Sep 2 (edited) in General discussion
The importance of dietary cholesterol
Cholesterol is a substance produced by the liver and present in every cell of the body. Its role is to essentially render cells waterproof, creating a protective barrier between the cells interior and exterior. This means that cholesterol is a component of every cell membrane.
Consuming merely 200mg of cholesterol daily, roughly the quantity found in one egg yolk, signals the body to prompt the liver into generating an additional 800mg from raw materials such as fats, sugars, and proteins.
Since 2015, the United States has removed the upper limit for cholesterol and dietary fat intake. Heart disease was rare before the 20th century, and major medical textbooks did not address coronary heart disease. Today, it is estimated that cardiovascular disease claims 17 million lives each year.
Cholesterol is essential for the body, with 25% of it located in the brain, which itself is composed of 60% fat. A lack of cholesterol can be fatal. Notably the liver produces over 80% of the body's cholesterol, with only a small portion coming from diet. Furthermore, 25% of the body's cholesterol is found in the brain, and about 70% constitutes the myelin sheath, the outer layer of our nerves.
Upon initial review, the cholesterol guidelines from the US and Europe seem to exhibit notable differences. Both regions recommend statin therapy for adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and possible familial hyperlipidaemia. However, the 2011 ESC/EAS guidelines from Europe also recommend therapy for adults with severe hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD), while the ACC/AHA guidelines in the United States do not automatically include these groups for statin therapy.
Understanding lipoproteins fats and cholesterol
Lipoproteins act as transport systems that manage the types of fats, such as HDL and LDL, and their movement throughout the body. Lipids, which include fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol, are carried by these lipoproteins. Imagine lipoproteins as vessels transporting fats. Since triglycerides, cholesterol, and fat-soluble vitamins are water-repellent, they require these lipoprotein vessels for transport in the body. The liver, with its receptors, regulates the circulation of cholesterol. Suboptimal liver function can impair cholesterol regulation. Cholesterol is vital for muscle repair and various cellular functions. Hence, in cardiovascular disease, increased cholesterol levels are observed in the affected areas. However, cholesterol is not the cause of the problem; rather, it is delivered there by the lipoprotein vessels to aid in addressing the issue.
Plaque is the body's response to injury in blood vessels. Taking the heart as an example, plaque initially helps blood vessels stay strong and maintain their shape. However, due to a continuous cycle of uncontrolled inflammation and the accumulation of cellular debris from cholesterol, the plaque eventually grows and hardens. This process reduces blood flow and oxygen to the heart. Both inflammation and repair processes require substantial amounts of cholesterol and fats. Consequently, the body continues to send these substances to the site of the plaque until either the repair process prevails, or the plaque turns into sclerotic scars on the heart muscle, leading to heart failure, or inflammation results in an atherosclerotic heart attack.
Good dietary fats and cholesterol are not the culprits in atherosclerosis; rather, it is chronic, uncontrolled inflammation resulting from metabolic syndrome. Imbalances in blood sugar and an excess of circulating insulin, driven by our diet and lifestyle choices, contribute to this condition. Factors such as oxidised vegetable oils, processed foods, poor gut health, prescription drugs, pesticides, contaminated water, nutrient deficiencies, and chemicals in household products can all induce systemic inflammation in the body.
Here are some of the vital roles cholesterol plays in the body:
1. Cell Membrane. The cell membrane is an 8-nanometer-thick barrier that regulates the traffic of information, nutrients, and cellular messengers through protein channels, supported by phospholipids and their polyunsaturated fatty acids. Cholesterol and saturated fats contribute essential rigidity, maintaining balance with other membrane components. Additionally, cholesterol serves as a vital energy source for neurons.
2. Hormones. Cholesterol serves as a precursor to essential sex hormones and steroids; it is a component of hormones and neurons, alongside saturated fat. The absence of these elements can lead to infertility, muscle loss, incoherent thinking, and insulin production difficulties. The body utilizes cholesterol to synthesize pregnenolone, which is a precursor to sex hormones. Following the brain, the endocrine glands, adrenals, and hormones contain the highest concentrations of cholesterol. Reproduction would be impossible without cholesterol since all sex hormones are derived from it. Some studies suggest that women who consume full-fat dairy may overcome infertility. Cholesterol also forms the basis of our stress hormones. Stressful conditions prompt an increase in blood cholesterol levels as the body directs cholesterol to the adrenal glands to produce stress hormones. This may explain why extended fasting is generally not advised before blood tests, as fasting can induce a blood response. If you suspect an adrenal imbalance, reducing stress and consuming adequate dietary cholesterol might be beneficial, along with exploring mineral balancing.
- Healing. Cholesterol plays a role in healing, repairing wounds such as arterial tears by being utilized and transported to the site of damage when the body needs to heal.
4. Immunity. Cholesterol plays a crucial role in the proper functioning of the immune system. LDL cholesterol binds to and neutralizes bacterial toxins, thus protecting the body. Infections, such as MRSA, dissolve red blood cells, but LDL cholesterol can inhibit this process. Although statins are commonly prescribed to older hospital patients to lower cholesterol levels, they may increase susceptibility to infections. Individuals with high cholesterol levels tend to be less prone to catching colds and often recover from infections more quickly than those with normal or low cholesterol levels.
5. Vitamin D. Cholesterol serves as a precursor to vitamin D, which is vital for strong bones, calcium metabolism, eye health, reproduction, and the nervous system. Vitamin D is synthesized from cholesterol precursors in the skin when exposed to UV rays from the sun.
6. Bile salts. Cholesterol is the precursor to bile salts. Proper fat digestion and proper liver functioning is required for this to happen. Cholesterol also supports the production of bile acid which is integral to the breakdown of essential dietary fats. Bile is required to absorb fats and fat soluble vitamins. 95% of our bile is recycled, because the building blocks of bile are too costly for the body to waste.
7. Antioxidants. Cholesterol possesses antioxidant properties that protect against free radical damage. Specifically, HDL, known as 'good' cholesterol, can shield LDL, the 'bad' cholesterol, from oxidative harm.
8. Brain and nervous system. Cholesterol is vital for the development and functioning of the brain and nervous system, as well as for the proper operation of serotonin receptors in the brain.
The Framingham Heart study
The Framingham Heart Study, initiated in 1948, stands as the longest-running multi-generational longitudinal study in medical history, now spanning over six decades and encompassing more than 14,000 participants. Analysing various combinations of HDL, LDL, and triglycerides among 3,590 men and women, researchers identified no statistically significant risk of heart disease with elevated LDL levels alone. HDL levels play a crucial role here. This perspective is gaining acceptance in conventional medicine, with a shift towards evaluating cholesterol through the lens of LDL particle size and considering cholesterol markers from a total cholesterol ratio standpoint.
Triglycerides are a key cholesterol marker to monitor, serving as fats in the body that provide energy. Diets high in carbohydrates can lead to increased triglyceride levels. Typically, triglycerides are considered a risk factor for cardiovascular events. Elevated triglyceride levels may cause arteries to harden and thicken, heightening heart disease risk. Extremely high levels can even trigger acute pancreatitis. It's important to note that high LDL levels are not concerning on their own. The cardiovascular risk is reduced when high LDL is accompanied by high HDL levels. Ideally, triglyceride levels should be below 100mg/DL, LDL levels below 180mg/DL, and HDL levels above 50mg/DL. While the standard triglyceride threshold is under 100mg/DL, on a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet, maintaining levels below 100mg/DL is considered optimal.
Statins
It's important to note that most cholesterol is produced by the body, not derived from food. However, increased cortisol production due to stress from modern-day lifestyles may necessitate higher cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is vital for every cell in the body, which is why cholesterol-lowering medications like statins can have significant side effects. Prescription drugs often lead to nutrient depletion in the body. Memory loss is one such side effect of cholesterol-lowering drugs. Statin use has also been associated with mental health disorders, such as anger, suicide, and depression. Notably, 25% of the body's cholesterol is found in the brain. Statins can reduce CoQ10 levels in the mitochondria by up to 50%, which is essential for energy production and muscle function, potentially leading to muscle aches and fatigue. Additionally, statins may harm the gut lining and ecosystem. Therefore, those on statin therapy may find supplementation with CoQ10 and spore probiotics beneficial.
Over half of the men and women that have heart attacks have lower cholesterol. Pharmaceuticals are now focusing on inflammation and drugs lowering inflammation. Instead of lowering inflammation with drugs we need to stop the inflammation at the root cause.
In conclusion, these findings should clarify the crucial role of cholesterol in the human body and encourage you to critically evaluate the conventional medical stance on cholesterol-lowering drugs and their potential impact on your health.
Frank
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The importance of dietary cholesterol
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