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Cholesterol Confusion
Dr. Wayne Neal
“Why is my cholesterol high? I use margarine,
vegetable oils, and eat everything that says “low fat” on the label. I do not
eat butter, eggs, or even red meat. Plus, I started eating more carbohydrates
like bread and pasta. If it does not
improve, my doctor is going to put me on medication. What else can I do?” After
several patients asked these same questions, I started researching cholesterol.
What I found was indeed surprising!
Cholesterol:
The Old View
Cholesterol was seen as the evil invader in the body.
It hid in any food that taste good just waiting to clog your arteries and cause
heart disease. In the past, the main way to control it was to stop eating foods
that contained cholesterol. If this did not work, the only option was taking
medications.
Cholesterol:
New Perspective
According to biochemist Dr.
Mary Enig, Ph.D., cholesterol is not the evil villain. Cholesterol is the glue
the body uses to repair injuries and tears to the arteries caused by free
radicals, viruses, or structural weakness. High cholesterol is an indication
that the body is trying to repair itself. Just as a large police force is
needed in a high crime area, cholesterol is needed in a damaged body. Blaming
coronary heart disease on cholesterol is like blaming the police for the crime.
Damaged
Arteries
What
causes the free radical damage to the arteries? According Dr. Enig the true
culprit is food, but not eggs, butter, and meat. The true villains are hydrogenated fats, vegetable
oils, and refined carbohydrates. Margarine and shortening are examples of hydrogenated fats. Read labels
carefully, because hydrogenated fats are in many processed foods. Vegetable
oils like corn, soy, safflower, and canola are used in an
attempt to reduce cholesterol, but they only make matters worse. Instead, Dr.
Enig suggests using natural butter, extra-virgin olive oil, and organic coconut
oil. The anti-viral effects of coconut oil protect the body from viruses that
damage the arteries.
Refined
carbohydrates like sugar and flour products are responsible for not only
high cholesterol and insulin, but also high triglycerides. Many people eat more
bread and pasta when trying to lower cholesterol levels, but find triglyceride
levels elevated. This type of diet has also been related to poor thyroid
function (hypothyroidism). To help the thyroid to function better Dr. Enig
suggests avoiding sugar and flour products. She also recommends using natural
sea salt that is a good source of useable iodine. The mineral iodine is vital
for a healthy thyroid gland.
Weak Arteries
What causes weak arteries?
Collagen is the connective tissue in the body used to give arteries their
strength. Since vitamin C is used to make collagen, a vitamin C deficiency results
in weak arteries. Many people with a vitamin C deficiency notice they bruise
easily.
Deficient levels of vitamin
B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid are related to high levels of homocysteine.
This substance causes artery walls to be more prone to rupture and causes a
buildup of plague. To prevent this, eat more foods with these vitamins. It is
interesting to note that vitamins B6 and B12 are found almost exclusively in
animal products – the very foods patients have been told to avoid.
According
to Dr. Enig, other factors can cause weak and damaged arteries. Smoking and
exposure to carbon monoxide gas are two common risk factors. Reducing exposure
and using antioxidants to prevent free radical damage are two ways of improving
your odds. (For more information see the Antioxidants Article in the
March 2006 issue of The Highest Level.)
Lack of exercise, being overweight, and high blood pressure are also
contributing factors.
Suggested Reading
If
you have high cholesterol, it is important to research and study for yourself.
Here are some books I recommend:
Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon and Dr. Mary
Enig is the best book I have found. It has easy to understand explanations of
nutrition, research articles, and plenty of recipes.
Lipitor, Thief of Memory by Duane
Graveline, M.D. is an amazing book of a NASA flight surgeon that started taking
Lipitor for cholesterol problems, and experienced the serious side-effects of
this drug firsthand.
Cholesterol Myth by Uffe Ravnskov
by M.D., Ph.D. is one to suggest your doctor to read. It is filled
with the articles of decades of research on cholesterol and heart disease. It
is a little technical, but covers the scientific foundations for controlling
heart disease.
The Maker’s
Diet Shopper’s Guide by Jordan
Rubin, N.D. is a simple booklet with food lists and recipes that will help the
body maintain a proper cholesterol level.
Cholesterol Control Without Diet! : The Niacin
Solution by William B. Parsons Jr. tells how the vitamin niacin has been used
safely for decades to control cholesterol.
For further information on this topic, you may contact Dr. Neal at
770.952.5353, or by email at DrNeal@humberparkerson.com.
The Highest Level is the monthly e-mail newsletter of the
© Humber Parkerson
Clinic 2006
April 2006 issue of The Highest Level
