Of the articles on the dangers of cholesterol, one could add the Egyptian pyramid. But one day the specialists stopped, looked more closely at scientific publications and ... decided to radically change their minds. And, not just in words, but very convincingly proving their hypotheses in practice. In the end - a sensation! Cholesterol is not harmful to the body - see for yourself. Just read it to the end. You will be shocked.
NAME, SISTER!
Cholesterol is called cholesterol. This is a blatant injustice. Yes, indeed, this name was given to him as early as the beginning of the XIX century, almost 50 years after the discovery. But later the scientists found out that in fact it belongs to the class of alcohols, which means, according to generally accepted rules, it should be called cholesterol. This is how it has been called in all world literature since 1900. However, in Russian, the outdated and incorrect term still feels great.
WITHOUT A VINY GUILTY.
The main point of the charge is atherosclerosis. Cholesterol is associated with the formation of plaques in the arteries and atherosclerotic changes that lead to heart attack and stroke. But believe me, cholesterol is not guilty! It is only a consequence of other, profound changes in the body that have a genetic and autoimmune nature. Yes, and how it is possible to judge cholesterol, even if about atherosclerosis, which he allegedly causes, not everyone knows. And in general, there are studies that claim that atherosclerotic plaque at the beginning performs a protective function, acting as a kind of "patch" on the problem area of the mucous artery. By the way, scientists already knew about this 15 years ago. By and large, the theory of a "protective plaque" is a model of the 1985 model. So consider how much such a "sensation" years.
Unfortunately for the accused, it was too early to learn to find him in the blood with the help of laboratory tests. And mistakenly associated elevated cholesterol levels with pathological narrowing of the arteries lumen.
I would like to cite, as an example, the experiments of the famous Russian pathologist Nikolai Anichkov, author of the cholesterol theory of atherosclerosis. Experiments proving the correctness of his hypothesis were carried out on rabbits fed fatty foods of animal origin. But allow me, the rabbit is a herbivorous creature, and for him the meat ration is the most severe violation of the laws established by nature. With the same success, it was possible to stuff the tigers with hay, and then to judge the effect of plant fiber on the degenerative processes in the tissues. It is incorrect to compare the herbivore rodent and the primate collector. They have a fundamental difference in metabolism and energy!
Nevertheless, the cholesteric theory of atherosclerosis, by right of first-born, has firmly settled in the minds of scientists. And with their involuntary submission began a natural cholera treatment.
SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE.
Look at the material evidence number one. This is a plastic bottle of vegetable oil, which says: "Does not contain cholesterol." The question arises, why point out what is not and in principle can not be ?! After all, cholesterol is an exclusively animal product, it is not found in either sugar, potatoes, or bananas. And people get the impression that they buy a "healthy" product in contrast to "unhealthy" chicken eggs, the yolk of which literally teems with cholesterol.
There is still no single study that would confirm the presence of a clear connection between the cholesterol content in the product and its concentration in the blood plasma. Even if you ate a kilo of oysters, this does not mean that all the cholesterol from them will pass into your body.
SELF THE REGULATOR.
Pay attention to the fact that in the human body there is a system of checks and balances. For example, there is a coagulation and anticoagulant system of blood. A similar mechanism of regulation is in cholesterol. It is highly soluble in fats and can not be contained in the blood in a free form. We need special vehicles. Their role is played by special proteins, which, when linked to cholesterol, make it soluble.
In total there are three types of complexes: HDL (high-density lipoproteins), LDL (low-density lipoproteins) and VLDL (very low-density lipoproteins). LDL is also called "bad" cholesterol. In this case, it is meant that it is it that accumulates in the walls of the vessels. VLDL, respectively, should be called "very bad" cholesterol. But to our common happiness, he is in the minority. HDL in the liquid dissolves best and delivers cholesterol from the organs and tissues to the liver for final processing. They - a kind of vascular hospital attendant, collecting excess cholesterol, including the inner shell of blood vessels. Moreover, high levels of HDL reduce the risk of developing senile dementia by more than a third, including Alzheimer's.
As you can see, there are no criminal intentions regarding the organism with cholesterol. Moreover, there is a well-established mechanism for controlling its behavior.
CHOLESTEROL IS THE SOURCE OF LIFE.
But that's not all. Imagine for a moment that we have found a way and removed all the cholesterol from the body. At the same time, there will be chaos in it. The synthesis of all steroid hormones will stop: anti-inflammatory and anti-stress, regulating the water-salt balance and all sex hormones. The production of vitally important vitamin D and the bile acids necessary for digestion will cease. The metabolism is broken through the cell membranes and the transmission of nerve impulses. The first signal will be deterioration of vision, and then everything will roll like a snowball. A low level of cholesterol leads to a decrease in the production of serotonin, responsible for positive emotions. Apathy, attacks of melancholy, depression - all these are signs of cholesterol insufficiency.
In a word, cholesterol is a full and very important participant in the life of our body. And its receipt with food is a prerequisite for the full functioning of all organs and systems.
How much cholesterol is needed? Up to 80% is synthesized by the body itself. But the remaining 20% must be delivered from the outside. This is approximately 300-350 mg per day. For comparison: 100 grams of veal contains 80 mg of cholesterol, and 100 g of beef liver - 600 mg. It would be appropriate to mention here the fascination with strict vegetarian diets. No mushrooms, olive oil and vegetables can replace animal products containing cholesterol. And denying yourself to them is a crime against the body!
DIETHY LIFE WILL NOT BE!
Let's talk about special cholesterol-lowering diets. This is a diet that is recommended by cardiologists, nutritionists and other specialists involved in the treatment of atherosclerosis.
First of all, strict restrictions are imposed on all animal cholesterol-containing products. And they are so serious that not everyone is able to follow the recommendations of doctors.
In 1998, British and Australian scientists analyzed the effectiveness of diet therapy for atherosclerosis. In a review published in the British Medical Journal, 19 studies were included. It was found that diets lower the level of cholesterol in the blood by a maximum of 15%. And then only in a hospital. If compliance with prescriptions in the diet was given to the patient, the effectiveness of the diet was reduced threefold - up to 5%.
Suffice it to recall that in the most cholesterol-anxious country, which is the United States, the largest percentage of excess weight among the world's population. Cholesterol is not to blame for the fact that people consider it possible to combine a hypocholesteric diet with hikes in McDonald's. In addition, the drug reduction in LDL, so popular in the same America - the event is quite risky. Studies show - endlessly suppress LDL is dangerous! People who have been artificially reduced LDL concentrations below 100 mg / dl (which is the number in the guidelines as the goal of treatment) tend to develop various oncological pathologies more often than in patients with LDL at 100-150 mg / dL. It is also useful to remember that cholesterol-reducing drugs in combination, for example, with grapefruit juice, can lead to fatal outcomes ... How can one not listen to the opinion of specialists who state that such therapy benefits only the manufacturers of medicines!
WHERE WITHOUT GENETICS.
It is worth paying attention to the high court and the importance of the genetic factor. If there is a hereditary predisposition, atherosclerosis occurs in people not only with normal, but also with a lowered level of cholesterol. A genetically determined high level of HDL not only reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, but also increases life expectancy. In some cases, cholesterol from the very birth of a person begins to be massively deposited in tissues, and a person becomes just a hostage of circumstances.
JUSTICE!
Cholesterol is not guilty of incriminating him! He is honestly doing his job. And the fact that sometimes it is involved in pathological processes is not his fault. Such a fate can comprehend - and comprehends - most of the biochemical compounds of our body.
Should we be cautious about it? Certainly! Passion for fatty food, hypodynamia, smoking, ignoring of genetic predispositions (which can be revealed not only by studying the history of illnesses of family members, but also by making certain laboratory studies) do not cause any harm to the body. Moreover, their contribution to the onset and formation of atherosclerosis is incommensurably greater than fluctuations in the level of cholesterol, albeit in a larger direction.