Are You Trying to Fix the Wrong Problem?

Heart Disease is the no 1 killer in the US.   More than  12 million patients are taking cholesterol-lowering drugs.  Lipitor is the #1 drug in sales, returning $5.8 billion to Pfizer in 2008.  Simvistatin ,the generic version of Lipitor-like drugs, is the 3rd most prescribed drug.  Cholesterol-lowering medicine is big business.  Unfortunately, it is misguided and can be downright dangerous to your heath.

You Need Cholesterol

Cholesterol is vital to your health.  It is the precursor to all of the hormones that your body produces; estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, cortisol and aldosterone.  .No cholesterol – no hormones.  In fact, if your cholesterol is lower than 150 your body can’t make your hormones.  Unfortunately many cardiologists believe that a cholesterol level below 100 is required for patients with a history of atherosclerosis.

The problem is that your hormones are your body’s messenger service.  They regulate your body’s growth, development and maintenance. Is it any wonder that the side effects of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs include fatigue, muscle cramps, muscle damage and impotence?  Or that Viagra sales in 2008 were close to $1 billion? Low cholesterol also increases your risk of cancer and hemorrhagic stroke.

Fixing the Wrong Problem

Cholesterol acts like the spackle of your artery walls.  It deposits on the walls of your arteries to patch the cracks (micro damage) that occur when your blood vessels do not get the nutrients that they need.  Cholesterol will continue to deposit as long as the damage is there.  So you see, removing the cholesterol does not solve the problem! What are you doing about the crack?

Mind the Crack

A much better approach is to take care of your arteries to repair and prevent micro damage in the first place.  Just as your wall would keep cracking due to a sagging foundation, your arteries will continue to be damaged by a poor nutritional foundation.   A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables provides the best protection.  Vitamins B-12, folic acid, B6 and Riboflavin (B2) are important.  Resveratrol, found in grapes and berries also promotes flexibility in your arteries.

 

Comments are closed.