Is Lowering Your Cholesterol Killing You?!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted October 29, 2017
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
If there was a drug to lower oxygen in your body, would you take it?
Of course not… That’s absurd, right? Our bodies need oxygen.
But the moment some doctor hands you a cholesterol-lowering drug, he’s basically asking you to do the same thing.
He’s asking you to reduce something that’s absolutely vital to your health.
Cholesterol isn’t as important as oxygen, I’ll grant you… but keeping a healthy supply of cholesterol is critical to protecting everything from your brain to your heart.
So if you’re being told to lower your cholesterol, it’s time for a second opinion… because low cholesterol could literally end up killing you.
We hear a lot about cholesterol being a fat. It isn’t technically a fat, but a waxy substance.
You can find cholesterol in animal products (such as eggs, meat, fish, butter), but the biggest source in your body comes from your own liver.
Yes, you make most of the cholesterol in your body.
And that’s a very good thing, because your body absolutely needs cholesterol. For example:
- Your brain is 80 percent cholesterol – this means your brain needs cholesterol to function correctly.
- Cholesterol helps to form the outer protective membrane of every cell in your body.
- Never fibers are surrounded by sheaths that help the nerves to conduct an electrical signal – without cholesterol, nerves couldn’t perform as well as they do.
- Many of our hormones are cholesterol-based (estrogen, testosterone, and aldosterone, for example).
- Vitamin D is a cholesterol-based vitamin.
- Cholesterol is necessary for good bones, muscles, and the repair of tissue.
- Cholesterol acts as a natural antioxidant.
As you can see, cholesterol is important to our bodies.
Recent studies have shown that people with “high” cholesterol have less chance of getting Alzheimer’s or other dementias. And people who have problems with low hormone levels (such as testosterone), may not be getting enough cholesterol.
Blaming cholesterol for heart disease is a bit like blaming the Band-Aid for the cut. Cholesterol is part of the repair system of your body – so if you damage your heart blood vessels, of course cholesterol is going to part of the repair (the Band-Aid).
But that doesn’t mean cholesterol is to blame.
I’ve mentioned this enough, but inflammation is the real cause of heart disease, and cholesterol is part of the solution.
I think the biggest issue surrounding cholesterol is that it acts as an antioxidant.
People who have very high cholesterol tend to be folks who are doing harm to their bodies (smoking, eating junk food, etc.) and their bodies are producing more cholesterol to help stop the damage.
It is time we stopped being worried about cholesterol and turned our attention to the things that really matter: eating better, getting the nutrients our bodies need, exercising, and sleeping better.
Health and Happiness,
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
The Secret Ingredient to a Longer, Happier Life
Let’s face it. We’re all in need of an attitude adjustment from time to time. After all, when you turn on the news these days, the world can seem pretty dark. That is unless you make it a practice to look for the silver linings. In fact, Harvard researchers say when you do, something quite...
Do You REALLY Need All Those Skincare Products?
I often get questions about skincare products—and here’s what I’ve learned. In today’s beauty-obsessed world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of spending hundreds every month believing you need countless products to fight aging and achieve healthy, glowing skin. However, many dermatologists argue that LESS is MORE when it comes to skincare. Simplifying your...
“Ebb and Flow” Technique TRANSFORMS Senior Brain Health
You know by now that exercise is good for you. It keeps your heart healthy, your muscles strong, and your waistline trim. But what if I told you that a trendy “ebb and flow” workout technique—often associated with young fitness enthusiasts—could actually be a game-changer for us “oldsters” when it comes to brain health? And...
Mailbag: Slash Your Risk of Bone Fractures as You Age
“My doctor recently told me that I have osteoporosis. What can I do to reduce my risk of fractures and maintain strong bones as I age?” – Margaret Hi Margaret, Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I’m sure it was a shock. Osteoporosis is a serious condition that affects millions of people, and it’s not...
Household Favorite EXPOSED as Cancer Risk?
We all want to believe that the products we use daily are safe. After all, if they weren’t, they wouldn’t be on store shelves, right? Well, I hate to break it to you, but sometimes, the truth is far more alarming than we’d like to admit. The World Health Organization (WHO) has just dropped a...
Hidden Heatwave Threat REVEALED
Heat waves can have serious consequences. After all, staying cool isn’t just a comfort issue. When the mercury soars, it threatens your health—especially when you’re a senior. There are various reasons for this, including chronic medical conditions and bodies that just don’t regulate temperature as well as they once did. But there’s another heat-linked threat...
The Hidden Threat Behind Your Achy Joints
Picture this… You’re trying to enjoy a leisurely stroll in the park, but each step sends a jolt of pain through your knee. Or maybe you’re attempting to open a stubborn jar lid, only to have your fingers refuse to cooperate, leaving you feeling frustrated and helpless. Perhaps you’re simply trying to get out of...
Parkinson's Signs You Can't Afford to Miss
Imagine waking up one day to find your body betraying you. Your hands tremble as you try to button your shirt. Your feet shuffle when you want to walk with purpose. Once strong and clear, your voice now barely reaches above a whisper. This is the reality for those living with Parkinson’s. But what if...
Do Protein Needs Drop with Age? The SURPRISING Answer
I had a patient ask me the other day if they needed as much protein now as when they were younger. After all, we aren’t quite as active as seniors compared to when we were spring chickens. It’s a good question. And the answer might surprise you… Remember when you could devour a whole pizza...
Follow Your “Gut Feeling” to Reduce Diabetes Risk
It seems like every day we learn something new about the incredible influence our gut has on our overall health. From mood to immunity, and even to how well we sleep, the community of microbes in our digestive tract is pulling the strings behind the scenes. So, it should come as no surprise that researchers...