What is Cholesterol? Is it damaging your heart?
Cholesterol is a very important molecule.
Cholesterol is your body's own anti-inflammatory agent. If you have inflammation, your body
will produce cholesterol to help control the inflammation.
Cholesterol is one of the only anti-oxidants that the body can create by itself. Anti-oxidants
(Vitamin C, Vitamin E, cholesterol, etc.) protect your body by neutralizing damaging free
radicals. When you have insufficient intake of anti-oxidants in your diet, your body will
produce cholesterol to protect your body.
Cholesterol is the building block of many hormones and nutrients in the body including
testosterone, estrogen, DHEA, progesterone, cortisol and vitamin D. Without cholesterol,
these important molecules can not be produced in the body.
Cholesterol is also a repair molecule that patches up damage in all of the cells in your body.
If your cardiovascular system is damaged by inflammation or free radicals, cholesterol is
released into your blood in order to repair the damage.
If your body produces a large amount of cholesterol, you can deduce that you are either in a
state of inflammation, you require more of a certain type of hormone or nutrient, you are not
meeting your anti-oxidant demand or some other form of distress is causing damage to your
body. It is the inflammation and/or free radicals that cause the damage to your body which
leads to an increased risk for stroke or heart disease. High cholesterol is your body's
way of trying to fight off inflammation or free radical damage. Medications that lower
cholesterol, such as Lipitor or Crestor, may actually leave you more susceptible to the
underlying problems.
Studies have shown that extreme levels (over 350 total cholesterol) can cause arteriole
plaque buildup which does seem to contradict what I just said, but remember everything
(even water) is toxic at a high enough level. It is interesting that in people over 60 (which is
the group of people most likely to be susceptible), those with "high" cholesterol levels
were less likely to die from a stroke or heart disease than those with "low" levels of
cholesterol! We should really think hard before we decide to take medicine to lower our
cholesterol.
Most natural health care practitioners do not consider cholesterol a problem when assessing
cardiovascular risk, but rather as an indicator that there could be an underlying risk factor
which may need to be addressed. Other indicators have been shown to be much better
markers of risk. When these other markers are addressed (most of them are either genetic
markers showing increase susceptibility, signs of oxidative damage from free radicals, stress
or signs of inflammation), cholesterol levels tend to normalize on there own. The levels
normalize because the body is no longer in a state of crisis, therefore it no longer requires
high levels of its own protective chemicals (cholesterol).
What can I do to Protect my Heart?
1) Don't get hung up on high cholesterol being the bad guy. Cholesterol might be high
because other bad things are going on. Cholesterol is only the messenger. Address the
underlying problem (inflammation, oxidation damage, stress). Don't kill the messenger.
2) Avoid inflammatory foods. These include foods you are allergic to, anything that
contains excess omega-6 fats, sugar, flour or anything that is processed. Dr. Webster can
make a complete dietary guide to fit your needs.
3) There are a lot of supplements that can be used in combination very effectively. Dr.
Webster will be able to determine your ideal combination of supplements.
4) Avoid situations that are constantly stressful. Instead, do things that relieve stress.
5) Work with Dr. Webster to measure important markers of inflammation and oxidative
stress so he can gain a better understanding of how to properly treat you by addressing the
underlying problem.
6) Some doctors advise people to avoid foods that are high in cholesterol. I do not agree with
this advise. Foods that are high in cholesterol are often very healthy foods. Besides, the
amount of cholesterol in the diet has very little correlation to cholesterol levels because your
body creates most of your cholesterol in your liver based on your body's demands.
Make an appointment with Dr. Webster today to discuss options for those with high
cholesterol.
972-735-0707
Cholesterol is a very important molecule.
Cholesterol is your body's own anti-inflammatory agent. If you have inflammation, your body
will produce cholesterol to help control the inflammation.
Cholesterol is one of the only anti-oxidants that the body can create by itself. Anti-oxidants
(Vitamin C, Vitamin E, cholesterol, etc.) protect your body by neutralizing damaging free
radicals. When you have insufficient intake of anti-oxidants in your diet, your body will
produce cholesterol to protect your body.
Cholesterol is the building block of many hormones and nutrients in the body including
testosterone, estrogen, DHEA, progesterone, cortisol and vitamin D. Without cholesterol,
these important molecules can not be produced in the body.
Cholesterol is also a repair molecule that patches up damage in all of the cells in your body.
If your cardiovascular system is damaged by inflammation or free radicals, cholesterol is
released into your blood in order to repair the damage.
If your body produces a large amount of cholesterol, you can deduce that you are either in a
state of inflammation, you require more of a certain type of hormone or nutrient, you are not
meeting your anti-oxidant demand or some other form of distress is causing damage to your
body. It is the inflammation and/or free radicals that cause the damage to your body which
leads to an increased risk for stroke or heart disease. High cholesterol is your body's
way of trying to fight off inflammation or free radical damage. Medications that lower
cholesterol, such as Lipitor or Crestor, may actually leave you more susceptible to the
underlying problems.
Studies have shown that extreme levels (over 350 total cholesterol) can cause arteriole
plaque buildup which does seem to contradict what I just said, but remember everything
(even water) is toxic at a high enough level. It is interesting that in people over 60 (which is
the group of people most likely to be susceptible), those with "high" cholesterol levels
were less likely to die from a stroke or heart disease than those with "low" levels of
cholesterol! We should really think hard before we decide to take medicine to lower our
cholesterol.
Most natural health care practitioners do not consider cholesterol a problem when assessing
cardiovascular risk, but rather as an indicator that there could be an underlying risk factor
which may need to be addressed. Other indicators have been shown to be much better
markers of risk. When these other markers are addressed (most of them are either genetic
markers showing increase susceptibility, signs of oxidative damage from free radicals, stress
or signs of inflammation), cholesterol levels tend to normalize on there own. The levels
normalize because the body is no longer in a state of crisis, therefore it no longer requires
high levels of its own protective chemicals (cholesterol).
What can I do to Protect my Heart?
1) Don't get hung up on high cholesterol being the bad guy. Cholesterol might be high
because other bad things are going on. Cholesterol is only the messenger. Address the
underlying problem (inflammation, oxidation damage, stress). Don't kill the messenger.
2) Avoid inflammatory foods. These include foods you are allergic to, anything that
contains excess omega-6 fats, sugar, flour or anything that is processed. Dr. Webster can
make a complete dietary guide to fit your needs.
3) There are a lot of supplements that can be used in combination very effectively. Dr.
Webster will be able to determine your ideal combination of supplements.
4) Avoid situations that are constantly stressful. Instead, do things that relieve stress.
5) Work with Dr. Webster to measure important markers of inflammation and oxidative
stress so he can gain a better understanding of how to properly treat you by addressing the
underlying problem.
6) Some doctors advise people to avoid foods that are high in cholesterol. I do not agree with
this advise. Foods that are high in cholesterol are often very healthy foods. Besides, the
amount of cholesterol in the diet has very little correlation to cholesterol levels because your
body creates most of your cholesterol in your liver based on your body's demands.
Make an appointment with Dr. Webster today to discuss options for those with high
cholesterol.
972-735-0707
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