Dr. Gott: Oatmeal might help lower bad cholesterol

Posted: Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Dear Dr. Gott: I read a recent article of yours in my local newspaper on ways to control cholesterol levels. I was a little surprised that you did not mention eating oatmeal several times a week as an aid to lowering cholesterol numbers. I also read that a ½ cup of pinto beans a day for eight weeks will drop your figures by eight points. I have used both, along with a diet low in saturated fats, and so far have managed to stay off medication. I am fortunate to have no high blood pressure and good HDL and triglyceride levels, just a high total cholesterol. Hopefully, this remedy will help someone else.

Dear Reader: Eating oatmeal to lower cholesterol is certainly a good idea. Many people are under the impression that simply adding it to their diets will improve their numbers. This isn't true.

The reason oatmeal can help lower cholesterol is that is takes the place of high-fat, low-fiber foods, such as eggs and sausage or bacon, that are often consumed for breakfast each day. It also appears to somewhat reduce absorption of cholesterol when 10 or more grams (equivalent to about 2¼ cups of oatmeal) is eaten daily. Oatmeal is not a miracle food; it works because it's low in fat and high in fiber. I expect that the same holds true for pinto beans.

All people with elevated cholesterol levels should be on a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. This can often be achieved by replacing high-fat foods, such as ice cream, whole milk, cheese, eggs and red meat, with similar but lower-fat/cholesterol options such as frozen yogurt or sorbet, fat-free milk, chicken, turkey, fish and egg whites. High-fiber foods such as oatmeal, pinto or other beans and fresh fruits and vegetables also fill the stomach, so snacking (usually on sugary or fatty processed foods) is reduced.

Elevated cholesterol levels are linked with an increased risk of developing plaque in the arteries, coronary artery disease and stroke. Also, Americans simply eat too much sugar, fat and salt. We are a society of convenience without much care for the health consequences. As with everything, moderation is key. Healthy people can certainly indulge once in awhile, so go ahead and have that banana split or serving of potato chips. Just remember that they are treats, not dietary staples.

Dear Dr. Gott: I have restless legs syndrome (RLS) and read somewhere that magnesium can help. My doctor told me to try taking calcium. So I purchased a bottle of calcium/magnesium (1,000/500 mg per pill). I take a half pill at night, and within a week I noticed I didn't have a problem anymore. My sister also has RLS and tried this, and it worked for her too.

Please let your readers know about this. I hope it will help someone else the way it has helped me and my sister.

Dear Reader: I have heard that some RLS patients respond well to taking calcium supplements, but I don't recall anything about using magnesium. I did write about the possible benefit of using magnesium to treat chronic constipation, but this may be another condition for which this mineral is helpful.

So, readers, here is another treatment for restless legs syndrome.


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