What is a healthy level of cholesterol?  Have we been told that it is something under 200?  Is this based on good or bad science?  To read more about statin drugs and their effects on cholesterol, read the first part of this blog. 

In this blog, we are going to talk about the benefits and functions of cholesterol.  We are going to talk on how wonderful cholesterol is for the body and talk about what truly causes clogged arteries and how cholesterol got the bad rap for it.  We will explain how  it is BAD science and not truly stated as a fact that cholesterol is the cause of heart disease.

First, let’s talk about the benefits and functions of cholesterol.  You have two types of cholesterol.  HDL (high density lipoprotein) is a lipoprotein that’s main function is to take cholesterol out of cells and return the cholesterol back to the liver to be recycled.  This is the main concept on why it has been stated, “HDL is your good cholesterol.”  The other well-known cholesterol is LDL (low-density lipoprotein).  The main function of LDL is to maintain maintenance of your cell walls by bring cholesterol into the cells.  LDL is considered “bad cholesterol” because high levels of LDL is related to heart disease. 

Here is where “bad science” plays a role.  Medical model states high levels of LDL causes heart disease and arteriosclerosis.  Here is how LDL gets the bad rap of causing arteriosclerosis and heart disease.  LDL creates heart disease when cholesterol and triglycerides are oxidized or become rancid.  When LDL receptors within cells are all occupied, cholesterol and triglycerides continue to float within one’s blood.  When this process occurs, the chances of these fats to be oxidized increase which will turn into free radicals.  These free radicals could damage one’s arterial walls.  When this damage occurs, the fibers that give structure to your arterial wall, collagen fibers, are exposed to one’s blood.  These fibers are very sticky and gives the opportunity for cholesterol to bind to.  Calcium is what binds cholesterol together within one’s artery and it continues to bind and build overtime.  So, can we say cholesterol is the cause of arteriosclerosis or heart disease?  No.  Arteriosclerosis is caused by free radicals due to rancid fats (triglycerides and cholesterol). 

What is the cause of high cholesterol and triglycerides?  Answer is simple.  SUGAR!  A diet high in sugar will raise the level of triglycerides within the blood which increases the chances of one to have triglycerides oxidize to become free radicals.  If you take a look at what is out in the markets, sugar is in everything.  High Fructose Corn Syrup or the new name, “Corn Sugar,” is a very dense sugar that dramatically affects the liver and levels of triglycerides and cholesterol.  It is in almost every food you will find in typical food markets.  Added sugar has been shown to increase the levels of not only triglycerides but levels of cholesterol, including LDL.  What research also showed was, if you decrease your sugar consumption, you will decrease your level of triglycerides and cholesterol levels and also raise your HDL levels.  Interesting?  What is a sad fact is, Americans consume on average, 150lbs of sugar a year.  Imagine that?  If you buy one of the half pound bags of sugar at the grocery store that is about the average consumption of sugar is PER DAY!  What sugar also does is create free radicals in our bodies.  It causes much inflammation and has damaging effects to our nervous system and brain.  In the next few blogs, I will write about the effects of a high sugar diet. 

In conclusion, next time you decide to have that morning donut, or that little sweet you enjoy, know and realize that it is increasing your cholesterol levels, but also, creating the damaging effects of what sugar does to the body.  In our final blog on cholesterol, I will talk about ways to naturally decrease your cholesterol level to the healthy range your body desires without the need of statin drugs that cause major damage within your body.  Until next time, take care and Namaste!

Vittorio Manzo Jr. D.C.