Cholesterol Malpractice

Guilty…Cholesterol Malpractice

Here’s a scoop that may shock you! Cholesterol is not the major culprit in heart disease. For many this may be hard to believe! We are forever hearing about the dangers of high cholesterol, but the truth is high cholesterol levels or foods containing cholesterol are NOT the culprits in heart disease. In fact the liver produces approximately 80% of the body’s cholesterol. Further, anything with a liver will produce cholesterol.  So animal and fish products will contain cholesterol.  Plant foods will have zero cholesterol.

The fact is cellular inflammation is the major contributor to heart disease and many other physical ills such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Cholesterol is akin to the body’s very own Search & Rescue Special Ops Team, attempting to combat and remedy cellular inflammation.

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found in blood lipids (fats) and all cells within the body. Its existence is important because it’s used to form cell membranes. Cholesterol also supports the manufacture of bile (which helps digest fats) and is also important for the metabolism of fat soluble vitamins. It is the major precursor for the synthesis of vitamin D and numerous steroidal hormones in both men and women. 

Some of these include the adrenal hormones cortisol and aldosterone, as well as sex hormones progesterone, estrogens and testosterone.

Unfortunately cholesterol has been wrongly accused of a crime it did not commit.

Circumstantial evidence summarily charges and convicts cholesterol as the perpetrator of heart attacks. Arterial inspection of someone at risk of heart attack reveals levels of cholesterol and plaque buildup are significantly high. This is the body’s response to inflammation…send in the Search & Rescue Team…immediately!

Cholesterol, ie the "S&R Team" is actually being transported to tissues as part of an ANTI-inflammatory response in an effort to repair damage. Essentially cholesterol will only lodge itself onto the artery and cause plaque residue if the artery has become (inflammed) damaged. Inflammation in the artery is what causes this damage. In fact, it is now known that the coronary disease that causes heart attacks is considered to be caused mostly from chronic inflammation.

Blaming cholesterol for heart attacks is akin to blaming increased police patrols in a high crime area. It’s not the police that caused the crime; they’re deployed in response to increased crime.

If cholesterol is present as a reactive response to (inflamed) damaged cells, what then is the proactive response in order to decrease and minimize cell inflammation and therefore prevent cholesterol binding to arteries as arterial plaque?

Simply stated decrease all those things that cause inflammation and increase the things that reduce inflammation.

First and foremost quit eating foods that cause inflammation in your body. Any food that causes a fast rise in blood insulin levels will quickly cause inflammation in the body. These foods are: sugar of all forms, most grains, many dairy products and almost all packaged and processed foods. What does this leave you with?

Fresh, wholesome foods such as vegetables, lean animal proteins, nuts and lots of water. Also, taking in lots of omega-3 rich foods will dramatically decrease inflammation in the body (salmon, eggs, walnuts and sardines), all of which besides the nuts contain cholesterol, salmon and sardines being the highest...ironically high cholesterol and high fat foods are ACTUALLY healthy!

Remember, there are high fat foods and there are foods that cause fat gain, but that's another article.

Pop an anti-cholesterol pill and continue with the same inflammatory eating habits? Good one! Laugh or cringe, but this represents the mindset for many health practitioners and "cholesterol victims". 

This ridiculous notion is like applying band-aids to cut feet and continuing to walk on broken glass with barefeet!

Statins are the medication of choice for lowering cholesterol, but remember cell inflammation is the cause of the problem not the cholesterol. Engaging in PRO-inflammatory eating habits and a life-long dependance on medication will be the norm, as it is for many with high cholesterol.

Keep popping all is well! As with any medication there are side effects: fatigue, headaches, nausea, severe muscular pains and muscle degeneration to name a few.  Medicate with a drug in an attempt to offset poor nutrition and lifestyle habits, grand!

Here's a tip; stop consuming the food WE ALL KNOW to be unhealthy and move a little, like an hour a day. That’ll be a great start to a healthier heart. Haven’t the time? If that’s the case your time (longevity) is being compromised by not making the TIME!

Remember cholesterol is essential for the formation of cell membranes, taking a drug that is drastically lowering cholesterol may be causing membrane damage in neural and muscle tissue. Not surprisingly most people on Statins complain of neck, back or leg pain. Another reason to stop eating junk and MOVE!

Millions of people world-wide are now on cholesterol lowering drugs, but the number of people suffering from heart attacks and heart disease is only increasing. Go figure!

Taking personal responsibility for your health and truly getting to the root of the problem is the proactive way to minimizing heart disease.

Managing your nutrition and activity and avoiding those foods that are causing an inflammatory response in your body is your first step to decreasing your chance of heart disease and heart attacks.

If you carry body fat around your stomach your risk of heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure amongst others is inevitable and your lifespan is being compromised.