High Cholesterol and Atherosclerosis
Friend, not Foe
Cholesterol is absolutely necessary for the proper production of hormones, for cell integrity, and—this may come as a surprise—for the health of coronary arteries. Although many people automatically associate the word “cholesterol” with heart disease, it’s not so simple. Recent research shows that cardiovascular diseases come from inflammation in the arteries, rather than specific levels of cholesterol. Under certain circumstances, cholesterol can fuel the fire of heart disease, and extremely high levels of cholesterol can indeed be harmful. However, cholesterol can also protect you from cardiovascular diseases. We can no longer simply equate high cholesterol with disease. In most cases, the issue is not “high cholesterol” at all!
Deeper Issues
The liver sends certain messenger molecules to the body called lipoproteins. They are also called “carrier particles”, since their function is to carry cholesterol to the arteries. There are several types of these particles. Most of them work to bring healthy cholesterol to the arteries to enhance and protect healthy cardiovascular functioning. An example of this is the molecule called “Large LDL.” This molecule delivers cholesterol into a superficial layer of the artery wall, where it protects the system from inflammation. Another example is HDL-2, a protective molecule which maintains balance in the system by retrieving cholesterol from the arteries and bringing it back to the liver.
Some of the carrier particles, however, are more susceptible to oxidization. These can combine with the cholesterol they carry, driving the cholesterol deeper into the arteries where it cannot be retrieved. When these molecules remain in the arteries, they oxidize and damage the cholesterol they carried there. This process fuels the fire of any pre-existing arterial inflammation, and it thereby accelerates the process of atherosclerosis. Two examples of molecules that appear to have the ‘intent’, so-to-speak, of fueling the fire are “small dense LDL” and “Lipo-A”.
Finding and Treating the Causes of Disease
Arterial inflammation may exist independent of any damaged cholesterol issues. Therefore, inflammation is the primary problem which needs to be addressed. In order to properly understand if damaged cholesterol is fueling inflammation in your body, we have to look beyond the level of conventional medical testing. We must ask, what is causing your body to produce more atherogenic lipoproteins? What is behind the inflammation? It may not be simply your genetics or your diet. It is very important to look deeper into the causes.
My role is to look for any alterations in the ‘software’ behind your body’s functioning. Do you have high levels of the molecule Apo-b, a sign that your body’s intent is toward atherosclerosis? Do you have certain levels of insulin resistance? Is your liver functioning to its optimum, or is it itself inflamed? Liver dysfunction can come from heavy metals toxins in the body, unhealthy food, or even too much healthy food. For many people, their liver can’t handle the amounts of food they eat, and it starts to produce higher levels of fatty acids. Too many fatty acids can cause inflammation and insulin resistance. These processes can be further complicated by abnormal metabolic function, adrenal stress, hypothyroidism, or other autoimmune conditions. All of the above factors can amplify each other and lead towards atherosclerosis.
In order to see the bigger picture, I have many powerful methods at my disposal. I use sophisticated tests such as the glucose-insulin tolerance test, and a thyroid analysis called the TRH stimulation test. I assess levels of free radicals, heavy metals and other toxic compounds in the body. I determine whether the gut is producing toxins that can exhaust the immune system. I run organic acid metabolic tests, and I look for any markers of inflammation such as CRP. When the bigger picture of your body’s functioning comes into view, we can then select from a host of nutraceutical treatments, or natural compounds that can restore the proper ‘software’ and stimulate healthy functioning in your body.
