New Research Claims Oreo Cookies Lower Cholesterol Better Than Statins

The “Oreo Lowers Cholesterol” headlines are all over the internet, as this new research claims that Oreo cookies might be more effective at lowering cholesterol than statin medications. In a fascinating turn of events, experts suggest that indulging in Oreos could cut down ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol levels more than twice as effectively as high-intensity statins like Crestor and Lipitor tablets. A study from Oxford University involved participants following a ketogenic diet and consuming Oreos for two weeks. The outcome was a remarkable 71% decrease in LDL cholesterol, outperforming the results from a six-week course of statins. Keep reading to discover more about this surprising discovery. Read on to know how.

How High Cholesterol is Linked to Cardiovascular Health?

Did you know that high cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart health? It’s linked to serious issues like heart attacks and strokes. When cholesterol levels are high, it can lead to high blood pressure and inflammation, which are no joke for your health. Experts say that too much cholesterol in your blood can cause plaque to build up in your arteries, making it tough for your heart to do its job. That’s why keeping cholesterol in check is so important.

Now, here’s something that might surprise you. Remember how we talked about Oreos potentially lowering cholesterol? Well, a groundbreaking experiment at Oxford University tested this theory. They looked into the Lipid Energy Model, a new idea that could change the way we understand how our bodies handle fats.

The experiment, led by Nicholas Norwitz, a Harvard medical student with a PhD in metabolism and nutrition from Oxford, focused on a unique group called Lean Mass Hyper-Responders. They wanted to see how Oreos and statins, a common cholesterol-lowering drug, affect cholesterol levels. Pretty interesting, right?

Causes of High Cholesterol

So, what causes high cholesterol in the first place? Well, doctors point to a mix of lifestyle habits and genetics. Here are some common culprits:

• Smoking: Lighting up can lower the good cholesterol (HDL) and bump up the bad one (LDL).
• Stress: When you’re stressed, your body releases hormones that can lead to more cholesterol.
• Alcohol Abuse: Drinking too much can mess with your cholesterol levels.
• Lack of Exercise: Staying active is key. Aerobic exercises, in particular, can help keep your cholesterol in check. But if you’re stuck at a desk all day or spend a lot of time sitting, your body might not be making enough of the good cholesterol.
• Diet: What you eat matters. Certain foods can either raise or lower your cholesterol levels.

How Do Oreos Control Cholesterol?

Norwitz’s study had participants follow a strict ketogenic diet, which is high in fats but low in carbs. This kind of diet usually leads to higher LDL cholesterol levels. Here’s where it gets interesting: the study added a twist by having participants eat 12 Oreo cookies a day and increase their carb intake by 100 grams for about two weeks. According to Norwitz, this led to a huge drop in LDL cholesterol, even better than what you’d see after six weeks of using statins, which are medications often used to lower cholesterol.

At the start of the study, the subjects had an LDL cholesterol level of 384 mg/dL, which is pretty high. But after munching on Oreos, it dropped to 111 mg/dL, a 71% decrease! However, when the subjects went back to their usual ketogenic diet without Oreos, their cholesterol shot up to 421 mg/dL in three months. When they tried rosuvastatin (a statin also known by the brand name Crestor tablets), their LDL cholesterol only went down to 284 mg/dL, which is a 32.5% reduction. So, it looks like Oreos had a more dramatic effect in this study!

Why Did Cholesterol Reduce with Oreos?

The study suggests that for many people, the body might react better to changes in diet, especially with carbs, than to traditional medications. When you’re on a low-carb, low-fat diet, your body ramps up the production of fat particles for energy. By adding carbs back into the mix, this process can be balanced out. But hold on, before you start stacking Oreos in your pantry, Norwitz made it clear in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the study isn’t saying Oreos are a healthy food or a way to treat cholesterol. The real goal was to test a theory called the Lipid Energy Model.

How Does Cholesterol Affect Your Body?

Let’s talk about how cholesterol impacts your body. Experts say high cholesterol means you’ve got too many fats, or lipids, cruising around in your blood. Your body needs some of these fats to work properly, but having too many can cause trouble. When there’s too much cholesterol, it teams up with other stuff in your blood to create plaque, which is like fatty gunk that can clog up your arteries. This makes it harder for blood to flow through, which is not good for your heart and overall health. If high cholesterol isn’t dealt with, it can lead to some serious long-term health problems. So, it’s important to keep an eye on those cholesterol levels. For this, you can talk to your doctor. They may suggest changes to your diet or if you have to take statins like Crestor or Lipitor tablets to lower your cholesterol levels. Sometimes, diet can not replace the place of medications, and it becomes essential to buy them from trusted places like the best Canadian online pharmacy to get genuine medications.

Conclusion

The recent research on Oreos and cholesterol has certainly given us food for thought. While it’s fascinating to see that a simple snack like Oreo cookies could potentially have such a significant impact on LDL cholesterol levels, it’s important to approach these findings with caution. Remember, this study doesn’t give us the green light to replace all our meals and statins with Oreos! Instead, it highlights the complex relationship between diet and cholesterol and the potential for certain dietary changes to influence our health in unexpected ways.

Maintaining a balanced diet, staying active, and monitoring your cholesterol levels are still the cornerstones of good cardiovascular health. So, while it’s okay to enjoy an Oreo (or two) as a treat, make sure it’s part of a varied and nutritious diet. As always, if you have concerns about your cholesterol or heart health, consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice. Let’s stay informed, make smart choices, and keep our hearts happy and healthy!