Who Should Have High Cholesterol?

by Glen Depke

Really, there are people that should have high cholesterol? In the perfect world this would not be the case, but I do not know of anyone that lives in this perfect world. So yes, there are individuals that absolutely need higher amounts of cholesterol production within their bodies are here is a list of those that you would typically see this higher production.

Those with a higher than normal cholesterol production would include but not be limited to those with:

•       High stress life

•       Hormone imbalance

•       Physical, mental or emotional  health challenges

•       Brain and nervous system challenges

•       “Sick” people

•       Extreme athletes

The reason these people would typically require a higher production of cholesterol is due to the positive factors that cholesterol plays in your body. Here is a list of these positive benefits.

•       Essential to the function of the human body

•       Prevents some types of Cerebrovascular Diseases

•       Essential component of Cell Membranes

•       Key constituent of the Myelin Sheath that insulates Neurons

•       Cholesterol’s byproducts are essential components of Bile

•       Protects the Skin against infection by detrimental bacteria and fungi

•       Cholesterol possesses Antioxidant properties

•       Essential to healthy Brain function

•       Assists in preventing Depression

•       Low cholesterol increases risk of Cancer

•       Precursor for the formation of Steroid Hormones

•       Increases the number of receptors in the brain for Serotonin

•       Essential precursor for the production of Vitamin D

With this said, you can see that your body needs cholesterol. If you fit into one of the categories of those that need higher cholesterol, your body may require a higher production of cholesterol to assist in balancing and healing the body.

Think of it this way. Prior to having your blood drawn to assess cholesterol levels, are you ever asked any of the questions below?

•       Are you under a lot of mental emotional stress?

•       Are your hormones imbalanced?

•       Do you really “push it” with your exercise?

•       Have you been chronically ill?

These are the questions you need to be asked to assist in understanding where you fall in regard to a cholesterol need.

Also understand that about 70 – 80% of your body’s cholesterol is produced in liver or the cells of your body. The other 20 – 30% will come from your nutrition. Only about 50% of your nutritional cholesterol is absorbed by the body while most of the remainder will be released in your bile. If you consume higher amounts of nutritional cholesterol, the body will adjust its own production accordingly. Recognize that consuming cholesterol in your food is not this issue.

So if your doctor tells you your cholesterol is high, this does not mean the next step is a statin drug. The next step is to understand where your bodily imbalance may be and address this. When your body no longer needs the excess cholesterol, your production will decrease. I see this so often in my years as a Traditional Naturopath. Often you will see cholesterol levels rise during healing, only to fall again once you reach a state of balance.

For further information on cholesterol feel free to visit this link to another blog post earlier in the year.

If you have any comments or questions, please post these below and I will answer them personally.

If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol and you would like to understand where your challenge may lie, register for a FREE 20 minute phone consultation here.