Suzy Cohen--

Recently a reader wrote and asked me about diet and cholesterol:

Dear Pharmacist,
Why do the people in the Mediterranean area have no problems with cholesterol? Is it the red wine and olive oil?
J.S., Ocala, Florida

Answer: People from the Greek island of Crete live longer than most other populations in the world, despite the fact that their diet is significantly higher in fat than what the American Heart Association recommends. Amazingly, these people are about 20 percent less likely to develop and die of coronary artery disease, and they succumb to one-third less cancer than in the United States. On closer examination of their meals, it's clear why.

The people of Crete eat many plant foods that are antioxidant-rich--colorful fruits and veggies. they live on an island, so wild-caught seafood is a staple in their diet, and seafood is rich in heart-healthy nutrients. Most importantly, their diet is free of two bad fats that Americans eat, both known to raise blood cholesterol levels: saturated fats (found primarily in tropical oils and red meat) and trans fats (found in processed foods, margarine, and commercial baked goodies. Trans fats are sometimes called "hydrogenated" oils on labels, and they stick to the insides of your arteries like glue and form gunk.

Better oils include extra virgin cold-pressed olive oil or grapeseed oil. Grapeseed oil can tolerate a higher heat, so it's better than olive oil, which should only be used on low heat.

Mediterraneans like to drink red wine with their meals, but while alcohol may reduce heart attack risk by raising HDL levels and thinning the blood, I think it's destructive to the liver. It also impairs your driving ability and causes uncontrollable giggling, so I think it's better if you just drink grape juice. The powerful antioxidants found in wine are found in the grapes' skin and seeds anyway.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products mentioned or information within this column is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Suzy Cohen, R. Ph., is a licensed pharmacist with nearly 20 years of clinical experience. The author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist (HarperCollins, July '07) and Drug Muggers; she is "America's Most Trusted Pharmacist," and has helped millions of patients in various clinical settings, such as retail, hospital, nursing home pharmacies, and through her nationally syndicated column, "Dear Pharmacist." A former spokesperson for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Suzy Cohen is a member of the Institute of Functional Medicine, The Association of Natural Medicine Pharmacists and The American Pharmacists Association. You can subscribe to Suzy's free weekly newsletter or ask her a question at her DearPharmacist website.

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