The terms cholesterol and heart disease seem to be permanently linked together, almost as if the former is the main cause of the latter. This is not true at all, however, as the majority of evidence links atherosclerosis as the primary cause of coronary heart disease, a condition caused when ruptured scar tissue appears within artery linings, as opposed to the actual buildup of plaque on the walls themselves. Some scientists have assumed that the cholesterol circulating in our bloodstream sticks to the artery walls, and that is to blame for a heart attack in these conditions, when there is strong evidence to suggest otherwise. As much negative publicity has been given to the amount of cholesterol in our bloodstream, linked to the saturated fat content, it is said that these twin evils simply cling to the lining of the arteries and cause a dangerous blockage.

We absolutely need cholesterol within the makeup and control of our bodily cells, as it is involved in transferring nutrients, regulating neuro transmitters, as well as hormones and is said to be a precursor to vitamin D transportation, which is another essential element. 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.

Cholesterol can be measured three different ways as we hear all the time — total, HDL and LDL. We are educated in the difference between high cholesterol and low cholesterol and are told that LDL is “bad,” and HDL is “good.” Both LDL and HDL are called lipoproteins, as they transport cholesterol. The HDL, being high-density, moves the cholesterol to the liver for redistribution, while the low-density LDL carries it to the liver in the first place. In addition, fat is circulated through the bloodstream as well as the cholesterol, in the form of triglycerides. It’s inconceivable that our bodies would continue to transport and recycle cholesterol in this fashion if it was inherently bad for us, but that’s what some scientists would have you believe.

It is far more likely that cellular damage and inflammation in the artery walls, leading to atherosclerosis, can be caused by high blood sugar, poor nutrition, stress, or high blood pressure, a sad consequence of our modern lifestyles. Going back to the 1950s, researchers have tried to tell us how heart disease is linked to the sheer amount of fat in our diets, but all the contradictory evidence has not received the same amount of exposure. Just look at the Eskimos as an example. They have longer than average lifespans, yet their diet is almost exclusively composed of meat.

We are told by the Surgeon General how we should make up our diets. The Surgeon tells us not to eat saturated fats, but to focus on monounsaturated fats or polyunsaturated fats, but the majority of vegetable oils are high in Omega-6 fatty acids; most of us don’t counterbalance this with Omega-3 fatty acids, the beneficial acids found in fish. If we do as we’re told and look at the diets low in trans fat, or even high in carbohydrates, we can end up with elevated blood sugar which is also indicated for atherosclerosis.

More often than not, if we have a supposed cholesterol imbalance we are prescribed medication, but this can have side effects by itself. The most popular form of medication is called a statin, but we should be very wary of this. Rather, we should change the way that we conduct our lifestyles if we want to see real change.

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