Kardea Nutrition Links Dietitians & Natural Foods Retailers with Natural Cholesterol Management Speakers’ Bureau

Lifestyle changes emphasizing therapeutic nutrition offer significant opportunities to positively affect a range of interconnected health issues --- including cholesterol management, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and hypertension. Generally, where these multiple issues occur, the importance of cholesterol management is amplified.

The challenge: consumers are often confused or misinformed in regard to the best ways to use nutrition to naturally improve cholesterol levels. Numerous studies, including those reviewed by the Food & Drug Administration, the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health, have shown that a 20-30% reduction in LDL cholesterol levels is readily achievable with nutritional therapy.

As part of an initiative to enhance consumer understanding, Kardea Nutrition is developing a program to link food retailers, particularly natural foods retailers, with registered dietitians.

Among the components of this Kardea initiative is the creation of a Natural Cholesterol Management Speakers’ Bureau. As part of this program, dietitians with proven expertise in cholesterol management will be providing in-store classes that address the integrated roles of fiber, plant sterols, niacin, omega-3s, and monounsaturated fats.

Nutritional health professional and natural foods retailers interested in participating in this program should contact Kardea Nutrition directly at customerservice@kardeanutrition.com.

Kardea Gourmet Bars: What Dietitians Are Saying

Here at Kardea Nutrition, we are on a mission to enable cholesterol management through a nutritional, natural approach. For some, this approach allows the individual to avoid the need for prescription medications. For others, it allows for sharply lower doses of these medication to achieve targeted cholesterol levels. For all, it offers an opportunity to optimize our longer term health.

While we are here to provide the products that better enable this lifestyle, the dietitians and nutritionists are in the field working with individuals each day to change lifestyles and create healthful eating habits. We are reaching out to these health profressionals across the country. Here are some responses that we have received:

"Thanks so much for sending the samples of the Kardea bars. The bars are great and the breakdown is just perfect - especially since I've been trying to find more products we can carry here with sterol esters."—Susan, MS, RD, LDN, Urbana, IL.

"They are fantastic! Love the fiber content and that you are using psyllium. … Many thanks." Stacey RD, CPT, Santa Monica, CA

"I love the bars. Thanks."---Jennifer MS, MPH, RD, Massachusetts (Corporate Wellness Manager)

"I received your samples, and tried one myself. It was very good. Will recommend to my patients. Thank you."---Vickie , MS, RD, CDE, Maryland

"I spoke with you earlier about your great product. I work for in the Employee Wellness Department at a major insurance company and we are actively seeking better for you products for our cafeteria. Additionally, we offer cholesterol screenings, health fairs, diabetes classes, etc. I am sure you will find great opportunities for both you and our company." ---Judith RD, LDN, CDE, Texas

"We are selling your bars like hot cakes."--Sarah, RD, LD, Iowa, In-store dietitian.

"Hi-I am a registered dietitian working for a company whose mission is to personalize the treatment of patients threatened with cardiovascular disease. A colleague of mine in NY mentioned she had sampled your product and was recommending it to her patients. I wondered if you might supply me with a sample as well. Thank you."--Stacey, RD, LD, Alabama

"Even as I write this I am preparing a presentation on the ‘role of foods and a sensible diet to manage cholesterol and heart health’ for an elite group of ADA spokespersons. I intend to showcase Kardea bar and oil in my presentation."---Kantha, PhD, Illinois.

Updated Mediterranean Diet Pyramid From Oldways

Despite the fact that calories from fats may account for upwards of 40% of a Mediterranean diet, many studies show reduced incident of cardiovascular diseases in those populations that follow the traditional eating habits of this region.

Certainly, there is no single Mediterrean cuisine. The aromas, flavors and recipes vary widely from Spain and Italy to Greece and Lebanon and then across North Africa. Moreover, not all foods of these regions are necessarily healthful. Oldways, a leading advocate of traditional, healthful eating has released a revised Mediterranean diet pyramid to provide clear direction.

The major change in this updated Mediterranean Diet Pyramid, writes the staff of Oldways, is that all plant foods (fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, legumes, seeds, olives and olive oil) are grouped together to emphasize the health benefits they provide. A new addition to the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid is herbs and spices—for reasons of both health and taste. Increasingly, nutritional science is identifying active micro-nutrients in herbs, spices and other plant compounds that collectively may deliver health benefits well beyond what is provided by the better known vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

The Oldways pyramid also points out the healthfulness of fish and shellfish, and suggest that it is beneficial to eat fish and shellfish at least two times per week.

Other specific recommendations of Oldways include:

• Make olive oil your primary source of dietary fat
• Eat low to moderate amounts of cheese and yogurt daily
• Drink a moderate amount of wine (one to two glasses per day for men, one glass per day for women)
• Snack on almonds instead of fat-free cookies.
• Spread avocado on a sandwich to replace the mayonnaise.

Juvenile Diabetes & Cholesterol Management

Diabetes is not simply a challenging and chronic disease in its own right, but it also is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

As a consequence, those with diabetes, including children and teenagers, are encouraged to take a more active approach to managing cholesterol levels. The American Academy of Pediatrics, for instance, recently recommended wider cholesterol screening for children. Underpinning these recommendations is the understanding that elevated LDL (bad) cholesterol in kids can lead to an onset of cardiovascular disease earlier in adulthood. It recognizes that the plaque in an adult's arteries may have begun developing very early in life.

The AAP also suggested that for a selected group of children, prescribing a statin medication might be appropriate. Drug treatment, according to these recommendations, should be considered for children 8 and older who face multiple risk factors for developing heart disease.

Yet, statins are not typically considered the first line of treatment. Instead, medical nutrition therapy is recommended. Medical nutrition therapy includes the following: decreasing saturated fat (less than 7% total daily calories), avoiding trans fatty acids, decreasing dietary cholesterol to less than 200 mg daily, increasing soluble fiber from oats, beans, psyllium or fruits, and adding plant sterols daily.

In a recent study published in Diabetes Education, the role of medical nutrition therapy was evaluated in a patient with Type II diabetes. The patient achieved a desired LDL cholesterols level through nutrition alone. Medications were not required.

The Study's author concluded that evidence-based nutrition guidelines have been evaluated and reviewed to demonstrate the effectiveness of heart-healthy eating for children with hyperlipidemia and type 1 diabetes.