Cholesterol Confusion- Cholesterol Is Not Our Enemy

image

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a “waxy” substance generally produced by our liver. Without we could not live, which is to say cholesterol is vital for many functions in our body. You need cholesterol to help your brain, skin, and other organs grow and work the way they should.

Our body cell has cholesterol in its outer layer. Cholesterol is a lipid that’s created by the body to protect the cell membrane; your body needs it for many things, such as making new cells. Normal cholesterol is important for cellular repair and development. When the amount of cholesterol increases or decreases, the cells are affected.

Cholesterol Confusion

Excess cholesterol builds up in the blood stream. It happens as a result of the inflammation in your body which your cholesterol is constantly fighting. Therefore, you should not fight the body’s defense system (cholesterol) but rather get to the root of the problem. Stress and consequently inflammation are likely reasons for high cholesterol levels. Getting rid of stress and strengthening your immune system will help reduce cholesterol naturally.

Saturated fat and cholesterol necessary for proper cellular function, brain health

Our bodies actually require both saturated fat and cholesterol for proper metabolism, brain health, hormone balance and cellular homeostasis. Without these two important nutritional components, a cascade of health problems can ensue, including debilitating brain conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Consequently inflammation and stress are main reasons for high cholesterol levels. Strengthening the immune system and getting rid of stress will reduce your cholesterol naturally.

8 Natural Ways To Reduce Cholesterol Naturally

Cinnamon Essential Oil

The primary components of cinnamon are cinnamaldehyde, gum, tannin, mannitol, coumarins and the essential oils known as aldehydes, eugenol and pinene. Recent studies have found that consuming 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon each day may reduce blood sugar, cholesterol and triglyceride levels by as much as 20%.

Olive Oil

This common cooking ingredient can help your health. Olive oil is full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), which lower LDL cholesterol—and have the welcome side effect of trimming belly fat. Use it to make your own salad dressings, marinate chicken and fish, or roast vegetables.

Oats and Barley

Oats and barley are rich in a form of soluble fibre called beta glucan. Once eaten beta glucan forms a gel which helps bind cholesterol in the intestines and prevent it from being absorbed. It is recommended that we eat about 3g of beta glucan per day. Foods which contain 1g or more of beta glucan can carry a cholesterol lowering claim.

Garlic

Garlic has been found to lower cholesterol, prevent blood clots, reduce blood pressure, and protect against infections. Now research finds that it helps stop artery-clogging plaque at its earliest stage by keeping cholesterol particles from sticking to artery walls. Try for two to four fresh cloves a day.

Cinnamon

In one study researchers found that about ½ tablespoon of cinnamon daily cut total cholesterol by 26 percent. Cinnamon is also an excellent way to make heart healthy foods, like low-fat cottage cheese or Greek yogurt, taste great, and if you sprinkle it on your oatmeal or other foods, you’ll be boasting your breakfast’s cholesterol-fighting power.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to reduce inflammation. Vitamin C aids in clearing the blood vessels. It triggers a enzyme that breaks down cholesterol and triglycerides into free fatty acids. This process helps prevent fatty deposits from clinging to the walls of the arteries, which are best known for reducing ir eliminating blood flow to the heart and brain.

Avocados

In a study from Mexico’s Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, women and men who ate one avocado per day for a week had a reduction in total cholesterol of 17 percent. The amazing details: While their levels of unhealthy LDL and triglycerides fell, good HDL levels actually rose—thanks, perhaps to the avocado’s high levels of “good” monounsaturated fat. This fatty fruit is also full of cholesterol-cutting beta-sitosterol.

Sources:

http://www.thestressreliefcenter.com/truthaboutcholesterol.htm

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/healthscience/2015/February/Heart-Disease-Cholesterol-Is-Not-the-Real-Enemy/

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/ss08/fat.html

http://www.westonaprice.org/cardiovascular-disease/benefits-of-high-cholesterol

mcshane