For Many, A Better Diet May Not Lower Cholesterol
Drugs May Be The Best Alternative For Some, Tufts' Alice Lichtenstein Tells NPR

Boston -- For some people, lowering cholesterol may not be as simple as cutting out foods high in saturated fats. Alice Lichtenstein -- a Tufts nutrition expert -- told National Public Radio that a person's genetic makeup can cut the effectiveness of dietary changes aimed at lowering cholesterol.

   "There's always been a lot of uncertainty regarding how responsive people are and how much of that responsiveness is attributable to diet versus basic physiology," she said.

   While some people are able to lower their cholesterol with certain diet and lifestyle changes, Lichtenstein says others need to take a different approach. In some cases, "more effort should be put into pharmacological intervention to normalize their cholesterol levels," she told NPR's All Things Considered.

   Because genetics can such play an important role, Lichtenstein added that patients shouldn't necessarily feel guilty when their cholesterol isn't responding to their dietary changes.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider.

Online: http://www.tufts.edu/communications/printerversion/121500DietAndCholesterol