The Cholesterol Paradigm

Annie Sawyer, PhD

 

When I was student in medical school cholesterol was studied as essential for life and any medical student knew that without it we would face a degenerative disease. Cholesterol levels below 150 were known as too low and too dangerous ones. And in fact without cholesterol we cannot produce our hormones, especially the essential ones as progesterone, testosterone, and estrogens. Our longevity and level of fitness also depends on its production. 

Cholesterol levels have to be neither too elevated nor too lowered- but simply balanced. When your blood cholesterol levels become too high it can cause serious problems as heart attack or stroke. Conversely, if you have too low cholesterol levels in your system your vital hormone and cell functions may be gravely compromised. Cholesterol levels below 190 for men and below 178 for women have been shown to increase the risk of having a stroke. It has been proven that too low cholesterol levels can also result in a reduction of serotonin production – a major factor in mood disorders - with a serious link being found between too little cholesterol and cases of depression and suicide. Dangerously low cholesterol has been associated with an increase in mortality rates in cancer patients, senility and impotency.

 Cholesterol is a waxy substance, needed by your body to complete multiple functions such as building and maintaining cell membranes, balancing hormones, immunity, and manufacturing vitamin D. Another lipid, triglyceride is important in building cell structure too. It is also used in making hormones and producing energy. The cholesterol is known as Bad cholesterol (LDL), Good cholesterol (HDL) and Very low density cholesterol (VLDL). LDL transports cholesterol and triglycerides from the liver and the small intestine to the different cells and tissues throughout the body, including the arteries of the heart. With the time LDL can build up, become a plaque, and to block the flow of blood and the result can be a heart attack or stroke. HDL- also known as the ‘good' cholesterol travels in the bloodstream picking up excess LDL cholesterol and transporting it back to your liver for reprocessing and excretion. To achieve good health the HDL level needs to be as high as possible. Because of this important relationship between LDL and HDL cholesterol, the most significant figures to examine when looking at cholesterol test results is not the total cholesterol, but rather the ratio between LDL/HDL cholesterol levels. VLDL- transports triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol and cholesterol esters and levels of VLDL have been correlated with accelerated rates of atherosclerosis, and are elevated in a number of diseases as diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome. 

 The main causes of elevated blood cholesterol are:  

• Obesity
• Smoking 
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Lack of exercise
• Hormonal imbalances
• Heredity- Familial hypercholesterolemia 

 

USA	Normal	Optimal
Total Cholesterol	Up to 199 mg/dL	Between 180 - 220 mg/dL
LDL Cholesterol	Up to 129 mg/dL	Under 100 mg/dL
HDL Cholesterol	No lower than 35 mg/dL	Over 50 mg/dL

 

EU	Reference Range
Total Cholesterol	Less than 5.0 mmol/L
LDL Cholesterol	Less than 3.0
HDL Cholesterol	1.0 - 2.5 mmol/L

Cholesterol is a fat-like” substance, a lipid produced by the liver with a minimal amount coming from the diet. It is needed by your body to complete multiple functions such as building and maintaining cell membranes, balancing your hormones and manufacturing vitamin D. Medical experts agree that when your blood cholesterol levels become too high it can cause serious problems for your body. If someone has too high cholesterol he/she is at risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. Conversely, if one has too low level his vital hormone and cell functions may be gravely compromised.

Cholesterol levels below 190 for men and below 178 for women have been shown to increase the risk of having a stroke or cancer. It has been proven that low cholesterol levels can also result in a reduction of serotonin production – a major factor in mood disorders - with a serious link being found between too little cholesterol and cases of depression and even suicide. At the same time, we must recognize that dangerously low cholesterol levels have been associated with an increase in mortality rates in cancer patients, senility and impotency. Another lipid- triglyceride is important in building the cell structure too. It is also used in making hormones and producing energy.

Remember, it is important to concentrate mainly on the ratio of HDL vs. LDL cholesterol and HDL vs. triglycerides ratio rather than the total cholesterol level. Some people have high total cholesterol levels that seem to put them in a high-risk group. However, if your ratio of HDL or LDL cholesterol is good and your triglyceride levels are also fine, then your risk may not be as high as other people with lower total cholesterol and higher triglycerides. With other words- cholesterol levels have to be balanced. Medical experts agree that when your blood cholesterol levels become too high it can cause serious problems for your body. It is crucial therefore that a balance between these points is reached and maintained to preserve health.

Natural Treatments must be used to:

1.      Reduce the absorption and production of cholesterol in the body.

2.      Decrease circulating blood fats and to dissolve cholesterol particles.

3.      Increase excretion of cholesterol carrying bile acids.

4.      Lower oxidation of cholesterol in the body.

A good holistic formula for Cholesterol Support Product may consist of Niacin (vit B3), Guggul Resin Extract, Curcumin, Inositol Hexanicotinate, Theaflavins (bioflavonoids), Lecithin, Phytosterols, Rice Bran oil, Oryzanol, D-Limonene, Policosanol complex, Hawthorn Berry extract, Co Q10, and Red Yeast Rice extract.  Done in a proprietary version of a formula the above supplements should help supporting balanced LDL and HDL Cholesterol levels. These ingredients have shown to inhibit platelet aggregation, reduce triglyceride levels, enhance circulation and reduce clotting potential