First of its kind study proves food intervention can be as effective as medications for lowering cholesterol

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (January 26, 2022) — High cholesterol, a major risk factor for heart disease, affects nearly 94 million Americans and 1 in 2 adults age 50 and older. While most doctors are quick to prescribe drugs (such as statins) for treatment, a new study points to an alternative food-based efficacy for the millions of affected Americans, especially those who may be concerned about drug side effects .

The results of a groundbreaking study, published in the Nutrition Magazineshowed that for many people a “food as medicine” approach can be as effective as cholesterol-lowering drugs, without the need for drastic lifestyle changes.

“Based on the results seen in our study, using this type of food as a medication approach expands options for medical professionals and patients,” said Stephen Kopecky, MD, FACC, cardiologist and director of the Food Intolerance Clinic. Mayo Clinic Statins. “Many patients who are unwilling or unable to take statins can be helped to control their high cholesterol or hyperlipidemia with a realistic food-based intervention.”

By substituting just a small portion of what hyperlipidemic patients ate with Step One Foods (a twice-daily dosed feeding system with products precisely formulated to help lower LDL cholesterol), researchers found rapid and highly significant cholesterol reductions . Ultimately, participants saw an average 9% drop in LDL (bad) cholesterol within 30 days, with some experiencing LDL cholesterol reductions of more than 30%.

This first-of-its-kind international multicenter free-living study was conducted at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and the University of Manitoba Richardson Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The study, which followed a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, was conducted by Soumya Alias ​​of the University of Manitoba; Peter JH Jones, Richardson Center for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals; Elizabeth Klodas, MD, Founder and Medical Director of Step One Foods and Stephen L. Kopecky, MD, Mayo Clinic.

During the intervention phase, participants ate a variety of Step One Foods whole-food-based snacks, from chocolate bars to strawberry-banana smoothies, that were made entirely with real ingredients, like nuts, and are known to have a positive impact on cholesterol profiles. These study foods were specifically formulated to provide a nutrient package of whole dietary fiber, plant sterols, ALA omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. Participants were instructed to consume these snacks in exchange for similar foods they were already consuming.

The researchers also compared the results of Step One Foods with comparable leading supermarket brands that are considered “better-for-you” foods. Each participant consumed these leading brands for 30 days. No reductions in cholesterol were observed during this phase of the study.

“Nutrition contributes to 5 of the 7 modifiable risk factors for heart disease, but getting patients to change their diet is incredibly challenging,” said Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC. “This study underscores what is possible when we are successful. The implications of achieving such a significant impact on cholesterol from a small food-based intervention are profound. We could change the health of our country in 30 days.”

For more information about this study or Step One Foods, visit https://www.steponefoods.com/.

About First Step Foods
Step One Foods is a twice-daily dosed feeding system with products precisely formulated to help lower LDL cholesterol. All foods are made entirely from real ingredients (such as walnuts, almonds, flax, chia, and berries) known to positively impact cholesterol profiles, and each serving contains precise amounts of fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, plant sterols and antioxidants widely documented to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health.