CHOLESTEROL NEW WEETBIX FOR CHOLESTEROL www.foodtechnology.co.nz 23 CHOLESTEROL CHAOS Professor in human nutrition and medicine at Otago University Dr Jim Mann says more than half of respondents in a recent survey said they knew the difference between good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol, but that is not the critical public health message at all. “It’s more important that we persuade Kiwis that it’s worth them actually doing something about their cholesterol,” Mann says. “Cholesterol remains an incredibly important determinate of heart health and it always has been, and although there are a number of other contributing factors identified, it has not diminished the importance of cholesterol.” Ministry of Health statistics show approximately onein four New Zealand adults need to manage their cholesterol levels for their heart health, but the study says almost half don’t take into account how their diet impacts those levels. Nearly half of adults get tested regularly, and more than half have high readings (or know someone who has). “The survey also showed that around half of respondents said they do not consider the potential impact of their food choices on their cholesterol levels,” Mann says. “People need to act on their cholesterol, they need to understand how their food and lifestyle choices impacts on their cholesterol,” he says. “There is a role for a range of other modifications including increasing polyunsaturated fats, dietary fibre and plant sterols; all of these dietary factors can influence cholesterol levels,” he says. The study showed that for the remaining six-in-ten Kiwis who don’t have their cholesterol levels monitored every two years, complacency and a general lack of understanding of the factors influencing cholesterol levels are primary reasons. Sanitarium has launched a New Zealand-first extension to its iconic 90-year-old Weet-Bix range to benefit consumers with high LDL cholesterol… claiming a 9% reduction in four weeks. The new innovative breakfast food Weet-Bix Cholesterol Lowering, which introduces a new product containing plant sterols which are clinically proven to reduce bad cholesterol, is the most innovative cholesterol-lowering product in the past 15 years, clinical trial leader Professor Peter Clifton says. “Breakfast is an essential part of every diet, so combining the cholesterol-lowering properties of plant sterols into a cereal product is a clever solution to one of the biggest health challenges we face in our busy, modern lives.” Plant sterols are known to naturally lower cholesterol by partially reducing the absorption of cholesterol in the digestive system. They are found in a variety of foods like grains, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds, but only in very small quantities. Sanitarium will hold exclusive permission in the Food Standards Code for Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) for up to a year to include an increased amount of plant sterols in breakfast cereal, which means it will be the only product on the market to contain two grams of plant sterols per serve. General manager Rob Scoines says the company is dedicated to improving Kiwi lives through better nutrition. “We know that maintaining good heart health is one of the most important considerations for making a significant and positive impact on the long term wellbeing of New Zealanders,” he says. “We are committed to investing in innovative food solutions which will make a real difference in the lives of thousands of Kiwis managing their cholesterol.” A new study which has found Kiwis do not consider the potential impact of their food choices on their cholesterol levels is worrying experts because whilst many people get their cholesterol measured, a good number do nothing about improving it. New Zealanders have some of the highest average cholesterol in the world… 17% of all deaths in New Zealand can be related to high cholesterol 90% of all adult New Zealanders could do with lowering their cholesterol levels 33% 90 mins every hour and a half, a Kiwi dies of heart disease of deaths annually are caused by cardiovascular disease It is the leading cause of death in New Zealand and includes heart, stroke and blood vessel disease THE NUMBERS
FT-Nov17-eMag
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