"Magic" Margarines for Lower Cholesterol

These spreads can actually help your heart.

Margarine isn't exactly good for your arteries -- unless it's a special kind of margarine that can actually lower your cholesterol.

In 1999 the FDA approved the addition of natural plant chemicals called sterols to margarine. Because sterols have a similar chemical structure to cholesterol, they compete with cholesterol for receptors that facilitate absorption by the body, and they usually win. Studies find that 2 to 3 grams a day of a margarine such as Benecol and Take Control can reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels 9 to 20 percent. If these margarines were widely incorporated into our diets, experts say they could slash the incidence of heart disease by one-third.

One potentially negative side effect is that sterols may reduce your body's ability to absorb certain nutrients from food, specifically beta-carotene and vitamin E. But a daily multivitamin should resolve that problem. Also keep in mind that sterols, even in margarine, are medicine. Don't use more than the recommended amount, about three servings (they're packaged in individual servings) a day.

From Cut Your Cholesterol

 

• Healthy Foods
• Cholesterol
• Nutrition

• Improve Your Cholesterol With Olive Oil
• Embrace this versatile oil to lower your risk.
• 
• Canola Oil: The "Other" Olive Oil
• Achieve a healthy heart with this cholesterol-friendly oil.
• 
• Omega-3 Rich Fish
• The best sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
• 
• Nuts: High in Good Fat
• Bite-size snacks packed with cholesterol lowering benefits.
• 
• Achieve Real Results With Fiber
• Fiber's benefits range from lowering cholesterol to controlling diabetes to losing weight.
• 
• Low-Fat Date and Walnut Cake
• The dates give this easy-to-make cake a delicious moistness.
• 

“ Boot shopping? When sizing, allow room for an extra pair of socks. If boots are too tight, feet can become colder. ”

• See All Tips

• Be Inspired
• 10 Celebrities Who Give Back
• 7 Amazing Stories, $700,000 to Charity
• Virginia Cervasio: Making It Matter
• PLUS:
• Quiz: What's Your Celebrity Cause IQ?

My husband met me at the doctor's office for my routine checkup, and from there we decided to go out to eat. Since we had driven in separate cars, I arrived at the restaurant first. "One for dinner?" asked the hostess. "No," I replied. "There will be two of us in just a minute." When I saw the panicky look on the hostess's face, I realized I had forgotten about my appearance. Anybody could see that I was at least 8 1/2 months pregnant.

-- Loann K. Burke