Cholesterol

What is Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is an essential part of every cell structure and is needed for proper brain and nerve function. It is also the basis for the manufacture of sex hormones. Cholesterol is manufactured in the liver and transported through the bloodstream to the sites where it is needed.

Most of our cholesterol, about 75% of it is made in the liver itself. Only 25% of cholesterol comes from the foods we eat. Hence from a holistic point of view high serum(blood) cholesterol levels may be indicative of liver distress. Eating a low-cholesterol diet may help, but if the liver is not functioning optimally and overproducing cholesterol, then the low-cholesterol diet is not enough to correct the problem. Instead optimizing the functioning of the liver may have to be addressed to reduce a high cholesterol level.

What causes high cholesterol
Given that cholesterol is a fatty substance and blood is mainly water, it has to latch on to molecules called lipoproteins to travel around in the bloodstream.

There are two types of cholesterol. Serum cholesterol and dietary cholesterol. Serum cholesterol is the cholesterol in the bloodstream. Dietary cholesterol is the cholesterol that is present in food. Serum cholesterol levels are influenced by diet but are also affected by your genetic makeup. Even if you never ate any food containing dietary cholesterol, you would still have some amount of serum cholesterol because the body produces its own cholesterol.

Cholesterol levels in the blood are measured by a lab blood sample. The lab measures for LDL and HDL cholesterol.

LDL: Low-density lipoproteins deliver cholesterol to the tissues and are the major transporters of cholesterol in the bloodstream. Because LDLs seem to encourage the deposit of cholesterol in the arteries resulting in arterial plaque it is known as “bad cholesterol”.
HDL: High-density lipoproteins, which transport excess cholesterol from the cells back to the liver for storage, where it is broken down for removal from the body it is known as “good cholesterol”.

Assuming the body is functioning as it should, cholesterol levels stay balanced. If, on the other hand there is too much cholesterol to be transported by the HDLs or there aren’t enough HDLs to do the job, this may result in excess plaque(fat attached to the walls of the arteries feeding the heart) that sticks to the artery walls which may eventually lead to heart disease.

Dietary Recommendations for reducing cholesterol
Dietary Fiber – found in many foods has been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels.The richest sources of dietary fiber include:
• Whole grains – (brown rice, whole wheat, bulghur, millet, buckwheat, rye, barley, spelt, and oats)
• Legumes – all beans except green beans
• Fruits & Vegetables – especially apples, bananas and grapefruit, carrots and garlic

Fish and Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids
Cold water fish such as salmon, tuna, halibut, mackerel, trout, herring, sardines, eel and menhaden have the highest source of Omega 3 fats.

Nuts & Seeds
Consume flaxseeds, and unsalted raw walnuts and almonds.

Fats & Oils
Use oils that are unrefined and cold-pressed such as olive oil, flaxseed oil, soybean, primrose black currant seed oil. Olive oil is highly recommended.

Fresh Juices
Drink fresh juices, especially carrot, celery and beet juices. Carrot juice helps to flush out fat from the bile in the liver and this helps lower cholesterol.

Dietary & lifestyle precautions for reducing high cholesterol
• Reduce the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet. Saturated fats include all fats of animal origin as well as coconut and palm kernel oils.
• Avoid nondairy coffee creamers, many contain coconut oil, a highly saturated fat
• Eliminate all hydrogenated fats and hardened fats and oils such as margarine, lard, and butter.
• Eliminate consumption of heated fats or processed oils.
• Avoid animal products and fats (especially pork and pork products, meat, milk, all dairy products,) and fried foods.
• Avoid fast-foods such a hamburgers, fish, chicken, and French-fried potatoes, these foods contain high amounts of cholesterol, free radicals and trans-fatty acids which contribute to clogging the arteries and raising blood cholesterol levels
• Certain drugs can elevate cholesterol levels. These include high-dose oral contraceptives, steroids, diuretics(Lasix) and drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease such as the brand names Dopar, Larodopa ,and Sinemet. Drugs prescribed to control blood pressure such as beta-blockers can cause unfavorable changes in the ratio of LDL to HDL in the blood.
• Meditation and relaxation exercises can lower serum cholesterol. Regular exercise and weight loss can help to bring LDL and HDL to normal levels.

Nutritional Supplements
• Omega 3 Fish Oils- Omega 3 fish oils or capsules with a high level of EPA(eicosapentaenoic acid) – as directed on label. Reduce LDL levels and thin the blood
• Vitamin C – 2,000 – 5,000 mg/day in divided doses – lowers cholesterol level
• Vitamin B-complex as directed on label – B vitamins work best when taken together
• Vitamin B3(Niacin) – 500-1000 mg/day- lowers cholesterol levels
Caution: Do not take niacin if you have a liver disorder, gout, or high blood pressure. Do not substitute niacinamide for niacin
• Vitamin E – 200 I.U. to 400 I.U/day – improves circulation and enhances assimilation of omega 3.

Other Options for reducing cholesterol - Fasting
Consider a three-day fast once a month when possible. A three-day fast will help the body rid itself of toxins and cleanse the blood. For the first day consume carrot and celery juices, consume eight 8-ounce glasses of steam distilled or bottled water and up to two cups of herbal tea per day. The carrot and celery juices are excellent detoxifiers. For day two and three follow a diet of raw fruits and vegetables as they are high in fiber and have been proven to lower blood cholesterol levels. In addition, consider taking spirulina during the fast. Spirulina is a complete protein, with all 22 amino acids, the entire vitamin B-complex, including B-12, carotenes, minerals, essential fatty acids, and chlorophyll for blood cleansing. Spirulina is a naturally digestible food that helps the immune system and aids in reducing cholesterol levels.

References
Balch P. A., & Balch J. F. (2000). Prescription for nutritional healing. New York: Penguin Putnam.
Holford P. (1999). The optimum nutrition bible. Berkeley,California: Crossing Press.
Lipski E. (2000). Digestive wellness. Lincolnwood, Illinois: Keats.
Page L. (2002). Healthy Healing. Traditional Wisdom.

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