Do you really want to reduce your Cholesterol?
And What Makes for a healthy lifestyle?
How do you know you have a healthy lifestyle? Is it the measure of your cholesterols? What you should be asking yourself: Is your high cholesterol or LDLs or VLDLs damaging your vessels? At Carefree ReGen Medical, we are concerned about people wanting to lower their cholesterol. Here is the researched information to help you decide. Cholesterol is an extremely important biological molecule that has roles in membrane structure as well as being a precursor for the synthesis of the steroid hormones and bile acids.
It’s important to recognize that the field of nutrition and health is complex, and opinions and perspectives may vary. Cholesterol is indeed a lipid molecule crucial for various physiological functions in the body, including the production of hormones and cell membranes. However, the relationship between cholesterol levels and health outcomes, especially cardiovascular health, has been a topic of extensive research and debate.
While some alternative and complementary medicine approaches may emphasize different viewpoints on cholesterol, it’s essential to consider the overall scientific consensus. The majority of scientific studies support the association between elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Conversely, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is often considered “good” cholesterol due to its potential protective effects.
It’s crucial to approach health information critically, considering the weight of evidence from rigorous scientific studies. The medical community often updates guidelines based on new scientific findings. My references below demonstrate specific findings from my 47 years of experience and research in complementary medicine, it could be beneficial to share them with peers in the consumer community so they can make be better informed decisions about their cholesterol levels.
Always consult with healthcare professionals and consider multiple perspectives to make informed decisions about your health. Different individuals may respond differently to dietary and lifestyle interventions, and personalized approaches may be necessary. Being the Arizona Naturopath patients can be helped to evaluate their cholesterol levels and lower them appropriately with Alternative Medicine. We have an Integrated Medicine approach that help patients reach a harmony with Conventional Medicines and Natural Medicines.
We serve these cities Scottsdale naturopath, Carefree naturopath, Cave creek naturopath, Glendale naturopath, Gilbert naturopath, Naturopathic medicine, Natural medicine, House calls
Cholesterol and Health and Effects of Cholesterol Lowering:
Does your doctor test for oxidized cholesterol? If you get this tested here is why: Oxidized cholesterol is formed by free radical molecules. Elevated oxidized cholesterol is a powerful indicator of a chronic inflammatory process, a continuous attack on defenseless cells.
The more oxidized cholesterol the less protection the lining of the blood vessels. Oxidized cholesterol loses its negative charge and is incorporated into plaque, (sugared proteins, like A1C) on the vessel wall. Red white blood cells bound to the sugars and proteins in the blood stream increasingly damage the lining of the vessels.
At Carefree ReGen Medical we explain that it is not the amount of cholesterol or LDLs and HDLs, but the amount of oxidized cholesterol that impacts cardiovascular and mental health. Your Naturopath or doctor should explain this to you. We emphasize preventing damage to cholesterol from excess free radicals circulating in the blood stream. Non-oxidized Cholesterol keeps the vessels in the body, brain and heart healthy.
The Physiology of Cholesterol
Non-oxidized cholesterol carries a negative charge, which makes the red and white blood cells repel the negatively charged walls of healthy blood vessels. Healthy blood vessel are not inflamed from inflammatory free radicals. Free radicals are the main cause for the oxidized-cholesterol-containing plaque. The key is to a healthy heart and body is to reduce inflammation by reducing excess free radicals in the blood stream. See below.
Why Cholesterol can be the Miracle Worker to your health:
• In the brain:
– Synapse: promotes cell-cell communication
– Myelin sheath:insulates channel from signal loss
• In the membranes of all cells:
– Prevents ion leaks
– Protects from pathogens and microbes
• In the plasma lipoprotein LDL, HDL
– Essential for protecting contents from oxidation and glycation damage during transport to cells.
– The production of VLDL and their intermediates depends on intestinal, liver and gall bladder health and amount of carbohydrates in the diet. Inflammation due to overwhelming the immune system with excessive free radicals, is the damaging factor to the vessel walls indicated by serum elevated oxidized cholesterol levels.
•Precursor to vital hormones:
– Vitamin D
– All the sex hormones: testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, aldosterone etc.–Cortisone: the stress hormone.
• Aids in digestion of fats and secretion of insulin by the pancreas.
• Aids in absorption of fat soluble vitamins
• Suppresses trypsin synthesis, the excess of which can breakdown the collagen glue of the mucus lining of the intestines.
• Cholesterol sulfate in the skin and lungs- keeps bacteria out and water in
Sub-Optimal or Low cholesterol is implicated in Depression, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease:
Approximately half of the brain is made up of fats. Dr. F. M.Corrigan and colleagues, writing in 1991 about the relief of Alzheimer’s Disease, ask that “strategies for increasing the delivery of cholesterol to the brain should be identified”. In the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, they recommend increasing fat intake.
Decreases in blood cholesterol cause decreases in serotonin receptors affects the balance of brain lipid metabolism which could have profound effects on brain function and brain inflammation leading to depression, and Alzheimer’s. Low cholesterol reduces the fluidity of blood flow as friction increases among the blood elements.
Low cholesterol implicated in Colon Cancer and Stroke:
Long term lower cholesterol correlated with higher incidence of colon cancer in the famous Framingham Studies.
So what does the research in cardiovascular disease say?
Death rate rise dramatically as blood level cholesterol falls. The Framingham researchers concluded that “Serum cholesterol level is not related to incidence of stroke . . .” and showed that for every three percent more energy from fat eaten, strokes would be cut by fifteen percent. They conclude:
“Intakes of fat and type of fat were not related to the incidence of the combined outcome of all cardiovascular diseases or to total or cardiovascular mortality.”
Current Research as early as 2008, 2014, 2019 and 2020 shows that there is a Higher Morbidity with cholesterol Below 210 and over 230:
Each 1 mmol/l increase in total cholesterol corresponded to a 15% decrease in mortality(1,2)
In other words, Mortality rate dramatically rises with level going below and above 210 and 230.
All Cause Mortality Cholesterol Levels: Liu 2019
All Cause Mortality HDL Levels: LI 2019
Oxidized Cholesterol: Free radicals harm cholesterol molecules
Cholesterol is one of the first molecules to be damaged by free radicals or lectins. your normal molecules thereby damaging them. Pesticides, glyphosate, dyes, viruses, bacteria and their by products called LPS, (lipopolysaccharides), excess or poor quality oils and fats consumed, and lectins in food, the production of ATP all produce oxygen radicals, hydroxyl radicals, as well as iron free radicals.
Free radicals are molecules that grab electrons from the normal proteins in cells and those carrying lipids, hormones, nutrients and waste in the blood stream. Their impact on the cholesterol molecule is oxidation, a “rusting” or hardening of vessel walls called plaque. This is especially troublesome on the vessel walls and the barrier lining of the GI tract and the brain.
Here are several ways cholesterol can be damaged:
Lectin damage to the intestines is called Leaky gut and Leaky Brain or damage to the Blood blood-brain barrier.
Free radicals formation is the consequence of the consumption of dietary trans-fats, excess polyunsaturated, overproduction of LPS (Lipopolysaccharides) due to glyphosate induced dysbiosis or a dysbiosis produced by a diet high in grains and other carbohydrates.
Overproduction of pathogenic LPS (bacterial and fungal) are formed from glyphosate and pesticide-contaminated foods and antibiotics. Excess grain and high carbohydrate diet intake, induces dysbiosis by the overgrowth of firmicutes and/or candida, parasites,
Chronic constipation will allow the reabsorption of toxins, a burden to all body cells especially the liver and brain.
Fast Foods and Restaurant Fare: There is always the risk of eating the Standard American diet when one eats out especially at fast-food places even so called quality restaurants. Common food offenders are eating from commercial and packaged foods, highly processed cheeses, or processed saturated fats and commercial polyunsaturated oils and butter and dairy substitutes.
Even if there is strict avoidance of restaurant and commercially prepared foods, the consumption of polyunsaturated fats from an excess dietary intake of nuts, seeds and foods prepared in their oils: canola, soy and processed palm oils, can be sufficient to oxidize cholesterol molecules. Ketogenic and Carnivore diet beware!
Vitamin B3 deficiency in the form of NADPH (niacinamide) or Nicotinic acid excess causes the deficiency of NADPH or an imbalance of NADPH/NAD+ can result from the production of highly damaging free radical hydroxyl ions. Nicotinamide excess can be caused by high-dose supplements of iron, NAD, NMR or NR. Iron accumulation can be compounded by genetic or drugs, chemicals or infection.
VLDL and LDL good or bad?
How the body clears toxins and free radicals and replaces damaged molecules is one of the main functions of the liver.
Related to our subject, in the case of cholesterol the liver decides how much production and what and when cholesterol is transported. This function is what governs the transport of HDL back to the liver, VLDL and LDL cholesterol to the body, a continuous traffic regulation to and from the blood stream.
A more reliable measure of dietary consumption of VLDL and LDL cholesterols is APOA and APOB. These lipoproteins directly correspond to the VLDL and LDL cholesterol which were carried from the intestines via the chylomicrons to the body cells.
Poor digestion and sluggish activity in the liver and gallbladder will alter this excellent mechanism. Bad oil (polyunsaturated fats, and poor quality fat consumption from an unconscious dietary intake will upset this elegant mechanism. Additionally, an excess consumption of lectin containing carbohydrates, high lectin chicken, eggs, pork, and nuts can encourage dysbiosis, as well as, antibiotics altering gut biodiversity result in congestion of the liver and gallbladder.
Another subject for investigation is: Overconsumption or genetic variants in oxalate processing pathways causing oxalates deposition in joints, muscles, kidney stones, and gallstones induce tissue damage, hardening and retention.
REFERENCES:
AWE Weverling-Rijnsburger, et al. Total cholesterol and risk of mortality in the oldest old. Lancet 1997; 350: 1119-23.
A Jonsson, H Sigvaldason, N Sigfusson. Total cholesterol and mortality after age 80 years. Lancet . 1997; 350: 1778-9.
J Foreman. Cholesterol curb urged for children over 2. The Boston Globe 9 April 1991: 1, 4.
H Engleberg . Low serum cholesterol and suicide. Lancet 1992; 339: 727-9
Modai I, Valevski A, Dror S, Weizman A. Serum cholesterol levels and suicidal tendencies in psychiatric inpatients. J Clin Psychiatry 1994; 55:6; 252-4
Corrigan FM, Crichton JS, Van Rhijn AG, Skinner ER, Ward NI. Transferrin, cholesterol and aluminium in Alzheimer’s disease. Clin Chim Acta. 1992 Oct 15;211(1-2):121-3. doi: 10.1016/0009-8981(92)90111-3. PMID: 1468151.
S J Winawer, et al. Declining Serum Cholesterol Levels Prior to Diagnosis of Colon Cancer. JAMA . 1990; 263 (15): 2083.
Takashi Shimamoto, et al. Trends for Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke and Their Risk Factors in Japan. Circulation . 1989; 3: 503.
M W Gillman, et al. Inverse association of dietary fat with development of ischemic stroke in men. JAMA 1997; 278: 2145.
Luo, J., Yang, H. & Song, BL. Mechanisms and regulation of cholesterol homeostasis. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 21, 225–245 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41580-019-0190-7
Bhattarai A, Likos EM, Weyman CM, Shukla GC. Regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis and lipid metabolism: A microRNA management perspective. Steroids. 2021 Sep;173:108878. doi: 10.1016/j.steroids.2021.108878. Epub 2021 Jun 24. PMID: 34174291.
Yi, SW., Yi, JJ. & Ohrr, H. Total cholesterol and all-cause mortality by sex and age: a prospective cohort study among 12.8 million adults. Sci Rep 9, 1596 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-38461-y
Li, X., Guan, B., Wang, Y. et al. Association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and all-cause mortality in the general population of northern China. Sci Rep 9, 14426 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-50924-4
Liu, Y., Liu, F., Zhang, L. et al. Association between low density lipoprotein cholesterol and all-cause mortality: results from the NHANES 1999–2014. Sci Rep 11, 22111 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-01738-w
DeBose-Boyd RA. Feedback regulation of cholesterol synthesis: sterol-accelerated ubiquitination and degradation of HMG CoA reductase. Cell Res. 2008 Jun;18(6):609-21. doi: 10.1038/cr.2008.61. PMID: 18504457; PMCID: PMC2742364.
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BREAKING – New Analysis of Heart Scan Data (CCTA) for Extremely high LDL vs Average LDL Cholesterol
As Arizona Naturopath, We help people lower their Cholesterols in these cities: Scottsdale naturopath, Carefree naturopath, Cave creek naturopath, Glendale naturopath, Gilbert naturopath, Naturopathic medicine, Natural medicine, by offering House calls and Telemedicine.