AboutTodd Bublitz, RCEP Expertise I can answer questions on Cholesterol & Lipids. I can explain how diet can and cannot improve your cholesterol & triglyceride levels.
Experience I have 17 years experience in cardiovascular disease prevention, rehabilitation and education. Researcher in cardiovascular exercise, cardiac function and cardiac testing. I developed and maintain Lipid-Clinic.com
Also run Nuclear Cardiology Research Organizations National Lipid Association
American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
Question Hi. I have trouble keeping my cholesterol as low as it should be despite a sensible diet and exercise. I usually use skimmed milk in tea and coffee and for cooking, but have recently tried soy milk and find that I like it. Is this better for my cholesterol level than skimmed milk?
Answer Sue,
Depending on the brand, soy milk may have more saturated fat than skim milk (which should have no saturated fat). This means that soy milk will be worse for your cholesterol level than skim milk.
Lowering cholesterol with diet alone can seem like a futile effort sometimes. The reason is that our cholesterol levels are mainly determined by our genes (about 85-95%) and only minimally by our diets (about 5-15%). Some studies have shown that there are certain people who have virtually no change in their cholesterol levels with changes in their diet.
Lowering your cholesterol by worrying about what you put in your coffee seems like you are putting your efforts in the wrong place. Milk in tea and coffee is such a small amount it will have virtually no effect on your cholesterol level.
