Formulated chocolate chip cookie could help lower cholesterol

24/01/06 A new study has shown that a specially formulated chocolate chip cookie created by two professional nutritionists can help lower cholesterol. Study results indicate a significant decrease in total cholesterol and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol in patients who ate two chocolate chip Right Direction Cookies™ each day for 30 days. Active ingredients in the cookie line, launching nationally this year, are soluble fiber and plant sterols. 

The study was presented at the 3rd Annual Scripp’s Integrative Medicine Conference of Natural Supplements: An Evidence-Based Update in La Jolla, CA.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 33 moderately hyperlipidemic (high cholesterol) patients who were randomly assigned to treatment with Right Direction Cookies for four weeks or a placebo cookie. This cross-over study allowed patients a four week wash out period before switching cookie therapies for an additional four weeks. Patients continued their normal diet and exercise programs during the study period.

Study results showed a statistically significant drop in total cholesterol from 217 mg/dL to 203 mg/dL and in  LDL cholesterol from 133 mg/dL to 120 mg/dL with Right Direction Cookies versus placebo.

“Right Direction Cookies, with soluble fiber and plant sterols, helped study participants significantly lower their total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and fasting glucose levels without any weight gain,” said Jay Udani, MD, lead author of the study and Medical Director of Medicus Research. “The small but statistically significant reduction in the fasting glucose level is noteworthy as all of the patients in the study were non-diabetic.”

High cholesterol is reaching epidemic proportions in the U.S. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), at least 50 percent of the American adult population, or almost 107 million people, have high cholesterol, a total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or higher.

“With cardiovascular deaths and high cholesterol on the rise, this cholesterol-lowering cookie appears to be a novel and effective adjunct to other lifestyle and pharmacologic therapies for people looking to take important steps in their overall cardiovascular health,” said Dr. Udani. 

According to Wendy Miller, co-founder of RD Foods and one of the creators of the new cookie line, two chocolate chip Right Direction Cookies contain 10 grams of dietary fiber, including 8 grams of soluble fiber (as much as 3 cups of cooked oatmeal), and 2.6 grams of plant sterols (as much as 3 cups of sunflower seeds).

“Soluble fiber absorbs water, cholesterol, fat and bile, carrying them through the digestive tract and out of the body in the stool,” said Miller, a registered dietitian.  “Good sources of soluble fiber include oats, beans, peas and psyllium.”

Plant sterols are a naturally occurring component present in many fruits and vegetables including broccoli and green beans.  Science shows plant sterols lower blood cholesterol by blocking cholesterol absorption from food during digestion.  Most people do not consume enough plant sterols through their daily diets to promote significant impact on their blood cholesterol levels. On average, adults consume 0.2-0.4 grams of plant sterols per day versus the recommended 2-3 grams of plant sterols daily to help reduce cholesterol.

Miller and her business partner, Norman Null, R.D., have successfully provided Right Direction cookies to patients of their East Coast-based nutrition practice for over 2 years.

Miller and Null said they are launching Right Direction Cookies to the consumer marketplace in the first quarter of 2006.

RD Foods (www.rdfoods.com) has a focused mission: Helping people lead healthier lives by providing resourceful, appealing food options.  The company’s debut product, Right Direction CookiesTM, is a delicious chocolate chip cookie that is revolutionizing the way consumers manage cholesterol and add quality fiber to their diets.  Based in New Jersey, RD Foods is a privately held company.