Cholesterol

–Joel Fuhrman

Cholesterol is one type of lipid or fat in the body. It is synthesized predominately in the liver and used to make steroid hormones and is required for bile acid which aids in digestion and absorption of dietary fats. Cholesterol is also found in our diet, with a vast majority consumed from animal products. When animal products and processed foods rich in saturated and trans fats are consumed in excess amounts, high cholesterol, along with the inflammation produced from eating a low nutrient diet, will result in cholesterol plaques leading to cardiovascular disease.

An estimated 31.9 million adults (>/= 20 years of age) have a total serum cholesterol greater than 240, with a prevalence rate of 13.8%. The prevalence of abnormal lipids in youths ages 12 to 19 was 20.3%.1 As the dietary habits found in the Standard American Diet continue, prevalence rates will continue to increase among adults and children.

A cholesterol panel includes total cholesterol, LDL (low density lipoprotein), and HDL (high density lipoprotein) levels. LDL is referred to as “bad cholesterol” and HDL as “good cholesterol.” Cholesterol is packaged into lipoproteins when circulating in the blood; LDL carries cholesterol to the cells, and HDL delivers the excess back to the liver where it is broken down. Specialized lipid blood tests are able to evaluate the size and particle number of LDL.

Having elevated numbers of small dense LDL particles increases CV risk. As these particles interact with and are degraded by white blood cells in an inflammatory environment that can arise from eating a SAD diet, foam cells form, and LDL can now easily accumulate as plaque build-up. Cholesterol plaque that covers the inner lining of arteries can cause obstruction and block blood flow to various organs. Ruptured cholesterol plaque can quickly form clots in arteries, leading to blockages.

  • In the heart, this can lead to chest pain, progressing to heart attacks.
  • In the kidneys, this can lead to renal disease and failure.
  • In the legs, this can lead to peripheral vascular disease with symptoms like numbness, pain or tingling.
  • In the eyes, this can lead to poor vision and blindness.
  • In men, this can manifest as erectile dysfunction.

Medications used to treat high cholesterol include those that stop the production of cholesterol in the liver or those that inhibit absorption of dietary cholesterol in the intestines. Statins like Lipitor and Crestor have been shown to increase the risk of myalgias, liver dysfunction, renal disease, macular degeneration, and diabetes.2 Not only is treating high cholesterol with a Nutritarian diet safer but it has been found to be even more effective at lowering LDL levels than medications.3

  1. Go AS, Mozaffarian D, Roger VL, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics–2014 update: a report from the American Heart Association.Circulation 2014, 129:e28-e292.
  2. Naci H, Brugts J, Ades T. Comparative tolerability and harms of individual statins: a study-level network meta-analysis of 246 955 participants from 135 randomized, controlled trials.Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2013, 6:390-399.
  3. Jenkins DJ, Kendall CW, Popovich DG, et al. Effect of a very-high-fiber vegetable, fruit, and nut diet on serum lipids and colonic function.Metabolism 2001, 50:494-503.

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