What’s Good About Cholesterol
A better way to prevent heart disease

By Vinson DiSanto, D.O.

For most Americans the word cholesterol conjures up thoughts of cardiovascular disease and for the most part, a substance to be guarded against.  “Cholesterol” the chemical compound, is far from being our adversary. It is very much our ally.Cholesterol is critical to many functions such as: the manufacture of hormones and vitamin D, immune system development, building and maintenance of our brain and nervous system, strengthening of blood vessels and much more.

Strong evidence exists which associates cholesterol levels below 160 with a greater risk of cancer, depression, accidents and suicide due to hormonal imbalances and a depressed nervous system. In fact, upwards of 50% of heart attacks in the United States occur in individuals whose cholesterol levels are normal or below normal. The risk of fatal heart attacks is apparently greater when cholesterol levels are low.

Approximately 70-80% of our daily amount of body cholesterol is manufactured by the liver in response to a need, such as hormone production. Elevated cholesterol levels between late Autumn and early Spring are to be expected, under normal physiologic conditions, since sunlight exposure is generally reduced, (in the Northern Hemisphere) and the body tries to produce more vitamin D.

With respect to heart disease, inflammation and not cholesterol levels should be the focus of concern.  Factors like excess iron, chemical toxicity, chronic infection, etc. represent powerful stimulants for the development of cardiovascular injury and subsequent disease.

Cholesterol, as a bystander, by way of assisting with blood vessel repair is usually misidentified as the culprit in cardiovascular disease.

I recall around 1987 suggesting to pharmaceutical representatives for cholesterol lowering medications, that any cardiovascular health benefits reported were due to some unidentified anti-inflammatory effects of the medication. At the time they were sure I was wrong, only to make the same claim years later, as if they already knew.

Inflammation can cause “fats” in the body to become “oxidized” which generates “free radicals” that can create blood vessel and other structural damage, leading to a series of repair responses that can produce artery plaque or clogged arteries.

The integrative approach to evaluating cardiac risk  is to have laboratory tests performed, which along with the standard profiles, looks at specific markers of inflammation, which if present, directs us to investigate underlying causes, such as those mentioned in this article. Treatment opportunities can include elimination of hidden infections, reduction of iron levels, and removal of heavy metals utilizing I.V. Chelation Therapy, identifying food allergies, and managing stress and lifestyle.

The idea I hope to impart is that the mind-set which seeks to assign “good” or “bad” labels to everything when it comes to our health blocks the opportunity to understand the “big picture” and runs the risk of harmful decisions.  It would be better to regard “life” as a continuous process, instead of a collection of absolutes.

Dr. DiSanto is an integrative physician at Physicians for Alternative Medicine, P.C., a full service natural medicine and preventive medicine facility in West Long Branch NJ.  Questions can be directed to 732-542-2638 email: phy4am@comcast.net www.physicans4altmed.com Free Heart Disease Prevention Consultations are offered.