Cranberry Juice For Lowering Ldl

Absolute LDL levels are not the only factor to consider when determining cardiovascular risk. When discussing the health of an individual, you must always consider the LDL:HDL ratio. This is ultimately what determines how much free LDL is present, which directly correlates with the degree of atherosclerosis. Natural foods such as cranberries can combat the negative effects of high LDL.

LDL:HDL Ratio

HDL acts as sort of a clean up molecule; surveying the blood, collecting loose LDL particles and removing them. HDL provides a mechanism for the trafficking of free LDL particles to the liver for storage. Ultimately, what concerns your physician is the amount of free LDL present; the higher the level, the more likely these particles will become oxidized and inflict damage on vascular tissues. This is one of the primary causes of atherosclerosis.

Expert Insight

According to an article published in 2002 by a group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, cranberries contain flavonoids, which have demonstrated inhibition of LDL oxidation, platelet aggregation and vessel inflammation. In other words, flavonoids combat the most damaging aspects of atherosclerosis and vascular disease.

Natural Therapy

According to an August 2005 article in "Life Sciences," researchers at Cornell University found that cranberry extracts inhibit the damaging oxidation of LDL molecules and also improve the removal of excess LDL by increasing receptor production in the liver (another common mechanism for clearing out extra LDL). Other molecules similarly act to increase HDL levels, thus improving the LDH:HDL ratio to a level less likely to promote atherosclerosis and hypertension.

Theories/Speculation

This all comes back to one of the most common medical conditions in the United States: atherosclerosis. Many different cell types are involved in the process, many of which show inhibitory responses to cranberry flavonoids. White blood cells of all sorts tend to localize to sites of atherosclerosis, attracted by the presence of oxidized LDL. Inhibition of these inflammatory cells by cranberry components attenuates the damaging effects of inflammation.

Time Frame

The positive anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of flavonoids are long term. They should not be thought of as acute interventional therapies, but as preventative supplements. Always discuss changes in your diet with a physician.