Making Sense of Cholesterol Concerns

By Dr. Anna Walden, HealthWalk™ Vital Hematology Department

The “Cholesterol Awareness Month” of September reintroduces us to the controversy surrounding this substance which is naturally produced and utilized by the body. Cholesterol is still being implicated in the leading cause of death in the U.S. heart disease, the most common type being coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease occurs when the blood supply to the heart muscle become hardened and narrowed by the build-up of plaque. Cholesterol is an essential component in the ongoing repair of small injuries to the blood vessels in our body. These small tears to our blood vessels are caused in several ways such as from excess protein intake, and from damage done by ingestion of sugars such as glucose and fructose (glycation). In other words, cholesterol is part of critical bodily functions to preserve life that is constantly threatened by minor and most oftentimes unknown, internal injury.

Not only is it pulling necessary duty in triage, but cholesterol is part of each cell and is integral in all metabolic processes. It is essential in the synthesis of bile acids, nerve tissue, vitamin D and hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, progesterone and cortisol. The LDL’s duty is to carry cholesterol from the liver to the tissues where it is incorporated into all cell membranes.

So, is there significance to the cholesterol numbers on the blood tests? One perspective is to view the numbers in a ratio rather than individually. It still pins the label of “bad” on the LDL and “good” to the HDL, but at least it is a more realistic view of whether or not there might be a potential issue. The ratio is determined by dividing the LDL cholesterol into the HDL cholesterol. If your HDL were 50 and your LDL 150, then your ratio would be 0.3. This happens to be the cut off point as to what is preferable. Ideal ration is considered to be above 0.4. The next significant ratio is that of the HDL to the total blood cholesterol. So a total of 200 with an HDL level of 50 is 4:1. The target ratio is below 5:1 with an optimum of 3.5:1

But back to our controversy, is all this really necessary? Two very large heart disease studies, The Framingham Study and the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT), showed that half of the people who suffer heart attacks had normal and low range cholesterol levels! Statistical data from INTERHEART, ("Effect of potentially modifiable risk factors associated with myocardial infarction in 52 countries: case-control study,") show that cholesterol is not at factor at all.

Nevertheless, the intensity with which cholesterol has been vilified generated a variety of pharmaceutical drugs (or is it the other way around?) which can manipulate the levels, particularly of the LDL’s. Statins are among the most prescribed drugs by the medical establishment to manage cholesterol levels in the blood. The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reported that statins use rose by 156 percent between 2000 and 2005. Spending on these statin drugs by US patients jumped from $7.7 billion to $19.7 billion.

However, there is no proof or research to prove that these drugs actually reduce the likelihood of heart attack or stroke. They simply lower a patient’s high cholesterol causing oftentimes a large number of side effects on skeletal muscle and the liver. The statin drugs primarily work by inhibiting the liver enzyme HMG Co-A reductase which reduces the liver’s ability to make cholesterol. And that forces the liver cells to pull it from the blood and thereby lowers your cholesterol. Unfortunately, there are many other beneficial compounds produced by the HMG Co-A which also get deleted. The reported side effects include muscle pain and weakness, neuropathy, dizziness, cognitive impairment, pancreatitis, depression, and depleted CoQ10 levels. Depleted CoQ10?? Wasn’t the purpose of lowering cholesterol reducing heart disease?

A study was done by cardiologist Peter Langsjoen with subjects who had completely normal heart function. They were given a low dose of Lipitor (20mg) a day. At the end of six months, two-thirds of the patients had abnormalities in the heart’s filling phase. According to Dr. Langsjoen, this was due to Co-Q10 depletion. The mitochondria in the cell require this enzyme to produce energy. They evidently hadn’t read the Lipitor and other statins’ fine print which states that this drug “has not been shown to prevent heart disease or heart attacks”.

In the China Study, 10,000 people with high cholesterol were observed for 8 years on the connections between nutrition and heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Half were given statins, half told to eat normally and get plenty of exercise. The statin drugs did indeed lower the serum cholesterol. However, the death rate, non-fatal heart attacks, and fatal arterial disease were not one bit impacted!

As usual, nature has already provided us with solutions. Simple foods that can be used to lower cholesterol are garlic, soy products, blueberries and other fruits and vegetables high in antioxidant and phytonutrients. Soy has its own controversy but a healthy daily intake of fresh fruit and vegetables (berries, broccoli, leafy greens, tomatoes, apples, lentils, kale, carrots, citrus, yellow vegetables, raw nuts and seeds, green tea, etc) can keep pace with the pharmaceuticals in performing this function without the dangerous side effects. Increased fiber in the diet and moderate exercise as well can modify levels of cholesterol. Supporting the liver through natural detoxification is one of the best things one can do to control the levels.

At HealthWalk we have the resources and technologies designed to help you achieve and maintain vibrant health. Vital Hematology live blood analysis can show you visually and immediately the condition of your blood and we can offer non-invasive suggestions on how to enhance your immune system to attain greater health. Comprehensive Wellness Profile (analysis of 100 blood based biomarkers of health) can reveal the health of your endocrine system which controls numerous aspects of wellness. Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging can show the presence of C - reactive protein, a much more accurate indicator of heart disease and other inflammatory diseases. Our Functional Nutritionist can work with you and the data to customize a nutritional and life style plan to optimize your health.

In making sense of the cholesterol controversy, seeking the natural way may be the not only the first but the only thing you need. HealthWalk, we are here to support your path to vibrant health, please come and visit us soon.