CHOLESTEROL, HEALTH & LIFESPAN
Did you know cholesterol is actually good for us? And not only that, but necessary for our survival?
In fact, without it, our energy levels would be low, our cells would function sub-optimally, we could have hormone deficiencies, and our longevity would... decrease.
I know that probably flies in the teeth of what you've been told, but bear with me.
You've probably heard of the Cholesterol Hypothesis.
It states that higher levels of cholesterol, particularly LDL Cholesterol, are associated with higher rates of Heart Disease.
And so, to prevent heart disease, we must take drugs known as statins that lower our liver's ability to produce cholesterol.
This hypothesis has been so deeply ingrained in our understanding of how the body works, that the idea of challenging it is almost laughable. (Even though it's still just a hypothesis after all this time.)
However, over the last decade, more and more scientists and doctors have been challenging it, and for one very important reason: there is no evidence to back it up.
In fact, the only studies that exist on the matter (of which there are many) not only refute it, but show that more often than not, the situation is the opposite.
And that Mortality from Cardiovascular Disease among those 60 and above actually increases as cholesterol is lowered, and decreases as cholesterol levels are raised... (1)
The same was seen in all-cause mortality rates.
In a study of 12.8 million adults, it was found that the lowest risk of heart disease, and highest potential of survival... was in the 200 to 240 levels of total cholesterol. (2)
That's right.
So what's happening here?
Let's see.