholesterol-lowering medication to also ensure they eat a healthy diet to improve heart health.

According to recent NICE guidance on the management of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH), first-line treatment for FH should be statins. However the guidelines also highlight the need for a healthy diet to ensure effective management of cholesterol levels in these people who tend to have very high levels. Dietary change should include replacement of saturated fats found in foods such as cheese, pastries and butter with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, found in foods such as green leafy vegetables, walnuts, vegetable oils and spreads.

A healthy balanced diet can lower cholesterol by an average of 5 per cent. However, the plant sterols in foods such as Flora pro.activ have been proven to lower LDL-cholesterol levels by a further 10 per cent. Plant sterols can also be used with lipid lowering medication such as statins and fibrates for additional cholesterol-lowering benefits.

Dr Jonathan Morrell, a GP in Hastings, comments, "Dietary habits are extremely important when it comes to cholesterol management and it is essential that patients understand how to make the right changes to ensure a healthy diet. The inclusion of foods enriched with plant sterols can be a useful additive to a statin and can further reduce cholesterol levels."

The guidance noted that in order to be effective, plant sterols or stanols should be consumed consistently. For optimal cholesterol lowering 2-2.5g plant sterols should be consumed every day.

FH is the most common inherited disorder in people of European descent and results in elevated cholesterol levels. Despite this, many cases are going undiagnosed. The new research commissioned by Flora pro.activ showed that nearly half of over four hundred GPs surveyed are not diagnosing any cases of FH at all. Figures show that approximately only 20% of a potential 110,000 patients in the UK are currently diagnosed.

Michael Livingston, Director at H•E•A•R•T UK -The Cholesterol Charity - comments, "We welcome the new NICE guidelines on the management of FH. It is a highly under-recognised condition and it is important that the correct steps are taken to address the high number of people living with elevated cholesterol. It is important that there is also a greater awareness among patients on medication of the need to also move to a healthy diet and lifestyle in order to reach the target cholesterol levels."

Survey details

-- This survey was commissioned by Flora pro.activ and involved 425 GPs in the UK

-- Additional results included:

- Nearly 70% of GPs felt that FH is under-diagnosed
- 1 in 5 GPs felt that under-diagnosis of FH was as a result of a low level of screening
- 1 in 5 GPs felt that a lack of up-to-date knowledge prevented them from giving diet and lifestyle information to patients

Flora pro.activ

-- More than 140 studies have proven plant sterols significantly lower LDL-cholesterol, and their cholesterol lowering effects have been known since the early 1950s.

-- 2-2.5g of plant sterols a day is the optimal amount to significantly lower cholesterol. This can be found in one Flora pro.activ mini yogurt drink or any combination of foods from the Flora pro.activ range - which could include a glass of skimmed milk with a serving of spread (enough for two slices of bread) and a pot of yogurt.

-- It is thought that due to the similarity in the structure of plant sterols and cholesterol they are able to displace some of the cholesterol from intestinal micelles resulting in less cholesterol being absorbed into the bloodstream. In fact, plant sterols are twice as effective at lowering cholesterol as the active ingredient in oats

-- For further information for healthcare professionals including heart health training, scientific information and patient handouts visit http://www.floraproactiv.co.uk and click through to the healthcare professional section.

Flora pro.activ