Cholesterol Myths and Essentials
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Greetings!
Here are some basic facts you need to know about cholesterol. First, there has never been a study showing that people with low cholesterol levels have fewer heart attacks and strokes than people with normal cholesterol levels. In the famous Framingham study concerning diet, cholesterol, and vascular disease, the people with the highest cholesterol levels actually lived the longest and had the fewest health problems. There has never been evidence produced that lowering your cholesterol with a statin drug will prevent a heart attack or increase your lifespan. On the other hand since the introduction of statin drugs there have been an enormous number of serious complications ranging from muscle damage to memory loss to recurrent pancreatitis, to congestive heart failure and kidney failure.
Unfortunately, statin drugs have the adverse effect of impairing the synthesis of coenzyme Q10, a vitamin-like substance essential for normal mitochondrial function. Your body's production of Coenzyme Q10 tends to decrease with age resulting in a decrease in energy production. In people 65 and older, the higher your cholesterol, the longer you are likely to live. Cholesterol levels are important for synthesizing cell membranes and for making bile. Inadequate levels of cholesterol and consequently bile tend to impair absorption of essential fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins. Low cholesterol levels are associated with depression, suicide, anxiety, violent behavior, poor concentration, Parkinson's Disease and lack of energy. Cholesterol forms the basic ingredient for synthesizing hormones such as adrenal hormones and sex hormones. Low hormone levels lead to impaired stress tolerance and sexual dysfunction. A recent study of LDL cholesterol indicates that this so-called "bad cholesterol" is actually necessary for proper muscle regeneration. This calls into question the entire "official " theory of how and why cholesterol is a problem. In actuality, cholesterol itself is not being measured, but rather different forms of cholesterol transport proteins.
What are the main causes of elevated cholesterol? It has been known for at least 50 years that eating a diet high in refined sugars and refined carbohydrates will cause elevation of cholesterol levels. It has also been recognized for many years that low thyroid function will also cause elevation of cholesterol levels. High levels of toxic metals and chemicals also lead to elevated cholesterol levels and it is believed that cholesterol actually plays a role in helping to detoxify the body.
Before starting on a statin drug, remember that there is no such thing as a statin deficiency. Remember also that statin drugs should never be prescribed to people over the age of 65. Consider also that eating a healthier diet , exercising more, taking supplements like vitamin C, niacin, curcumin and other antantioxidants and taking steps to detoxify your body may be a far safer and more effective way of improving your health.
Alan Greenberg M.D. dralan@scienceformulas.com |
