Cholesterol Down: Ten Simple Steps to Lower Your Cholesterol in Four Weeks--Without Prescription Drugs (Paperback)

~ Janet Brill (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...I could see that Brill took a common sense approach with examples and fairly easy-to-follow ideas...Recommended:Yes." -- Epinions.com

"...It's easy to understand, interesting to read and makes sense. Good Cooking recommends this book!" -- Goodcooking.com, Chef John V.

"...based on solid science and can help people lower their LDL cholesterol or enhance the effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering medication. Recommended." -- LibraryJournal.com

"...for anyone who is focused on the goal of reducing his or her cholesterol...this could be an ideal choice." -- Toxicuniverse.com

"Cholesterol Down takes the guesswork out of finding that perfect reference book for those looking to lower their cholesterol." -- Dayna Boyer, Homemakers.com

Product Description

Take Control of Your Cholesterol— Without Drugs

If you are one of the nearly 100 million Americans struggling with high cholesterol, then Dr. Janet Brill offers you a revolutionary new plan for taking control of your health—without the risks of statin drugs. With Dr. Brill’s breakthrough Cholesterol Down Plan, you simply add nine “miracle foods” to your regular diet and thirty minutes of walking to your daily routine. That’s all. This straightforward and easy-to-follow program can lower your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by as much as 47 percent in just four weeks.

Cholesterol Down explains Dr. Brill’s ten-point plan as well as the science behind it. You’ll learn how each miracle food affects LDL cholesterol and how the foods work together for maximum effect, as well as:

• How eating whole grains helps reduce LDL cholesterol in your bloodstream
• Why antioxidants keep plaque from building up in your arteries
• How certain steps change the structure of LDL cholesterol particles (and why it’s best for them to be large and fluffy)
• Why walking just thirty minutes a day lowers “bad” cholesterol and cuts dangerous belly fat

With everything you need to stay focused on the plan, including a daily checklist, a six-month chart for racking LDL cholesterol changes, tools for assessing your risk level for cardiovascular disease, sample weekly menus, and even heart-healthy recipes, Cholesterol Down is the safe and effective alternative or complement to statin drugs.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1 edition (December 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307339114
• ISBN-13: 978-0307339119
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,454 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #2 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Diets & Weight Loss > Special Conditions > Low Cholesterol
  #4 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Aging > Heart Disease
  #5 in	Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Special Diet > Low Cholesterol

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

133 of 137 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Reading for Those Interested in Their Health, February 17, 2007

By	Dr. Jonathan Dolhenty (Port Orford, OR United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I have a personal interest in this particular subject so I was pleased to be asked to read and review "Cholesterol Down," a book which definitely should be read by anyone with a current cholesterol problem and, for that matter, by anyone in the younger set who wants to prevent such a problem from occurring in his or her future. If I had had this information many decades ago, I probably could have prevented or at least delayed the coronary problems I am now fighting. After my first heart attack five years ago, I had to face the fact that some extraordinary changes were necessary and at the top of that list was diet. I was placed on a "Mediterranean" diet which is very similar to the diet which Dr. Brill recommends in her book.

Dr. Brill suggests ten simple steps to lower one's cholesterol without resorting to prescription drugs. I am all in favor of that because nothing disturbs me more within the medical area of my life than the taking of prescription drugs. I try to avoid that sort of thing like the plague. I much prefer to utilize "natural" remedies whenever and wherever possible. So far I've been fairly successful, having to take only one prescription medication (an anti-clotting drug) and only because I have found no comparable natural remedy.

This book is divided into two parts plus an appendix. The first part of the book provides the reader with information about cholesterol and heart disease, basically the scientific foundations upon which Dr. Brill's ten-step plan is based. This can be read first but it is not necessary. I read the second part first, which actually describes the ten-step cholesterol down plan, because I was specifically interested in reviewing what the author suggests; one can always go back to the scientific rationale later. Additionally, in the appendix, Dr. Brill provides some valuable aids such as a daily checklist, progress chart, a sample meal and exercise plans, some heart-healthy recipes (very important!), and a way of determining one's risk of heart disease. But for those fighting heart disease or wanting to try to prevent that scourge, it is the ten-step program that is the "heart" of the book (sorry for the pun!).

Now, I'm going to briefly review the ten steps Dr. Brill recommends and add a personal touch to each one. If my getting personal bothers you, then this is the time to stop reading this review, purchase the book for yourself, and read your way to healthy living.

Step One: Eat oatmeal. I am so glad that she favors this because that is exactly what I've been doing for the past five years. Actually I eat a double-helping six mornings a week (I'm a big guy and one helping just doesn't do the job). On Sundays, by the way, my cardiologist permits me to have a breakfast of two eggs, hashbrowns (cooked in Canola oil), and lean chicken. But the oatmeal is essential and I have it with a tablespoon of milled flaxseed, a handful of raisins, a touch of cinnamon (allegedly helps to control blood sugar), and some no-fat milk.

Step Two: Eat almonds. I have not been doing this; it's the first I've heard about it. Based on the science behind this recommendation, however, I have to give it serious consideration.

Step Three: Eat flaxseeds. OK, no problem here. I am getting flaxseed with my oatmeal and also with some other items I eat every day, including the whole grain breads and deserts I bake. I am sold on the flaxseed situation and would recommend it to everyone. It's a great way to get the essential omega-3 fatty acids so necessary to human life.

Step Four: Take Metamucil. Well, I've never taken Metamucil in my life. And, to be honest, I have some personal concerns about this recommendation. Dr. Brill does, to be sure, present the science behind this suggestion, but I'm going to have to really think about this one. I've always looked upon Metamucil as a remedy for those with constipation problems and (thank the fates!) that is a problem I don't have to concern myself with, at least for now. But I will think about this recommendation, even though I don't intend to implement it immediately.

Step Five: Eat beans. Absolutely no problem. I make my own bean and vegetable soup (using 16 different beans and, yes, made from scratch!) and eat a healthy helping every night at dinner. This is a definite must if you're serious about your cardiac health.

Step Six: Eat apples. This should be no surprise to anyone. From an early age, I was forced to memorize the proverb "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." And so it apparently does. Since I was so indoctrinated from childhood with this prescription, I have pretty much abided by it. Fortunately I love apples.

Step Seven: Eat margarine with phytosterols. No problem here. I use one of the newer products which are heart-healthy and has been approved by my cardiologist. Anyway, I was never particularly devoted to butter or traditional margarine.

Step Eight: Eat soy protein. I normally get a certain amount of this in many of my meals. I admit to not getting the amount that Dr. Brill recommends. I have some concerns about the amount she suggests, especially since I've been reading some scientific reports lately that are critical of consuming large amounts of soy protein, particularly for those of the male gender. For the present, I'll confine myself to the amount I am currently getting.

Step Nine: Eat garlic. Ah! -- music to my ears. I love garlic. I love the taste of garlic. I love the smell of garlic. I use garlic all the time in much of my cooking. I also take a garlic supplement. If there is a true "wonder drug" in nature, I will vote for garlic to assume that status. It is my favorite herb and I think the science clearly supports its beneficial properties, not only for cardiovascular disease but for prevention of cancer as well. I am happy that Dr. Brill recommends garlic to her readers. (But why is it number nine instead of number one?)

Step Ten: Walk. Again, no problem. I either walk thirty or more minutes a day (weather permitting) or I do thirty minutes of aerobic exercises at home. This is easier for me to practice, of course, because I'm from a generation that didn't spend much time sitting on the couch. We were outside playing, roughhousing, and physically active (pre-TV-computer-video games, of course).

So, considering that I have implemented or regularly practice seven out of the ten steps Dr. Brill recommends, I will give myself an "A-minus" or, at least, a "B-plus." Furthermore, I intend to keep my copy of this book on my kitchen bookshelf and use it as a continual reference about and a constant reminder of what I ought to be doing to maintain my own health. "Cholesterol Down" is a great self-help book and highly recommended.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beat the prescription bind, July 14, 2007

By	Alma H. Bond. "Alma" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

CholesterolDown is a most remarkable book. By following Dr. Brill's 10 simple steps, I was able to lower my cholesterol 30 points in a few weeks, and go off statins. There is an excellent chapter on recipes to lower cholesterol, all of which happen to be relatively simple to prepare as well as delicious. The book is well-written, easy to follow, with appropriate touches of humor. I heartily recommend this book for all who wish to live a longer, healthier life, without enslavement to prescription drugs.- Alma H. Bond, Ph.D., Author of Old Age is a Terminal Illness, Camille Claudel, a Novel, Tales of Psychology, etc. etc.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Results, February 5, 2008

By	Mike Costaglio "Mike C" (San Diego) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

On 11/30/2007 my total cholesterol was 220, LDL 166, HDL 43, and triglycerides 53. My Doctor recommended that I start Lipitor. Before staring Lipitor I researched the drug and side effects and decided that there must be a better way. Today 2/5/2008 after using the "Cholesterol Down" recomendations since 12/15/2007 my cholesterol total is 134, LDL 91, HDL, 31, triglycerides 58. This is an amazing turn around. I did not use the Metamucil as recommended because I was prescribed a blood pressure med at the same time. The concern was that the Metamucil would bind to the blood pressure medication and limit its benefit. I am thrilled and have thanked Janet Brill for showing me the way without drugs. Let me tell you however that you must be dedicated to the diet. It worked for me.