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Two things were sent my way last week that kinda made me want to toss the old proverbial cookies. The first was a study that suggested free statin drugs served with a fast food meal could counter-act the effects of the crap food itself. As I dug further into this, I learned that in some places, statins are now available over the counter. I am hard core against the use of statins. Aside from the fact that they can induce muscle wasting, impair total hormonal function, and can lead to a host of other major side effects that usually result in additional meds.
A friend then posted to my Facebook a link to a guy’s blog where he proclaimed to have taste tested the KFC Skinwhich- a sandwich KFC is apparently testing, that is loaded with five layers of fried chicken skin, bacon and cheese. Now, I did a little research on this to determine if this is actually being tested by KFC as aren’t they the same peeps helping fund breast cancer research? It looks to have been a prank but either way- I don’t think it would surprise any of us.
With or without a Fried Chicken Skin and Bacon sandwich, there is enough bad food out there that there is actually contemplation of serving a wee packet of statins as a condiment in fast food restaurants.
I know the Statin Drug/ Cholesterol thing is a rather political topic, but I have never been one to shy away from pissing off the big peeps (remember Coke?). This may be hard to understand the first time you read it, as the idea that cholesterol is the villain waiting to strike us down with heart disease is ingrained in the Statin Drug pushing world in which we live.
Think about this for a moment: Cholesterol is not bad. Or how about this: Cholesterol is a symptom, not a disease.
Now it is true that diets high in saturated fats from animal based foods aren’t going to help anyone, but either are continuing to eat cholesterol containing foods while artificially lowering cholesterol levels with the devil in pill form, Statins.
Only 15% of cholesterol comes directly from the foods we eat. The link to diet is that a poor diet may cause the body to produce more cholesterol. Also note that cholesterol is only present in animal foods. Plants are naturally cholesterol free (think about that the next time you see a box of Vegetable Thins proclaiming that they are now cholesterol free). Cholesterol is manufactured in each and every cell of the body, produced directly in response to the need for it. What? The body needs cholesterol? Yepper skipper.
Let’s take a holistic view shall we.
The Basics
- Excess sugars & fats, especially those found in processed foods result in higher cholesterol levels
- Cholesterol is a contributing factors to cardiovascular disease, but not the cause.
- Cholesterol circulates in the bloodstream in complexes called ‘Lipoproteins’. Lipoproteins act as the transport vehicles for cholesterol.
- Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL): Known as the ‘bad cholesterol’, carries cholesterol from the liver to the cells of the body.
- High Density Lipoprotein (HDL): Known as the ‘good cholesterol’ carries cholesterol from the cells of the body to the liver where it mixes with bile and is eliminated as waste.
What causes cholesterol levels to rise?
- A primary role of cholesterol in the body is to act as a barrier in the cell wall. Cholesterol helps dictate what will be let into the cell and what will be released from the cell- the cells’ defense system
- An increase in toxins from processed foods, chemicals, prescription medications, or environmental toxins enter the system and begin to circulate. With higher levels of toxins, cholesterol levels will increase as a means of protecting the DNA goodness inside the cells.
- Additional causes of elevated cholesterol levels include mental or physical stress or trauma, as well as stress derived from internal sources such as an inflammatory condition or surgery.
The Oodles of Roles Cholesterol Plays in The Body
- Cholesterol makes cells waterproof to help protect the cell from toxins
- Cholesterol is nature’s repair substance, used to repair wounds, including tears and irritations in the arteries.
- Many important hormones are made from cholesterol, including hormones that regulate mineral metabolism and blood sugar, hormones that help us deal with stress, and all the sex hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and progesterone.
- Cholesterol is vital to the function of the brain and nervous system.
- Cholesterol protects us against depression; it plays a role in the utilization of serotonin, the body’s “feel-good” chemical.
- The bile salts, needed for the digestion of fats are made from cholesterol.
- Cholesterol is the precursor to vitamin D, which is formed by the action of ultraviolet (UV-B) light on cholesterol in the skin.
- Cholesterol is a powerful antioxidant that protects us against free-radicals and therefore against cancer.
- Cholesterol, especially LDL-cholesterol, helps fight against infection.
Look at that! If we were to artificially lower our cholesterol levels you know what would happen? Our cells let in more toxins and we become more predisposed to cancer, we have poor wound healing, we end up with low levels of sex hormones and wind up on hormone replacement therapy or Viagra, we get depressed and end up on antidepressants, we don’t have the bile to break down the fat in our diet and are therefore unable to absorb the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, our skin gets rashy out in the sun and we become more susceptible to disease and infections.
How is cholesterol related to heart disease?
- Circulating free radicals, the result of ingestion or inhalation of toxic substances results in damage to arterial walls.
- The body uses cholesterol to smooth surface or fill the hole caused by the free radicals.
- Sticky fats, such as those found in fried foods and fatty animal proteins will stick to the cholesterol that was put in place to repair the free radical damage.
- This causes a narrowing in the passageway where blood needs to flow through the arteries.
- The best way to prevent heart disease relating to cholesterol is to increase intake of antioxidants (Vitamins A, C, E and the mineral zinc). These help protect the body from free radical damage, thus reducing the need for cholesterol deposits in the arteries.
How can cholesterol be lowered naturally?
- Soluble fibre is critical in lowering cholesterol levels naturally. In the large intestine, soluble fibre will bind to the cholesterol contained in bile and aid in eliminating it from the body. Without sufficient soluble fibre, 94% of cholesterol will be reabsorbed, this raising overall levels.
- Foods rich in soluble fibre: fruits, vegetables, oat bran, barley, seed husks, flaxseed, psyllium, dried beans, lentils, peas, soymilk and soy products.
- Increase antioxidant intake to reduce the body’s cholesterol production. Antioxidants, specifically vitamin C from fruits and vegetables help prevent free radical damage and reduce the body’s production of cholesterol. Lack of Vitamin C results in weakened tissues and arteries.
- Reduce consumption of meat – vegetarian diets have lower risk of CVD, due to higher fibre and antioxidant consumption
- Avoid processed foods as they are low in fibre and high in oxidized fats
- Avoid deep fried foods as high temperatures oxidize fats and form free radicals
- Oats are a cholesterol lowering superfood: Oats, via their high fiber content, are known to help remove cholesterol from the digestive system that would otherwise end up in the bloodstream. As well they contain a unique antioxidant/phytonutrient called avenanthramides that helps prevent free radicals from damaging LDL cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Or of course- you can enjoy your Fried Bacon Skinwhich, wash it down with a diet coke and your single serving of statins. Why bother taking responsibility for our health?
Question of The Day: What are the most ridiculous fast food creations you have come across? Mine, of course is the Deep Fried Twinkie
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And to think: some people actually think that sounds good!
My junkfood contribution: the donut burger- a burger using two donuts as the bun.
Blech.
Anna
Who eats donut burgers?!?!?! What goes in the middle?
A cheeseburger (with or without bacon) goes in the middle.
Ugh: http://www2.timesdispatch.com/lifestyles/2010/aug/25/f-burg25-ar-471252/
Oh no. I just don’t get it.
Your info on cholesterol is factual, but I think it is important to note that a small percentage of the population actually makes their own bad cholesterol and will continue to do so even on a sugar-free vegan diet. This of course, can lead to complicated medical conditions and it is, as we have learned, an inherited condition. Of course I am simplifying things here; I just wanted to point out that not all bodies are created equal and despite healthy living, sometimes the body is just wired differently.
Everyone makes their own cholesterol. There is a small portion of the population that cholestremia where their makes too much- but we all make LDL and HDL and we need them both. Diet plays a very small part in what our body produces. Stress (physical and emotional) plays a massive role as does regular elimination habits and toxic load.
This was a super summary of cholesterol – thanks Meghan. I hope I can get a few family members to read this one!
My contribution to wacky junk food: The deep fried chocolate bar
I have never tried one but they are often available at the local summer time fair.
Ick.
Gail
I saw those deep fried Mars bars a lot when I was in Australia. I ate a little different back in 2002 but never had an appetite for them after my fish and chips. Go figure.
Deep Fried Butter Balls. They apparently are at the Ex this year.
So I’ve been told. I wonder if they come with a side of tissue for the butteria which will surely result
Meghan – Thanks so much for this post. It is sooooo informative, more informative that anything I’ve read on cholesterol. I’m passing it on to my Mom who is working so hard to stay healthy. Her Dr put her on Lipitor (sp?) but she’d love to be off of it. 4 of her 5 siblings are on it for high cholesterol so there is some genetics at play I think. That sandwich is disgusting. It just makes me so glad that I don’t eat meat. Gross. Thanks again. I’m new to your blog and I love it!
Is it genetics or is it the drug companies/FDA that keep lowering what is considered within the normal range. Lower it a few points and there are a host of new ‘customers’.
My family has a history of very high LDL levels – all of my uncles are on statins and my mother (a very healthy eater and cook) tried for years to bring down my dad’s levels naturally using the American Heart Association diet, lowering animal protein, saturated fat, adding more veg, fiber, etc., and it still never came down to “acceptable” levels. I too have high cholesterol on a 80% organic, vegetarian and 98% whole food based (I do enjoy a cookie here and there) diet. Do you think the “acceptable” levels as defined by mainstream medicine are faulty? I see a holistic doctor and he hasn’t tried to put me on medicine, yet, but he does seem a bit concerned…
Amen Sista! Great post!!! I saw that study and it made me crazy and frustrated!
Worst food that I have scene is the one you post on facebook….deep fried coke…what could be worse than that?? And how the heck do they even do that??
I also think it is pretty gross that my uncle in Texas deep fries his turkey during the holidays and that is common….Can you say GROSS!
Amanda, have you had your hormone levels checked? if out of balance can cause cholesterol to rise. Check thyroid, adrenals, sex hormones, etc.
As MEghan said, cholesterol is needed to make hormone, so if hormones are out of balance (to high or low), cholesterol levels can rise.
Great point Jamie! This is also why cholesterol levels seem to rise at middle age. As we get older, we produce less sex hormones- meaning we are converting less cholesterol to estrogen, progesterone and testrosterone among others so there is more cholesterol circulating. And what we don’t poop out, we reabsorb.
This is a great post… very factual. I will send it on to any high cholesterol ppl I can. = )
The gross-est fastfood items that come to mind are some of the names of these works of art… The ‘Bacon-ater’ from Wendy’s and the ‘Artery Buster’… who eats something with such an appealing name LOL.
Is there seriously something called a “skinwich”??? That is maybe the grossest thing I’ve ever heard!
Great post Meghan! I am in firm agreement with you on this.
My dear mother just had her yearly physical and was shocked to find she had high cholesterol. “But I don’t eat bacon and eggs and foods with a lot of cholesterol and I exercise, etc etc” she said. Of course she rolled her eyes at me– “my crazy nutritionist daughter”– when I started spouting off info about this being a symptom of inflammation! Where does she think I got my immune system from? We have the same genes Mom! Anyway- I could go on and on, she doesn’t believe me that she needs to eat MORE veggies and way less processed yogurt, milk, cheeses, etc. Sooo I think I will go over to her house and just “happen” to leave your lovely detailed post up on the computer screen! Info is always easier to take from someone you don’t know, right!?
Oh and yeah- my brother in law eats that gross cheeseburger incased in 2 donuts thing sometimes. My dad skips the burger and gets a special maple bar with bacon on top. But I must say Australian “hot chip sangers” are pretty nasty too! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chip_butty)
Hi Meghan,
Wonderful post. I will definitely be sharing it with everybody I know that takes Lipitor. Most of my friends are not yet 40 and, sadly, a few are already taking it. They blame genetics, but now I can intelligently say, “Not so fast, Buster!”.
To my chagrin, I have tried both deep fried Mars bar and chip butty. In my defense, I tried each only once out of curiosity. No curiosity about the deep fried butter or deep fried mac’n cheese being hyped at the Ex. Yuck!
What’s chip butty?
Hot chip butty is another name for a hot chip sanger. I couldn’t find a description that called it a sanger, but that’s what they called it when I was there. Sanger= Sandwich & Chip= French fry!
= gross?