How to make sense of your cholesterol
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Discover More...Understanding Cholesterol: How to Stay Within the Healthy Range
High cholesterol has been associated with poor health and an 
increased risk of heart disease for the last two decades. This idea 
immediately spawned myths about saturated fats, which demonized certain 
categories of food, like eggs and healthy oils. Most physicians will 
advise you to keep your cholesterol levels as low as possible, or else 
suffer serious complications.
But did you know that high cholesterol is not necessarily a precursor to poor health nor is it an indicator of heart disease?
In my years of practice, I have seen people whose total cholesterol 
levels were over 250 but had a low risk of developing heart disease. I 
have also encountered patients who were highly at risk for heart disease
 despite low cholesterol levels (under 200).
Conventional doctors neglect to tell you the truth: 
your body NEEDS cholesterol. And there are far better indicators of your heart health than just your total cholesterol level. 
Back to Basics: What is the Purpose of Cholesterol?
About 75 percent of the cholesterol in your body is produced  in your
 liver, while the other 25 percent is obtained from the foods you eat.  
This soft, waxy substance is essential for the production of:
- Cell membranes
 
- Hormones
 
- Bile acids (for fat metabolism)
 
- Vitamin D
 
Cholesterol also contributes to the formation of your  memories and 
is crucial for your neurological function. Cholesterol also  affects the
 formation of serotonin, a hormone that is involved in your mood  
regulation.
Studies have found that people with insufficient levels of  
cholesterol have a higher chance of developing depression and suicidal  
thoughts, while others may experience an increased capacity for violence
 and  aggression. In extreme cases, low cholesterol can raise your risk 
of cancer and  Parkinson’s disease.
A rise in cholesterol levels, on the other hand, occurs in  response 
to damaged cells. A high amount of this substance in your bloodstream  
just proves that your body is working to repair or create new cells. 
Statins: A Drug That's Actually Bad for You
Having elevated levels of cholesterol (unless you are  suffering from
 a genetic defect called familial hypercholesterolemia) is not a  
disease that requires 
statins,
 yet millions are taking them as we speak. It is unfortunate that 
Americans are  led to believe that this class of cholesterol-lowering 
drugs is the answer to  normalizing cholesterol levels, when there over 
900 studies documenting their  adverse effects.
For instance, statins also deplete your CoQ10 levels. CoQ10  or 
Coenzyme Q10 is a substance that plays a crucial role in the creation of
  your ATP molecules needed for cellular energy production. Other than 
the side  effects brought by statins, CoQ10 deficiency can also yield to
 a number of  complications, including heart failure.
Unfortunately, conventional doctors oftentimes immediately  base 
judgment on numbers and prescribe dangerous statins, which ironically 
puts  your heart health at risk.
Statins: A Drug That's Actually Bad for You
Cholesterol shouldn't be feared to the point that you need toxic  
drugs to suppress it. Rather, the key is to understand how cholesterol 
works to  know how to stay within an optimal range. I urge you to read 
my infographic 
How to Make Sense of Your Cholesterol  Levels to discover this and how you can "read" your cholesterol levels to  help gauge  your risk of heart disease.
It's time to shatter the myths surrounding cholesterol and  statins! 
Share this infographic with your friends and family, and help them  take
 control of their health.