Nature Health: Cholesterol lowering foods

Q. I read with interest your advice on cholesterol lowering foods. I was surprised to see you exclude peanuts. I had understood that peanuts were also okay.

Can you tell me why they should be avoided? I have been including peanut butter in my diet in an effort to lower my cholesterol.

A. It is possible to keep peanuts in your diet and lower your cholesterol. Peanuts are thought to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, due to the fact that regular consumption of raw peanuts lowers triglyceride levels.