Cholesterol, Statins & Heart Disease; the Good, the Bad & the Ugly

Heart disease is dear to my heart. Therefore, I want to show and explain what the medical system is doing wrong or just not noticing. Doctor's have scared us to think cholesterol is bad and statins are good. The truth is cholesterol lives in our body, and we need it to survive. In turn, statins are blocking the natural ability of our body to produce cholesterol. If we don't get good cholesterol, we get the ugly. We have been told, for many years, high fat diets will increase heart attacks and heart disease (Cholesterol - Canada.ca), but these claims are found to be inaccurate information.

Cholesterol makes up cell membranes in the body. Without cholesterol our heart and brain would not function properly. In the past cholesterol was deemed bad. But now, research shows our body needs cholesterol to survive, and it is good for us. There are some saturated fats that are very harmful for us, for example, margarine. Margarine is one of the deadliest foods you could ever digest. Just like margarine, other butter spreads are made out of seed oils. Seed oils are inflammatory and will build up in your arteries. Therefore, if you want to have clean supple arteries, we need get back to the Middleville Days of living off the land. So, eat your organic fatty meat, eat your organic butter, and your organic eggs because your body will love you for it.

Now, I am going to talk about the bad, statins. Statins are being handed out, by doctors, like candy. A statin was the first thing the nurse told me I needed to take after I had my stint put in. My cholesterol wasn't even high. Of course, I didn't listen because I have done my research on the deadly prescription drug. Statins are drugs that act to reduce levels of fats, including triglycerides and cholesterol, in the blood. The side effect of statins are muscle pain and depletion of CoQ10. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant that your body produces naturally. Your cells use CoQ10 for growth and maintenance. With out CoQ10, our body, brain, muscles and kidneys will fail. Funny how a statin does the complete opposite from CoQ10. So, why are statins being freely given out by doctors? Firstly, Big Pharma is making money off every pill sold. Secondly, practitioners just don't take the time or don't have the time to research new studies. It is just downright ugly!

Finally, out of all of the crazy lies there is some truth to how heart disease can be prevented and maintained. Cardiologist Dr. Stephan Sinatra noticed in patients' magnesium, coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine, and D-ribose have helped with the production of adenosine triphosphate (i.e. cellular energy). These four key nutrients are called "the awesome foursome" and boost ATP.

Magnesium: Magnesium maintains normal muscle and nerve function, helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure and heart rhythm, maintains bone strength, and supports a healthy immune system. Many people consume a diet low in magnesium receiving less than two thirds of the recommended dietary allowance. Good magnesium sources include whole grains, spinach, broccoli, squash, beans, popcorn, nuts, pork, and seeds. Fair sources of magnesium include dairy products, chocolate, and meats.

CoQ10: While CoQ10 fuels energy production, it also removes free radicals from circulation. Free radicals lead to the oxidation of LDL, which result in arterial plaque and narrowed arteries. CoQ10 uses what little oxygen and nutrients the heart receives to increase production of ATP and boost the hearts energy levels. Foods with CoQ10 ubiquinol are oily fish, organ meats, whole grains, peanuts, spinach, avocados. and olive oil.

L- carnitine: L-carnitine is a compound produced by the liver and kidneys from the biosynthesis of the amino acids lysine and methionine. To form L-carnitine you need vitamin C, B6, niacin, and iron, as well. L-carnitine is responsible for transporting fatty acids to the mitochondria for energy production. The heart typically gets 60% of its energy from fat sources. If this process is slowed due to a lack of L-carnitine heart function is affected, especially compounding problems for individuals with heart disease. Foods containing L-carnitine are beef, pork, avocados, cod, chicken breasts, and whole milk.

D-ribose: D-ribose is a simple sugar molecular which is derivative from ATP and is involved in producing cellular energy. Every cell in the human body slowly produces d-ribose. Liver, fat tissue, and adrenal glands produce the highest levels to meet the production needs of hormones and fatty acids. Heart, brain, nerve, and skeletal muscle only make enough D-ribose to manage day-to-day needs during a normal state of health. Foods with D-ribose are lamb liver, eggs, beef, milk, salmon, pork, yogurt, mushrooms, spinach, and almonds.

Heart disease doesn't have to be deadly. If we know how to control the bad and the ugly, the good will live to fight another day.

If you have heart disease and need some support and direction to prevent or control your disease, please check out my website at aalanutrition.ca. I am a Certified Functional Nutritionist with a passion for the art of using food, herbs and supplements to help ease and maintain pain and suffering,