DEBUNKING THE CHOLESTEROL MYTH

Cholesterol Myths


So how confused are you with the whole issue of cholesterol. If you are like most people and are concerned about your health you have most likely been told to watch your levels of “good” and “bad” cholesterol. We have been erroneously led to believe that there exists such a thing as good and bad cholesterol and that cholesterol-lowering drugs are the answer when cholesterol levels get too high.

Is this really true or is this just misinformation or marketing strategies designed by pharmaceutical companies to sell more drugs? In this BLOG I will offer information that debunks 3 myths surrounding this cholesterol confusion.

Myth #1: There is “good” and “bad” cholesterol.
In reality there is no such thing as bad or good cholesterol. There is just cholesterol. We are led to believe that LDL equals bad cholesterol and that HDL equals good cholesterol. Well nothing could be further from the truth. LDL which stands for Low Density Lipoprotein and HDL stands for High Density Lipoprotein. These molecules are protein, not cholesterol. Cholesterol is a fatty waxy molecule that is produced in the liver. It is not water soluble, which means that it cannot be transported in blood vessels by itself. It is transported from the liver to the rest of the body by…guess who? LDL. Guess who transports cholesterol from the rest of the body back to the liver to be recycled…? You guessed it, HDL. Cholesterol is not bad. In fact, it is essential. Cholesterol is the precursor to steroid hormones such as testosterone, oestrogen, and cortisol. It is also a key component in cellular membranes. So, it plays an important role in healing and cellular replacement. You need cholesterol to make new cells. One valid concern surrounding LDL is not its quantity in the blood, but its particle size. Small LDL particles can become lodged between tiny gaps in blood vessel walls. If they remain there they become oxidized and turn rancid which results in inflammation, which leads me to…

Myth #2: High cholesterol causes cardiovascular disease.
It is not the cholesterol, but the small LDL particles that get stuck in the arteries, become oxidized, turn rancid, and result in inflammation that lead to cardiovascular disease. It is this chronic inflammation that leads to plaquing or scarring of vessel walls. The high cholesterol levels are really your body trying to heal damaged tissue by cellular replacement, which requires cholesterol. Larger LDL particles pass freely through blood vessels transporting cholesterol without becoming stuck. LDL particle size is not routinely tested for, nor do cholesterol drugs regulate particle size. The only way to ensure that your LDL particles are of the larger variety is through proper diet.


Myth #3: Cholesterol Lowering Drugs reduce your risk of heart disease.
There is no doubt that cholesterol-lowering drugs are successful at lowering cholesterol. However, results are mixed as to whether or not they actually prevent heart disease. Some say yes, while others report that these drugs may actually increase risk of heart disease. What physicians commonly overlook is that patients taking cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Statins become depleted of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) which leads to fatigue, soreness, muscle weakness, and heart failure. Regardless of whether or not a drug decreases the risk of heart disease associated with cholesterol, the fact is that people don’t develop heart disease because they have a lack of statin drugs in their bodies. Outside of a small percentage of people with a genetic disorder called hypercholesterolemia, which requires medication to control, most can achieve optimal cholesterol levels, LDL particle size, and eliminate the associated inflammation through healthy lifestyle choices. Follow these recommendations from Dr. Joseph Mercola if you want to truly normalize your cholesterol levels and decrease inflammation:

o Normalize your insulin levels by decreasing or eliminating sugar and grains from your diet.
o Start taking a quality fish oil supplement that is full of beneficial Omega 3 fatty acids.
o Have your iron levels checked. Excess iron can cause oxidative damage to blood vessels and is a contributing factor to cancer risk.
o Get regular exercise.
o Reduce emotional stress
o If you are a smoker, stop today. No excuses!

Whatever you do, don’t fall victim to the false belief that cholesterol is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and that you must have drugs to manage it. Instead, let your body regulate your cholesterol the way that it was designed to do. Your body depends on you to make the right lifestyle choices to keep it healthy and fit. Please share this message with friends and family. It may very well save a life. If you have health concerns or need help with developing a healthier lifestyle, please contact us.