Nourishing Traditions
We have heard about “dangerous” cholesterol for years, but cholesterol is essential for proper brain function, energetic muscles, a strong immune system and even a long, healthy life. Cholesterol is so important it is made by nearly every cell in your body. In fact, recent studies reveal that the higher the cholesterol level in the elderly, the longer they live! (1- 2) High cholesterol has repeatedly been shown not to cause heart attacks or cardiovascular disease.
If a person’s cholesterol is higher than average that is a sign that there is inflammation somewhere in the body. Inflammation is associated with cancer, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes – in fact all the “diseases of civilization.”
Cholesterol is anti-inflammatory; it fights inflammation. Cholesterol molecules are like firemen in your body – they help put out the fire of inflammation. If you see high cholesterol you should put out the fire (the inflammation), not shoot the firemen.
What can cause elevated cholesterol? Stress – physical, chemical and emotional stress – such as dental infections, subluxations, toxicity and an unhealthy diet full of bad oils, poor quality fats, refined foods, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, etc.
Because your body needs cholesterol to work properly, if you eat a “low-cholesterol” diet your cells will simply make more cholesterol to keep your amount at a healthy level. That is why cholesterol – lowering drugs that interfere with cholesterol synthesis, cause muscle pain, cancer, dementia, suicide, depression and paradoxically, sudden heart death! In addition, cholesterol-lowering drugs don’t get to the cause of inflammation; they are suppressing a beneficial symptom.
Do your heart, brain, nerves and muscles a favor and enjoy cholesterol. Include lots of healthy fats in your diet such as butter; coconut, olive and avocado oils; lard, tallow (beef fat), chicken fat and duck fat to fight inflammation. Just as importantly avoid unhealthy fats such as vegetable oils like canola, soy, corn, cottonseed, safflower, peanut and other unnatural oils. Especially stay away from trans-fats and hydrogenated fats such as Crisco™ and margarine and fake butter “spreads.” They are a “heart attack in a can.”
Great information about cholesterol, good fats and bad fats can be found at www.westonaprice.org. For example, type “cholesterol” in the search engine and see what comes up.
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For Your Health,
Dr. Scott Van Dam
