"The public is so brainwashed, that many people believe that the lower your cholesterol, the healthier you will be or the longer you will live. Nothing could be further from the truth," states Paul Rosch, president of The American Institute of Stress and Clinical Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at New York Medical College. He continues: A massive crusade has been conceived to "lower your cholesterol count" by rigidly restricting dietary fat, coupled with aggressive drug treatment. Much of the impetus for this comes from speculation, rather than any solid scientific proof." For many, these are startling statements. In a time where cardiovascular disease (CVD) is rampant and people are fearful, we need to know that CVD isn't always what it appears to be!

Cholesterol is only a starting point. The simple truth is that cholesterol is not a bad thing. Many doctors concur based on numerous scientific studies, that there actually is no relationship between blood levels of cholesterol and the degree of atherosclerotic disease. Cholesterol is only a secondary factor in CVD, not the cause. It is only an indicator, not a perpetuator. To blame cholesterol for causing CVD is like blaming the speed of your car on the speedometer.

Cholesterol provides more benefits to the heart and body than detriments. The composition of cells in the body, and especially the cells in the brain and nerves, is primarily composed of cholesterol/fat. It is the primary raw ingredient to make the hundreds of hormones in the body, it is necessary for a healthy immune system, needed for vascular wall integrity, and many more functions. Dr. Michael F. Oliver, former professor and director of the Wynn Institute for Metabolic Research, London says that "Very little is known about the long-term effects of lowering cholesterol concentrations of the composition of cell membranes."

Lowering cholesterol levels is not the answer. In the 1970s the final version of the Framingham study reversed itself and concluded that when you eat foods high in cholesterol, your body creates less cholesterol; when you eat foods low in cholesterol, your body creates more, depending on the individual and the individuals needs. It is too vital of a substance to be left to chance.

So why is cholesterol a factor in CVD? Cholesterol is the healing serum, carried by LDL's to a damaged area in the arterial lining to heal it. This damage appears to be caused by chronic inflammation and/or infection. If too much cholesterol builds, trying to heal this damage, CVD can result. To control the inflammation and infection is more effective than taking a drug to lower cholesterol. Low cholesterol has been associated with many more disease processes than high cholesterol. It is therefore, more appropriate to handle the causative factor.

While this cholesterol-lowering approach is unfortunately off track, going off medications without guidance is not advised. There is much that we can do to prevent and reverse CVD. It will take work, but it is worth the results.

Attend our cardiovascular health class from 7-9 p.m. today, Nov. 2 in Coeur d'Alene to learn more. Fee: $10. RSVP: (208) 765-1994.

Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with more than 32 years of experience. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d'Alene clinic. Visit Carling's website at www.vitalhealthandfitness.com to learn more about Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Carling can be reached at (208) 765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.