Cholesterol: Friend Or Foe?

[98valk]

http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/cholesterol-friend-or-foe/

Cholesterol is essential for our immune system to function properly. Animal experiments and human studies have demonstrated that immune cells rely on cholesterol in fighting infections and repairing themselves after the fight. In addition, LDL-cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), the so-called “bad” cholesterol, directly binds and inactivates dangerous bacterial toxins, preventing them from doing any damage in the body. One of the most lethal toxins is produced by a widely spread bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, which is the cause of MRSA (Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a common hospital infection. This toxin can literally dissolve red blood cells. However, it does not work in the presence of LDL-cholesterol. People who fall prey to this toxin have low blood cholesterol. It has been recorded that people with high levels of cholesterol are protected from infections; they are four times less likely to contract AIDS, they rarely get common colds and they recover from infections more quickly than people with “normal” or low blood cholesterol.

People with low blood cholesterol are prone to various infections, suffer from them longer and are more likely to die from an infection. A diet rich in cholesterol has been demonstrated to improve these people’s ability to recover from infections. So, any person suffering from an acute or chronic infection needs to eat high-cholesterol foods to recover. Cod liver oil, the richest source of cholesterol (after caviar), has long been prized as the best remedy for the immune system. Those familiar with old medical literature will tell you that until the discovery of antibiotics, a common cure for tuberculosis was a daily mixture of raw egg yolks and fresh cream.

whenever our liver receives a signal that a wound has been inflicted upon the endothelium somewhere in our vascular system, it gets into gear and sends cholesterol to the site of the damage in a shuttle, called LDL-cholesterol. Because this cholesterol travels from the liver to the wound in the form of LDL, our “science,” in its wisdom calls LDL “bad” cholesterol. When the wound heals and the cholesterol is removed, it travels back to the liver in the form of HDLcholesterol (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol). Because this cholesterol travels away from the artery back to the liver, our misguided “science” calls it “good” cholesterol. This is like calling an ambulance travelling from the hospital to the patient a “bad ambulance,” and the one travelling from the patient back to the hospital a “good ambulance.”

But the situation has gotten even more ridiculous. The latest thing that our science has “discovered” is that not all LDL-cholesterol is so bad. Most of it is actually good. So, now we are told to call that part of LDL the “good bad cholesterol” and the rest of it the “bad bad cholesterol.”

Why does the liver send cholesterol to the site of the injury? Because the body cannot clear the infection, remove toxic elements or heal the wound without cholesterol and fats. Any healing involves the birth, growth and functioning of thousands of cells: immune cells, endothelial cells and many others. As these cells, to a considerable degree, are made out of cholesterol and fats, they cannot form and grow without a good supply of these substances. When the cells are damaged, they require cholesterol and fats to repair themselves. It is a scientific fact that any scar tissue in the body contains good amounts of cholesterol.4

Another scientific fact is that cholesterol acts as an antioxidant in the body, dealing with free radical damage.5 Any wound in the body contains plenty of free radicals because the immune cells use these highly reactive molecules for destroying microbes and toxins. Excess free radicals have to be neutralized, and cholesterol is one of the natural substances that accomplishes this function.

[F6TRVLR]

BACON ANYONE!?

[Patrick]

So, we can throw away all our statins ?!  Good !

I wish we could get things right. First smoking was healthy, then cholesterol is bad. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

[FLAVALK]

Love me some ribs 

[FLAVALK]

The bottom line is, ain't nobody getting out alive.

21 years ago my dad had a triple bypass and the docs put him on a strict low fat, salt free diet. After about one month of eating healthy, he told mom he had rather be dead than eat that crap and to start back cooking the way she always has. Did I say that was 21 years ago? Today he's 85 and still kicking around rather well

[cookiedough]

so what does the good doc say about high trygliceride level over 400 when all the real docs say should be under 200?

What gets my goat more than anything else is you will see more and more employers charging their employees MORE than their already insane insurance premiums if you are obese or other ailments such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, NOT just if a smoker or not which more and more employers are charging right now a TON more in insurance premiums if you smoke.  Thank god I don't smoke, only drink? 

Besides me being what I call obese should loose 50 lbs. being realistic (was considered obese even in high school at 200lbs.  same height even though I was pretty fit/big boned I call it) and high trygliceride levels,  the rest of me is pretty decent I think never get sick hardly or miss a day of work ever.  Isn't that more important than worrying about being fit and trim, especially since any one of us can keel over dead the very next day.  Am sure we all have seen someone we knew much healthier looking than us who keeled over dead for no explained/rationale reason the very next day.   2 people I know come to mind in recent years with one just happening 2 days ago age 62 died of a heart attack all of a sudden, the other was around age 35 died of a brain anurism (spellling??) just like that couldn't believe it since was swimming with him with my kids about 8 years ago a few days before he died. 

[Crackerborn]

A height/weight body mass calculator is extremely inaccurate. Muscle mass weighs more than body fat and based on those types of calculators, an Olympic track and field athelete has morbid obesity. These height/weight calculators are what the insurance companies use instead of more accurate methods.

[t-man403]

I'm enjoying the comments here.

I take supplements everyday. To me it is a must!

"dreamaker", my dad passed at 87 as did his brother. My dad asked me one night what he could have done so he wouldn't have ended up in the condition he was in. I told him there was nothing he could have done. I'm pretty sure I lied to him. You see, my dad used to poke fun at his brother for all the supplementing he did including a one day a week fast as he believed giving his body a rest was a good thing.
My dads brother went the way "dreamaker" wants to go ....... fast! My dad on the other hand spent better than the last ten years of his life in total frustration not being able to do even the smallest of tasks and filled his days watching tv. One of the last visits I had with my dads brother was pretty awesome. He prepared supper for me as I sat and watched. He went down to the basement and back up, like the stairs didn't exist! He brought with him home made cookies for dessert that he had made.
I don't supplement because my uncle did....I do it due to the stress life puts on our bodies with the air we breath, the water we drink and all the chemicals used in how our food is processed. By doing so I hope to go fast and not like my dad.
Cholesterol ......... there is no documented proof that it causes heart disease. Our brain is 85% cholesterol, our nerve endings are made of cholesterol. Cholesterol is a vital component for both men and women to be able to function sexually. Ain't it funny how at the same time the Md's tell us we need to cut back on our cholesterol intake that all of a sudden there is a little blue pill marketed because erectile disfunction is now a problem! Cha Ching$$$!!!
Anyway, taking care of the waistline is important and I don't always do my best at it either but I still play hockey and I will as long as I can.  

Oh yeah ...... take your fish oils (EFA's) very important to help the cholesterol travel through the veins.

[Patrick]

I've tried to read quite a bit about cholesterol since my family tends to have high readings.
There was a time when 250 and under was fine and I think Europe still goes by that. We in this country of course had to do better and reduced the number to 200. [ then along came the L and H numbers]
I read an interesting article by a brain surgeon that was interesting. He basically said what has been said here, that the body and the brain need cholesterol.
I just try to keep it just under 200 without statins[ oat meal] and take fish oil tablets [ omega-3 only]
There have been some that think cholesterol levels could be related to Alzheimers, but, some also think that pesticides/herbicides could also be related to it as well as autism.

[Gavin_Sons]

My great grandma lived to be 98 and ate a pound of bacon every day. Cooked with bacon grease and butter did nothing healthy whatsoever. I'd say she was a little over weight but she was happy. My uncle asked her if she ever worried about her health eating like she did and she told him if he wasn't happy with his life change it because she was as happy as anyone could be. She kept herself busy doing different activities. I take her approach in life, as long as your happy you will be fine. The minute you start worrying about your health and feelimg sorry for yourself is when you start dieing.

[Patrick]

I've tried to read quite a bit about cholesterol since my family tends to have high readings.
There was a time when 250 and under was fine and I think Europe still goes by that. We in this country of course had to do better and reduced the number to 200. [ then along came the L and H numbers]
I read an interesting article by a brain surgeon that was interesting. He basically said what has been said here, that the body and the brain need cholesterol.
I just try to keep it just under 200 without statins[ oat meal] and take fish oil tablets [ omega-3 only]
There have been some that think cholesterol levels could be related to Alzheimers, but, some also think that pesticides/herbicides could also be related to it as well as autism.

I have read very similar articles to that.  I guess it has been found that Cholesterol is not the culprit, I understood that it was important to build healthy blood also. My concern was always about it turning in to plaque in the arteries, it seem what they figure causes that, plaque is sugar/empty carbohydrates. Stuff like high fructose corn syrup and so on.
 Don't just take fish oil, you want Omaga3 that has DHA in it. I use krill oil, rather than regular Qmaga3, because it has a higher absorbs ion rate.
 Another thing, we are brought up, to believe that we are born with so much brain cells, and through various abuses we cause, they deplete till Zero. They found that is not true, I seems the brain cells can regenerate two ways, through aerobics and a component in Omaga3 called DHA, It seems you can regenerate cells, well into your 80 and 90's. Far as Alzheimers , you might consider looking at a spice called turmeric. Here if you are interested is a video to check out.

No grazing on the front lawn, just eating better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QKzD9zVdYM

The omega-3 [ no 6 ] fish oil I've been taking contain EPA and DHA. Can't tell you the amounts for certain, but, the recommended amounts. I try not to get to concerned about diet, I like to eat happy and tend to over eat a bit, but, try to eat a bit more healthy than before. I absolutely hate oatmeal, but, I need to eat it to stay pain free. It helps keep my cholesterol in check, but, most importantly it stops the problems with diverticulitous/osis. [sp]. Many folks think I'm crazy, but, it works for me.

[t-man403]

[/quote] I have one more thing, every once in a while I get gout attack in my foot, I guess I could eat a Motrin or a Tylenol, but I respect my liver, so I came up with a natural pain killer for that. I take a cup of 100% tart cherry juice, (not drink) and about a 1/4 tea spoon of turmeric powder. In about an hour or so the pain starts to go away and stay away. Turmeric has in it curcumin which is about 2000 year old pain killer. that's it!! [/quote]

Good call on this!

One more thing that works great on gout is Uratonic tea.
Get at any health food store.

[98valk]

I have one more thing, every once in a while I get gout attack in my foot, I guess I could eat a Motrin or a Tylenol, but I respect my liver, so I came up with a natural pain killer for that. I take a cup of 100% tart cherry juice, (not drink) and about a 1/4 tea spoon of turmeric powder. In about an hour or so the pain starts to go away and stay away. Turmeric has in it curcumin which is about 2000 year old pain killer. that's it!! [/quote][/b][/color]

Good call on this!

One more thing that works great on gout is Uratonic tea.
Get at any health food store.
[/quote]

soda aka liquid poision is a know cause for gout.
 Tylenol destroys bone cartilage,
http://www.journalofprolotherapy.com/index.php/the-acceleration-of-articular-cartilage-degeneration-in-osteoarthritis-by-nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs/

 motrin, Ibuprofen damages the kidneys

 aspirin is still the safest, but does have its risks also, for pain just takes a little longer to feel the affects compared to Tylenol, advil etc, strength for reducing pain are all about the same.
using the natural form of aspirin is the best
http://healingtools.tripod.com/wtwillbk.html
http://schatzie-speaks.hubpages.com/hub/Raspberries-Better-Than-Asprin

list of foods that have highest levels of natural aspirin, salicylate
http://salicylatesensitivity.com/about/food-guide/
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/27-foods-that-contain-natural-aspirin.html

[fudgie]

My great grandma lived to be 98 and ate a pound of bacon every day. Cooked with bacon grease and butter did nothing healthy whatsoever. I'd say she was a little over weight but she was happy. My uncle asked her if she ever worried about her health eating like she did and she told him if he wasn't happy with his life change it because she was as happy as anyone could be. She kept herself busy doing different activities. I take her approach in life, as long as your happy you will be fine. The minute you start worrying about your health and feelimg sorry for yourself is when you start dieing.

 

[Patrick]

A fair number of folks including family I know have used cherry juice successfully for gout. I've mentioned it to others and they thought I was nutz. I didn't know about the turmeric though.

[0leman]

When I was in my early 20's found out I had Gout.  They put me on some meds that tore my stomach up.  Finally sister, who is a dietitian, came up with a better diet.   Didn't really follow it as she wanted to limit my meat intake to about 4oz a day.  Settled for a bit more.  Gout was controlled by diet rather than pills, just lucky that I had that version of it.   OF course had to also limit my intake of alcohol. 

When I turned 50 found out that my thyroid quit working.   No reason just quit.  My try triglycerides were over 400.  But my Cholesterol was around 160.   Now I take a thyroid pill every day.  Triglycerides are down to a more acceptable 200 level. 

My Doc that I see yearly doesn't agree with the fish oil.  He has read several articles (don't have the names of them) that show that fish oil is not all it's cracked up to be.  Two years ago I quit taking fish oil.  My Cholesterol, both good and bad, are where they should be, and my triglycerides haven't changed.   Just say. 

[Patrick]

When I was in my early 20's found out I had Gout.  They put me on some meds that tore my stomach up.  Finally sister, who is a dietitian, came up with a better diet.   Didn't really follow it as she wanted to limit my meat intake to about 4oz a day.  Settled for a bit more.  Gout was controlled by diet rather than pills, just lucky that I had that version of it.   OF course had to also limit my intake of alcohol. 

When I turned 50 found out that my thyroid quit working.   No reason just quit.  My try triglycerides were over 400.  But my Cholesterol was around 160.   Now I take a thyroid pill every day.  Triglycerides are down to a more acceptable 200 level. 

My Doc that I see yearly doesn't agree with the fish oil.  He has read several articles (don't have the names of them) that show that fish oil is not all it's cracked up to be.  Two years ago I quit taking fish oil.  My Cholesterol, both good and bad, are where they should be, and my triglycerides haven't changed.   Just say. 

I hope you are not taking a generic version for your thyroid.

[Robert]

Try Lysine for gout

[DK]

I'm taking generic thyroid meds.

What's the problem?

Dan

[Gavin_Sons]

I'm taking generic thyroid meds.

What's the problem?

Dan

The big drug companies are missing out on all your money. 

[0leman]

I'm taking generic thyroid meds.

What's the problem?

Dan

So am I, for over 20 years and test show I am doing OK.

[Patrick]

I'm taking generic thyroid meds.

What's the problem?

Dan

Low thyroid tends to run in our family. Many [ including me] have been on med for years. My aunt has been on it for 82 years so far. I've read and heard of many having issues with generics. One friend's wife went on generic appr. 20 years ago and about 5 years ago almost died from lung lesions. It took quite a while but her doctors finally thought the problem was the generic thyroid med she was on.
Maybe generic is fine for some and not so good for others. I just go with what has worked for over 100 years. Some insurance companies only want to pay for cheaper generics, but, if the doctor writes the script properly they will then pay.
Also sometimes with low thyroid comes low B12. I just take a pill about once a week, its hard to get too much B12.

[98valk]

I'm taking generic thyroid meds.

What's the problem?

Dan

Low thyroid tends to run in our family. Many [ including me] have been on med for years. My aunt has been on it for 82 years so far. I've read and heard of many having issues with generics. One friend's wife went on generic appr. 20 years ago and about 5 years ago almost died from lung lesions. It took quite a while but her doctors finally thought the problem was the generic thyroid med she was on.
Maybe generic is fine for some and not so good for others. I just go with what has worked for over 100 years. Some insurance companies only want to pay for cheaper generics, but, if the doctor writes the script properly they will then pay.
Also sometimes with low thyroid comes low B12. I just take a pill about once a week, its hard to get too much B12.

lack of iodine causes thyroid problems. simple solution kelp tablets, powder etc.