Cholesterol-lowering Portfolio diet may reduce cholesterol and improve blood pressure, reports a new study. The findings of the study are published in the journal Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases.// A new meta-analysis finds that a diet that includes plant protein, fiber, nuts, and plant sterols lowers cholesterol, improves blood pressure, and improves other markers for cardiovascular disease risk.
‘Portfolio diet that includes plant protein, fiber, nuts, and plant sterols may reduce cholesterol and improve blood pressure. Plant-based dietary pattern may lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.’
The diet is based on the "Portfolio Diet," which is a plant-based dietary pattern that emphasizes a portfolio of four proven cholesterol-lowering foods:- 42 grams of nuts (tree nuts or peanuts) per day
- 50 grams of plant protein per day from soy products or dietary pulses (beans, peas, chickpeas, or lentils) per day
- 20 grams of viscous soluble fiber per day from oats, barley, psyllium, eggplant, okra, apples, oranges, or berries
- 2 grams of plant sterols per day from supplements or plant-sterol enriched products
"Previous clinical trials and observational studies have found strong evidence that a plant-based diet can improve heart health," says study author Hana Kahleova, M.D., Ph.D., director of clinical research for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. "This study demonstrates that certain plant foods are especially effective for lowering cholesterol and boosting our overall cardiovascular health."
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, responsible for one in every four deaths.
Source-Eurekalert