By Dr. W. Gifford Jones
September 8, 1991
It's been said, "It's not the things you don't know what gets you into trouble, it's the things you know for sure that ain't so". Today there are many things about cholesterol that simply "ain't so", and the misconception has reached epidemic proportions. Down through the ages nature has visited a variety of plagues on mankind. Now there's an ironic twist. For the first time the medical profession, pharmaceutical and multinational companies have created a man-made epidemic, "cholesterolphobia". The only way to eliminate this insidious phobia is to disencumber oneself of these 12 myths.
Myth #1: Cholesterol is not needed by the body. This just ain't so. Cholesterol is a necessary part of every cell. It helps to produce sex hormones, digestive juices and it aids in the absorption of fats. We could not survive without cholesterol.
Myth #2: The only way the body obtains cholesterol is by consuming it. Not so. About 80 per cent of the cholesterol in the human body is produced by the liver. This explains why it's hard to decrease blood cholesterol merely by dietary measures. Altering our own genetically controlled internal metabolism is as difficult as trying to change the spots on a leopard.
Myth #3: The more cholesterol we eat the greater the amount in the blood. This is not totally true. Cholesterol metabolism is somewhat like the thermostat controlling the temperature of our home. Studies show that the more cholesterol consumed the less the liver produces and there's decreased absorption and increased excretion of cholesterol. Conversely if the diet is low in cholesterol the liver gets the message to produce increased amounts.
Myth #4: A single blood test is an accurate way to determine the level of blood cholesterol. It's a fallacy to place so much faith in laboratory results. Studies show that laboratories have reported results that are either too high or too low by as much as 15 per cent. Erroneous results can cause either needless worry or a false sense of security. Several tests are normally required to obtain a reliable figure. Besides, even precise results cannot truly predict whether or not coronary attack will occur.
Myth #5: Dietary cholesterol is the primary risk factor for coronary disease. Life isn't that simple. It's unrealistic to believe that one risk factor is responsible for heart trouble. Genetics, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, lack of exercise, inadequate fiber intake, high fat diet and advancing age are important risk factors. Ô 0*0*0* Myth #6: A low level of blood cholesterol precludes atherosclerosis. Not so. Dr. DeBakey, the famous Texas heart surgeon, reports that 30 per cent of patients who have a coronary by-pass have normal blood cholesterol.
Myth #7: Dairy products should be avoided as they increase blood cholesterol and trigger atherosclerosis. Nonsense. Eggs are a good source of protein, iron, phosphorus ,vitamin A. and are low in saturated fats. It's prudent to have a varied diet. Blaming hens and cows for coronary disease is like accusing the iceberg of sinking the Titanic. A foolish captain sunk this great ship, just as sure as heart attack results from faulty lifestyle.
Myth #8: Similar blood cholesterol levels trigger a similar number of heart attacks. Not so. The cholesterol levels of some males living in Edinburgh and Stockholm are identical. But the coronary death rate for the Scottish is 3X higher. Japanese living in Japan and California have comparable cholesterol levels. But those living in California have 3X more coronary disease.
Myth #9: The best way to reduce blood cholesterol is to reduce the consumption of dietary cholesterol. Not so. Most authorities agree it's better to decrease the amount of dietary fat and increase dietary fiber.
Myth #10: Multinational companies are user friendly. You live in a Never, Never, Land if you believe this one. Corporations deceive consumers in many ways. Some advertise their products as "cholesterol free" when, in fact, they never contained any. If such companies were concerned about your health they wouldn't load their products with tons of sugar and salt. Some breakfast cereals for children contain as much as 50 per cent sugar. So much that I've often said facetiously it's safer to eat the boxes than the contents. Remember, there's money to be made by multinational companies which worry you about cholesterol but neglect to mention the sugar involved.
Myth #11: Drugs are the best way to decrease elevated blood cholesterol level. Nothing is that simple. J.B. Moliere, the French playwright, remarked in 1673 that, "Nearly all men die of their medicines, not of their disease." It still happens today. It's impossible to take cholesterol lowering medication for years without side-effects. It makes more sense to correct the faulty lifestyle.
Myth #12: The best way to attack the cholesterol problem is to run blood cholesterol tests on everyone. Dear Lord, please protect us from this folly. It will waste millions of dollars, scare the population half to death and increase the epidemic of cholesterolphobia.
W. Gifford-Jones M.D is the pen name of Dr. Ken Walker graduate of Harvard. Dr. Walker's website is: Docgiff.com
My book, �90 + How I Got There� can be obtained by sending $19.95 to:
Giff Holdings, 525 Balliol St, Unit # 6,Toronto, Ontario, M4S 1E1
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