LDL cholesterol size: does it matter?

This post features a synopsis about a study published in Swiss Medical Weekly 2 0 0 4 ; 1 3 4 : 7 2 0 – 7 2 4 and a recipe for pork and chicken stir fry

Study title and authors:                                                                                                          Books:

LDL size: does it matter?
Kaspar Berneisa, Manfredi Rizzob
a University Hospital Bruderholz, Department of Internal Medicine, Switzerland
b Department of Clinical Medicine and Emerging Diseases, University of Palermo, Italy

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.endokrinologie-dim.usz.ch/Documents/HealthProfessionals/Fortbildungsartikel/LDLsize.pdf

Berneisa reviewed the evidence concerning LDL cholesterol size and disease.

There are basically two different types of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). These are classified as (good) pattern A which are large and 'fluffy' and (bad) pattern B which are small and 'dense'.

Berneisa notes that:
(a) Pattern B small dense LDL have been accepted as a heart disease risk factor.
(b) Pattern B small dense LDL are associated with a greater than two fold increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
(c) It has been shown that a very low fat, high carbohydrate diet can increase pattern B LDL.
(d) High fat diets are associated with an increase of pattern A large LDL and a decrease of pattern B small dense LDL.

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Recipe of the day

Pork and Chicken Stir Fry

Serves 6

Ingredients:

1 lb boneless chicken                                                                                      Food Mall: Pork Chops

1 lb boneless pork chops

1 12 oz pre-cut broccoli

1 12 oz julienne vegetable mix

1 6 oz container whole button mushrooms

5 T olive oil

1 t pepper

2 T chopped garlic

1 t crushed red pepper

1 T roasted sesame seeds

Instructions:

Preheat 12 inch non-stick skillet or wok to medium high.

In batches so as not to crowd, stir fry chicken and pork with olive oil and pepper (3 batches requires 1 T olive oil for each). Takes 1-2 minutes for each batch.

Remove cooked meat from pan and set aside.

Add 1 T olive oil to pan with broccoli and julienne vegetables. Cover skillet with lid 3 - 4 minutes.

Remove lid and stir fry by tossing consistently for 1 minute. Clear area in center of pan with spoon and add garlic and red pepper. Cook 1 minute. Toss and then add mushrooms, olive oil and stir fried meat back to pan. Cover and heat 2-3 minutes.

Turn off heat and transfer stir fry to large serving platter and garnish with roasted sesame seeds.