LOW CHOLESTEROL --- WARNING! WARNING! DANGER! DANGER!
CAN YOUR CHOLESTEROL LEVEL BE TOO LOW? The goal posts for cholesterol levels have been shifted at least twice over the last few years. Are the new artificially low and aggressively promoted levels warranted? Many Doctors and experts certainly don't think so. In fact there is a great deal of concern being raised by independent researchers and physicians that these new levels may actually be dangerous... for many reasons. To better understand the dangers of cholesterol levels that are too low, you may like to read the following. Studies have indicated that total cholesterol levels below 190 for males and 178 for females may enhance the risk of "bleeding" strokes and death from cerebral haemorrhage.
Cholesterol may affect the metabolism of serotonin, a substance involved in the regulation of mood, as research has shown that serotonin levels are reduced in men with low levels of cholesterol. There may be an association between suicidality and low serum cholesterol levels (total cholesterol under 160) in people suffering from panic disorder. Total serum cholesterol and LDL levels were found to be lower in a para-suicidal population at statistically significant levels. Studies among patients suffering from major
depression showed an association between low cholesterol and major depression.
Some trials showed that clinical recovery may be associated with a significant increase of total cholesterol. Some studies show that low cholesterol is associated with increased subsequent criminal violence. It has been found that relatively low cholesterol levels have been associated with increased mortality from cancer and non-atherosclerotic causes of death.
Hypo-cholesterolemic men had differences in immune system compared to men with high cholesterol levels, as they had significantly fewer circulating lymphocytes, fewer total T cells, and fewer CD8+ cells. A too low cholesterol level has been associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Cholesterol is a very important substance and is an essential precursor to your hormonal cascade and particularly your sex hormones. It can have a negative impact on your general health if levels are pushed artificially low. Excessively low levels of cholesterol are certainly proven to weaken your immune system and increase your chances of dying from an infectious disease. Diet and natural treatments to improve blood cholesterol levels When recommendations are given to modify your diet the 'official line' is to emphasize the importance of reducing dietary fats and foods high in cholesterol. This has been the approach for the last couple of decades and as recent research clearly shows... it is totally the wrong one.
In fact, for as long as this has been the official stance heart disease has steadily increased. It is possible to reduce your cholesterol levels by diet, but just eliminating fats and cholesterol will not do it! For most people cutting out eggs and butter will have minimal impact on your cholesterol levels.
Ed note: I knew this --->
What is more important is that you stop eating margarine (which is full of transfats…yes, even the so called ‘healthy’ margarines with the ‘heart’ tick…amazing what a good donation will get you). Also reduce your intake of refined and processed foods which are full of hydrogenated fats and oils as well as transfats.
These are MUCH more dangerous than the saturated fats in butter and eggs which your body can handle and indeed needs. In fact, studies have clearly established that the low fat, low cholesterol approach is a very dangerous one because it can lower HDL, the good cholesterol but only have minimal impact on LDL, the 'bad' cholesterol. As a result low fat diets do not help to correct cholesterol imbalances and in fact can make the situation worse.
Editor's note. The low-fat diet approach came from the Framingham study and it has not been totally rebuked as the study did show that heat disease rates could be reduced by up to 30% by such diets.
If you are not already doing so start adding Omega 3 essential fatty acids to your diet. NOT via margarine! The lack of these essential fatty acids is a major factor in heart problems. The best form of Omega 3 for your heart is without doubt pure fish oil. However, it must be PURE and totally free from contaminants. (Check out the Xtend-Life Omega 3/DHA fish oil esters from New Zealand.) Note: These essential fatty acids will NOT make you fat, but rather will help you lose weight.
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