The Cholesterol Health Myth

What's the cholesterol health myth? The lower your cholesterol, the healthier you'll be. FALSE!

There was a study in the European Heart Journal 1997, indicating that low cholesterol was related increased lung cancer and other cancers, high risk of cardiac deaths, erectile dysfunction, infertility and loss of memory and loss of mental focus.

There was also a Swedish researcher, Uffe Ravnskov, MD, PhD, who discovered that people with low cholesterol levels suffered from frequent and severe infections. And the people with high cholesterol had a lower mortality rate than the average population.

A University of San Diego School of Medicine study gives further evidence of the benefits of cholesterol.

Higher levels can protect against environmental toxins, neurotoxins and cancer. Low levels showed a risk for heart arrythmias.

Despite years of prescribing statin drugs to lower cholesterol, it hasn't improved the death rate from heart disease.

Cholesterol is made in the liver. It's a fatty, waxy-like substance that is used to produce vitamin D in the body as well as hormones and bile acids. It's a source of energy, it produces cell membranes, it helps our body dispose of toxins and is essential to life.

The Good, also known as High Density Lipoproteins (or HDL) refers to lipoproteins. They actually pick up the excess fatty substances in the blood stream and redirect it to the liver where it can then be properly disposed of.

Being that it is a naturally produced substance in the body, it is required to help the body replace hair, nails and skin, and to build muscle and bone. Let's not forget that it is also essential for brain function.

The Bad, also known as Low Density Lipoproteins (or LDL) refers to lipoproteins. Instead of directing the excess fatty substances to the liver for disposal, it keeps circulating in the bloodstream where it begins to build up in your blood vessels. In time, this build up can restrict blood flow, turn to plaque inside the arteries, and lead to coronary heart disease. So we know that extremely high amounts of it in the bloodstream can lead to heart disease.

I have a simpe trick to help me remember which is which.

Though heredity is a contributing factor, it can also be caused by an imbalanced diet, by being overweight and by a lack of exercise.

Most people are unaware increased stress levels release a hormone called cortisol and raises insulin levels. This creates a condition in the body that causes plaque to develop in the arteries.

Despite contrary belief, saturated fat has no impact on LDL levels. The liver doesn't use any kind of fat to make cholesterol. It makes VLDL which is then converted into LDL. VLDL and LDL are totally unrealated. (www.redflagsweekly.com/kendrick2002_dec12.html)

People with diabetes who do not closely monitor their condition and post-menopausal women are also considered to be in high-risk categories.

Let me preface this by saying, don't stop your medication without talking to your doctor.

While all the TV drug adds have us convinced that we are going to die if our total cholesterol level is over 200, we may not be getting the whole unbiased picture.

Dr. William Campbell Douglass, stated that a recent study, led by Steven Reichman, a professor of health at Texas A&M University, discovered that low levels of cholesterol can actually reduce the beneficial muscle gain from exercising.

The researchers looked at 55 healthy men and women in their 60s. Dr. Douglass states, "Overall, the study concluded that there was a significant link between dietary cholesterol and the increase in strength: Those with the higher cholesterol intake had the most muscle strength gain. What's more, the test subjects who were taking cholesterol-lowering drugs showed lower muscle gain than those who were not."

Dr. Steven Komadina states in his book, Born To Be Healthy & Thin, first we were told that cholesterol was the problem with our health and heart disease. As a result we were told to eat no fat or low fat and to increase the complex carbohydrates and whole grains. Statistics show that heart disease increased instead of decreasing. Interestingly, the incidence of depression, obesity and autoimmune diseases increased. He believes people who do the best, have a total cholesterol health level in the 160-220 range.

The prescribing of medications such as Lipitor, Crestor etc, known as statins, are at an alltime high. We are not telling you to stop your medication. However it is important for anyone who is prescribed these medications to understand there are risks involved with taking them. In my natural health class, Steven Horne, pointed out these staggering side effects.

We are simply suggesting that you do your own research and talk to your healthcare professional about your cholesterol health to see what is the best choice for you.

Patients who are prescribed statin drugs may not be aware of the natural methods available to them. Simple diet adjustments like adding more high fiber foods or even taking a fiber supplement will help improve your cholesterol health. Cholesterol will attach to fiber and be flushed out of the body. If you don't have enough fiber in your system it just gets re-absorbed back into your system.

Even getting the right amount of daily exercise is a great start.

Red Yeast Rice, an all natural supplement, contains lovastatin, which also happens to be a statin that is contained in prescription cholesterol reducing drugs such as Mevacor and Altocor. This is a more natural remedy option.

Another way to help control your cholesterol is to increase your antioxidants. Fresh colorful fruits and vegetables. If you don't eat enough for good cholesterol health, then consider taking high quality super supplements.

While poor diet, lack of exercise, and even heredity factors make it easy to increase your cholesterol health risks, it'sreally easy to correct those conditions with a few healthy lifestyle adjustments.

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