Reply #42: Try reading the zone diet books at your local library.

[PerfectSage]

According to the zone diet doctor: 80% of the cholestrol in you body is produced by your liver, the other 20% comes from your diet.

The production of cholestrol by your liver is influenced by the level of the hormones: insulin and glucagon. Insulin increases cholestrol production by your liver and glucagon reduces it.

The zone diet is about lowering the production of insulin. Insulin has 3 bad effects. It increases the production of cholestrol. It drives glucose from your bloodstream into fat cells and it increases the production of bad eicosanoinds. An eicosanoid is a messenger molecule that cells produce to influence nearby cells.


The ideal Zone diet is? 1/3 calories from low fat protein. 1/3 calories from high fibre carbohydrates and 1/3 calories from good fat monounsatureated fat.

1) low fat protein: chicken turkey breast, any fish, soy products and low fat dairy products.

2) high fibre carbohydrates. Greens, vegetables, fruits are best. Pasta, bread rice and potatoes get converted into glucose to rapidly and drive up your insulin levels. So you really want to cut back on these.

3) monounsatrated fat. Olive oil, avacado almonds, seeds nuts.

The interesting thing about the zone diet is that it's very simular to a high alkaline/low acid foods diet.
The theory is that as you age your body gets more and more acid over time.

http://www.energiseforlife.com/wordpress/2006/07/25/12-reasons-to-avoid-acids-and-stay-alkaline/


Some othe high cholestroltips.

Apple pectin lowers cholestrol by binding up fats. Calcium. Chromium picolinatelowers overall cholestrol improves the hdl to ldl ratio. garlic lowers cholestrol and blood pressure. fibre lowers cholestrol. I like oatbran fibre you can by it in the gocery store. The b vitamins in brewers yeast are good.