Cardiovascular Health

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is essential for carrying out multiple physiological functions in our cells, nerves, brain, hormone production, digestion, vitamin assimilation, blood clotting and wound healing.  

Contrary to popular belief, our livers produce about 70-80% of needed cholesterol and about 20% comes from food.  It lines our cell walls, is used for cell repair and provides insulation to our nerves so they can fire faster.  Cholesterol feeds the neurons in our brains for proper cognition, which uses about 25% of our supply. It is also needed to produce cortisol, sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone as well as bile to digest fat.  Cholesterol transforms sunlight to Vitamin D and is needed for blood clotting and tissue healing from wounds.  Our body can regulate cholesterol by producing less in the liver if we consume more in food.

Some people are genetically sensitive to cholesterol found in food, and gut bacteria can also impact cholesterol levels.  The body uses cholesterol as a bandage to patch vessels and tissues damaged by a diet that causes high inflammation in the body.  Although inflammation is needed on and off for the purpose of healing, consistent inflammation from a sedentary lifestyle, poor sleep, stress or diet consisting of sugar, processed foods, alcohol and excess caffeine for example will cause a build-up of plaque.  ​Vessels that are inflamed will be 'protected' by cholesterol which acts as a covering or scar tissue over damaged vessel walls.  Sugar turns to triglycerides, a type of fat used for energy.  Excess sugar is converted to glucose and signals your body to use it for energy or store it for later.   A bit is stored in the liver, but the rest is turned into triglycerides and stored as fat. 

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There is also a connection between carbohydrates being stored as fat and insulin resistance, impacting blood sugar, a major cause for high triglycerides and low HDL (good cholesterol).  

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Hypothyroidism can cause an increase in LDL (bad cholesterol). The hormones from the thyroid assist in breaking down LDL cholesterol.  Poor kidney function can also be connected to high cholesterol.​

Health issues resulting from plaque are heart disease, stroke, heart attack as well as chronic health conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.   Plaque build-up can begin in the childhood years and not become noticeable until later in life, so it is critical to live a healthy lifestyle early on.