European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 09, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Olive Oil i i Iii Iii  the newest cholesterol fighter by Janee. Brody new York times monounsaturated fats like Olive oilman Benefit the heart not Only by lowering cholesterol but also by reducing blood pressure and blood sugar a Large study in Italy has suggested. The study published in last week s Issue of the journal of the american medical association supports earlier indications that monounsaturated fats might have multiple health benefits. For example a study in Dallas two years ago showed improvement in blood glucose Levels in people with diabetes when the diet was Rich in monounsaturated fats the Dallas researchers led by or. Scott Grundy of the University of Texas health science Center were the first to demonstrate in experiments that fats like Olive Oil were at least As effective As polyunsaturated oils in lowering blood cholesterol. Their research indicated that unlike polyunsaturated oils the monounsaturated lowered Only the harmful Low density Lipoprotein Bdl cholesterol not the beneficial High density Lipoprotein Mil cholesterol. This finding prompted Many americans to switch to Olive Oil and canola Oil. Also High in monounsaturated As their primary oils for cooking and use in salads. Before this report heart conscious americans focused on polyunsaturated vegetable oils like those derived from Corn Sunflower and safflower seeds and soybeans which have Long been known to help reduce blood cholesterol the italian study surveyed the diets and other relevant habits among 4.903 men and women Ages 20 to 59 living in nine communities. Wide differences in the types of fats used in the various communities allowed the researchers to determine whether fat intake influenced risk factors for heart disease independently of other known influences such As cigarette smoking and obesity the findings showed that those who consumed the most Olive Oil had the lowest Levels of blood cholesterol blood pressure and blood glucose. In addition diets High in polyunsaturated fats were associated with Low blood Levels of cholesterol and glucose but not necessarily lower blood pressure. On the other hand those who ate butter tended to have higher Levels of blood cholesterol blood pressure and blood glucose. Approximately half the men and women in the study reported that they never used butter. Butter is a Rich source of saturated fat which has Long been known to raise cholesterol Levels. The researchers led by or. Maurizio Trevisan of the state University of new York school of Medicine in Buffalo warned against drawing firm conclusions from their findings noting that dietary factors other than fats that were not directly measured might explain some of the findings. They also noted that the biological mechanisms to explain the effects of monounsaturated fats on blood cholesterol blood pressure and blood sugar remain to be explained. In the same Issue of the journal the american medical association s Council on scientific affairs said that americans consume almost twice the maximum amount of saturated fats recommended to reduce the risk of heart disease. The main sources of saturated fats in the american diet Are animal products Dairy meat and poultry primarily and the so called tropical oils Coconut Palm Kernel and Palm that Are used in Many processed foods. The Council said it supported efforts to improve food Labelling to Alert Consumers to the types and amounts of fats in the foods they Purchase. Less fat More Gas by Colleen Pierre the Baltimore Suna common problem for folks who shift to a Complex carbohydrate diet Low fat milk less red meat More fruits and grains is they Are embarrassed to find flatulence. If this is happening to you you can ease the problem by changing your diet gradually allowing your body time to develop its enzyme Supply to meet the changing demand. Normally carbohydrates Are digested in the stomach by enzymes designed specifically for that Job. Enzymes that digest carbohydrates fats and proteins Are not interchangeable. If you usually eat lots of fats and proteins and less carbohydrate your digestive system produces More enzymes that digest fats and proteins and fewer that digest carbohydrates it s a matter of Supply and demand. Ii you suddenly change the proportions of your diet your enzyme production May not match up for awhile and. Due to the Short enzyme Supply some carbohydrates May leave the stomach intact. Digestion of escaped carbohydrates is completed in the intestines by bacterial fermentation which also produces Gas distention bloating discomfort embarrassment and loss of Friendship. A gradual change in diet allows the enzyme Supply to More easily keep Pace with the demand. Some foods Are More offensive than others. Beans the infamous musical fruit head the list probably because they contain Large amounts of non digestible fiber. Lessen their Impact with thorough cooking. Soak overnight Drain and rinse then Cook in fresh water. Or use canned Beans. Start with More digestible varieties like Limas lentils and split peas. And of course begin with Small portions gradually increasing As tolerance improves. Be especially careful with soybeans which Are the worst offenders. Tofu and soybean curd however Are easy to digest because their processing removes much of the indigestible sugar. Cabbage onions Brussels sprouts and Broccoli Are Gas producing for Many people. They Are double trouble when combined with Beans. Exercise great restraint Here. Begin with Only tiny portions if you must Combine. Dried fruits such As raisins dates figs and apricots Are frequent offenders. When combined with High fib or cereals they Are dynamite. Allow yourself a break in period. Mix a Small portion of these nutritious fruit Cereal combos with a Hall portion of a More refined flaked Cereal until your Tummy grows tolerant. And watch out for sugarless gum and Candy. Many Are made with sorbitol or fructose which can be Gas producing when consumed in Large quantities. Carbonated beverages such As Beer and soft drinks Are Gas producing for some folks. If so decrease quantities and drink from a Glass. Drinking from a bottle increases air swallowing which adds to the problem. Finally Chew thoroughly and eat slowly. Chewing grinds food to easily digestible particles. And slow eating reduces air swallowing. To eat or not to eat by the associated press he study published last week in the journal of the american medical association linking Olive Oil consumption with lower blood cholesterol blood sugar and blood pressure is the latest Volley in what often seems like a contradictory barrage of news about what constitutes healthful eating. Bonnie Liebman. Director of nutrition for the Washington based consumer group Center for science in the Public interest advises patience. Scientists Are used to having studies with opposite results and they know that Over time the truth emerges Liebman said. Consumers have Only recently accepted science and health As news and they Aren t used to  with that in mind Here is a list of some recent reports linking various foods to health problems or benefits oat bran one could find oat bran everywhere even in Beer alter reports emerged indicating that eating it helped reduce blood cholesterol Levels and the risk of heart attack. A recent study however said the apparent benefits of oat bran resulted from its replacement of fatty foods in people s diets not from a special properly of the Grain itself and that other cereals work just As Well to reduce artery clogging excess cholesterol in the bloodstream. Rice bran although some earlier studies indicated that Rice bran had cholesterol lowering properties a researcher financed by the Rice Industry searching for such benefits has said he did t find any and advised people trying to lower cholesterol Levels to reduce fat intake gel to a Normal weight and exercise. Milk Public concern about the safety of milk was sparked after two Independent surveys found supplies in several areas contaminated with antibiotics and sulfa drugs used to treat sick cattle. The government says it sees no Public health threat but researchers Are concerned about the continuing possibility of contamination from detectable and undetectable veterinary drugs. Coffee often subject to scrutiny Coffee made news recently after a study revealed that older couples who drink Coffee appear to be More sexually Active than elderly non Coffee drinkers. One researcher suggested that Coffee stimulates the Central nervous system and relaxes certain Muscles but also said it was possible that Coffee drinkers were More Liberal in their sexual  some studies have linked Coffee to heart disease High cholesterol Levels and pancreatic cancer while others have found no such relationship. Fish Oil a recent study found that Large doses of fish Oil can return mild High blood pressure to Normal Levels. However the subjects had to take three Tablespoons each Day of liquid herring Oil which caused belching and a lingering fishy aftertaste. The amount of fish Oil. Used equivalent to 50 fish Oil gel capsules was much higher than that recommended by capsule manufacturers. In fact when taken at the dose usually suggested the Oil did not help. Despite their encouraging findings the researchers said people should not Exchange blood pressure pills Lor fish Oil until doctors know More. They also advised people not to substitute cod liver Oil which contains Loo much Vitamin a and d and not enough Omega-3 fatty acids. Oily Ocean fish such As herring and Mackerel Are Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids the particular variety of fish Oil that appears to be Good for the heart. Page 16 the stars and stripes Friday february 9,1990