Excerpted from Bee Wilder's web-article, Foods That Damage, Foods That Heal
In the last few decades "The Cholesterol Theory" has contributed significantly to deteriorating health throughout the world. The
cholesterol theory - also called the Lipid (fat) Hypothesis - is the belief that high blood cholesterol promotes atherosclerosis
(hardening of the arteries) and heart disease. However this proved to be totally untrue, making it one of the biggest scams in
history.
Cholesterol is a molecule, often called a lipid or fat, which is a soft, waxy substance found in every cell in your body. Contrary to
propaganda by the medical, drug and food industries, cholesterol is not a deadly poison, but a substance that is vital to the cells
of all mammals.
Uffe Ravnskov, M.D., Ph.D. writes in his book The Cholesterol Myths: Exposing the Fallacy That Saturated Fat and Cholesterol
Cause Heart Disease: "Your cholesterol tells very little about your future health." "A high blood cholesterol is said to promote
atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and thus also coronary heart disease. But many studies have shown that people
whose blood cholesterol is low become just as atherosclerotic as people whose cholesterol is high.
Even if you ate absolutely no fats or oils of any kind your body would still produce cholesterol. Your body produces three to four
times more cholesterol than you eat. The production of cholesterol increases when you eat little cholesterol and decreases when
you eat much."
Cholesterol is your friend and not some dangerous monster. It is a vital repair and protective substance that is extremely
important for proper functioning of the immune system and many other body functions as follows:
Nourishing the brain, which is 80% cholesterol.
Forms the structure of all cell membranes.
Nourishes and maintains a healthy nervous system; it is directly responsible for the formation of nerve fiber sheaths.
Formation of hormones, including estrogen, testosterone, aldosterone (produced by the adrenal glands), etc.
Formation of vitamin D.
Formation of bile acids required for digestion.
Protects repairs and strengthens the heart, as well as the walls of arteries and blood vessels.
Heals, strengthens and repairs the lining of the intestines.
Builds healthy bones and muscles.
Protects against infectious diseases.
Regulates blood sugar.
Repairs damaged tissues.
Protects the body from the damaging effects of toxins; it is a powerful antioxidant.
Maintains energy, vitality, libido [sexual desire] and fertility.
Many other important functions.