Did you know you that eating cholesterol can reduce your cholesterol? It can if you eat the right kind.
New research shows that plant cho-lesterol can lower your overall cholesterol.
Theres a class of plant chemical called phytosterols. These compounds look a lot like our own cholesterol. Our cells use cholesterol to maintain cell membrane integrity and several other functions. Plants use their phytosterols for their cell membranes as well.
I have reviewed several studies on the consumption of plant sterols versus cholesterol. The findings show that the more plant sterols you take in, the lower cholesterol you will have. This is done simply by eating plants rich in phytosterols.
It appears that the phytosterols effect is limited to cholesterol and lipid levels. It does not appear to help other risk factors, such as inflammation. However, this information is good to know, especially if your conventional doctor is screaming at you to swallow statin drugs.
Some of the foods highest in phytosterols are nuts, legumes (peas, kidney beans, and broad beans), and certain oils (rice bran, corn, flaxseed, etc.).
I certainly do not recommend that you increase your oil intake just to get phytosterols. Please get these wonderful chemicals from the whole food, nuts included. Phytosterols might be one reason that nuts offer so many health benefits, as Ive previously reported, but please limit nuts/seeds to 1-2 ounces a day. Phytosterols can compete with cholesterol for absorption, slow down your own synthesis of cholesterol, and aid in the elimination of cholesterol. All this from plants!
Ref: Klingberg, S., L. Ellegard, et al. Inverse relation between dietary intake of naturally occurring plant sterols and serum cholesterol in northern Sweden, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 87(4): 993-1001.