Critical Tips On Why Cholesterol Does Not Cause Heart Disease
Heart disease and cholesterol seem to be inexorably linked, almost as if the latter is the inevitable cause of the former. Nothing could be further from the truth, though, as there is good evidence to suggest that one of the major causes of coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis is in fact caused by ruptured scar tissue within the lining of arteries, rather than a buildup of plaque on the artery walls. Some scientists have assumed that the cholesterol circulating in our bloodstream sticks to the artery walls, and that is to blame for a heart attack in these conditions, when there is strong evidence to suggest otherwise. As much negative publicity has been given to the amount of cholesterol in our bloodstream, linked to the saturated fat content, it is said that these twin evils simply cling to the lining of the arteries and cause a dangerous blockage.
As cholesterol is an important factor in the makeup and control of our bodily cells, it has an important role as a controller of nutrient transfer, the regulation of neuro transmitters and hormones as well as a precursor to the transportation of essential vitamin D. Too little cholesterol and hormonal problems will result, which in itself can lead to disease and major health problems. Nerve fibers can be coated with cholesterol, thereby protecting them and it is no surprise that scientists have linked some of the worst diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s to low levels of cholesterol.
Cholesterol can be measured three different ways as we hear all the time — total, HDL and LDL. We are told that we may have high cholesterol or low cholesterol and that HDL is “good” and LDL is “bad.” HDL and LDL are lipoproteins, responsible for transporting cholesterol. LDL is low-density, carrying the cholesterol from the liver, while HDL is high-density and re-circulates the cholesterol to the liver for redistribution. Remember that fat is transported through the bloodstream, along with cholesterol, in the form of triglycerides. It’s inconceivable that our bodies would continue to transport and recycle cholesterol in this fashion if it was inherently bad for us, but that’s what some scientists would have you believe.
In reality, the inflammation and cellular damage that appears in our artery walls, which leads to atherosclerosis, is far more likely to be a result of bad nutrition, elevated levels of blood sugar, high blood pressure or other consequences of modern life. Going back to the 1950s, researchers have tried to tell us how heart disease is linked to the sheer amount of fat in our diets, but all the contradictory evidence has not received the same amount of exposure. Just look at the Eskimos as an example. They have longer than average lifespans, yet their diet is almost exclusively composed of meat.
The Surgeon General advises us how to construct our diets. We’re told not to eat saturated fats, but to focus on polyunsaturated fats or monounsaturated fats, but most vegetable oils have high concentrations of Omega-6 fatty acids, which few of us balance with essential or Omega-3 fatty acids, most commonly found in fish. We’re told to focus on a diet low in trans fat and even to focus on high carbohydrate diets, but this can cause elevated blood sugar, which we have already discussed as being a potentially major cause of atherosclerosis.
Far too often, medication is indicated for a cholesterol “imbalance,” which can often have side effects. The popular form of medication, statin, is believed by many to create more problems than it attempts to solve. Rather, we should change the way that we conduct our lifestyles if we want to see real change.
