National Cholesterol Education Month

September is National Cholesterol Education Month in the United States, and while most people know that cholesterol is bad for the heart and that it can clog arteries, many people don't fully understand why it can be so damaging.

Some cholesterol is needed by your body. In fact, every cell in your body has some cholesterol. It is part of the structure that forms the cell wall. Cholesterol can become a problem when it becomes elevated in levels greater than normal. While the medical community at large has determined healthy and unhealthy ranges, there is some variability based on your medical history. Therefore it is always recommended that people discuss their cholesterol levels with their doctor.

High cholesterol is associated with cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries due to cholesterol plaques), heart attack and stroke. Cholesterol is both generated in the body by the liver and enters the body from animal-based foods, such as meat, eggs and dairy. Plants do not contain cholesterol. Plant cells use phytosterols as their structural component. (Interestingly, research indicates that diets rich in phytosterols can help lower cholesterol by blocking the absorption of cholesterol from food.)

When we talk about "high cholesterol" what we are really talking about is cholesterol in the blood stream, not cholesterol used in cell membranes. Cholesterol tests typically give five numbers: total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, and the cholesterol ratio. Cholesterol and other fats are transported through the blood stream by lipoproteins. The lipoproteins allow fats to move through the water-based system of the blood.

LDL, the so called "bad cholesterol," is in fact just a "bad transporter" of cholesterol. The problem that arises with LDL is that the large, unsaturated molecules are easily oxidized, and this oxidation leads to a chain of events that results in the development of plaques forming over the damaged portion of the artery lining. (A more detailed explanation for what occurs during the oxidation process can be found in this article about how vitamin D protects the arteries). The same problem occurs with the lesser known very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). In fact, there is new evidence that VLDL is an even bigger problem than LDL, and you may want to talk to you doctor about having your VLDL tested with the rest of you lipid profile.

HDL, known as "good cholesterol," is also a transporter of cholesterol and the smallest of the lipoproteins. HDL is fully saturated, making it more stable and harder to oxidize. High levels of HDL are believed to provide a protective benefit to the cardiovascular system.

Triglycerides are esterified fats consisting of glycerol and three fatty acid groups (the "tri" in triglyceride). They make up the vast majority of fats that people ingest and are used by the body to create VLDL and LDL. It is precisely for this reason that a low-fat diet often results in lower cholesterol levels, and more importantly, lower LDL levels.

The cholesterol ratio is simply the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL, and is often called the "risk ratio." It is used by some doctors as a diagnostic tool, though there is a growing sense that it is more useful to look at each of the levels than the ratio.

When attempting to lower your cholesterol, generally you are trying to reduce the LDL and total cholesterol while improving the HDL to LDL ratio. There are now numerous prescription drugs and natural products that can improve cholesterol levels, however changes in lifestyle may be just as important to improving your lipid profile as medications or supplements.

If you are a smoker, quit. Tobacco smoke lowers HDL levels making your lipid profile worse. Likewise, you should avoid second hand smoke.

Look at your diet; is your diet high in foods that have too much saturated fat, trans-fat or cholesterol? Try to eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fiber and lean protein. Avoid red meat and full-fat dairy.

Regular exercise is also important. The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of moderately vigorous exercise, five or more days per week. These changes should be part of your program to reduce your cholesterol levels whether or not you also decide to take a prescription drug or natural supplement.

Whole Health offers a wide variety of products that may help support a healthy cardiovascular system. Learn more about these products here.