Cholesterol is a fat-like substance, naturally found in the bodies of all humans and animals. It has many important functions that are essential to the body and forms part of the basic structure of some hormones, all cell membranes and the insulation layer around nerves. Too much cholesterol, however, causes hardening of the arteries, a degenerative medical condition leading to heart attacks and strokes.

What is the difference between “good” and “bad” cholesterol?
Although a portion of cholesterol is found on its own in the blood stream, most cholesterol molecules are bonded to specialised proteins called lipoproteins that transport cholesterol around the body. Cholesterol bonded to low-density lipoprotein or LDL, tends to accumulate inside arteries and is therefore detrimental to the body. Cholesterol bonded to high-density lipoprotein or HDL, on the other hand, gets transported to the liver where it is naturally expelled from the system as a component of bile. It is therefore beneficial to the body to have high levels of HDL.

How does cholesterol cause disease?
Hardening of the arteries is a complex process whereby a layer or crust accumulates within the artery. As this layer increases in thickness, the inner passage of the artery called the lumen becomes progressively obstructed, leading to a diminished flow of blood. A clot may easily form inside this narrowed and diseased artery, sealing it off entirely and blocking the flow of blood. This has disastrous consequences.

Why do levels increase?
There are many reasons why blood cholesterol levels become raised. Many inherit certain genetic abnormalities from their parents, making them more prone to elevated levels, (even when they consume a normal diet). Insulin resistance and increased body weight leads to a condition called the metabolic syndrome which causes your cholesterol and blood pressure to go up. Others simply just eat too much saturated fat.

What is saturated fat?
All fats are formed out of smaller components called fatty acids. These are molecules made up from carbon and hydrogen atoms. A saturated fat contains all the hydrogen atoms it can potentially accommodate and is therefore “saturated” with hydrogen, whilst an “unsaturated” fat has unoccupied space left. Saturated fat is worse for the body than unsaturated fat. The mixture of fats consumed by most people, usually contain three times more saturated than unsaturated fat. Saturated fat increases blood cholesterol levels to a greater degree than the actual cholesterol content of food. Because cholesterol is produced through a biochemical process taking place inside the liver, only food from an animal origin (creatures with livers) contains cholesterol. Saturated fat, however, is produced via a different biochemical process. Many plant-derived products contain high levels.

To lower your cholesterol levels, start by avoiding the following foods as often as you can.

Foods high in saturated fat:

Animal origin:
Red meat, organ meat, full cream milk and yoghurt, cream, cream-cheese, cheese, butter, lard and eggs. Lean poultry, pork and bacon also contain saturated fat, but to a lesser degree than red meat.

Plant origin:
Coconut, coconut oil and palm kernel oil.

Miscellaneous sources:
Hardened (hydrogenated) vegetable and fish oils, biscuits, cakes, tarts, pie crusts, pastries, rusks, chocolate, coffee creamers, milk or dairy solids, ice cream, chips/crisps and non-dairy cream substitutes.

Are raised blood cholesterol levels always caused by bad diets?
Although diet plays an important role, the majority of cases are caused by certain genetic disadvantages that you inherit from your parents. These cause elevated cholesterol levels, even when your diet does not contain all that much saturated fat. The opposite is also true. Studies revealing that although certain communities eat diets very high in saturated fat, their cholesterol levels are low because of certain genetic advantages.

Can you lower your blood cholesterol levels just by following a low fat diet?
Some people can achieve this goal, but for those with a genetic tendency towards high cholesterol, it is usually not possible. The truth is that about seventy percent of your blood cholesterol is manufactured in your liver. For obvious reasons, it is impossible to evade this source, especially since the cholesterol manufacturing process is controlled by your genes. The other estimated thirty percent comes from food, entering your system via your intestines. To complicate matters, a small percentage of this thirty percent also comes from your liver, having previously been excreted by your liver through bile, only to be re-absorbed and recycled back into the system.

If diet doesn’t work alone, does it mean I must take medication?
Yes. If you want to increase your life expectancy and decrease your risk of stroke and heart disease. The good news is that you do not have to start with a scheduled drug as a first line treatment, RyChol, a natural product, now offers you an excellent alternative and has virtually no side effects. Trials have also shown that RyChol is the only natural product on the market that has the ability to compete with the schedule 4 cholesterol lowering drugs.

[Read more about RyChol]