subject: Cholesterol Is Not Responsible For Heart Disease [print this page] Sometimes the terms of heart disease and cholesterol are uttered in the same breath, as if they are inexorably linked together. You shouldn't believe everything that you hear, as much evidence points to the fact that the major cause of heart disease, atherosclerosis is brought about by ruptured scar tissue within the artery linings, and not supposed excesses of plaque on the walls themselves. It is believed that cholesterol circulates in the blood stream and then sticks to the walls of the arteries, contributing to a heart attack, but there is now considerable evidence that suggests this is not the case. We hear all the time about cholesterol circulating in the bloodstream and how it is caused by saturated fats and how these two elements stick to the artery linings, leading to a dangerous potential 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. As cholesterol coats nerve fibers, it is essential to help protect our nervous system and scientists have revealed that lower levels of cholesterol can lead to such awful diseases as Alzheimer's and dementia.
There are three ways to measure cholesterol -- LDL, HDL and total. Our results are measured according to levels of high cholesterol or low cholesterol and we're told that LDL is bad for us and HDL is good. HDL and LDL are responsible for moving cholesterol, known as lipoproteins. One is low-density and takes the cholesterol away from the liver, while the other is high density and moves it back to the liver for onward redistribution. Triglycerides are a form of fat that is moved through the bloodstream with cholesterol. Do you think it's possible that our bodies would be transporting and recycling this cholesterol if it was really bad for us? This is what scientists want to tell you.
Research dating in the 1950, informs us that heart disease is linked to the amount of fats in our diets. However, contradictory evidence link this condition more toward arteriosclerosis from cellular damage and inflammation in the artery walls. This intern is caused by high blood sugar, stress, high blood pressure and poor nutrition. All which are the result of the high pace modern lifestyle. If we look at the Eskimos, we can notice that their native diet is based almost exclusively on animal protein and fats. Yet they have robust health and their life spans are higher than average.
The American Food Pyramid, has educated us on how to construct our diets. We are advised not to eat saturated fats and consume polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats, which are found manly in vegetable oils. Vegetable oils have a high concentration of Omega 6 fatty acids which few of us are aware to balance with Omega 3 fatty acids, most commonly found in fish and red meat. Again we are reinforced to consume a low trans fats diet and focus on a high carbohydrate diet. Once again elevating blood sugars, which mentioned above, is a leading cause to arteriosclerosis.
Cholesterol imbalances are often treated with medication with side effects. Most of which create more problems than a solution for high cholesterol. It comes to our attention that a change in lifestyle, will significantly reap more rewards.
