The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point
  • About this web log

    This blog ran from 2006 to 2016 and was intended as an objective and dispassionate source of information on the latest CAM research. Since my background is in pharmacy and allopathic medicine, I view all CAM as advancing through the development pipeline to eventually become integrated into mainstream medical practice. Some will succeed while others fail. But all are treated fairly here.

  • About the author

    John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

  • Common sense considerations

    The material on this weblog is for informational purposes. It is not medical advice or counsel. Be smart, consult your health professional before using CAM.

  • Recent Posts

  • Recent Comments

    Ranking diet and exercise to manage high cholesterol

    Dr. Robert Kelly (photo) is associate director and curriculum coordinator for the Fairview Hospital /Cleveland Clinic Family Medicine Residency Program.

    He lists aspects of diet and exercise that are most and less effective in controlling cholesterol.

    Most beneficial

    • Reduce intake of saturated and trans fats.
    • Increase intake of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.
    • Fortify foods with plant stanols or sterols.
    • Add tree nuts to the diet, while maintaining total caloric intake.
    • Consume 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks per day.
    • Adopt a Mediterranean, low-carbohydrate, or low-fat diet.

    Smaller benefit but still effective

    • Reduce the intake of dietary cholesterol.
    • Increase intake of soluble fiber and soy protein.
    • Eat fatty marine fish or take marine-derived omega-3 fatty acid supplements.
    • Red yeast rice supplements have effects similar to those of statin medications and are better tolerated in some patients.
    • Regular aerobic exercise has beneficial effects on lipid levels, particularly if performed for at least 120 minutes per week.

    Small effect

    • Brief physician counseling.

    The bottom line.

    Efforts should concentrate on patients who are motivated and ready to make lifestyle changes.

    5/15/10 12:00 JR

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