Reduce Cholesterol Risk:A Slightly Different Approach
There was a time when following the accepted traditions was
something one did without question. If the tradition of your
tribe demanded that a boy face his fears through some horrifying
act in order to be recognized as a man then that is exactly what
he did.
In the modern world that sort of blind obedience to tradition is
a bit more difficult to find. Many of us have grown up in a
culture defined by mini revolutions. We question more. If we
don't like the answers we receive, we are inclined to stand
against the flow... that is, if it suits us.
What if we applied a little bit of that revolutionary spirit to
cholesterol management? What if we took prevention a little bit
more seriously?
Lowering cholesterol risk is, of course, serious business. An
imbalanced cholesterol profile can lead to a number of chronic
heart health issues. I am not debating that issue.
Nor am I challenging the accepted methods designed to reduce
cholesterol risk. It is important to keep our HDL cholesterol
high and our triglycerides within an acceptable range. It is
especially important to keep our LDL cholesterol in check. That
is why the primary focus of cholesterol management is the
reduction of LDL. This is good and proper.
But why is LDL cholesterol so important? Well for starters high
LDL levels contribute to the development of coronary heart
disease (CHD). Particularly, high LDL levels promote the
development of atherosclerosis... that nasty build-up on the
inside of our arteries.
So it makes sense to focus on LDL reduction to lower cholesterol
risk.
But here is a twist that you may not have considered. Evidence
has been mounting for some time that the level of LDL
cholesterol in our systems may not be what causes
atherosclerosis (artery clogging plaque). Rather it is actually
the oxidation of LDL that promotes atherosclerosis and therefore
CHD. In light of this evidence it is reasonable to assume that
therapy should focus on suppressing LDL oxidation as well as
lowering LDL levels.
Oxidation is a process that happens to our cells in the presence
of oxygen. When oxygen comes in contact with certain molecules
the reaction leaves some of the atoms with unpaired electrons.
They are then known as free radicals. These free radicals attack
healthy cells in our bodies doing damage to cell membranes and
DNA. The result is improperly functioning cells or even cell
death. This process is blamed for many chronic conditions
including my favorite ... aging.
When LDL cholesterol becomes oxidized it reacts differently than
'healthy' LDL. In short, it builds up on the inside of our
arteries.
We have all heard of antioxidants. As the name implies,
antioxidants oppose the activities of free radicals. They
prevent the process of oxidation. It makes sense then to
consider antioxidants as an important part of preventing
coronary heart disease.
Even if you may not have thought of this it is possible you are
already doing something about it. Many of us supplement with
vitamin-E for a healthy heart. Vitamin-E has long been
recognized as a powerful antioxidant.
But vitamin-E alone may not be enough. If you are serious about
cholesterol management you might want to add a few more
antioxidants to your arsenal. Here are three that have been
shown to be very effective in preventing LDL oxidation.
The first two we will look at together. Catechins and
theaflavins have been shown to work well together to reduce LDL
oxidation. Where do we find these little gems?
Catechins and theaflavins are found in green and black teas.
There is a whole list of them. Which ones are better? A study
done in China on the effectiveness of catechins and theaflavins
to reduce LDL oxidation indicated that both green and black teas
provided effective antioxidant powers. In fact, these flavonoids
seem to work best together. In other words, consuming a complex
of catechins and theaflavins from green and black teas provides
the most comprehensive antioxidant influence.
There is, however, another champion antioxidant that has
received abundant study in relation to LDL oxidation. That
champion is COQ10.
CoQ10 is perhaps best known as a necessary coenzyme in the
process of producing cellular energy. It is extremely important
for the proper functioning of large organs like the heart.
But CoQ10 is also a very strong antioxidant. It has been
demonstrated to be more effective in preventing LDL oxidation
than vitamin-E. In fact, CoQ10 is known to regenerate vitamin-E
that has been depleted in its antioxidant warfare. Which should
you take? Both. CoQ10 and vitamin-E work best in tandem. That is
normally how antioxidants function.
By all means keep your LDL low. But also consider efforts to
keep your LDL healthy. LDL that has undergone oxidation is bad
news for heart health. CoQ10, vitamin-E, theaflavins and
catechins can all help in the antioxidant war to prevent
coronary heart disease.
For more information and LDL oxidation and antioxidants please
use the links below:
CoQ10 and Cholesterol
CoQ10 Supplements
Optimal
Heart Health Home Page