There are two types of cholesterol: LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins) and HDL (High Density Lipoproteins). Generally speaking, LDL’s are “bad” cholesterol and are obtained from animal products in a form the body cannot use. HDL’s, on the other hand, are known as “good” cholesterol and serve to remove excess cholesterol from the blood and tissues.
In adults, total cholesterol is considered “high” if it is greater than 240 mg. Between 200 and 240 is “borderline high” and less than 200 is “normal.” If cholesterol is high, you must also consider the amount of HDL present.
Ideally, the ratio of cholesterol to HDL should be 4:1 or less. This would place you in an average or below average risk category for heart disease. Testing for your levels of Apolipoprotein A1 and B (fatty proteins that determine where fats will be deposited in the body) can determine your genetic risk of heart disease. Low levels of Apo-A1, and high levels of Apo-B, are associated with heart disease--even if the cholesterol is normal.
Royal Recommendations for Prevention and Treatment
1. Be selective in the types of fats that you consume. Trans fatty acids, found in hydrogenated oils such as margarine and vegetable oil, are unnatural, tend to weaken cell membranes, and cause damage that may increase your cholesterol level. Cis fatty acids, on the other hand, which occur naturally in fats such as butter, are metabolized without problems. For cooking, olive oil, a monounsaturated fat, is probably best.
2. Coconut oil, like olive oil, does not break down at low temperatures and is also good for cooking. Despite its negative coverage by the media, coconut oil demonstrates a beneficial effect on the normalizing thyroid function, which, in turn, can help to lower cholesterol levels.
3. Meat and dairy products are high in cholesterol and should be eaten in moderation. Coffee, alcohol, smoking (See “Smoking Addiction”) and sugar also raise cholesterol and should be minimized or avoided. Steroids, birth control pills, and diuretics are a few of the many drugs that elevate blood cholesterol.
4. Increase your fiber intake in the form of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Oat bran and brown rice are the best fiber foods for lowering cholesterol. (See “Constipation.”)
5. Some form of aerobic exercise is important because it can increase the level of HDL in our body. This can be as simple as walking, cycling, or swimming for 15 minutes a day, three days each week. Be sure that your exercise pulse increases by at least 10 beats over your resting pulse. Eating eggs, soft-boiled or poached, and increasing your intake of vitamin C are other ways to improve HDL levels.
6. Check your thyroid function by measuring your basal body temperature. This is done by placing a thermometer under your arm for 10 minutes before arising from bed on two consecutive days. For menstruating women, this is best done at the beginning of the menstrual cycle. The average basal body temperature should be greater than 97.8 degrees. If not, a trial of natural thyroid should be considered. (See “Hypothyroidism.”)
7. Consider having yourself checked for exposure to heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and cadmium (See “Chelation Therapy”). These free radicals may damage cell membranes and increase your cholesterol levels.
8. Supplements known to be of benefit include Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E, B-complex (especially choline and inositol), chromium, essential fatty acids (such as cold-pressed flax seed oil), Lecithin, garlic and proteolytic enzymes.
9. While some medications are available for lowering blood cholesterol, these should only be used as a last resort. Many of them have serious side effects and must be closely monitored. If taking Niacin, or Vitamin B3, to lower cholesterol, you can slowly increase the dosage to 1-2 grams three times daily. Keep in mind that niacin normally causes flushing but a tolerance to this can gradually be developed.
10. Herbal cayenne has been helpful in lowering cholesterol level.
11. Homeopathically, there is no specific treatment for high cholesterol. However, homeopathic Cholesterinum in 30X potency taken once daily may be of benefit. Other remedies to consider would be Chelidonium, Lycopodium, and Nux Vomica in low potencies. These all have strong action on the liver.
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