Cholesterol makes you happy!

Cholesterol has been given a hard time in the media for as long as I can remember. When I wasn't reading that cholesterol caused heart disease online or in the newspapers, I was further convinced of the fact whilst training as a chiropractor at university. It was explained to us in great detail that HDL cholesterol is GOOD and LDL cholesterol is BAD. Since then I have even read some studies that suggest that even HDL can be bad for you. The story begins to look ever more confusing until you look at the bigger picture.  Only 40% of patients diagnosed with heart disease actually have raised cholesterol levels - How do you explain the other 60%?

What you need to know first and foremost is that a cholesterol is good for you. It’s present in every single cell in your body where it helps to produce cell membranes, hormones (Oestrogen, Testosterone, Adrenalin), vitamin D and bile acids to help you digest fat. It has been shown to raise serotonin levels in the body which can make you feel happy.

In addition, cholesterol helps in the formation of your memories and is vital for neurological function, which is why it is not at all surprising that recent studies demonstrate that low cholesterol is linked to memory loss. After all, 25% of total body cholesterol is in the brain, an organ accounting for less than 2% of our body weight. 

The Risks of Low Cholesterol:

Impaired memory and dementia are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to low cholesterol’s impact on your brain. Having too little of this beneficial compound can also:

• Increase your risk of depression

• Cause suicide

• Lead to violent behavior and aggression

• Increase your risk of cancer
• Cause Alzheimer's/Parkinson’s disease

Unfortunately, the use of cholesterol lowering drugs is on the rise. Most people know someone 'struggling' to bring their levels down on doctor's orders. 

Your Cholesterol Levels Will Normalise When You Address The Cause

Contrary to popular belief, high cholesterol is not a disease in and of itself. It is actually a response to something gone awry in your body. Blaming cholesterol for heart disease would be like blaming tobacco stained fingers to lung cancer. Sure the fingers are stained, but that's not the CAUSE. Smoking is. 

Cholesterol is produced whenever your cells undergo damage. Cholesterol is a necessary component in making new, healthy cells.

So if you have a lot of damaged cells, you’re also going to have a lot of cholesterol in your bloodstream. This is a good thing in a sense, because it means your cells are being repaired. Now, while most conventional doctors would see all that cholesterol and put you on toxic cholesterol lowering drugs, a more knowledgeable doctor would search for what’s causing the damage in the first place.

And often it’s inflammation brought on by:

• A diet too high in sugar and grains

• Too many processed, overcooked foods and fats (Trans fats)

• Not enough exercise

• Emotional stress

• Smoking
• Tissue injury

The remedy involves, of course, addressing the cause(s). Whatever you do, don’t fall for the fallacy that the lower your cholesterol goes, the better. If you lower your cholesterol through artificial means (statin drugs) without addressing the underlying causes, your body will continue to degenerate. Leave the decision of how much cholesterol your body needs up to your body, and spend your time making the right lifestyle choices to keep your cells in top condition. This way you get the best of both worlds: the right amount of cholesterol and a body in tip-top shape.