Comments on: Lifestyle Modification

By: Daniel

Daniel — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:12:06 +0000

The last statement in the article cited by Lee is crucial.

“More data are needed to elucidate whether CVD risks are likely to be influenced by the specific nutrients used to replace saturated fat.”

It is a consistent finding of clinical trials is that replacing saturated fat with refined carbohydrates does not lead to improved cardiovascular health. However, most studies show that replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat DOES lead to improved cardiovascular health.

There are many studies which compared persons eating a high saturated fat meal with those eating polyunsaturated fat meals show that the persons eating high saturated fat shows impaired arterial health.

In contrast to Eleanor Bell, high fiber foods provide much more satiety than high saturated fat foods. The animal foods she suggests eating provide absolutely no fiber. Foods like this also promote constipation. It is also crazy to suggest that not eating whole grains with its soluble fiber is good for heart health. There are zillions of studies which demonstrate that soluble fiber, such as found in oatmeal, lowers cholesterol. I think the Atkins crowd, out of complete ignorance, confuses fiberless refined grains with whole grains. Beans, which are also not allowed on the Atkins diet, have a lot of fiber that meat does not have and therefore promote heart health.

I think the example of Robert Atkins pretty much demolishes the worth of his diet. He died of heart disease and he had a body mass index of 26- exactly where glass hospital started.

By: Lee M.

Lee M. — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 01:29:18 +0000

It’s nice that this diet makes you feel better Doctor, but I strongly suspect that anyone who gives up the worst of the SAD (Standard American Diet) feels much better for at least a while. The lowered cholesterol level is impressive, but I think you should do a little research on all cause mortality for very low cholesterol levels, which you have now achieved. More is better does not necessarily apply to lowering cholesterol levels.

You might also be interested in recent research showing that saturated fats do not contribute to CVD, such as this one from Dr. Ronald Kraus, one of the leading lipid researchers in the world, which states that “A meta-analysis of prospective epidemiologic studies showed that there is no significant evidence for concluding that dietary saturated fat is associated with an increased risk of CHD or CVD.” The research was conducted by Dr. Kraus’ team at Children’s Hospital in Oakland, and with researchers at Harvard.

http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/ajcn.2009.27725v1

This is just one piece of evidence I have come across recently that seems to indicate the erosion of belief in the lipid hypothesis.

From the Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute Oakland CA (PWS-TRMK)the Departments of Nutrition (QSFBH)Epidemiology (FBH) Harvard School of Public Health Boston MA.

By: Eleanor Bell

Eleanor Bell — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 22:44:49 +0000

Well done, but as a committed low-carber I believe you have achieved this by cutting out sugar and refined carbs. Unless you have an real reason to be veggie due to animal rights of something try adding in saturated fats (not polyunsaturated) and meat, dairy and eggs and I bet your blood numbers would stay just as good, cut back on the grains and you could even improve them further – maybe test it for 4 weeks – you can always go back to your current way of eating. But I guess the key is to find something you can do forever without feeling hungry. Higher fat and protein is satisfying and markedly reduces hunger. Please read to low carb literature too and you might just give up the low fat myth. And if you are committed vegetarian now you can follow a vegetarian low carb diet – which is probably what you have been doing to be honest. But it is cutting the refined carbs that have achieved you your health not cutting the fat, meat and diary.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:01:33 +0000

Thank you for this post! Dr. Esselstyn is on the Advisory Board for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, as is Dr. McDougall. It is nice to see their good work promoted by such a great personal testimony.

By: Pete

Pete — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:07:55 +0000

Congrats on your improved health, keep it up. Based on this post and the fact that you are a doctor I think you would like the book “The China Study” by T. Colin Campbell. I’d like to hear your opinion on the book.

By: dh

dh — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:43:00 +0000

I would suggest looking at http://drmcdougall.com (and Dr. John McDougall’s books). Dr. McDougall has worked closely with Rip and his father over the years. Dr. McDougall has promoted a low fat vegetarian lifestyle for years.

By: Hoog

Hoog — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:12:04 +0000

I did pretty much the same thing, but allowed myself chicken, in modest amounts. Eat a ton of fruits and veggies, lots of water, and nuts (raw) when I was about to fall off the wagon. I did cheat on occassion, and dropped by TCHOL from 248 to 158 in a couple of months. Even my doc and nurses were asking me what I did. It can be done, but it takes discipline. The key is, fill up on the good stuff, carry around healthy snacks so you don’t cheat ,and always have a bottle of water handy. If you find yourself craving something, take a good chug of water, it generally does the trick.

By: Filomena Reineking

Filomena Reineking — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:07:35 +0000

Great article, thank you. I am very interested in finding a diet that lowers my sugar intake. I currently have a sweet-tooth, and am finding it difficult to find meal plans, what to eat for snacks, etc. While diabetes is not something that runs in my family, I am still concerned and would like to be smart and take a proactive approach to my health.

By: glasshospital

glasshospital — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:23:39 +0000

Your comment shows that there are many ways of improving cholesterol through dietary measures.

What surprised me was that over the years as I’ve cut back on red meat in favor of chicken, turkey, and fish, is that though they are much LOWER in saturated fat than red meat, they still generally contain a lot of saturated fat and cholesterol.

By: hb

hb — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 06:00:33 +0000

My husband’s cholesterol also plummeted via changing his eating habits, but by eliminating all sugar, white flour, and potatoes per the advice of his physician. Unfortunately, he still eats way too much meat.