Cholesterol

Cholesterol—What Your Doctor Won’t Tell You

Did you know that when your body is attacked by microbes—bacterial microorganisms so small that they can only be seen under a microscope—LDL cholesterol rushes to the site to bind to the microbes? 

This allows the white blood cells, the macrophages, to reach and consume the bacteria attached to the cholesterol. 

Macrophages release the hormone cytokine, which acts as a messenger to the liver, signaling it to increase the production of lipoproteins—that is, cholesterol—and also triggers an additional influx of macrophages to the site of inflammation. 

The cholesterol continues to bind to the bacteria and will now clump together, making it easier for the macrophages to engulf them. 

The oxidized cholesterol will be converted into normal cholesterol and transported back to the liver by HDL cholesterol. A high HDL level can therefore be a sign that the entire macrophage process is functioning properly.

Conversely, if HDL levels in the body are very low, it can be assumed that the process is not functioning optimally. This could mean that our immune system is not functioning optimally or that we have encountered a highly virulent microorganism. In such a case, the infection will be too severe, and the macrophages will die. The microbes causing the infection will then migrate into the dead tissue and multiply rapidly.

The many cells now form something resembling an abscess, and if it ruptures, a tear will form in the endothelium—the thin layer of cells lining the inside of blood vessels. It is at the edge of this tear that a blood clot can form. 

So, the theory here is that LDL plays a role in the body’s defense mechanisms. If this is correct, then high cholesterol levels indicate that the body is under attack and needs a stronger immune system.

Measuring inflammation

Inflammation in the body is measured by testing for C-reactive protein (CRP). 

Elevated CRP levels are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and blood clots in the heart, and elevated levels may also indicate conditions such as autoimmune diseases. 

Research suggests that CRP contributes to the detachment of plaque in the arteries, leading to the formation of blood clots. 

What exactly does our body use cholesterol for? Is it important?

And yes, it is important. Cholesterol is found in the following:

The production of sex hormones

The production of myelin sheaths (the protective coverings that surround our nerves)

The synthesis of vitamin D

The formation of bile acids

Energy turnover 

All the cells in the body—where it acts as a stabilizing component in our cell membranes

Protection against infectious diseases

The conclusion, then, is that we cannot do without cholesterol, as many processes in our bodies would otherwise be impossible. 

Up with fiber, down with inflammation

When I look at the foods that naturally lower cholesterol, it strikes me that they are primarily foods that either provide significant amounts of anti-inflammatory compounds or are very high in fiber. Fiber binds waste products in the intestines, so they are eliminated along with the stool, and it also optimizes intestinal peristalsis 

Nutritionists have known for many years that it is very simple to lower cholesterol levels through diet (excluding genetically inherited cholesterol levels). Based on the above, I conclude that cholesterol-lowering foods do not directly affect cholesterol levels, but rather reduce inflammatory processes in the body, thereby reducing the body’s need for cholesterol. So, to minimize the risk of blood clots, it is necessary to improve the immune system and overall health so that there is less inflammation in the body to combat.

Improving overall health depends on a variety of factors, such as diet, exercise, and other lifestyle choices. It’s not about taking medication, but about giving the body what it needs.

So, what exactly do you do?

You’re probably familiar with the most common ways to reduce inflammation in your body: eating more fiber, losing weight, maintaining stable blood sugar levels, and cutting out stimulants like smoking, etc.

 What you may not know is that there are foods that contain substances that reduce inflammation in the body. These are primarily fruits and vegetables, as well as fatty fish, so including more of them in your meals can be very helpful. 

These include oranges, asparagus, avocados, legumes, carrots, garlic, strawberries, and also the food that lowers cholesterol the most: oat bran.

If you’d like a complete list, you can find it in my book *High Cholesterol: Food as Medicine*. The book is in a compact format and is 89 pages long. That means you can read it in one evening and be ready to change your diet the very next day. 

The book is available for loan at the library, where you can also find the other books in the mini-book series: "Unstable Blood Sugar—When Fatigue Sets In"

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