A few years ago, I was working in a Doctor's office, and a patient came in to review his cholesterol results with the doctor. The patient related that he had been on a strict protein and vegetable diet for several months and his labs were markedly improved. I later asked the MD why that was so, since all we ever heard was to get away from meats, saturated fat in meats, and steer towards more of a vegetarian lifestyle. The doctor simply said, "I don't know." Say what? Aren't you a doctor? Isn't it your job to know? Well fortunately, those thoughts didn't come out of my mouth. And even more fortunately, I have since learned the answer to all of those questions.
Doctor's are not paid to teach nutrition to their patients, that is why they receive so little training of it in med school. For the most part, what they learn is from pharmaceutical reps. The drug companies tell everyone that eating a diet high in saturated fats is what causes heart disease, cholesterol excess, strokes, etc. So, these pharmaceutical companies very willingly supply all of the known world with info on how to cut these offensive items out of our diet. Yet, consider this: these drug companies have a product, or two, to sell. Why would they shoot themselves in the foot? Quite frankly, they aren't. They know something you don't.
These companies are full of scientist, biochemist, and highly degreed medical personnel who study anatomy and physiology even more than your average MD. They are keenly aware that the average person associates saturated fat with proteins, or meats. If the person with a high cholesterol count is told to lower their saturated fat intake, they will follow the handouts given to them by their doctor. (Of course, these handouts are supplied to the MD by the pharmaceutical reps). These handouts push the vegetarian lifestyle of lots of grains, beans, and nuts (in addition to vegetables and seafood). If you aren't eating saturated fats and protein from meats, then all that's left is unsaturated fat and carbohydrates from grains, beans, nuts, fruits and vegetables.
Now here is the problem--your body is incredibly adept at making excessive amounts of cholesterol with carbohydrates! MUCH more so than the saturated fats from lean beef! Anyone smell a fish? Do you see where this is going?
Over time, as you increase your grains, beans, nuts, fruits, and starchy veggies (all very high in carbohydrates), your cholesterol count will skyrocket and you will end up on the cholesterol lowering medicines after all.
Paleo nutrition, which aggressively promotes a diet high in lean meats/proteins, is not only proven to lower cholesterol (proven through independent studies, not by the pharmaceutical companies), but I personally have seen remarkable results in turning around high sugar levels in diabetics, dropping high blood pressure, and helping tremendously with fat loss.
High carbohydrate meals, like oatmeal and OJ for breakfast, signal your body to produce cholesterol, stimulate high insulin levels which in turn lead to an increase chance of Type 2 Diabetes, leads to heart disease, hypertension, and the list goes on...
Ever feel like you've been duped? At least you aren't alone. How eating meat/eggs does NOT raise your cholesterol in part 2. To be continued.
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