Understanding Cholesterol Holistically Dr. Molly Force & Dr. Alicia McCubbins 213 Decatur Street, Port Townsend www.prospernaturalhealth.com (360)385-5375 This presentation is meant for educational use only, not as a form of diagnosis, management or treatment of any medical concerns.
What is Cholesterol? l High molecular weight fat-alcohol in all cells in vertebrate animals l Essential for all animal cell membranes l Gives cells and membranes stiffness and stability
Cholesterol Myth #1 Cholesterol is bad.
Functions l Building block for hormones l Testosterone l Estrogen l Progesterone l Vitamin D production l Transmission of nerve impulses l In bile, emulsifies dietary fats l Antioxidant l Serotonin receptor function l Intestinal wall health
Why is cholesterol an issue? l Repairs damage to structurally weak vessels l Oxidized cholesterol embeds in the walls of arteries l Atherosclerosis- Arteries with plaque (most plaques contain very little cholesterol)
Where does it come from? l Exogenous l Dietary intake l Endogenous l Made by l Liver l Intestines l Skin
Cholesterol Myth #2 Most of cholesterol comes from your food.
Fact l The less cholesterol you eat, the more your body makes l A diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol cannot lower your cholesterol blood levels more than a small percentage
Cholesterol Rich Foods l Only in Animal Products l Mother s milk - highest source l Eggs l Diary (milk products) l Meat l Poultry l Fish l Shellfish
Cholesterol Myth #3 Foods high in cholesterol cause more cardiovascular disease.
Problem Cholesterol Foods l Damaged or oxidized cholesterol l l l Powdered eggs Powdered milk (added to reduced-fat milks to give more body) Meats/animal fats heated to high temperatures l Polyunsaturated oils that have been processed l Unstable omega-3 linolenic l Extraction methods l Hydrogenation l Homogenization
Problem Causing Oils/Fats l Polyunsaturated fats/oils l Corn l Soy l Canola l Vegetable Oil l Cottonseed l Age faster, see with skin evidence l Provoke atherosclerosis
Cholesterol Myth #4 It s better to have low cholesterol than high cholesterol blood levels.
Facts l More arterial plaquing occurs in individuals with lower cholesterol levels than high l Before 1920 coronary heart disease was rare in US, by mid-1950s leading cause of death in US l From 1910-1970 SAD l Traditional animal fat decreased from 83% to 62% l l 18# butter per person to 4# per year Vegetable oil/shortening/margarine/refined oils increased 400%
Facts l Framingham Heart Study 1948, 6000 people l More saturated fat one ate, more cholesterol one ate, more calories one ate, the lower the serum cholesterol l Japanese diet- longest life span of any nation, high in animal fats l l l l l l French Greek Austrians Swiss Masii Northern India
Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease l SAD l High sugar, high fat, low fiber l Lack of exercise l Smoking l Alcohol l Coffee consumption l Poor stress management l Diabetes l Obesity l What causes plaquing in vessels? l Reduced nitric oxide production by endothelial cells l Genetics
Chronic INFLAMMATION l The true cause of cardiovascular disease
Causes of High Cholesterol l Hypothyroidism l Adrenal cortical dysfunction l Cardiovascular disease & atherosclerosis l Biliary stasis l Early insulin resistance (early stages of diabetes) l Poor metabolism and utilization of fats l Fatty liver l High oxidation (low antioxidant status)
Cholesterol Myth #5 Cholesterol causes heart disease.
Understanding Lab Levels l Types of Cholesterol l Total Cholesterol l HDL l LDL l VLDL l Triglycerides l Fasting 12 hours
Triglycerides l 3-Fatty acids attached to glycerol backbone l Most fats we eat are triglycerides l Broken down then triglycerides are reformed by liver with excess sugars and alcohol that have not been used as energy l Increased by: l Sugar l Alcohol
HDL (high density lipoprotein) l Good cholesterol l Transporter- of cholesterol from peripheral tissues and vessel walls to liver for processing and metabolism into bile slats
LDL (low density lipoprotein) l Calculated measurement l Transporter- Carries cholesterol and other fatty acids from liver to peripheral tissues for uptake and metabolism by cells l Bad cholesterol
VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) l Highest amount of triglycerides l Higher risk of cardiac event
Better Cardiovascular Labs l cardiocrp (highly sensitive CRP/ hscrp) l CV inflammation l Homocysteine l Antioxidant status (B12 & folate) l Fibrinogen l Stroke risk l Apolipoprotein A & B l Fractionated HDL & LDL (CardioIQ)
Fractionated Cholesterol l All about the size l Big/fluffy and buoyant is good l (You want LARGE!) l Small and dense causes plaguing as it goes through vessels
CardioIQ testing
Ways to Reduce Cholesterol l Exogenous l Diet modification l Endogenous l Support liver l Balance hormones l Pharmaceuticals l Natural Medicines
Cholesterol Myth #6 Statins are the best way to control cholesterol levels.
Statins l How do they work? l Inhibit the enyzme HMG-CoA reductase l Lower heart disease mortality not because of reduced cholesterol but because of other effects, unclear l Natural Statins l Red Yeast Rice l Phytosterols, isoflavones, trace minerals l Enyzme HMG-CoA reductase required to make coq10 (needed for energy for cells)
Cholesterol Myth #7 Statins decrease risk of cardiovascular incidence.
Side Effects of Statins l Liver l Muscle tissue l Eyes l Side Effects l Inhibit Coenzyme Q10 l Shortened life expectancy l Muscle aches l Depression, suicidal/aggression l Brain fog, concerns of dementia
CoQ10 l Antioxidant l Energy producing nutrient, makes ATP l Vital for mitochondrial function l Mitochondria- energy powerhouse of the cell
Natural Medicines l Lowers VLDL, LDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides l Niacin (vitamin B3)- Inositol hexaniacinate l Pantethine (vitamin B5) l Carnitine l Guglipid (Commiphora mukul) l L-Arginine & Soy isoflavones l Increases NO levels, relaxes smooth muslces in arteries decreasing oxidative damage of cholsterol on vessels l Taurine l Conjugates bile acids, increases solubility and excretion of cholesterol
Natural Medicines l Bind Cholesterol l Lactobacillus sporogenes l Fiber
Natural Medicines: Antioxidants Help break down cholesterol l Quercetin l Vitamin C l Grape Seed Extract l Bilberry Extract l Vitamin E l Melatonin l Folate (5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate) l B12 (methyl) l Betaine (trimethylglycine)
Must TREAT THE CAUSE l Identify and treat the cause of inflammation
Ways to Reduce Inflammation l Diet l Low-carbohydrate diet l Saturated fat in moderation l Lifestyle (exercise) l Sleep l Water l Antioxidants l Fish Oils
Eat Healthy Fats l Fish Oils & Marine Lipids (Krill/Algae) l Butter from raw, whole, unpasteurized milk from pasture-raised,cows l Extra virgin (cold pressed) olive oil l Unrefined flax oil (opaque container only) l Coconut oil l Egg yolks l Raw nuts/seeds l Avocado/ avocado oil