Cholesterol Genes Versus Cholesterol Habits

One of my patients -- let's call him Dave -- found out that his cholesterol was up. His GP immediately prescribed Lipitor, a common cholesterol-lowering drug.

Glancing over the prescription, Dave said, "Listen, I don't exercise. I'm eating junk food most of the time. I'm going to clean up my diet and work out. Let's see how that goes. Can I hold off on the drugs for now?"

Usually doctors will agree that exercise and diet are a good first route. But not this time...

"No, that won't help," said his GP. "Both your parents have high cholesterol so it MUST be genetic."

You've seen the commercials, haven't you? Where they say: "Cholesterol comes from TWO sources: From FOOD or from YOUR GENES. Talk to your doctor about the new so-and-so drug that will control..."

Yes, genes can cause someone to lean towards high cholesterol (just like some people lean towards being overweight). I don't think, however, that many people give exercise and diet a solid effort before they conclude it's "genetics."

Even if it is due to "genetics," does that conclusively mean that exercise and diet won't help? Absolutely not. I'm not saying that walking and broccoli will cure you every time, but it would be difficult to argue that they won't have a positive impact.

Let me put this another way... If Dave's parents lived off fruits and vegetables, swam 40 laps everyday and STILL had high cholesterol then chances are we need to take further action.Yet, as was the case, Dave's folks still considered French-fries a serving of vegetables and they exercised as rarely as an oak tree.

So, yes, Dave probably did inherit high cholesterol from his parents... but it sounds to me more like they passed it down habitually, NOT genetically. They're the ones who taught him these e-food diet and, probably by example, to neglect physical fitness.

Well, Dave cut the red meats and refined sugars out of his diet, started eating more vegetables and whole grains. He reduced his trips to the fast food hut. He started eating more fruit instead of sugary snacks. Never a jogger before, he took it up 3-4 times a week, for five kilometers at a time.

Strange thing, he found... he liked it.

And, not surprisingly...

...six months later, Dave had his cholesterol checked again, and it went right back down to NORMAL. No hint of a problem.

"This is cool!" Dave told me. "I'm gonna tell my parents, 'cause they need to get off their butts too. They're thinking it's all genetic and they need to stay on these drugs because THEIR parents died from a heart attack."

Well, Dave's example got his parents walking each day and eating better. Now their cholesterol is down to normal and they're off the drugs.

If Dave hadn't made the first move, I bet his kids would be labeled with the "cholesterol genes." Same with his grandkids. A whole family tree taking drugs they don't need.

If you've been told your cholesterol is high, and you would like to lower it naturally -- avoiding costly drugs and their side-effects -- then here's how I can help:

* Pin-Point the MAIN Causes of Your High Cholesterol: Many factors cause high cholesterol in different people. Sometimes it's diet, sometimes it's lifestyle, stress, lack of exercise, genes or the result of another illness. The first thing I'll do is examine your case history, ask you key questions and run some non-invasive tests. Then I'll be able to determine what is the main issue we need to address to quickly start dropping your cholesterol points and extending your life.

* Easy Cholesterol Lowering Diet: I can put together a list of tasty, natural foods to replace typical (and not so typical) culprits that directly or indirectly fill you up with artery-clogging cholesterol. Using a special Food Pharmacy computer software system, I can create a diet plan tailored to your body type and needs. This should produce faster results than following a generic plan written for the general public.

* Herbal Shortcuts: I can determine, for example, which herbs or vitamins/minerals would help insulin better bind to sugars in your bloodstream -- so they don't get sent to your liver and recycled as cholesterol-laden fat.

If your cholesterol is above 5.2, you're body is at risk for a heart attack or stroke. Would you rather be like Dave? In three to six months you could drop back down into the risk-free zone. Call my receptionist Suzanne at (519) 739-2402 to book a "Conquer Your Cholesterol" appointment.

Yours in health,
Dr. Karlo Mauro, N.D.
www.thenaturopath.ca/feelbetter
(519) 739-2402

P.S. Check out the article about fish oil in the April InnerCircle Newsletter (mailed to active patients). Fish oil helps your insulin bind to sugars so it doesn't get sent to your liver and recycled as fatty cholesterol. Fish oil also cuts cravings so you don't absolutely, must, can't-live-without a chocolate bar this afternoon.