H
igh cholesterol is one of the many contributors to heart disease that has struck the United States. As a result, there have been many treatments advertised to the American public that claim to help resolve this issue. Dr. William Li, the head of the Angiogenesis Foundation—a nonprofit that is reconceptualiz-
What is cholesterol, and why is it bad for you? Cholesterol is a type of fat and is categorized into three different types: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL cholesterol can be damaging at high levels because it tends to stick to artery walls. Enough LDL built up in
ing global disease fighting—guest starred on the Dr. Oz Show in a segment that featured various natural treatments of disease by consuming the right foods, especially in regards to preventing high cholesterol. Dr. Li claims that these foods can be just as effective as the medication sold in pharmacies.
the arteries can develop into atherosclerosis, hardening of the arteries, which puts patients at a higher risk for a heart attack. HDL, on the other hand, is beneficial to the body and is appropriately deemed the “good cholesterol.” Increased levels of HDL can actually remove LDLs from the bloodstream by transporting and disposing them through the liver.
Mustard Greens: 1-1/2 cup a day Mustard greens are the leaves of the same plant whose seeds are used to make Dijon mustard. These greens contain a phytochemical named sulforaphane, a compound that is also found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage and bok choy. Sulforaphane prevents the production of cholesterol in humans by acting as a bile acid binder. Bile acid is needed to make cholesterol and is produced in the liver. Bile acid binders bind to the bile acid in the intestine and prevent the bile acid from being reabsorbed into the blood, thereby reducing the amount of bile acid available to make cholesterol. Eating more bile acid binders, such as sulforaphane, can help decrease the amount of cholesterol circulating in the blood.
Sulforaphane, along with being a bile acid binder, has been a studied compound in cancer research as well. It is classified as a Phase 2 enzyme inducer in various research papers for its anti-carcinogenic activity. It works as a neutralizer to carcinogens before they can damage DNA and possibly cause cancer. One important factor not mentioned in this episode is the role insoluble fiber, a type of fiber that cannot be dissolved in your body (from cruciferous vegetables, including mustard greens), plays in decreasing cholesterol levels. Fiber itself does not contain any nutritional value, but can actually decrease the amount of fat being absorbed. Decreasing absorption of fat means less cholesterol can be produced.
The Science of Wellness Magazine
10