Health Matters - London Bridge Hospital

Functional Foods –There are manyfunctional foodson the markettoday in the formof ‘quick shot’yoghurt drinks...but what do theyreally do?Do they really work?Healthy LivingProducts available?How do they work?What is the evidence?How much shouldI have?Is it safe to use themwith cholesterolloweringmedication?Cholesterol Lowering –Plant stanols and sterolsBenecol, Flora pro-activ, Danone Danacol andMini colThey reduce cholesterol absorption from the gut.Both the stanols and sterols have a similar effect,one is not signifi cantly better than the other.2-3g of stanols and sterols per day is the amountthat research has shown to give a benefi cial effecton cholesterol lowering.The benefi cial effect only impacts if therecommended dose is consumed daily.Having more than the recommended amount willhave no greater effect on lowering your cholesterol.The benefi cial effect is lost when you stop consumingthe required amount daily.You require the benefi cial dose of 2-3g of stanolsand sterols per day.If you decide to use these foods, they should beused in place of similar foods you may currently beusing, as these products are more expensive thanstandard spreads, yoghurts and milk.Products containing stanols and sterols are nota substitute for lipid-lowering medication.However, people taking such medication canconsume these products in addition, as they havedifferent methods of action. The overall effect oflowering cholesterol may be greater.Gut Health – ProbioticsYakult, Danone Actimel (have suffi cient bacteriato have effect)Taking probiotics may help to restore the balanceof the gut fl ora.But potentially they could:• Help the body’s defence system by inhibitingthe growth of harmful bacteria• Help to improve digestion and possibly IrritableBowel Syndrome• Help symptoms associated with lactose intolerance• Help to improve quality of life for peoplewith Infl ammatory Bowel DiseaseThe evidence is still being obtained and more researchis required, but they do have the potential to improvegut health.As the evidence is still building, there are no specifi crecommendations. However, if you feel your gut fl oramay be upset, then you could try one of the probioticproducts once a day to see if your symptoms improve.Remember, these products willnot reduce your cholesterol!Susan Kean is the Senior Outpatient Dietitian at London Bridge Hospital. Susan can provide dietetic advice for a variety ofareas, including weight loss, Diabetes, cholesterol reduction, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Gout, Fatty Liver Disease and manymore. For queries about nutrition, making referrals or appointments, please contact Susan on 020 7234 2282 or via email,susan.kean@hcahealthcare.co.uk11