The Truth About Cholesterol

The Truth About Cholesterol

Most of us are led to believe that we need to watch our cholesterol in order to prevent a heart attack or stroke. Yet numerous studies  have shown that 75% of all heart attack patients cholesterol levels were actually normal,as stated in the American Heart Journal (Jan. 2009).

Purpose of Cholesterol

Most the cholesterol circulating in the body is made within the body and does not come from foods you eat. The body makes cholesterol because it is needed for many functions in the body. The cholesterol molecule is utilized in the production of many hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and vitamin D. It is needed for keeping the cells healthy and for assisting the body in digesting other forms of fat.

Cholesterol doesn’t cause heart attacks. However oxidized form of cholesterol is one significant component of the substance that make up arterial plaque. Merely reducing the amount of cholesterol in your blood has no relationship to the oxidation of cholesterol, or to laying down plaque in the arteries. Plaque happens because of injury to the artery wall. The injury is caused by sugar sticking to the protein fibers that make up the artery. The artery is also injured by oxidation which sugar is responsible for that too, as are trans fats. Both of these processes contribute to inflammation, which is also responsible for continued laying down of plaque.                                                                                     

Dietary Causes of Cholesterol

The worst offenders are margarine and shortening. In regards to trans fats, Health Canada states: until recently, most of the trans fats found in a typical Canadian diet came from margarine, commercially fried foods and bakery products made with shortening, margarine or oils containing partially hydrogenated oils and fats. These products include crackers, cookies, donuts, cakes, pastries, muffins, croissants, snack foods, and fried foods, such as french fries, and breaded foods. According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario: “Some of the food companies have taken strides in reducing trans fats. However there remains many products that conti
nue to have disturbingly amounts of these fats. Zero trans fat labels are misleading . Food guide lines only specify that these foods must have less than half a gram of trans fat per serving and most times that serving is much smaller than the average amount a person would eat.

What About Satin Drugs

Statins are one of the most popular classes of drugs prescribed worldwide. In Canada an estimated three to four million people take statins. The statin Lipitor is the best selling drug of all time, with global sales exceeding $140 billion since its approval in 1996. Statin drugs can have  can cause side effects, including muscle pain, liver damage, increased blood sugar, memory loss, and sexual dysfunction.  Cholesterol lowering lowering medications interfere with the body’s production of a very important molecule called Co-enzyme Q10. This nutrient is necessary for energy production. in the body and is particular abundant in muscles. Since the heart is the most important muscle, lower levels of Co-enzyme Q10 are associated with increased weakness of the heart and therefore higher incidence of congestive heart failure, which can be fatal.

With these facts you might want to consider changing your diet and taking some natural supplements. If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol you can make an appointment to be trained in what will help you over come this health concern.