MYTH: Eating Eggs will increase cholesterol levels.
This theory is antiquated from research done in the 1970’s. In fact, eating eggs can LOWER cholesterol levels. That is right, lower the cholesterol! How is this possible?
There is a two-fold reason for this, first because eggs contain vitamin A esters which support liver function for good cholesterol conversion and second because it is not about the food as much as the METHOD of preparation. Basically, you can take a healthy food and fry it (eggs, potatoes) and now the nutritional pathways are entirely altered in a negative way.
For those of you restricting your egg intake to the WHITES only, you are doing a major dis-service to your body. The whites only contain protein, which is fine, but the yolk (yellow portion) has every single vitamin and nutrient known to man (except vitamin C) so that is where you can get benefit from this food. Eggs are the only Whole Food that we have. It is an entire being!
Some patients have asked if it is a genetic condition and genetically elevated cholesterol certainly exists, as well as gestational hypercholesterolemia (only elevated during pregnancy). Some patients ask what their diet should be to support good cholesterol levels so that they can be pro-active with their health. Before I inform you of all the good fats to eat let us spend a moment learning about what makes up a cholesterol molecule. There are three basic types known as, HDL (heavy density lipoprotein) LDL (low density lipoprotein) and VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein). The other thing we must understand is triglycerides and how these molecules play into the equation.
HDL “good” cholesterol is derived from whole foods such as, eggs, nuts (not peanuts, which are legumes), olives/olive oil, coconut/coconut oil, avocado/avocado oil and fish.
LDL which has been touted as “bad” cholesterol really is not because some LDL molecules are used for good things like formation of energy molecules called ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and some LDL molecules will behave in a detrimental way.
So, it is a mixed bag, but ALL VLDL cholesterol molecules are “BAD” and can only compromise our health. So, what are triglycerides and where do they affect our fat metabolism? Triglycerides are defined as, The main constituent of natural fats and oils. These fat molecules deal mostly with conversion of carbohydrates to either cheap fuel or stored fat.
Refined carbohydrates are the biggest violators of this especially important mechanism. Most authorities speak about cholesterol and triglycerides, but it should be triglycerides and cholesterol because that is the order that they are formed in the body, not the other way around.
So, looking at this the way most doctors do would be the same as blaming the skid marks for the accident. There are books to read from medical doctors specializing in cardiology that speak the truth about the lack of connection between elevated cholesterol levels and any association with heart disease. In fact, it is much more about liver health than heart health.
Here are some links if you are interested:
- The Great Cholesterol Myth: Why Lowering Your Cholesterol Won’t Prevent Heart Disease-and the Statin-Free Plan That Will
- The Dark Side of Statins
If your laboratory did not calculate your VLDL cholesterol here is a simple way to figure it out. Just divide your triglyceride level by 5 and you will have your VLDL level. What is normal? Well, HDL levels should be greater than 45, LDL levels should be less than 125, VLDL levels should be as close to single digits as possible. Triglyceride levels should be around 100 or less. These are optimal levels not average because if you are reading this article then you are not interested in average health, you want more!
When a friend asks, “what is your cholesterol level?” They are speaking of the HDL, LDL and VLDL combined. A person’s total cholesterol can be calculated as 150 plus your age (in years). So, a 50-year-old has a normal total cholesterol level of 200, but now I hope you understand that the type of fat (lipid) molecule creating a ratio is so much more pertinent than the total cholesterol level.
The ultimate questions:
- How can I check my cholesterol levels?
- What if my numbers are elevated?
- Is there such a thing as too low cholesterol and what does that indicate?
- Does diet, exercise and/or supplementation work?
- Can I replace my medication with natural products that have NO side effects or adverse reactions?
- Are cholesterol levels and ratios all based on genetic predisposition?
- Why does my cholesterol level go up only when I am pregnant (gestational)?
These questions can all be answered. I can be reached at getwell@forsterhealthcare.com or call: (917) 572-1030.