In 2007, almost one in seven Americans took a medicine that lowers statins (cholesterol), according to a study by Medco Health Solutions. This is alarming, given that patients taking these drugs have a higher mortality rate than those who do not. It is counter-intuitive to take medicine that will increase the likelihood of death, but somehow we were trained to fear high cholesterol more than we fear cancer and cerebral hemorrhage, which significantly increased among statin users. Is there any alternative to this risk?
First of all, we need to form an understanding of cholesterol and its purpose in the body. Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced in the liver and obtained from food sources. It is an important component for many cellular parts, especially nerve coatings, and plays a vital role in the production of several hormones. Cholesterol is not our enemy. However, we must worry about the oxidation (damage) of cholesterol, which is primarily caused by toxins, stress and a poor diet.
Usually, when we consider dietary changes to improve cholesterol, we immediately turn to a low-fat diet. However, this directs our efforts to the wrong direction. We need fats in our diet. Switching to a low-fat diet leads to the depletion of our healthy dietary fat and leads to higher sugar intake, as manufacturers increase the sugar content of their low-fat foods to improve taste. High sugar intake actually leads to an increase in cholesterol production by the body, as the body quickly tries to compensate for the danger of high blood sugar.
So, what kind of fat should we eat? Olive oil? Fish fat? What about butter? Fish oil, for example, does have cholesterol-lowering and triglyceride properties, so we are encouraged not only to eat fish, but also to eat fatty fish, such as salmon. Olive oil is also known to be one of the healthiest fats, but it is best eaten or cooked using only the lowest temperatures. Cooking with oils, even olive oils, turns them into trans fats at high temperatures, and this is counterproductive. What about butter? Butter is a natural fat, and although it contains cholesterol, it does not help increase cholesterol. The oil contains lecithin, which is useful in cholesterol metabolism. First of all, stick to naturally occurring fats and avoid any “created” fats, such as margarine, gin, and any new ones that appear on the market. These works are contrary to their own intelligence and body function.
You yourself are your health advocate. Study the facts and be prepared to go beyond the last study. See who financed the study and how much profit they can get from the results.
