Are eggs actually a health food?
Roughly $30 BILLION dollars a year is spent on statin drugs (Lipitor, Crestor, Simvastatin, Lisinopril, etc.) That’s billion, with a B! Statin drugs are the most popular prescription in the United States, so you can bet that the pharmaceutical industry is spending lots of money to keep you scared of cholesterol. These drugs are even being prescribed in pediatrics now! Statins basically put a piece of tape over your check-engine light, but the underlying problems continue. This brief article will touch upon the role of cholesterol in the body and what excess cholesterol might be a sign of, as well as what you can do about it.
What is cholesterol? Here’s the internet definition: Cholesterol is a compound of the sterol type found in most body tissues, including the blood and the nerves. Cholesterol and its derivatives are important constituents of cell membranes and precursors of other steroid compounds (hormones), but high concentrations in the blood (mainly derived from animal fats in the diet) are thought to promote atherosclerosis.
Dig a little deeper and you’ll find that cholesterol is the backbone to your sex hormones and is the insulation that keeps the nerve cells in your brain from short-circuiting. It’s also critical for the formation of bile (helps you digest fat) and vitamin D (something every cell in your body needs). Cholesterol is used to build healthy cell membranes. It’s an IMPORTANT molecule that YOU NEED! Repeat after me: “Cholesterol is not the enemy!”
Cholesterol is also the duct tape your body uses to patch the damage caused by inflammation. It’s like spackle. When you have inflammatory molecules in your body, most often due poor diet, the inflammation starts to weaken the junctions between the cells in your arteries. Your body gets a little nervous about this because leaky arteries are not a good thing. So you start to patch up the damage with cholesterol.
Prescriptions take away your spackle and duct tape. They also take away your ability to insulate the nerve cells in your brain, your ability to make sex hormones, digest fats, synthesize vitamin D, and build healthy cell membranes. The prescriptions only focus on the symptoms. As long as they are getting your blood labs into the right range, nobody cares that you have rampant inflammation causing damage to your arteries and brain while your cells aren’t functioning optimally and your libido is in the toilet. That’s okay; they’ll just prescribe you some Viagra or Wellbutrin.
What’s another way? How about reducing your inflammation so your body doesn’t need to spend so much energy and cholesterol patching up all the damage? Think about high cholesterol as being a SYMPTOM not a disease. It’s a sign that things are amiss in your body. You can take the Rx to put out the warning light, but the inflammation will continue to burn up your arteries, brain, etc. Or, you can take away the reason your body needs to create plaque patches. You can put out the fire.
How do you put out the fire? An anti-inflammatory diet, proper hydration, and antioxidants! An anti-inflammatory diet is rich in brightly colored vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats & proteins. My friend and colleague, Dr. Roby Mitchell, M.D. created a food list that supports the reduction and elimination of inflammation. You can download it here https://drfitt.com/assets/images/BALi_Eating_Plan_5.pdf
Guess what happens when you stop eating processed food, simple carbohydrates, mass-produced meats, and drinking soda (as a start)? Your inflammation goes down, your body breaks down the cholesterol deposits it used to patch the leaks, and the other parts of your body that need cholesterol get to use it.
Bottom line… Cholesterol is essential to health. Too much of it is not a disease, it’s a symptom of inflammation. Put out the inflammation and cholesterol goes back to normal.
Here are some other great articles on cholesterol:
This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prescribe for any disease or condition. It is not a replacement for medical care.
Patti Bartsch, M.A., Ph.D. is a traditional naturopath and bioenergetic practitioner. She supports clients locally and globally in naturally achieving their wellness goals. Schedule in-person or remote appointments via www.NaturallyUnbridled.com/services
