What You Must Know About Cholesterol - Soulmd
Cholesterol became important in the medical literature starting in the 1950s
. Like the present day, an epidemic of heart disease in the U.S. and Europe gained the attention of the medical community. It was
believed that the consumption of animal fats, particularly marbled red meats, was increasing levels of cholesterol. The theory was that elevated cholesterol was leading to atherosclerosis "' the buildup
of sticky plaque in the blood vessels, which ultimately led to cardiovascular disease.
When one suffers a cardiovascular event, it is due to a blood clot that creates a blockage and causes the death of functioning heart muscle tissue. So it is not simply cholesterol in and of itself that leads to death from cardiovascular disease.
What we are finding is that the primary cause of events leading to heart attacks is inflammation. This is the key to understanding heart health. In order to address inflammation, the first step is to lose
weight, especially belly fat. Having a large waist circumference and a great deal of abdominal fat is particularly toxic and increases the risk of cardiovascular mortality. Major steps in reducing
cardiovascular risks include:
*Exercising *Quitting smoking *Eating more fruits and vegetables *Consuming a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet *Taking Omega-3 fatty acid supplements Good Fats, Bad Fats
Many forms of cholesterol are not only harmless, but are actually vital in order for our bodies to function effectively.
-Fats protect our cells "" The body needs a certain amount of cholesterol to maintain the walls of our cells known as the cell membranes. We know that cholesterol fat is an important component of
each and every cell membrane of every cell in the human body.
-A major energy source "" Fat is one of the most efficient sources of energy available, which is one of the reasons that people consume more fats in cold weather. We have come to realize that not all fats are actually harmful as had been previously thought. We now recognize that polyunsaturated fats such as olive oil are not only safe but also healthy for the heart. In contrast, trans fats found in fried foods and hydrogenated fats, such as margarine, have an adverse affect on heart health. Research shows that simply reducing trans fats and replacing them with polyunsaturated fat such olive oil reduced the
risk of heart disease by approximately 40%.
(1)The raw materials for hormones "" Our bodies literally make hormones from cholesterol, so we need a certain amount of healthy fat to keep our hormones in balance, which is surprisingly important in
keeping us healthy at any age.
Absorption of fat-soluble vitamins "" In bile, cholesterol is essential for the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K from the intestines.
Who Does Need Cholesterol Monitoring?
Since the discovery of DNA and the sequencing of the human genome, we are better able to individualize care for cholesterol issues. We are no longer treating patients by the numbers, based simply on the lab results of their cholesterol test. People most likely to benefit from cholesterol monitoring and modification include:
*Those with known cardiovascular disease
*Individuals with pre-existing diabetes or kidney disease
*Individuals over the age of 65
*Those who have a rare inherited disorder of cholesterol metabolism Know your risks "" If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels, you will want to take into account factors such as whether you
have high blood pressure and a family history of heart disease. Of particular value is the Framingham Ten Year Risk of Cardiovascular Disease calculator
(2). You can use it to calculate your relative risk. If you find that you"re calculated risk is greater than or equal to 15 -20%, it is important to have a conversation with your doctor about the benefits of lowering your cholesterol levels. Supplements and foods that support healthy cholesterol levels include:
*Niacin in supplement form *Omega-3 fatty acid supplements to lower triglycerides *Flaxseed, since flax has the highest content of fiber known Lowering triglycerides decreases the concentration of the small,
dense form of cholesterol known as LDL. This form of cholesterol is considered especially toxic and even lethal in terms of cardiovascular risk.
Statins "" At what point is cholesterol a cause for concern, and a health issue that requires medication? A meta-analysis by the Cochrane Review looked at fourteen randomized control trials. More than 34,000 total patients were included in the review. Researchers concluded, "Only limited evidence showed that primary prevention with statins may be cost effective and improve patient quality of life. Caution should be taken in prescribing statins for primary prevention among people with low cardiovascular risk."
(3) Therefore, cholesterol levels must be taken into account with other factors, and not just treated as a number alone. Caution must be exercised in using statin medications for patients with low cardiovascular risk. Precautions in using statin medications:
*Risk of myalgia. Of those taking statin medication, 3-13% of people develop myalgia""muscle aches or weakness and fatigue.
*Fatal complications are infrequent, but can involve the development of rhabdomyolysis (a condition involving the breakdown of muscle tissue) and congestive heart failure.
*Pre-existing liver disorders "" anyone who has a chronic liver condition should avoid statin medications, including those with alcoholic hepatitis or the hepatitis virus A, B, C or D.
*Gastrointestinal "" Nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain reported. *Neurological and mood disturbances "" Insomnia, headache, dizziness, memory loss, irritability, aggression, and concern for suicidal ideation. The symptoms of muscle aches and fatigue associated with statins are the most frequent issue, occurring in up to 10% or more of all people. Liver disorders are less of a concern. In otherwise healthy individuals who have no known liver disease, it is uncommon for the liver to be affected directly by statin medications.
References:
(1) Salmeron J, Hu FB, Manson Je, Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA, et al.
Dietary fat intake and risk of type 2 diabetes in women. Am J Clin
Nutr. 2001 Jun;73(6):1019-1026.
(2) D'Agostino RB Sr, Vasan RS, Pencina MJ, et. al. General
Cardiovascular Risk Profile for Use in Primary Care. The Framingham
Heart Study. _Circulation_. 2008 Jan 22.
(3) Taylor F, Ward K, Moore TH, Burke M, Davey Smith G, Casas JP,
Ebrahim S. Statins for the primary prevention of cardiovascular
disease. _Cochrane Database Syst Rev_. 2011.
by: Soulmd
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