High cholesterol: the vegan diet -myth.

To: herb.franklin.oit.unc.edu
Subject: Re: herbs and cholesterol
From: Karen S Vaughan <creationsgarden.juno.com>
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2000 19:12:25 -0500

>For the cholesterol, I'd tell him to stick to a

strict vegan diet. Not only will he not be taking any cholesterol into his body, but he can have his levels down to normal in a considerably short time - a lot faster than if he was only trying to a band-aid solution

No, please. Eating cholesterol is not what creates over-production of cholesterol. In fact many vegans have seriously high cholesterol because the body goes into overproduction to compensate. Cholesterol is the building block of hormones and the body needs to make sure some is around.

Low quality fats, on the other hand, are a major factor in heart disease. Too many Omega 6s, hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats, rancid fats and seed fats in the form of refined oils are a major problem.

Eating lots of vegetables, including vegetarian entrees, is good. Refined foods are not. But protein levels need to be high and of the right quality.

Karen Vaughan