Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in the United States. Preventable risk factors for this condition include high cholesterol, smoking, and high blood pressure. The liver produces half of the body's cholesterol while the remainder is acquired through diet. Elevated levels may have a genetic factor or may also occur as a secondary response to a disease or drug.

'Good' vs. 'Bad' Cholesterol

The two main fats carried in the blood are cholesterol and triglycerides. They are packaged with lipoproteins classified on density. The higher the triglyceride count, the less dense they are. These lipoproteins include HDLs (High Density Lipoproteins), LDLs (Low Density Lipoproteins), and VLDLs (Very Low Density Lipoproteins). The good cholesterol is the highest density and the detrimental cholesterol is the lowest density. LDLs contain approximately 75% lipids (fats) and 25% protein; whereas HDLs contain an equal ratio. VLDLs (Bad Cholesterol) transports trigycerides (stored fat) into the cells. The VLDLs then become LDLs after depositing fat into the cells. LDLs can become oxidized and create 'hardening of the arteries' which is called Arteriosclerosis; predisposing one to stroke, heart attack, or aneurysm. On the other hand, HDLs are protective against arteriosclerosis via a reverse cholesterol transport. They carry excess cholesterol to the liver for breakdown and excretion through the body in the form of bile.

Treatment of High Cholesterol

Dietary and lifestyle factors can help to decrease cholesterol levels. These include reducing the amount of saturated fat, avoiding foods containing trans-fatty acids and partially hydrogenated oils, eating more cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, or halibut. Additionally, eat five or more servings of highly colored vegetables and fruits, increase dietary fiber, eat more soy, legumes, nuts and seeds, and less animal protein. Cook with olive oil, limit coffee, increase consumption of garlic, onions, and ginger, and exercise 30 minutes at least 3 times per week.

There are many herbal and nutritional products known to decrease cholesterol, increase HDLs, and lower LDLs and Trigycerides. These include Red Rice Yeast Extract, Inositol Hexaniacinate (flush-free niacin), B complex, Guggul Resisn, Vitamin E, Garlic, CoEnzyme Q 10, and Essential Fatty Acids from fish oil or flaxseed oil. I recommend finding a high quality product that has a compilation of the above listed ingredients and taking it at a therapeutic level on a daily basis.

In Summary

There is much that can be done naturally to lower cholesterol levels and help shift the ratio of good vs. bad lipoproteins and triglycerides. The basis is a healthy, low saturated fat diet, high fiber, exercise, and therapeutic supplementation with herbs and nutrients to decrease and remove the over-production of cholesterol.

A patient should by checked with blood work in 3-6 month intervals until levels have decreased and stabilized. For the health benefit of the patient, if levels remain dangerously high or unresponsive to conservative measures, a referral for a prescription-lowering drug may be indicated.

Working as a Naturopathic and Chiropractic Practitioner, Dr. Christina R. Campbell offers a broad scope of medical services at the Tahoe Center of Natural Medicine. The center creates an environment for optimizing health and providing natural treatments for a wide variety of health conditions. She welcomes working with other healthcare professionals to help patients maintain or regain their health. Dr. Campbell is available at two locations.TAHOE CITY 530-581-1407 and INCLINE VILLAGE 775-831-3200. Call to schedule an appointment and find out more how natural medicine therapies can help you!

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