Cholesterol
Richard asks the following question:
Do you know much about lowering cholesterol without drugs?
My doc says that I need to lower mine and since I am ALREADY
a vegetarian, she says that my diet is fine, genetics is the problem.
The only animal products I eat are butter, yogurt and ice cream, oh and salmon too.
My sister says that both my father and mother have taken medication for high
cholesterol for some time, so I guess I'm right in the cross-hairs.
My doc recommended 20mg of a statin drug called Zocor. From what I've
read, it doesn't appeal to me much. Besides, I'd hate to lose my virginity : )
I don't really take any drugs for anything.
Thanks for your advice,
~Ric
Hi Richard,
Your question is excellent. The problem with cholesterol is the way that most medical doctors still view the issue. The information your doctor gave you is at least 7 years old. I first learned about one of the newer concepts at a symposium called "Preventative Cardiology 2003 Symposium," in October of 2003 at St. John's Cardiovascular Research Center.
The concept there, was of an LDL sub-fraction called "small, dense, LDL particles." These were supposed to be the "baddest of the bad," and if not present, the risk was considerably less (in one study, the risk for problems was 3.6 fold more if they were present), even with elevated LDL cholesterol levels. Bottom line: no SD-LDLs, no big worry.
Blood tests for this sub-fraciton of LDL are called NMR (MRI), Beta Quantification, non-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, and LipoprintTM.
The concept of oxidized cholesterol vs. regular-old "cholesterol" is something I learned at seminar called "keys to Cardiovascular Health" in October of 2006. Here is the key point: Unless your cholesterol is oxidized, there is no dire concern to lower it!
A simple urine test that we can do at my office is the Oxidata TM urine test. It can detect if your cholesterol is oxidized or not. If it is not, the elevated cholesterol is NOT the problem.
As a matter of fact, cholesterol has a function in the body. One of its functions is to repair vascular abrasions. It also is a precursor to hormones, and it transports fats to the places you need them as nutrients. I first discussed the idea about this relationship between cholesterol and repair of arterial abrasions with my brother, who is an expert in nutritional products and their functional application. Subsequently, when I saw the same concept being presented in the "Keys to Cardiovascular Health" seminar, I knew this latest concept regarding cholesterol and health was gaining wider acceptance.
If the ("high") cholesterol is there as a "protective" mechanism by your body, then why in the world would a medical doctor say you need to lower that? In effect, you would be defeating your body's innate intelligence. What you really need to address is the cause of the body's need for the extra protection, and the cause of higher cholesterol isn't "genetics."
It is extremely rare for a condition to be truly genetic. Very few chronic diseases are proven as truly genetic in nature. Research demonstrates that our genes are responsive to their environment (see my full articles on www.wholebodycures.com). So when doctors want to blame things on genetics, it shows me that they would rather use this excuse than admit they just have no idea what the cause is, and also have no real long-term solution (are drugs an acceptable long-term solution?).
Fats in the diet, and dietary cholesterol are not the major factors that influence cholesterol levels. But there is something in the diet that will drive cholesterol up. That thing is sugar. Eat 3 eggs for breakfast and there should be no problem (the yolks have lecithin, which is good for emulsifying fats), but eat a crispy cream donut for breakfast, or have sugary sweet things along with those eggs and the scenario changes drastically.
Cholesterol is what our bodies need to produce bile, which emulsifies fats. Imagine that a person is not able to emulsify fats because there is not enough bile acid production. If the body, to compensate, produces more cholesterol, in order to produce more bile acids, in order to get the nutrition needed from the essential fats, then what good would be done to lower cholesterol? Instead it would be better to help fat digestion with digestive enzymes, and in this scenario, there would then be no more NEED for higher cholesterol levels.
I think you can now more clearly see the difference between the conventional medical approach and the natural medicine/holistic chiropractic approach. Try taking antioxidants, vitamin C complex (not just ascorbic acid), digestive enzymes that include enzymes for fat digestion, eat less sugar, and give it a few months before taking your next blood test. At that point your doctor should ask you "what in the world have you been doing?" because your cholesterol levels should have normalized for your needs.
Feel free to forward this to anyone you know. More people need to know the facts about cholesterol before jumping to medications.
In support of your health,
Also Serving: West Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Century City
©2007-2010 Barry J. Lieberman, D.C.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212 also serving West Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Century City, Culver City
If you found this helpful, please consider linking to this page from your facebook page/website
Cholesterol Myths and Cholesterol Facts
