"What studies exist on gynostemma all seem to have looked at effects in cell cultures and on rodents (i.e. rats and guinea pigs). No human trials. Given the problems that have surfaced on closer examination of some "traditional Chinese medicines", I'm not sure I'd want to be a human guinea pig for gynostemma." On the contrary, the Chinese have done all the field trials you could want on this. Jiaogulan tea is quite popular in the areas of China where people have enjoyed extreme longevity (100+) for centuries. Now, while that doesn't PROVE Jiagulan is good for you, if it was toxic it's unlikely regular users would live LONGER than average. Remember that most clinical trials in the USA are done for profit, pure and simple. Come up with a new cholesterol drug you can patent, and you'll get your study. But imagine this: someone decides to do a clinical trial to prove that drinking distilled water is good for you. They spend 50 Million dollars proving this. Now, they publish their results. How do they make their money back? The water market is already saturated, so to speak. Making money selling water usually requires fringe science claims that the water has been 'de-polarized' by spinning in a centrifuge for ten hours. Not kidding, BTW. So, the only studies you'll see on "wellness" items are going to be smaller, University studies. It's surprising even ginseng attracted enough attention to be studied, much less exotics like Jiaogulan.

I have an alternative diet too and my numbers are amazing! I eat a lot of fats too (olive oil, walnut oil, avocadoes, egg yolks, meats, nuts) but no processed fat foods ever. I will have a dessert though and eat chocolate (85% dark). Sorry, my numbers are different in Canada. Chol - 3.81 HDL - 2.06 LDL - 1.55 Chol/HDL ration - 1.8 Before when I used to eat low fat (standard diet) I felt horrible! Harvard created their own pyramid and I would trust that one over the SAD one. My weight hasn't changed ever so it's not from losing weight either. I always kept my weight at a healthy one. http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/pyramid/

Shirley, I read your post just now while eating oat bran. LOL Usually I cook it in a bowl in the microwave, sometimes adding raisins before cooking. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of cinnamon. Occasionally I stir in some applesauce after cooking. Tonight I was eating it uncooked, mixed with wheat germ and some raisins and walnuts, and sweetened slightly with one drop of stevia. Cooked or uncooked, I eat it with soymilk. Actually, oat bran is very much on my mind right now because I have to launder a shirt and shorts that are covered with it. I fell down my porch steps this evening while holding a bowl of cooked oat bran and soymilk, and it got all over me--hair, arms, clothes. What a mess. I don't know how it happened. My DS was right there, and he doesn't know how it happened either. I'm just glad I didn't reinjure my bad knee. Anyway, I didn't get to eat any of it, so that's why I was eating it uncooked a little later.

I had my annual physical at the end of May, and my cholesterol was 299. I immediately cut out all sugar and refined carbs and trans fats. I walked 40 minutes a day. I ate healthy low-carb whole foods like baked or grilled chicken, wild salmon, grass-fed beef maybe once a week, fish, eggs, legumes (primarily red or black beans), LOTS of vegetables (but no potatoes), avocados, and some fruit (mostly berries and apples). Healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil and extra virgin coconut oil. I never felt deprived or hungry. For snacks, I ate nuts, mostly almonds and walnuts, but also some pecans and pistachios. One of my favorite snacks is apple pieces dipped into almond butter. Homemade kale chips are good, too. For beverages, I stuck to water and lots of it, and tea (green, white or Rooibos). I took a high quality fish oil supplement, not the ones you buy at the grocery store. And for a sweetener, I use "Just Like Sugar." I like it better than Stevia and you definitely want to avoid aspartame. Although after a short while of no sweets, I lost my desire for them and seldom used the Just Like Sugar. After 3 months (and 20 pounds lighter) I had my cholesterol re-checked and it was down to 224. I don't need to lose much more weight, but I'm going to continue on this eating plan because I feel soooo much better. I think the key is to reduce inflammation, I think that is the real culprit to much of what ails us. Good luck to your SO. He's a lucky man to have you helping him and looking out for him!