Cholesterol

This is serious. Pharmaceutical companies and the medical establishment would have you believe that the sole cause of excessive cholesterol floating around your bloodstream is from eating fatty foods and the solution is to take a statin drug and eat a whole grain-high fiber diet to lower it. To me, this is criminal. Besides the known facts behind excessive grain consumption, the side effects from Lipitor and Crestor are hideous. Cholesterol is a necessary host for the manufacture of key hormones and bile acid, and to recommend a cut-off number to write a prescription without stating the facts of excessive carbohydrate intake and resulting elevated insulin production, constant hydrogenated vegetable oil consumption, and a sedentary lifestyle being the causes, in order to sell a drug, is arguably the most medically criminal act of our time.

 

What Is Cholesterol?

Incorrectly labeled as a sole bad guy in our bloodstream, Cholesterol is actually just one component of a larger molecule called a Lipoprotein. It is waxy, fat-like substance, (technically a steroid of fat), formed mostly in the liver and small intestine. It performs essential structural and functional processes in each and every cell our body: manufacture hormones, bile for digestion, and is involved in many other critical functions. It is so necessary that the body recycles 90% of its stores.


There are 5 main types of Lipoproteins: LDL, HDL, VLDL, IDL, and Chylomicrons. The ones we hear about most are LDL and HDL, yet it is VLDL, a packaged blend in the liver of triglycerides, (TAG’s for short), fatty acids, proteins, glycerol, and then cholesterol which should be mentioned most.


The job of a Lipoprotein is not to cause heart disease but to transport fats, cholesterol and nutrients through the bloodstream and drop them off to cells around the body for growth, repair, fuel, and storage. It's what happens after they drop off their cholesterol that is important.

- Are the arteries inflamed and swollen from eating too much inflammatory foods?

- Because of this inflammation is there is too much plaque formation going on?

- Is there is too much sugar in your blood swimming around  causing Insulin to march in and clean up house?

 

LDL’s (low-density lipoproteins), haul cholesterol and TAG’s from the liver to cells for fuel and storage

HDL’s (high density lipoproteins), haul cholesterol and TAG’s back to the liver for disposal and repackaging

 

Just to recap: LDL and HDL ARE NOT Cholesterol, they are Lipoprotein particles manufactured in the Liver that contain the cholesterol, are grouped with other stuff, and travel around the bloodstream.

 

Here’s What Happens and Here’s the Problem:

As you know from your doctor, elevated LDL in the bloodstream can lead to cardiovascular disease. But, here's the important thing to get across: there is no direct link between cholesterol in food and cholesterol in your bloodstream. There are different types of LDL, and not all LDL causes a problem. VLDL’s, the largest of the Lipoproteins, are packaged with Triglycerides, some LDL Cholesterol, proteins, and head out from the Liver to deposit their nutrients, (mostly TAG's), at fat and muscle cells. After this, they decrease in size, and it seems there are two types of LDL: a large-fluffy type (type A) that goes about its business, drops off nutrients at cells, then returns to the liver fro recycling. The other is a small-dense type (type B) that has a tendency to get stuck on the cells lining our arteries and get oxidized by passing oxygen-rich red blood cells. This is called Atherosclerosis, and it creates a situation known as Systemic Inflammation, whereby the immune system senses a foreign invader, mounts a response with invading cells, and damage occurs. If this goes on too long, too often, the lining of our arteries get scars, lesions, plaque, narrowing of the vessel, and blockage. Heart disease, attack, and stroke show up next.

 

You have been told for years that too much fat in your diet is the problem, but now you know:


Too many Carbohydrates = Too Much Insulin = Too many TAG’s = Too much small-dense LDL = Arterial Damage = Disease

 

So, in summary, check out these facts:

  • If your bloodstream is swimming with excess insulin, (due to you know what), excess glucose is converted into fat by a process called Lipogenesis. 
  • HDL’s, being the small guys, can actually get into arterial walls and help pick-up as much of the oxidized (LDL) cholesterol as they can and return it to the Liver. If your bloodstream is swimming with Triglycerides and small-dense LDL’s, it’s like a bucket of water at a forest fire.
  • Antioxidants help quell the oxidation and system inflammation mayhem as well, but again, only to a point.
  • Small-dense LDL’s are actually the product of eating a high-carb diet.
  • A carb-rich diet not only lowers HDL but manufactures small-dense LDL’s.
  • Polyunsaturated Vegetable oils load the bloodstream with add even more fat that is susceptible to oxidation.
  • There is evidence that carbohydrate consumption causing a high glycemic index can cause insulin overproduction increase triglyceride levels in women.
  • Adverse changes associated with carbohydrate intake, including triglyceride levels, are stronger risk factors for heart disease in women than in men.
  • Eating meals with low carbs and good fats raise HDL, lower triglycerides, and small-dense LDL ‘s take a vacation.
  • “When we eat high-fat diets and avoid carbohydrates, the opposite happens, HDL goes up, triglycerides go down, and the LDL in the circulation becomes large and fluffier.”- G.Taubes
  • “There is compelling evidence that freely dispensing powerful statin medications to reduce all forms of cholesterol offers minimal to no protection from heart disease and stroke.” - M. Sisson

 

Statin Drugs like Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, and Levacor do indeed reduce total cholesterol yet do not differentiate between particle sizes like the small-dense version that wreaks havoc. In addition, these drugs do not address oxidation and inflammation which are caused by excessive intake of carbohydrates. The side effects are numerous and dangerous. (see below) Lifestyle adaptations of exercise, moderate carb intake, better fats, and stress reduction, are far better, and cheaper options. There is no doubt that glitzy commercials, aggressive marketing, and favors to the medical community by large pharmaceutical companies have been successful in misguiding millions of people into statin drug therapy thinking quick results of a lowered cholesterol number is health care. The tide is changing and the word is getting out. Pass it along.

 

Here's a quick list of known side effects caused by taking statin drugs. People who take statins have suffered ravaging health consequences, including permanent damage to their liver, muscles and nervous system. Statins frequently cause people to lose their memories or feel confused. Here's the full list: (courtesy of Mike Adams: www.naturalnews.com)

  • Nausea
  • Irritability and short tempers
  • Hostility
  • Homicidal impulses
  • Rapid loss of mental clarity
  • Amnesia
  • Kidney failure
  • Diarrhea
  • Muscle aching and weakness
  • Tingling or cramping in the legs
  • Inability to walk
  • Problems sleeping
  • Constipation
  • Impaired muscle formation
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Temperature regulation problems
  • Nerve damage
  • Mental confusion
  • Liver damage and abnormalities
  • Neuropathy
  • Destruction of CoQ10, a vital nutrient for health


So, the most important key to managing heart disease is to avoid inflammatory grains which cause swollen arteries allowing blood particles to get stuck and cause blockage. Tell that to you Internist the next time you're in for a checkup!


Here's a great book to check out as well: The Great Cholesterol Myth


http://www.amazon.com/The-Great-Cholesterol-Myth-Disease/dp/1592335217

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