When it comes to cholesterol, it’s time to get to the basics of why cholesterol is important and how giving your body the right foods can be beneficial in helping the body heal naturally, at its best.  Remember, however, the purpose of eating right is not intended to lower symptoms or heal conditions but rather to give the body what it needs to heal and be well.

Aside from having a brain that is primarily made from cholesterol, how would your body function without cholesterol? Your trillions of cells would lose their structure; your body wouldn't be able to synthesize vitamin D or anti-inflammatory steroid hormones; you'd have terrible indigestion after eating anything with fat because you need cholesterol to produce a substance that digests fats (bile). If statins are being taken to lower cholesterol, there will be vast side effects just from that drug.

So, if it's so essential, why does it get such a bad rap? The problem is when there's an excess level of cholesterol unnecessarily floating in the bloodstream. Your liver does a great job of naturally producing much of the cholesterol your body needs to function normally; however, most fail to realize that every cell is made of cholesterol.  Another source of cholesterol is dietary cholesterol, absorbed from animal foods you eat.  If your body has too much cholesterol floating in the bloodstream, this can potentially lead to artery blockage and a high risk of heart attack or stroke.

Keep in mind, when it comes to getting your body to heal at its best, as important as it is to eat healthy foods, it’s also about minimizing the toxicities that keep the body from being able to express health at its full potential.

You see, cholesterol is actually an anti-inflammatory lipid. So, what could high cholesterol levels indicate? There may be some raging inflammation going on that your body is trying to "patch up" with cholesterol.

Do you have high cholesterol? If yes, than statins are nothing new to you. This family of drugs is prescribed to block an enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) that controls cholesterol production in your liver. Sure, this artificial means of lowering cholesterol works for some. Unfortunately, that enzyme is also involved in the production of a powerful antioxidant your body needs to prevent heart disease, fatigue, and macular degeneration--coenzyme Q-10. You may not be too pleased with the thought of popping pills that can damage the liver, cause memory loss, mental confusion, and even high blood sugar problems. But, they are effective at lowering cholesterol so they're worth it, right?

Well, is the "solution" merely to lower cholesterol or to improve your health and resolve the underlying cause of high cholesterol: an unhealthy, stressful, inactive lifestyle? The truth is that shutting down your body's natural ability to make essential cholesterol will only give a false assurance that everything is okay. If the real issue isn't addressed, though, can we really expect a great impact on your life and health? Thankfully, there are other options.  Here are a few…

OMEGA-3 FATS - High quality, animal-based omega-3's help lower cholesterol naturally. A three-month Canadian study found that omega-3-rich Krill oil is an effective way to reduce total and LDL cholesterol while increasing blood-clearing HDL cholesterol. Other healthy fats to include in your diet include olive oil, coconut oil, raw nuts and seeds, organic raw dairy, and organic grass-fed meats. Choose lean, white meats and fish over red meats.

FIBER - Boost your intake of fiber-rich foods: fruits, veggies, whole grains, and legumes. These foods will help naturally reduce cholesterol. Aim to eat fruits and veggies raw whenever possible.  “Fat-free” foods are deprived of fiber.

BANISH HYDROGENATED OILS - These guys not only increase the bad cholesterol, they reduce the good type: deep-fried foods, non-dairy creamer, store-bought biscuits, or crackers. Nearly all processed foods contain hydrogenated oils or trans fats that scrape their way through your bloodstream and promote inflammation. Your body will respond by sending more cholesterol into the bloodstream to protect artery walls.

“Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine”  -Hippocrates