Cholesterol

[Tank]

The effects of grapefruit pectin on patients at risk for coronary heart disease without altering diet or lifestyle. Clinical Cardiololoty. 1988 Sep;11(9):589-94.
Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
Dietary intake of cholesterol has been linked to coronary heart disease. The effect of grapefruit pectin ( Citrus paradisi ) on plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the low-density lipoprotein:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio was studied. The study design was a 16-week double-blind, crossover (placebo or pectin) using 27 human volunteers screened to be at medium to high risk for coronary heart disease due to hypercholesterolemia. The study did not interfere with the subjects' current diet or lifestyle. Grapefruit pectin supplementation decreased plasma cholesterol 7%, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol 10%, and the low-density lipoprotein : high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio 9%. The other plasma lipid fractions studied showed no significant differences. We conclude that a grapefruit pectin-supplemented diet, without change in lifestyle, can significantly reduce plasma cholesterol.

[O-Train]

Couple problems with this. Firstly, it assumes there is a link between dietary cholesterol and heart disease. That hasn't been proven as far as I know. Secondly it assumes that plasma cholesterol levels contribute to heart disease. If someone finds a good meta-analysis then maybe it's true. Thirdly, they quote percentages. What do these percent decreases mean? Are they significant? Should anyone care?

This is an example of a study where they did something, found something out, and it means absolutely nothing. There are a lot of studies like this. You also have to be careful because maybe the people carrying out the study got their funding from a company that makes Grapefruit Pectin pills.

From what I've read about cholesterol the majority of the problems a person will have are hereditary (something like 80% is non dietary). Grapefruit probably wouldn't help with this.

I'm not knocking anyone for posting this. I just don't want everyone running out and buying grapefruit lol.

[Mr Ontario]

Not to mention grapefruit doesn't mix well with allot of other medications and is very acidic if you were thinking primary the juice or fruit...not sure on an extract though.

[Gettin'r'round]

Mr. O, GF pectin is a different animal that what your thinking off.

o_Hurley is right, there is currently no theory as to how cholesterol causes heart attacks. Cholesterol just happened to be the first fat that could be found and analysied back in the 20's or 30's. Ever since then the establishment has harped on cholesterol even though 60% of people who have heart attacks have normal levels.