High LDL Cholesterol Is GOOD for You? — A Revised Look

October 13, 2024 LouV Health 0

New studies are coming out by some scientists and doctors that debate the long-held notion that high LDL cholesterol levels are bad for you and must be prevented — often through prescription medications like statins.

In fact these experts say the opposite may be true: high LDL cholesterol levels — often called the “bad cholesterol” — may prevent Alzhiemers and help extend life expectancy.

What Cholesterol Is

A quick search online will tell you that Cholesterol “is a waxy, fat-like substance that’s essential for good health, but too much can lead to heart disease or stroke.”

Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). A cholesterol test, also known as a lipid panel or lipid profile, measures cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.

Lipoproteins are particles that carry cholesterol in the blood. There are two main types of lipoproteins:

  • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): Also known as “bad” cholesterol. A quick lookup online finds that “high levels of LDL can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries.”
  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL): Also known as “good” cholesterol. A quick lookup online says that “high levels of HDL can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.”

Talk about the good and the bad! Doing the math one can immediately wonder what balance to strike.

Your blood cholesterol levels will also always include:

  • TC — or Total Cholesterol level.
  • TG — or Triglyceride level. TG is considered:
    • Good (healthy) if it is 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) for adults; and lower than 90 mg/dL for children and teens (ages 10-19).
    • Borderline High if it’s between 150 and 199 mg/dL.
    • High if it’s between 200 and 499 mg/dL.

Are those Numbers Bullshit?

Here’s a video that suggests those numbers are misguided if not outright propaganda:

Why “Bad” LDL Cholesterol May Actually be Good

New studies, such as “The LDL Paradox: Higher LDL-Cholesterol is Associated with Greater Longevity” by research doctors from around the world, contradict long-held beliefs on LDL, and many doctors agree.

Just breeze through the responses to this thread by Dr. Zoe Harcombe for a chockfull of opinions and other resources:

High Cholesterol Reduces Threat of Alzheimer’s

Good cholesterol levels are important to fight off neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Dr. Collen Huber references “Cholesterol and Dementia: A Long and Complicated Relationship:

“Cholesterol is the main constituent of cell membranes [33]. In many neurons, it constitutes the myelin sheath providing insulation for the conduction of nerve impulses; therefore, its loss greatly contributes to neurological problems. Cholesterol affects the functioning of brain synapses, and is crucial in production, and secretion of neurotransmitters. Cholesterol and lipid homeostasis are critical for normal brain function, including neuronal repair, membrane remodeling, and plasticity [34].”

Dr. Huber also references “Brain Cholesterol Metabolism and Its Defects: Linkage to Neurodegenerative Diseases and Synaptic Dysfunction“:

“Overall, the synthesis of cholesterol by neurons is essential to the developing brain, whereas in the adult brain neurons rely on external sources of cholesterol [1, 7].”

How to Ward off Clogged Arteries?

The big question remains — what does one do to prevent clogged arteries? Further, what does one do if they are having shortness of breadth and the docs have told them they have a borderline clogged artery?

  • Do you need to lower their LDL cholesterol or not?
  • Are the benefits of HDL and purported risks of LDL cholesterol some sort of a design tradeoff that one needs to navigate, or are both high HDL and LDL levels actually good for you?

Maintaining Your Cholesterol Naturally

To naturally maintain your cholesterol, you can — get this — eat right and exercise. And don’t smoke. And manage your stress. Those 4 things to do come up regularly in almost every medical article on how to live healthier, reduce threat of cancer, etc. — often disguised with lots of rigmarole. A quick lookup shows the following points to lower your cholesterol:

  • “Limit saturated and trans fats
  • Eat a low-salt diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
  • Lose weight and maintain a healthy weight
  • Quit smoking
  • Exercise regularly
  • Drink alcohol in moderation
  • Manage stress.”

And whatever you do — do not eat margarine (or trust anything that the government and its scientific community says about food — which for years sold margarine as good for you):

As Woody Allen once said:

 

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