All we ever hear about Cholesterol is bad. It’s like the kid down the street your mom never let you play with…”Stay away from Cholesterol!” She would yell as we ran out to play, door slamming behind us.
Cholesterol is not bad…at least in extreme amounts but did you know that it has some vitally important functions? Our bodies actually make 75% of our cholesterol. Cholesterol is the raw material needed, in order to produce hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, serotonin and more. It also helps us generate Vitamin D. Having adequate cholesterol successfully transports the fat soluble vitamins A,D,E,K. Generally speaking, cholesterol helps us feel good, hopeful, and healthy.
So, what does our body use to generate all this cholesterol? Well, its probably not what you think or what you’ve been told. It uses refined carbs and sugar. Stress is another big contributor to high cholesterol. Cortisol is produced in the adrenals in order to help us handle our stress. When we deal poorly with stress, our adrenals call for an increase in cortisol. Cholesterol hears the call and cranks out more and more in order to meet the cortisol demands…so, our cholesterol numbers rise.
Over the years, the powers that be continue to lower the acceptable cholesterol number. When was the last time you heard anyone talk about the risks of low cholesterol? We rarely talk about the side effects of not having enough cholesterol but did you know that low cholesterol can be just as detrimental?
Low Cholesterol can result in the following:
- 700% increase in colon cancer
- Heart and circulation problems
- Ulcers
- Dizziness and Arrhythmia
- Increase in cancers
The bottom line is, we need to keep our health in balance. Too much of a good thing is just as bad as too little. If you are having high cholesterol problems, talk to your doctor. Start managing your stress and eat a diet full of whole, vitamin rich foods, and as usual, watch your intake of sugary, refined carbs. Remember, always check with your doctor before stopping or starting any medication