I don't think a week goes by without a question or two about cholesterol, statin drugs and diet. Although it's a complicated issue (sort of) and each person is different, here are just a few thoughts on the subject.
Cholesterol: Good or Bad?
Although often referred to as "good" or "bad", HDL and LDL simply refer to the particle size. Cholesterol is not "bad" and is actually necessary for many metabolic functions, not the least of which is making hormones and keeping things from leaking thru our arterial walls!
Statin Drugs
like Lipitor and the lot inhibit the pathway that makes cholesterol by inhibiting the enzyme that kicks off the molecular process. Unfortunately, there are other end products along this pathway that are also inhibited. These include Ubiquinone or CoQ10 and Dolichol.
Cholesterol contributes to production of
Sex Hormones (Estrogen, Testosterone)
Vitamin D (deficiency in Vit D has been linked to cancer)
Stress Hormones (Cortisol, DHEA)
CoQ10 contributes to
Heart function (deficiency leads to heart failure!)
Muscle repair (yeah, the heart is a muscle, too)
Blood Pressure regulation
Cell Energy & Blood Sugar levels
Dolichol contributes to
Cognitive function ("Now where did I put my Lipitor?")
The true test in cholesterol is not quanitity but QUALITY! The level of oxidation in your cholesterol is a better marker of health issues - this is what I like to evaluate. And things like hydrogenated oils and High Fructose Corn Syrup are more detrimental to your health than dietary cholesterol!
Questions or comments? Let me know!
Be informed - be healthy!!
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