Looking after your heart health naturally

Cholesterol has been blamed for clogging up blood vessels and causing heart disease and stroke. But is cholesterol the villain? Cholesterol is vital for our body and plays a role in many essential processes including brain function and hormone production.

There are different types of cholesterol, and we have been told to decrease our levels of the LDL bad cholesterol by reducing our intake of animal products and foods rich in saturated fats. But it may be a little more complicated than that.

Author of The Cholesterol Myth and Scientific and Educational Consultant, biochemist Dr Bob Buist says people over 60 years of age live longer if they have higher cholesterol, which is associated with longevity, decreased signs of ageing and better cognitive function. He says the terms “good HDL” and “bad LDL” cholesterol are far too simplistic and encourage people to avoid all fats and eat dangerous levels of sugary carbohydrates.

“Avoiding fats in favour of a low-fat, high carbohydrate diet may actually be deleterious. We are finding out that it is not saturated fat or dietary cholesterol that increases the amount of the dangerous small, dense LDL cholesterol we have in our blood, it is refined carbohydrates and especially sugars”, he said.

Diet is the first port of call for changing cholesterol levels, but what if your genetics mean you have high total blood cholesterol irrespective of eating a low cholesterol diet?

If you’re worried about heart health, turn to ubiquinol, the active form of coenzyme Q10. This supplement provides enhanced absorption, which is beneficial for those with reduced absorption rates and higher requirements such as those over 40 years of age. As ubiquinol provides excellent protection against LDL oxidation,¹ those with heart disease, or a family history of heart disease, would benefit from taking this nutrient.

For healthy cholesterol management, bergamot (Citrus aurantium) has been evaluated in human clinical trials to reduce several parameters of cardiovascular risk including lowering LDL and triglycerides levels and increasing HDLs.[2,3]

How about trying a powerful natural antioxidant? French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) assists in the maintenance of healthy cholesterol levels, by reducing LDLs and increasing HDLs.[4]

See Dr Bob Buist’s heart health tips: click here… 

References:

1. Stocker R, Bowry VW, Frei B. Ubiquinol-10 protects human low density lipoprotein more efficiently against lipid peroxidation than does alpha-tocopherol. Proc Natl Acad Sci 1991;88(5):1646-1650.
2. Houston M. The role of neutraceutical supplements in the treatment of dyslipidemia. J Clin Hypertension 2012;14(2):121-132.
3. Mollace V, Sacco I, Janda E, et al. Hypolipemic and hypoglycaemic activity of bergamot polyphenols: from animal models to human studies. Fitoterapia 2011;82:309-316.

Speak to your healthcare practitioner for more information about herbs and your health. For more health articles, go to www.bioceuticals.com.au/education/articles

image: Jon Fravel