Cholesterol is a steroid normally found in all body cells and plasma. It is the most abundant steroid in the body. Gonadal and adrenal hormones are produced from cholesterol.
Do you know the function of cholesterol in your body?
What can you do to lower cholesterol naturally? Are we a society deficient in statin drugs?
Why is your cholesterol high in the first place?
If your cholesterol is too high (a total cholesterol over 230), the problem is not the cholesterol, as your body has raised its levels in order to play some type of ESSENTIAL role(s) for your survival.
The cause of high cholesterol is high starch carbohydrate, hydrogenated fats and low thyroid function. Emotional and physical stress can also influence cholesterol levels.
In general, cholesterol is increased in most endocrine or organ hypofunction and decreased in most endocrine and organ hyperfunction.
New research has revealed that LDL or “bad” cholesterol inhibits the breakdown of fat in adipocytes, or fat cells, suggesting that it is a regulator of fat stores. If a person has elevated cholesterol levels, it is a sign that their body, emotions or intellect are subject to excessive stress.
The majority of excess cholesterol is manufactured in times of psychological stress and dehydration. Elevated LDL can be caused from the body attempting to produce hormones as cholesterol is a precursor to hormone production. In addition, those with low thyroid suffer high cholesterol.
Remember that cholesterol is necessary and healthy because it is involved in cellular repair and reducing inflammation; it is oxidized cholesterol that is unhealthy.
Increased triglycerides, in conjunction with decreased HDL, is a more significant factor for coronary artery disease than elevated cholesterol by itself.
In 1990, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that normal cholesterol was considered around 200. Today normal is considered 160! Individuals with cholesterol levels below 160 cannot make sex hormones.
So much has been written concerning the evils of increased cholesterol, however very little has been reported concerning decreased cholesterol. Decreased cholesterol can be normal for a vegetarian and some people with a genetic predisposition to decreased cholesterol.
In addition, individuals with cholesterol levels below 160 are associated with compromised immune system, ‘ risk of depression, anxiety, respiratory illness, stroke and brain-related deaths such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s. Individuals with low adrenal or hypoadrenic (Addision’s disease) suffer low cholesterol. Low cholesterol is one of the signs of cancer (JAMA, Dec 1980).
Myths:
Cholesterol causes heart disease
Cholesterol is bad
Eating fat is unhealthy
High cholesterol is caused only from eating unhealthy foods
High cholesterol means you’re unhealthy
Lowering your cholesterol is healthy
Cholesterol Tips:
Every hormone in your body requires cholesterol as a precursor
Approximately 80-90% of all cholesterol is made inside your body and does NOT come from the foods you eat.
Elevated cholesterol may be caused from:
” Consumption of too many refined carbohydrates/sugars.
” Congested liver
” Excess amounts of stress either physical, emotional, chemical, electromagnetic, psychological
” Hormonal imbalances
” Inflammation
Cholesterol is vital for:
A precursor to sex hormones, vitamin D, and bile production
A repair substance – repair molecule
Cell membrane integrity helping maintain proper permeability
Child development in mother’s milk
Controlling free radical damage
Digesting the fats you eat
Female hormones. Women with higher cholesterol live longer.
Helping your cells receive serotonin
Side effects from statin drugs include:
Cataracts
Cognitive loss, dementia and memory loss
Deficiencies in fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K
Diarrhea, constipation, gas, nausea
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Dizziness, fuzzy thinking
Elevation of liver enzymes – Liver damage
Headaches
Increased risk of cancer
Increased risk of suicide
Lack of energy
Muscle weakness
Pain and tenderness in muscles or joints
Rhabdomyolisis (serious degenerative muscle tissue breakdown)
Rashes, hives itching
Robs your body of CoQ10 enzyme which can increase your risk for heart disease
Suppressed immune system
What can you do to lower your cholesterol naturally?
Consume plenty of organic fruits and vegetables, grass-fed beef and free-range poultry
Consider supplementing with:
o Biotics Beta-TCP to lower bile viscosity. This is one of the most important steps to take in high cholesterol.
o Biotics LipidSirt
o Omega-3 fish oil – Biotics EFA Sirt Supreme
o Pantethine, the coenzymatic form of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and cysteamine
o Reservertrol, an antioxidant found in red wine
o Tocotrienols – Delta and gamma tocotrienol were found to possess the greatest ability to inhibit cholesterol synthesis
o Vitamins C and E
o Vitamin D – BioD Mulsion Forte
Decrease the amount of refined grains, sugar, dairy, fast food and alcohol. These increase inflammation in excess = ‘ triglycerides which = ‘ cholesterol.
To reduce inflammation: eliminate trans fats, sugars, grains, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, stress, overcooked foods, excessive cardiovascular exercise and excessive alcohol consumption
Drink plenty of water. Bodyweight x .7 = the number of daily ounces to be consumed.
Natural products such as plant sterols and green tea extract can be used to prevent the absorption of cholesterol from the intestinal tract. Green tea extracts have a cholesterol lowering effect.
Eat more good quality fats (raw butter, coconut oil, avocados, extra virgin olive oil and wild salmon).
Identify what you feel stressed about. Reduce the amount of stress in your life by adding in daily meditation and create time for yourself to relax every day even if it’s only 5 minutes.
Implement one change at a time. Gradual, consistent progress over time.
Lab testing to see where there may be hidden inflammation, specifically C-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine. CRP is a protein that circulates in the blood, especially when there is inflammation in the body, including inflammation of the coronary arteries. CRP is a biomarker for systemic inflammation and a confirmed risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Homocysteine is an excellent predictor of cardiovascular disease. An elevated homocysteine level is also a risk factor for Alzheimer’s Disease.
o Doctors are finding that CRP is a far more accurate indicator of a future problem with heart disease than cholesterol levels alone. The simplest way to lower the CRP level is to reduce inflammation in the body.
Turn the lights out by 10pm. Turn the television and computer off by 8pm. Get restful sleep.