Cholesterol has acquired a bad reputation in the past six decades or so and most people seem to think that it is bad in all forms. Certainly people believe there is one kind of 'good cholesterol' but in general they believe that numbers should be low.
Recently, certain government organisations have reversed their position on cholesterol claiming that it is no longer 'a nutrient of concern' and that it may not be dangerous when obtained from whole-food sources and non-processed foods. This is something that many doctors and health researchers have known for decades but it is good to see this official reversal. It is unfortunate that for decades we have been told that cholesterol 'causes' heart disease and that it is important to avoid foods like butter and eggs which are not the enemy at all.
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is an organic molecule that is essential for all animal life. Classified as a sterol, it is found in the cell membrane of animal tissues and is a necessary precursor for steroid hormones and bile salts in the body.
Cholesterol can be found in certain foods and it is also created by the body on a daily basis. In fact, the body creates more than a person consumes through diet synthesising over 1,000 mg of cholesterol, in total, while obtaining only an average of about 300 mg from food.
This is part of the reason why dietary amounts don’t necessarily relate to total cholesterol in the body and why avoiding dietary sources wouldn’t necessarily be effective, even if cholesterol was problematic. Only about a quarter of the cholesterol used by the body on a daily basis comes from diet, with the majority being created in the body, making more to compensate if dietary consumption decreases.
The Benefits of Cholesterol
Writing that cholesterol is beneficial may seem crazy in light of the dietary dogma of the last half century but its importance is well-supported by research. Cholesterol is highly beneficial and supports the following vital processes in the body:
- Formation and maintenance of cell walls
- Nerve cells as insulation
- The liver uses it to make bile, which is needed for digestion of fats
- A precursor to Vitamin D and in the presence of sunlight where cholesterol converts into Vitamin D
- Creation of vital hormones, including sex hormones
- Support for the immune system by improving t-cell signalling which may fight inflammation
- Absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins (A,D, E and K)
- A precursor for making the steroid hormones cortisol and aldosterone which are necessary for regulation of circadian rhythms (sleep–wake cycle) weight, mental health and more
- Used in the uptake of serotonin in the brain
- May serve as an antioxidant in the body
- Used in the maintenance of cell walls, including the cells in the digestive system, there is evidence that cholesterol is necessary for gut integrity and avoiding leaky gut
Additionally, the body sends cholesterol from the liver to places of inflammation and tissue damage to help with repairs.
Cholesterol-rich foods are the main dietary source of the B-vitamin choline, which is vital for the brain, liver and nervous system. Choline is vital during pregnancy and for proper development in children. Only 10% of the population meets the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for choline!
The Bottom Line on Cholesterol
Dietary cholesterol does not significantly affect blood levels and is no longer considered a 'nutrient of concern' when it comes to heart disease.
Low cholesterol is also correlated with mental problems like dementia and several types of cancers so the idea of taking drugs specifically to lower serum levels warrants further scrutiny, especially in segments of the population (like children, women, and men over age 50) when there is no correlation to heart disease to begin with!
In a groundbreaking study published in the
American Journal of Cardiovascular Disease in 2015, scientists at the
Dr. Rath Research Institute proved that cardiovascular disease is essentially an early form of the vitamin C deficiency disease scurvy. Building on a discovery made by Dr. Rath in the early 1990s, the publication of this study dealt major blows to the cholesterol theory of heart disease and the pharmaceutical industry’s multibillion-dollar annual sales in cholesterol-lowering statin drugs.
Natural Treatments
People with atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis or who are suffering from angina can manage their condition and reverse it by using natural treatments such as combinations of vitamin C, lysine, proline, N-acetyl-glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate and copper in the correct quantities.
At the end of the day, we are each responsible for our own health with emerging evidence that exonerates cholesterol as a culprit in heart disease.
John Gilbert MD (AV), MHA, SAC Dip, FGAV, MBCS, MIET, C.Eng., LCGI
Co-founder of the Community Assembly of the British Isles
Community Assembly Facilitator
Community Peace Constable
Community Light Brigade
