Not All Cholesterol is Bad!

Cholesterol production is important! Your liver and intestines make about 80% of the cholesterol you need to stay healthy. Only about 20% comes from the foods you eat. When diving into cholesterol it’s important to know the full break down. I encourage a thorough work up to be done.

Cholesterol panel 

  • Lipid Profile and Ratios

    • Total Cholesterol (TC) 

    • Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)

    • High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) 

    • Triglycerides (TG)

  • Lipid Particle Number, Size and Subfractions

  • TG/HDL Ratio

  • Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) Assessment of cardiovascular risk

  • Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1)Assessment of cardiovascular risk

  • ApoB/A1 Ratio 

Cholesterol is the precursor for

  • Pregnenolone 

  • Progesterone 

  • Cortisol

  • Androgens

  • Oestrogens

  • Vitamin D

  • Vitamin K2

  • Coenzyme Q10 

  • Bile salts 

Driving cholesterol lower with statins may negatively affect hormones and

  • Increase the risk of diabetes mellitus 2

  • Increase the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

  • Increase the risk of neuropathy

  • Cause myalgia and atrophy

When it comes down to LDL size and throw does matter! A basic cholesterol panel does not break it down.

  • Small density LDL (pattern B)→higher risk 

  • Intermediate density LDL (pattern I)

  • Large, buoyant LDL (pattern A)→lower risk

And, don’t forget that toxins and heavy metals play a role as well! 

  • Increase LDL and TG, decrease HDL, and induce dysfunctional HDL

  • Increase CVD, hypertension, atherosclerosis

  • Reduce total antioxidant capacity

  • Act as mitochondrial toxins

Inflammation is a huge role player in cardiovascular disease. 

  • High-sensitivity CRP major marker of inflammation

  • The higher the inflammation, the more permeable the endothelium

  • Associated with higher risk

  • Considered a “risk enhancing factor” (AHA/ACC guidelines)

Underlying Causes of Inflammation

  • Poor dietary choices

  • Lack of exercise

  • Visceral fat

  • Chronic infections/dysbiosis (esp. oral and gut)

  • Toxins, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals

  • Poor sleep

Tara Woodland