Family Chow Hall

An Apple a Day keeps the Statins Away

April 12th, 2006

Two articles I read this morning really caught my interest, got my attention and my brain waves moving.:

To the first, As cheap statins arrive, why fret about lifestyle? about the soon-to-be lower cost of generic statin medications;

It saddens me to think that we, the people of America, would happily choose to take a pill rather than change our lifestyle for the better. Pills, chemically engineered in a lab for the purpose of profiting the maker, can have harmful and dangerous side effects. In this case, although it’s rare, statin drugs can cause liver problems, and, even more rarely, muscular damage. Or… we can choose to change our eating habits, create good exercise routines, and possibly avoid these drugs entirely or at least lower our dosage. The above article states that doctors are concerned that the lower cost of generic statin medications will remove the motivation for lifestyle change. Sadly, I think their concern is well-placed.

The high cost of medical treatment, medications, and health insurance in this nation could be preventative medicine all by itself. I’m not suggesting we neglect our health by avoiding the medical industry entirely. But… choosing a healthier lifestyle in order to circumvent medications and treatments is simply being smart and caring about yourself and your body. Carefully investigating alternative health care is not a crime, it is merely looking into other options.

… And to the second article, Better results with cholesterol-lowering food combo… about lowering your cholesterol with certain food combinations;

Hooray! It’s always good to hear alternatives to problems that so many people have. Give us more! How about a food list here? With a little research, I have compiled a list of foods for people interested in lowering their cholesterol through diet. These foods actually decrease the amount of cholesterol your intestines absorb. They also help regulate your blood sugar and insulin levels and help you feel more satisfied with less food. To do your own research, look for foods that are high in viscous fiber or soluble fiber.

oats
barley
dried beans
citrus fruit
navy beans
soybeans
barley
bulgar
millet
whole wheat noodles, pita, or bagel
popcorn
apples
bananas
blueberries
kiwi
mangos
oranges
peaches
raspberries
strawberries
figs
artichokes
brussels sprouts
peas
corn
green beans
lima beans
potatoes with skin
pumpkin
cooked spinach
winter squash
sweet potatoes

Eat Well to Live Better

Entry Filed under: Food As Medicine, Mixed bag, Philosophy