I’m writing this around Valentine’s Day in the middle of heart health month to provide education because knowledge is power and the more knowledge you have, the more power you have to make positive changes in your life and in the lives of those you love. I wish I had this knowledge a year ago; I might have been able to help prevent the death of my dear brother-in-law to a heart attack. So I write this with him in mind and hope it helps prevent others from experiencing the same sad fate.
To understand high blood cholesterol it’s important to know more about cholesterol in general. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in all cells of the body. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs, in fact you only get 15% of your cholesterol from your food and the rest of the 85% is made in your liver. Your body uses this cholesterol for a variety of functions: to build and maintain cell membranes, determine which molecules can pass into cells and which cannot, and help in the production of sex hormones (estrogens and androgens). It is essential to the production of hormones released by the adrenal glands (cortisol, corticosterone, aldosterone and others), it aids in the production of bile, converts sunshine to vitamin D, insulates nerve fibres and it is important for the metabolism of fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K).
Blood is watery and cholesterol is fatty. Just like oil and water, the two do not mix. To travel in the bloodstream, cholesterol is carried in small packages called lipoproteins. The small packages are made up of fat on the inside and proteins on the outside. Two kinds of lipoproteins (LDL and HDL) carry cholesterol throughout your body and it is important to have healthy levels of both.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) carries cholesterol from the liver to the organs and tissues where it is needed. Some particles of LDL are very small and can get into the blood vessels and start the cascade of plaque and inflammation. LDL is referred to as “bad” cholesterol. It is responsible for the build-up of cholesterol in arteries, which leads to atherosclerosis and heart disease.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) carries cholesterol from the organs and tissues back to the liver where it is recycled or excreted. HDL is referred to as “good” cholesterol and leads to less heart disease and less atherosclerosis.
An easy way to remember which is which is LDL = Lousy and HDL = Healthy.
High blood cholesterol on its own does not cause symptoms; many people are unaware that their cholesterol level is too high. Cholesterol can build up in the walls of your arteries (arterial plaque) and over time, this plaque can cause narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
Narrowing of coronary arteries due to plaque can slow down or stop blood flow to the heart. The amount of oxygen-rich blood is decreased which leads to coronary heart disease (CHD). When the heart does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood it can lead to chest pain and heart attack. If there is decreased blood flow to the brain it can lead to a stroke.
To manage cholesterol effectively it is important to understand the role of the liver in relation to cholesterol. The cells, intestines and liver make about a gram of cholesterol every day. The average healthy adult has about 150 grams (5 ounces) in their body, about enough to fill a wine glass. HDL helps remove excessive cholesterol from the body by transporting it to the liver for its breakdown and excretion and the liver also synthesizes bile acids from cholesterol.
The drugs that doctors use to treat high cholesterol are called statins. They are-sold under a variety of names including: Lipitor (atorvastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin) and Pravachol (pravastatin).
Statins improve blood cholesterol levels primarily by inhibiting a liver enzyme called HMG Co-A reductase. This reduces the liver’s ability to make cholesterol. However there can be dangerous side effects of statin drugs including:
- Nausea
- Gas
- Stomach upset
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Rash
- Sleep disturbances
- Difficulty with concentration or thought
- Elevations in liver enzymes
- Muscle weakness and pain
- Some reports suggest a slight increase in the risk of cancer
The good news is high blood cholesterol is largely preventable and lifestyle changes are the first line of defence. You can lower cholesterol without drugs by doing the following:
- Improve your diet (fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish and lean cuts of meat)
- Lose excess weight
- Increase your physical activity
- Quit smoking
- Support your liver through cleansing (there are good liver cleanses at your local health food store)
Here are some supplements that may also help:
Fish oil: There have been many studies done on fish oils and with its high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil has been shown to reduce the uptake of triglycerides in the body. Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish oil have anti-inflammatory properties. They have been shown to: lower LDL, increase HDL, lower triglycerides and have a blood-thinning effect. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends that people with high triglycerides take two to four grams of fish oil supplements daily.
If you are eating fish to get your dose of Omega 3’s and are concerned with mercury and other toxins in your fish, you may want to consider supplementing with a high quality fish oil supplement. Here are a few things to look for:
- International Fish Oil Standard Certification – IFOS standards are the highest in the world for quality, purity and potency. If a product meets IFOS standards, it will indicate it on the product packaging.
- Molecular Distillation – Eliminates heavy metals, PCB’s, and impurities. It also separates most of the saturated fat which allows for a better concentration of EPA and DHA per gram.
- Lipase – This fat-digesting enzyme enhances digestion and utilization. It also helps eliminate any fishy aftertaste, which can occur if you do not digest the oils well.
- Enteric Coating – Provides targeted absorption in the intestinal tract.
- Fish Gelatin Capsules – An added benefit for fish-eating vegetarians and others who wish to avoid animal based gelatine capsules.
Fibre: Clinical studies have shown that consuming 10 to 25 grams of soluble fibre a day can lower cholesterol by 18%. The benefits are related to its gel-forming nature. Soluble fibre breaks down as it passes through the digestive tract. It forms a gel that traps substances related to high cholesterol and reduces the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream.
Red yeast rice extract: This fermented food has been shown to lower cholesterol as much as a statin. Work closely with your healthcare practioner to find the right dosage.
Niacin: This form of vitamin B3 boosts HDL by 15 to 35 percent. It also lowers both LDL and triglycerides (another heart disease–related fat in the blood).
Glucomanann: These vegetable fibres (from the Asian plant konjac) lower cholesterol by absorbing the bile acids in your intestines. After digestion your body pulls cholesterol from your bloodstream to replenish its store of bile acids. Take five to 10 grams daily.
Sytrinol: Research published in the Journal of Alternative Therapies found that taking this supplement daily reduced total cholesterol levels by 20 to 30 percent.
Now that you have more knowledge about cholesterol, you have the power to control it naturally.
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References:
Quinn, E. The Scary Truth About Statins. Available: http://www.alternativemedicine.com/food-recipes/healthy-alternatives/scary-truth-about-statins.
Medical News Today. (2009). What is Cholesterol? What Causes High Cholesterol? Available: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/9152.php.
Medicine Net. (2005). High Blood Cholesterol. Available: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52963.
International Fish Oil Standards. Overview of the IFOS Program. Available: http://www.ifosprogram.com/about-ifos/overview-of-the-ifos-program.aspx.
Photo Credits
Cholesterol – Wikipedia Creative Commons
Cholesterol Thumbnail – Wikipedia Creative Commons
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