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The Truth About Cholesterol

Most people think cholesterol is a bad substance leading to the labeling of foods like eggs, butter, and oils as unhealthy foods. As with most things, the truth is not as black and white. Cholesterol is a more complex subject, but is an essential part of how our body works.

The Good…

Cholesterol acts as both a lipid and a hormone in the body. As a lipid it has an important role in cell membranes, myelin sheath integrity, a source of energy and as a major building block of bile. As a hormone it is the precursor to all the steroid hormones as well as Vitamin D. In short, cholesterol is a vital part of many different pathways in the body.

The Bad…

Cholesterol can certainly be too high, but here is the catch: Diet only accounts for 10-25% of total cholesterol. The majority of our cholesterol is produced by our body. Thus, a high cholesterol level is not only a dietary problem and cannot be completely corrected by a dietary change. Taking a statin drug may lower total cholesterol, but it is not addressing the underlying body mechanism that is failing leading to increased cholesterol. All it is doing is making the labs look normal. The body is still failing, it is just being covered up.

The Fix…

If the cause of high cholesterol is not diet, then what is it. Number one on the list is an elevated glucose leading to insulin resistance and elevated insulin. Other hormones such as thyroid and cortisol also play a role in the function and formation of cholesterol.
The key to battling cholesterol is identifying the underlying cause and correcting it. If this is not done cholesterol will continue to increase and have a detrimental effect on other body processes. Unfortunately it is not as simple as avoiding high cholesterol foods. Comprehensive lifestyle changes are needed in addition to neutraceuticals.
At our office we have many different ways to diagnose issues in the body including standard and specialized lab tests. Our treatment methods include adjustments, therapies, lifestyle changes, neutraceuticals, and supplements. We strive to find the root of our patient’s issues and design a treatment to effectively treat the cause, not the symptoms. Schedule a consultation today to get to the bottom of your problem, not hide the symptoms of it.
Trenton L. Talbitzer, MS, DC