RD Foods introduces Right Direction Cookies

02/02/06 RD Foods has launched Right Direction Cookies™, a line of chocolate chip cookies shown in clinical studies to significantly decrease total cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol, to the U.S. marketplace. Created by two registered dieticians, Right Direction Cookies, www.rightdirectioncookies.com, contain two ingredients shown in clinical studies to be effective in lowering cholesterol -- soluble fiber and plant sterols.

A study presented in January on the cholesterol-lowering effects of this specially formulated chocolate chip cookie won first place at the 3rd Annual Scripp's Integrative Medicine Conference of Natural Supplements in La Jolla, CA.

Study results indicate patients who ate two chocolate chip Right Direction Cookies each day for 30 days showed a significant drop in total cholesterol from 217 mg/dL to 203 mg/dL and in LDL cholesterol from 133 mg/dL to 120 mg/dL with Right Direction Cookies versus placebo.

High cholesterol is reaching epidemic proportions in the United States. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), at least 50 percent of the American adult population, or almost 107 million people, have high cholesterol, a total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or higher.

Active ingredients in the cookie line, soluble fiber and plant sterols, have shown in clinical studies to be effective in lowering cholesterol. People who consume 7 grams of soluble fiber from psyllium and 2-3 grams of plant sterols daily can help reduce cholesterol by 17 percent.

Two chocolate chip Right Direction Cookies contain 10 grams of dietary fiber, including 8 grams of soluble fiber (as much as 3 cups of cooked oatmeal), and 2.6 grams of plant sterols (as much as 3 cups of sunflower seeds).

Soluble fiber absorbs water, cholesterol, fat and bile, carrying them through the digestive tract and out of the body in the stool. Good sources of soluble fiber include oats, beans, peas and psyllium.

Plant sterols are a naturally occurring component present in many fruits and vegetables including broccoli and green beans. Science shows plant sterols lower blood cholesterol by blocking cholesterol absorption from food during digestion. On average, adults consume 0.2-0.4 grams of plant sterols per day versus the recommended 2-3 grams of plant sterols daily to help reduce cholesterol.