For those who inherited high cholesterol, nutrition can help
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited genetic defect that causes an abnormal amount of dangerous LDL cholesterol to accumulate in the bloodstream. This condition is fairly common, affecting 1 out of every 200 to 250 people around the world.
According to the Familial Hypercholesterolemia Foundation, a person with this disorder is 20 times more likely to develop heart disease, heart attacks and strokes at an earlier age than the general population.
Medications such as statins that help lower cholesterol in the blood are the first line of treatment for this condition.
Nutrition therapy along with exercise can often prevent or delay further complication of the disease.
- Eat foods that contain less saturated fat. While the role of saturated fat and heart disease remains controversial, researchers do know that saturated fat tends to produce more inflammation in the body. Saturated fat can also raise “bad” LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. It's probably smart for patients with FH to avoid excess amounts of saturated fat, says Amy Reisenberg, MS, RDN, at Stanford University Hospital.
- Eat more anti-inflammatory foods. Heart disease is caused by inflammation within our arteries and some foods contain substances that can calm things down, like whole fruit, vegetables, garlic, tea, and fatty, cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines.
- Have some nuts. They provide a good amount of healthful fats that do not promote the rise of LDL cholesterol, including sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts, pecans and peanuts. Some nuts are higher in saturated fat, however. We are called to eat these less often or in smaller amounts: Brazil nuts, macadamias (darn it) and cashews.
It's true we can't change what we inherit. But as a wise person once told me, “Genetics loads the gun; lifestyle pulls the trigger.”
Barbara Quinn is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator affiliated with Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. Email her at barbara@quinnessentialnutrition.com.
