Get Well Wednesdays, Maria Bella, nutrition, wellness

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Maria Alexandra Bella, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. is founder and registered dietitian at Top Balance Nutrition, a private practice with offices in New York City and Miami. Founded in 2008, Top Balance Nutrition employs registered dietitians and personal trainers offering individual and group nutrition consultations, corporate wellness programs, and personal training packages.

Maria is certified in Adult Weight Management and is a specialist in dietary cholesterol management, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and general nutrition concerns.

Maria’s passion for the field stems from years of education, but also from a personal weight loss of over 70 pounds, which got her started in this field. Maria understands the struggles of those trying to change their lifestyle and eating habits. Her approach is based on balance and moderation instead of deprivation.

Maria has been quoted in leading national publications such as Oprah Magazine, Oxygen, Prevention, Men’s Fitness, Fox News and International Business Times. Additionally, Maria authored The Complete Idiot’s Guide to The Acid Reflux Diet, which was published in January 2012.

Maria completed her Masters in Clinical Nutrition at New York University and her Dietetic Residency at New York University Langone Medical Center. She is an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Weight Management, Behavioral Health, and Vegetarian Nutrition practice groups), the Greater New York Dietetic Association, the National Lipid Association, and the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

Film Documents Heart Felt Stories of People Living with High LDL Cholesterol

Managing cholesterol is a private, emotional fight against a condition that cannot be seen or felt. Now, a new film highlights individuals around the world who are connected by one common goal: speaking up to help take down cholesterol. Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. engaged Academy Award(r) winning documentarian Cynthia Wade to direct Heart Felt, a film that encourages conversations between patients and their healthcare providers about high LDL cholesterol (LDL-C, or bad cholesterol). Starting today, you can watch Heart Felt HERE.

“I have always been creatively inspired by the power of human emotions, and directing this film allowed me to reveal the very real, personal stories behind the fight against high bad cholesterol,” says Wade. “Cholesterol is one of those words that comes up in health conversations, but how many people really understand why it matters? I wanted to help others see what living with high bad cholesterol really means for patients and the healthcare providers, family and friends who may be caring for them.”

The film chronicles 19 real-life stories of managing high LDL-C (bad cholesterol) from the perspectives of patients, caregivers and healthcare providers from three different continents, five countries, and nine cities.

Click through to the next page for Maria Bella’s answers to your high cholesterol, diet and nutrition questions. 

Is it true that a silver ring around the eye pupils means high cholesterol ?

You need to see your MD about this. Your doctor will need to look and probably run some tests to establish an accurate diagnosis. Please do not wait to schedule an appointment!

Is a low fat diet good? My cardiologist wants me on that.

It could be good if it is low in saturated and trans fats, but also high in fiber. Eat LEAN protein – chicken without skin, turkey, fish of any kind, yogurt with every meal and snack combined with any fruit or vegetable. You can get creative with your meals: egg whites with black beans and salsa for breakfast – lean protein and fiber = WIN.

Does red yeast rice help reduce bad cholesterol?

Possibly, but many of the supplements sold over the counter in this country are not regulated. Please discuss with your physician before taking any over-the-counter supplement.

Can people with irritable bowl syndrome do juicing?

Not the best idea. For those prone to diarrhea, the sugar in the juice may further exacerbate the symptoms. For those prone to constipation, the lack of fiber in juicing can exacerbate the constipation. Lean protein in tender poultry and fish is great for IBS. Cooked veggies are often better tolerated than raw. Look into the FODMAP diet for IBS. Kate Scarlata, RD, is one of the leading experts in the country who has authored many books on the condition with recipes included.

Is brown rice and whole wheat pasta healthier than white rice or regular pasta?

Yes because there is substantially more fiber. Now there is a great device called a spiralizer and a website that has tons of recipes. It turns any vegetable into pasta!

Is drinking tart cherry juice good for lowering cholesterol?

It is great for reducing post-exercise muscle soreness. Be careful to purchase cherry juice without added sugar. To avoid consuming extra calories, freeze cherry juice in ice cubes and add it to your water.

What does the doctor think about detoxing programs for 10 – 13 days? If they’re okay, which ones does she recommend?

I would recommend avoiding them. You can lose 10 pounds a month and lower your cholesterol with diet and lifestyle modifications without resorting to “detox” programs. Promise! If you want to detox, remove all packaged items from your diet for two weeks and try eating only natural foods such as chicken, fish, lean meats without visible marbling, veggies with seasonings, sweet potatoes or brown rice. You will immediately feel better. One small glass of wine per occasion is allowed.

I’ve been slowly lowering my bad cholesterol but not raising the good. What ways can I raise the good?

Exercise, exercise, exercise and small amounts of good fat with meals and snacks. People think that good fat is great for you and they LOAD up on it. In reality, good fat is still high in calories and can lead to weight gain if consumed in large quantities. 1/4 of an avocado, 1 TB of olive oil or any other oil, 10 olives, 10-15 nuts = one serving of healthy fat. Have ONE serving per meal or snack to get the benefits without weight gain.

If you are on cholesterol meds is there a point when it can cause liver issues?

This all depends on your past and current medical history. You need to discuss this with your doctor. Once you go on a medication, you need to have regular follow-up visits with your MD as well.

My test just taken gave these results:  Triglycerides 209 LOL – P 1379 This test was done at a festival. What should I do to reduce the numbers? Will fish oil tablets lower my cholesterol?

Fish oil tablets are great. Please consider doing some research and purchasing those from a reliable manufacturer. But fish oil tablets alone will do very little unless significant lifestyle changes are made as well.

Why does a person keep having high cholesterol when they do all the right things? Could it be hereditary? Also, does high cholesterol cause heart disease?

There is a hereditary component. However, please write down everything that you do for a day. Make sure that your weight is within normal range. Please make sure that your total fiber intake is consistently at around 30 grams with soluble fiber around 15 grams per day (there are great charts online). Fiber should ideally come from natural sources. Many packaged items have chemical ingredients that should be avoided.

My good cholesterol is always high but my total is over 200. What should I do? I eat healthy and exercise 3 to 4 times per week. I also have a family history of high cholesterol. Do I need to take a statin? My doctor does not recommend it.

Please read the answers to the other questions and visit HERE for additional tips. Consistency is important. Diet is essential, but try making the recommended changes and sticking to them for at least 12 weeks before getting re-tested, without cheating.

Butter versus margarine? Meat versus bread? Which is better in regards to cholesterol?

Neither butter nor margarine. Small quantities of olive oil. Walnut oil is really high in omega 3 content, but all oils are high in calories. Practice moderation. Meat, but VERY lean meat without any visible marbling. Flaxseed crackers if you are craving starch as they are super high in healthy fat and fiber.

What does a high fiber diet to to counteract sugars and lower cholesterol?

In a simplified way, high fiber blocks the cholesterol receptors, forming a gel-like substance promoting cholesterol excretion. So it is important to get at least 5 grams of fiber with every meal and snack! A sugar-free product without any fiber is useless. Also, labels do not differentiate between natural and added sugar. If you are buying a product with all natural sugar such as an apple or a pineapple – don’t worry about the grams of sugar in it.

I was discouraged when the doctor told me that my bad cholesterol was down but my triglycerides were high. What is the relationship between the two and how to remedy it?

I am not sure how high your triglycerides are. We usually recommend a low fat and a fairly low carbohydrate diet for elevated triglycerides. I suggest about 75 grams of carbohydrates a day. Recipes such as egg whites with spreadable goat cheese and veggies for breakfast, turkey burger wrapped in lettuce for lunch, rotisserie chicken without skin with baked carrot fries for dinner. Apple with 15 nuts as a snack or pear with reduced fat string cheese. Increased alcohol consumption or very high carbohydrate intake can be linked to increased triglyceride levels.

Is eating oatmeal daily good for lowering your cholesterol?

Maybe. Depends of whether it’s total cholesterol or elevated triglycerides. I don’t think oatmeal is filling by itself. Consider mixing in a yogurt once it’s ready to make it creamier.

What can I do to lower my cholesterol?

If overweight, consider losing just 10 pounds. Increase total fiber to 30 grams per day from natural foods (any fruit and any vegetable has fiber). When reading labels, stay away from saturated and trans fats. Keep saturated fat to less than 15 grams per day and trans fat to zero. Exercise: anything counts. If you can aim for 10,000 steps per day – great start!!!

My 14-year-old’s cholesterol number  is 179. She is 96lbs. My husband and I have lower levels. I don”t understand. Do you have any suggestions?

I would talk to your physician. I have not met your daughter. Sometimes we see elevated cholesterol levels in young girls with eating disorders. If she is healthy, I would ensure proper levels of exercise, adequate fiber intake and a balanced diet. This is a great age to instill healthy habits that last a lifetime. Young people are more driven by vanity at this age then cholesterol, but once we strike the right cord, they are more than willing to try and incorporate new foods, recipes and lifestyle modifications.

I have lost 124 pounds. What foods are highest in fiber?

WOW. CONGRATS. There are great lists on line, but one cup berries = 8 grams. One cup artichoke hearts = 10 (they are sold frozen and you can roast them, or buy canned in water and put on your salad), 1/2 cup beans or legumes = 8 grams, one apple = 3 grams, one banana = 2 grams + turnips, parsnips and asparagus are very high. Consider making baked parsnip fries – they are yummy. Making butternut squash soup or buying organic in a can is a good idea. Mix in a plain Greek yogurt once it’s ready to make it super creamy. Spaghetti squash is an easy substitution for pasta. It is called spaghetti squash because it comes out in strands. I microwave it and then use sauce and lean turkey meatballs for dinner. There are great recipes for cauliflower pizza with cauliflower being the crust – easy to make with only 4 ingredients.

I’ve been taking fish oil for five yrs and my numbers are not where they should be. My doctor put me on gemfibrozil 600mg twice a day. I stopped the fish oil but my numbers still not where they should be, so she said to continue both.  Is there a chance that it will make any difference? I’m also a diabetic and I know how one thing affects another.  I’m also on a new med called Farxiga to go along with metformin to control my blood sugar! I’m a little discouraged about these two new medications that I’ve never heard of. 

1. I would make sure to address any weight issues if there are any; 2. Fish oil: important to research reliable brand. 3. Diet: I would recommend taking out all processed foods and anything packaged out of your diet. Consider having natural lean protein with a fruit or a vegetable high in fiber spaced out every four hours. If you start out on any lifestyle changes, I would give it 12 weeks of consistent change before you go back for a repeat blood work without any cheating to see how the changes are paying off. Please do not be discouraged. It seems that your situation can be changed, but I would recommend someone who can do detailed meal planning with you every week or two weeks to ensure you see results!!!

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