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Cholesterol: in moderation*

* | “Everything in moderation, including moderation.” Oscar Wilde

There is no nutritional substance questioned as much as cholesterol, paired with so many misperceptions about whether it’s bad or good. Cholesterol is actually needed for our health; our body makes cholesterol from the breakdown of sugars, fats and proteins. If we are stressed (which a vast majority of the population is), the more cholesterol our body makes – because cholesterol is a precursor for stress hormones. Combining high stress, with a poor diet is a sure-fire way to increase your cholesterol, leaving you at risk of heart disease. The truth is that 99.9% of people can control their cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health through nutritional means alone.

Why we need Cholesterol;

  • Our body makes steroid hormones from cholesterol such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
  • Adrenal corticosteroid hormones such as aldosterone are also made from cholesterol, which regulates water balance through our kidneys. It also makes cortisone, which promotes the production of glucose to prepare our body for ‘fight or flight’ in response to stress, cortisone is also needed to reduce inflammation.
  • Vitamin D is also made from cholesterol which is needed to help regulate calcium and phosphorus.
  • Bile acids are derived from cholesterol, which aid digestion and absorption of fats, oils and fat-soluble vitamins from foods.
  • Cholesterol is also secreted by our glands in our skin to cover and protect against dehydration, cracking, and the elements. Cholesterol also heals skin tissue and protects against infections.
  • Cholesterol is needed for brain function. Cholesterol plays a critical role in the formation of your brain’s neuronal connections.
  • It is necessary to produce a substance called CoQ 10, which must be present to convert dietary fats and sugars into an energy source the body can use.
  • Cholesterol is found in plasma membranes where its location and concentration affects membrane fluidity. Meaning, it is needed to ensure optimal membrane function.
LDL, or low density lipoprotein, is the actual culprit in the blockage of arteries and the high blood pressure which results from it. It attaches itself to the walls of your arteries and thereby constricts the flow of blood which would normally provide oxygen to all the organs in your body. It is the decreased oxygen flow, as well as the decreased flow of nutrients to all the tissues,which results in many different types of disease. A person who has a balance of high HDL and low LDL is in a very low risk group for coronary disease, despite the fact that the total cholesterol level may be above normal.
Excessive heat in cooking can lead to damage of the cholesterol contained in food, as well as cause the accompanying fats to become rancid. Damaged cholesterol and rancid fats create damaging free radical activity and inflammation. The main sources of oxidised cholesterol in the average western diet comes from fried and overcooked foods, processed/junk foods, pasteurised dairy products, aged meats like salami and powdered eggs. Dietary sugars also add to inflammation and free radical activity in the body that can lead to oxidation of your own cholesterol. The solution to reducing ‘bad cholesterol’ is to improve the diet.

The point to keep in mind is that, we need cholesterol in our bodies at all times, and a level which is too low can be dangerous. Therefore, people who are looking to reduce their cholesterol by drastically reducing or eliminating cholesterol rich foods such as beef and eggs are putting themselves at risk of further dis-ease.

Need assistance with managing your diet and reducing your cholesterol? Come visit Core and have an in depth consult with our in-house Nutritionist to help support you on your way to better health today.

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