Research shows dietary cholesterol has little impact on blood cholesterol. So what really affects it?
While cholesterol has historically been blamed for heart disease, and many have been told to avoid eggs and animal fats, it actually plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health.
Cholesterol stabilizes cell membranes, supports the production of steroid hormones like cortisol, testosterone, and estrogen, and aids in the body’s natural healing processes. It also helps produce vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight, combats inflammation, and protects nerves.
However, the real issue might not be what we eat but how our body processes and manages cholesterol.
Clarifying Cholesterol
“Cholesterol itself is not harmful; the problem arises when LDL cholesterol becomes oxidized,” Jodi Duval, a naturopathic physician and owner of Revital Health, told The Epoch Times.
LDL (low-density lipoprotein, also known as “bad” cholesterol) is produced by the liver and sent to areas in the body that need repair. It acts as a healing agent and a building block for cell regeneration. However, when LDL becomes oxidized, it turns harmful.
Cholesterol becomes oxidized when it interacts with oxygen. This process involves reactive oxygen species (ROS), or free radicals, damaging LDL particles and making them harmful. Oxidized LDL triggers inflammation and plaque buildup in the arteries, which contributes to atherosclerosis—a key driver of heart disease.
Cholesterol levels should be managed primarily in the context of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, or other cardiovascular risk factors, Duval noted.
Remember that cholesterol is not just one number; it comes in different forms, including LDL and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL is known as “good” cholesterol because it helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream, transporting it to the liver for processing.
Diet and Blood Cholesterol
Dietary cholesterol has been debated since the 1960s when guidelines first recommended limiting cholesterol intake.
However, research in the late 1990s challenged this advice, showing little to no correlation between dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol levels. When cholesterol intake increases, the body compensates by reducing absorption and lowering its cholesterol production, with the liver playing a central role in this balancing act. These mechanisms suggest diet alone isn’t the main driver of blood cholesterol levels.
By Zena le Roux
