What do Foodie Cardiologists eat?
Can Doctors be foodies? Of course lah, or else this blog would not exist!
But every now and again, I feel obligated to remind all our foodie friends out there that it is important to enjoy food, but at the same time make sure that your arteries are not slowly clogging up.
When it comes to what you should or should not do, I think everyone sort of knows. But what are the really important things to observe and what can we do that is practical?
In my recent in-camp, I had the opportunity to observe how my Cardiology friends balance their love for food with their concern for cardiac health and I thought it would be interesting to share this with you.
The article is written up in my medical blog. Please click here to read.
16 comments:
Good points on lowering cholesterol and practical lifestyle measures — takes the fun out of food though, but cannot be helped.
Another question I have is, don't statin drugs have negative side effects like aching muscles. How do you help patients cope with that?
Also, do doctors in Singapore recommend red yeast rice supplements to treat mild to medium high cholesterol levels as the first line of defense?
Thks for the article and reminder. Gotta put on my shoes and run soon.
hihi...nice to know u ^^ Congratulation to you get in top 3 ...Wish you all the best ^^
Yes statins can sometimes cause some unwanted side effects which is why it should always be used under a doctor's supervision. At low dosages the drugs are very safe.
Yes red yeast rice is actually a naturally occuring "Statin". So it does help control cholesterol. The problem with it is dosing as it is difficult to control. So if you have a cholesterol problem it is still better to take pills. However, if your cholesterol is just borderline, then a supplement of red yeast rice and diet might be good enough to keep it under control. The bottomline is that it should be managed properly
Cactuskit, great that you are running as it helps to increase the HDL (good cholesterol). However, that does not mean that you do not get your cholesterol checked regularly as your LDL may still be high even with all that running!
You could send me a personal email instead of putting your comments here mah... Now my wife can read this... Tio sabo liao... : (
Ehh.. by the way, I was just kidding hor, Les. ; )
I've had enough of this high cholesterol" bogus going around.Its time to debunk some myths tha"t have been propagated for decades.
1)Cholesterol helps to produce hormones(especially testerone/estrogen and cortisone just to name some), cell membranes, vitamin D and bile acid to digest fat.
2)It also helps in memory formation and is vital in neurological function.
3)High Cholesterol does not come from dietary factors.It comes from increased inflammation in the body.E.g damaged cells.Remember it is the root of the existence of cells(point 1)
4)8/9 of the doctors who developed the new cholesterol guidelines had been making money from the company producing the cholesterol lowering drug-statins.
5)The American Heart Association is a corrupt body just as many medical associations are.
Some food for though
http://www.westonaprice.org/moderndiseases/benefits_cholest.html
http://www.westonaprice.org/splash_2.htm
Myths and Truths about nutrition
Myth: Heart disease in America is caused by consumption of cholesterol and saturated fat from animal products.
Truth: During the period of rapid increase in heart disease (1920-1960), American consumption of animal fats declined but consumption of hydrogenated and industrially processed vegetable fats increased dramatically. (USDA-HNI)
Myth: Saturated fat clogs arteries.
Truth: The fatty acids found in artery clogs are mostly unsaturated (74%) of which 41% are polyunsaturated. (Lancet 1994 344:1195
Myth: For good health, serum cholesterol should be less than 180 mg/dl.
Truth: The all-cause death rate is higher in individuals with cholesterol levels lower than 180 mg/dl. (Circulation 1992 86:3:1026-1029)
Myth: Animal fats cause cancer and heart disease.
Truth: Animal fats contain many nutrients that protect against cancer and heart disease; elevated rates of cancer and heart disease are associated with consumption of large amounts of vegetable oils. (Fed Proc July 1978 37:2215)
Myth: Children benefit from a low-fat diet.
Truth: Children on low-fat diets suffer from growth problems, failure to thrive & learning disabilities. (Food Chem News 10/3/94)
Myth: A low-fat diet will make you "feel better . . . and increase your joy of living."
Truth: Low-fat diets are associated with increased rates of depression, psychological problems, fatigue, violence and suicide. (Lancet 3/21/92 v339)
hi leslie,
can i check with you, whether or not its true that egg yolks actually increases the HDL? does it affect LDL in anyway?
thanks!
I am no doc, but I eat egg yolks almost every other day. Cholestrol direct from food is lesser than those produced from carbo/fat intake within after consumption.
If you keep your arteries healthy, takes good Vit C at least, there will be lesser tears on the arteries as u aged and cholesterol being smooth will pass thro a healthy artery/vein without clogging since it cannot attach to the arterial layer which has no tears and wears and this reduce any build-up to form clogging of arteries.
Alex
As much as u disagree due to some better medicine or herbs that you have encountered, never outright dispute that medical associations or bodies are not helping and save lifes as many have been saved through them, have you? They do their part you do yours and let the people weigh the benefits.
That's a big patty. Anyways, congrats!
www.foodista.com
My brother is in the health supplement line. He told me that yolk although is largely cholesterol, when consumed, doesn't translate to cholesterol completely. Only a small portion converts. I also eat egg yolk daily. Good brain food.
Hi Brainy !!
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