The Cholesterol Myth

author avatar Dr. Eric Berg 08/31/2023

Learn how I uncovered the truth about the cholesterol myth so I can enlighten you about why the body needs cholesterol.

RELATED: Why Cholesterol Spikes on a Low Fat Diet

In this article: 

  1. The Great Cholesterol Myth We Know

  2. The Importance of Cholesterol in the Body

  3. Other Cholesterol Facts

  4. A Study Shows People with Low Cholesterol Have a High Death Rate

Learning the Truth Behind the Cholesterol Myth 

 

The Great Cholesterol Myth We Know

Fat boy, hamburgers, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, sudden chest pain while sitting in the kitchen | The Cholesterol Myth

We’ve all been taught growing up that fat and cholesterol are the enemy of mankind, and that cholesterol should be avoided at all cause. The reason given?

Because you’ll develop heart diseases or increase cardiovascular risk by eating cholesterol-rich foods and that it clogs the arteries, leading to a stroke. But, it turns out this claim has evolved to what we call now as a myth. In fact, the body – 75% of it – is made up of the cholesterol it produced.

 

The Importance of Cholesterol in the Body

Another reality bite about cholesterol is our hormones, namely the steroids, testosterone, adrenal hormones, and the sex hormones, need cholesterol to reproduce. All these hormones prevent premature aging, and they’re all built from cholesterol. Cutting down on our cholesterol intake would lead to lots of health problems.

An addition to the list of the importance of cholesterol is its contribution to the production of bile. The bile breaks down the grease in our liver, and it helps the digestion of food and calories. Without the bile, bloating and right shoulder pain can be felt. We also need this to absorb essential vitamins and minerals.

RELATED: Does Coconut Oil Have High Cholesterol

 

Other Cholesterol Facts

Vitamin D is actually made from cholesterol through the conversion of sunlight in the skin. All the skin membranes are also made from cholesterol. The brain is made of cholesterol. The skin is lined with cholesterol. With all these into consideration, the body basically needs the lipid to be functional and efficient.

Eggs are known for having lots of cholesterol, but they actually increase the good cholesterol in the body. Being loaded with lecithin, it becomes an antidote. This fatty substance breaks down the lipid.

Lecithin Definition: A type of fat that’s important to the cells in the body and is commonly found in egg yolks and soybeans. This fat is utilized for reducing the increased risk of many health conditions like Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

 

A Study Shows People with Low Cholesterol Have a High Death Rate

African American doctor listening to heart and lungs of Asian patient | The Cholesterol Myth

In a study about the risks of high and low cholesterol, it shows that those with low cholesterol are more at risk of dying due to a cardiovascular disease. Risk factors like cholesterol-lowering drugs include a 700% increase in colon cancers, a 12-fold increase in breast cancer, 45% increase in gallstones, and a 145% increase in gastritis.

There are twice as many heart attacks, internal bleeding, severe constipation, liver disease, and ulcers of the stomach and intestines.

Long-term health conditions like anemia, taste and smell disturbances, visual difficulties, dizziness, low white blood cell count, heart rhythm problems, phlebitis, and cancer also became predominant with low cholesterol levels. 

Now you know the truth about the cholesterol myth, you’ll understand that this body fat is not bad at all and, in fact, an important part of the body. The important thing to remember though is to always monitor your cholesterol level. If anything is not normal anymore, visit your doctor immediately. 

Discover the cholesterol myth and see more body conditions from Dr. Berg Video Blog.

Have you recently had a cholesterol test or had your cholesterol checked? How was it? Tell us in the comments section.

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Source: The Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT). Stamler, J., Wentworth, D., J.D. Is the relationship between serum cholesterol and risk of premature death from coronary heart disease continuous and graded? Journal of the American Medical Association, 1986, 256, 2823

Disclaimer: Our educational content is not meant or intended for medical advice or treatment.

Editor’s Note: This post has been updated for quality and relevancy.

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