Can These Snack Bars Replace Your Cholesterol Meds?

What if you could replace your daily cholesterol medication with a couple of tasty snack bars?

A company called Step One Foods has created "clinically formulated" foods that it claims can replace cholesterol medication for people who are "unable or unwilling to take statin drugs." The product line includes a variety of snack bars, along with flavored oatmeal, pancake, and smoothie mixes.

In a study conducted at the Mayo Clinic, 54 people with high cholesterol were instructed to consume two of these products per day. This resulted in a 10% reduction in their LDL (or "bad") cholesterol levels after four weeks.

I think it's too soon to say that these snack foods can replace cholesterol medications on a long-term basis. But it's certainly an interesting development.

More than a third of adults over the age of 45 have high cholesterol, and statin drugs are among the most commonly prescribed medications. Statins are quite effective in lowering cholesterol—and, by the way, also pretty good at reducing systemic inflammation. They are also inexpensive and covered by most insurance companies.

Although they are generally safe, statins do have the potential to cause side effects, such as muscle pain or weakness. Only a small minority of people experience side effects, and for many, they are little more than an annoyance. But side effects (or even just a fear of side effects) could be one reason that people are unwilling or unable to take statins.

How'd Step One make these products?

The Step One products are rich in nutrients that are known to have a positive effect on cholesterol: soluble fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and phytosterols.

Phytosterols are naturally-occurring compounds that block the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine. According to the National Lipid Association, consuming 2,000 mg of phytosterols every day can lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease. Not coincidentally, two of these bars or mixes a day provide exactly 2,000 mg of phytosterols, along with about 10 g of fiber and 2000 mg of plant-based omega-3 fats.

These products are made primarily from whole foods: dried fruits, nuts, seeds, bran, and flavorings like peanut butter, chocolate, and cinnamon. No sweeteners, gums, or preservatives.

I can imagine that these products might have a lot of appeal for people who are determined to control their cholesterol without medication, through a healthy diet, exercise, and other lifestyle strategies. 

Of course, high cholesterol is not always about a poor diet or unhealthy lifestyle; sometimes it's...

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