Cholesterol Myths

Cholesterol has become a scapegoat for causing heart disease for decades. As a result of that, many people have cut out cholesterol-rich foods from their diet, even though many of those foods are often also nutrient-rich foods.

76% of Americans said that they have had their cholesterol level checked at least once in the previous five years.

The most important information that you can obtain from a cholesterol test isn't the total cholesterol, but the level of the high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and the size of those LDL particles.

Lipid regulators, mainly cholesterol lowering statin drugs, are the most common class of prescriptions written today. The second most common class of prescription drugs are antidepressants. More than 25% of Americans over 45 take statins. This is being done, despite their lengthy list of side effects and questionable effectiveness.

Do you really need to be so concerned about cholesterol?

Myth #1: Cholesterol Is Bad - Cholesterol is not inherently bad. If it were, your liver wouldn't produce it, since nothing occurs in the human body by "accident". Your liver makes about three-quarters or more of your body's cholesterol. Cholesterol is needed to produce hormones, to produce the bile that is needed to emulsify fat for digestion and for a properly functioning nervous system. The brain contains about 25% of the cholesterol that is found in the human body. Many of the healthiest foods happen to be rich in cholesterol, as well as high in healthy saturated fats. Cholesterol has been demonized since the early 1950s following the popularization of the lipid hypothesis and Ancel Keys' flawed research.

Myth #2: High Cholesterol Is Caused by What You Eat - The biggest factor in cholesterol is not diet, but your heredity. Your liver is designed to remove excess cholesterol from your body, but genetics play a large part in your liver's ability to regulate cholesterol to a healthy level. It's estimated that only about 20% of your blood cholesterol levels come from your diet.

Myth #3: Everyone's Cholesterol Level Should Be the Same - There is no rule that says everyone's total cholesterol should be less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and the LDL less than 100 mg/dL. Your doctor may still tell you that your cholesterol is too high based solely on the standard lipid profile. Getting a more complete analysis is important. This is true especially if you have a family history of heart disease or other risk factors.

A NMR LipoProfile is an important test, because it measures the particle sizes of the LDL cholesterol.

Large LDL particles are the fluffy type and are not harmful, but the small dense LDL particles can potentially be a problem, because they can squeeze through the lining of your arteries. If they oxidize, they can cause damage and inflammation.

The National Lipid Association (NLA), is now starting to shift the focus toward LDL particle number instead of total and LDL cholesterol, in order to better assess your heart disease risk. But it still has not hit mainstream medicine.

The following additional tests can give you a far better assessment of your heart disease risk than your total cholesterol alone:

1. HDL/Cholesterol ratio: HDL percentage is a very potent heart disease risk factor. Just divide your HDL level by your total cholesterol. That percentage should ideally be above 24%.

2. Triglyceride/HDL ratios: The triglycerides to HDL ratio, should be below two.

3. Fasting Insulin Level: Any meal or snack high in carbohydrates, such as fructose and refined grains, generates a rapid rise in blood glucose and then insulin. This is done to compensate for the rise in blood sugar. The insulin released from eating too many carbs promotes fat accumulation and makes it more difficult for your body to shed excess weight. Excess fat, particularly around your midsection, is one of the major contributors to heart disease.

4. Fasting Blood Glucose Level: Studies have shown that people with a fasting blood sugar level of 100-125 mg/dl, had a nearly 300% increased risk of having coronary heart disease, as compared to people with a level below 79 mg/dl.

5. Blood Iron Level: Iron can be a very potent oxidative stress. If you have excess iron levels, you can damage your blood vessels and increase your risk of heart disease.

6. Blood Ferritin Level: Ferritin is related to iron metabolism. High ferritin levels, can also be related to heart disease.

If you have high iron, the simplest way to lower excess iron, is to donate blood. If that is not possible you can have a therapeutic phlebotomy, which will effectively eliminate the excess iron from your body.

Myth#4: Children Cannot Have High Cholesterol - It's possible for children to have high cholesterol levels, which is typically due to a liver problem that makes the liver unable to remove excess cholesterol from the body. Lifestyle changes, including exercise, limiting sugar intake and eating real, not processed foods, will often help to restore healthy levels.

Myth#5: Margarine Is Better Than Butter for Cholesterol - Butter, especially raw organic butter from grass-fed cows, is full of nutritious fats. Research points to the fact that butter may have both short-term and long-term benefits for your health. Replacing saturated animal fats, with omega-6 polyunsaturated vegetable fats, such as in margarine or vegetable oil, is linked to an increased risk of death among patients with heart disease. Margarine, has historically contained synthetic trans fat, which are some of the worst, if not the worst types of fat.

2. Make raw food a good portion of your diet.

3. Make sure you are getting plenty of high-quality, animal-based omega-3 fats.

4. Replace harmful vegetable oils and synthetic trans fats, with healthy fats, such as olive oil, butter, avocado, pastured eggs and coconut oil. Olive oil should be used cold only and not for cooking. You can use coconut oil for cooking and baking.

in your daily diet. This will not only optimize your intestinal microflora, but will also introduce beneficial bacteria into your mouth. Poor oral health is another huge factor for increased heart disease risk.

which will also optimize your human growth hormone (HGH) production. Make sure that you get evaluated by your doctor, prior to starting any new exercise program. Consult a physician prior to starting a new exercise program, to make sure that your heart can handle it.

excessively.

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