Cholesterol is an extremely important topic with many of my health counseling clients.
Many of them are (or have been) on cholesterol-lowering drugs, or have been told by their medical doctors to keep their cholesterol low. As I have researched this over the years, I have come to the exact opposite conclusion.
Cholesterol is necessary in our bodies for a healthy life, and there is a lot of false information out there regarding cholesterol.
In this article, I am going to address some important information concerning cholesterol that you may find helpful, and possibly even surprising.
First of all, what is cholesterol? We are told there is a “Bad” Cholesterol: LDL and a “Good” Cholesterol: HDL. According to Websters Dictionary, cholesterol is a fat-like substance C27H46O that is found in the cells, tissues, and body fluids of humans and animals. It serves as a component of cell membranes, and functions as a precursor of Vitamin D and steroid hormones (such as cortisol, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone). Fats are converted to cholesterol in the liver. Some fats sources are meat, eggs, and dairy products.
According to Parkinson’s Resource Organization, “Some 25 million Americans take these so-called “wonder drugs” to lower their “bad” cholesterol levels, but is this popular class of pharmaceuticals actually safe? NOPE! There are over 900 studies proving the adverse effects of statin drugs, including anemia, chronic fatigue, acidosis, liver dysfunction, thyroid disruption, PARKINSON’S, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and, yes … even CANCER! That’s right. The latest available science suggests that this supposedly artery-scouring miracle medication may significantly increase your risk of developing cancer.”
According to Dr. Lee Merritt, a Navy Spine Surgeon, the brain is almost totally made of cholesterol and so are our body’s nerves. She said she read some studies conducted on cholesterol and heart disease, and the studies revealed that there is absolutely NO connection with cholesterol and heart disease.(1)
A recent study showed that statins and other cholesterol drugs did not reduce the risk of heart disease after all. (2) “The researchers claim doctors have overlooked evidence that suggests the drug is not effective. Statins are routinely prescribed to people thought to be at risk of heart disease. The research overturns decades of medical advice that states the opposite.”
In an article, “What’s the Best Predictor of Heart Disease?“ by Dr. Joseph Mercola, he writes:
“Is high total cholesterol and/or elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol indicative of elevated heart disease risk? According to Dr. Paul Saladino, the answer is no. With regard to total cholesterol, as far back as 1977, with the publication of the Framingham Study,1 no correlation between heart disease and total cholesterol could be found.
Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was associated with coronary heart disease, but not high LDLs or total cholesterol. However, as noted by Saladino, low HDL is also associated with insulin resistance, and he believes this is part of the confusion.
Saladino suspects that what has been blamed on LDL (atherosclerosis) is due to insulin resistance, i.e., metabolic dysfunction. Insulin resistance/metabolic dysfunction, in turn, is primarily driven by excessive consumption of the omega-6 fat linoleic acid (LA).”
From my research, 350 was a normal cholesterol number before the pharmaceutical companies started creating these cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Dr. Merritt also stated that she read in the book, “Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth About Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar – Your Brain’s Silent Killers” by David Perlmutter M.D., that a cholesterol reading below 340 can lead to dementia. (3)
In addition to that, “Does Low Cholesterol Cause Alzheimer’s?
“While recognized as one of the most commonly prescribed drugs, researchers are saying that statins and other cholesterol-lowering drugs may not reduce the risk of heart disease after all.”
That’s according to the British Medical Journal, following an analysis of 35 studies into the effects of the drugs, according to the Daily Mail. (5)
“Statins may not slash the risk of dying from heart disease: Controversial study claims the cheap cholesterol-busting pills offer no ‘consistent benefit. Scientists analysed 35 previous studies into the effects of the cheap drugs. Three quarters of trials reported no reduction in mortality among statin users. Statins are routinely prescribed to people thought to be at risk of heart disease.
Researchers systematically reviewed all published clinical trials comparing treatment with one of three types of cholesterol-lowering drugs – statins, ezetimibe and PCSK9, and found that the drugs have no consistent benefit.
Three-quarters of all trials reported no reduction in mortality among those on statins, with half suggesting that the pills did not prevent heart attacks or strokes, even though the common belief has been that targeting “bad” cholesterol with these drugs is the most effective way to lower risks of heart disease.”
As I learn more by discussing these things with and other medical researchers, I have come to the conclusion that low cholesterol under 340 is dangerous to our health.
A quote from PUB MED study: Cholesterol: its regulation and role in central nervous system disorders (6)
“Cholesterol is a major constituent of the human brain, and the brain is the most cholesterol-rich organ. Numerous lipoprotein receptors and apolipoproteins are expressed in the brain. Cholesterol is tightly regulated between the major brain cells and is essential for normal brain development. The metabolism of brain cholesterol differs markedly from that of other tissues.
Brain cholesterol is primarily derived by de novo synthesis and the blood brain barrier prevents the uptake of lipoprotein cholesterol from the circulation.
Cholesterol is an important structural component of cellular membranes and myelin and a precursor of oxysterols, steroid hormones, and bile acids. Cholesterol is a major constituent of the human brain (with about 35 grams of cholesterol in an adult brain, and the brain is the most cholesterol-rich organ, containing about 20% of the body’s total cholesterol …
Cholesterol depletion leads to synaptic and dendritic spine degeneration, failed neurotransmission, and decreased synaptic plasticity. Cholesterol is a pivotal constituent of cell membranes, steroid hormones, and for the function of the hedgehog protein.
Defects in cholesterol metabolism lead to structural and functional central nervous system (CNS) diseases such as Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome], Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease, Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.”(6)
In addition, one study found that low cholesterol and low triglyceride levels can cause strokes in women.
“Conclusion: LDL-C levels <70 mg/dL and low triglyceride levels were associated with increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke among women.”(7)
Canada, England and Australia don’t see any evidence that dietary cholesterol has any significant impact on blood cholesterol and have no recommended cholesterol limits.
If that is not enough, a study published in Neurology, “Does low cholesterol increase your risk of nerve damage and hemorrhages?” with findings that suggests yes, low cholesterol can cause risk of nerve damage and homorrhages.(8)
So, if cholesterol is actually good for us, I am now going to expand on a cholesterol-rich food.
People tell me all the time that they are not eating eggs because of the cholesterol. They also tell me that they only eat egg whites or egg white omelets. I thought the same thing for a long time.
What I found out is that it is the “egg yolks” that contain an abundance of nutrition. Eggs contain cholesterol, and they also contain important B vitamins, unsaturated fats, sulphur, lutein and zeaxanthin (which contributes to eye health and a reduction of macular degeneration). Dr. Seneff says that organic pasture-raised egg yolks are like a complete vitamin. (9)
The egg whites have enzyme inhibitors, which for animals, like dogs, can cause serious health problems. So, for myself, I never eat egg whites without the egg yolk, and many times, I will eat the yolk and not the white. In my and Dr. Stephanie Seneff’s opinion, the egg yolk nutrients are heart healthy.
Cholesterol has held a bad reputation for many years, but an in-depth study by Harvard in 1999 found no connection with eggs and heart disease. So, for the majority of people, eggs may actually be good for their health.
When I was Larry Hagman’s personal chef/nutrition consultant, he had an organic omelet with baby spinach and some sliced fresh tomatoes almost every morning, along with a green smoothie. This made him feel fully satisfied longer.
Studies show that when people eat eggs for breakfast, that their meal is more sustaining. This may be due to the amount of protein and nutrition they provide. Thus, eggs may not only be good for your eye health, but also good for your waistline as well.
One more way to increase/improve your cholesterol in your body is to use pure organic coconut oil as your body lotion. The skin is the largest organ and the lotion will not only make your skin feel more smooth and less dry, it will also improve the cholesterol levels in your body.
What ever goes right on your skin, will get straight into the body in an effective way improving your overall health in many ways. I personally use cold-pressed, organic, pure coconut oil for cooking and for my body lotion.
In conclusion, research for yourself the importance of cholesterol in your diet, and decide what is best for you and your family. Always continue to strive for optimum health.
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