by Eliza Sterling

There’s a common belief that a high-fat diet, particularly one laden with saturated fat, is the primary villain behind heart diseases. Yet, recent studies indicate that the link between diet and heart health is more intricate. The case against saturated fats might not be as straightforward as we once believed. Let’s explore further.

Your liver is responsible for 80% of your body’s cholesterol production, leaving a meager 20% contribution to the food we consume. Surprisingly, heart disease rates didn’t drop but continued to rise when we replaced saturated fats with hydrogenated vegetable oils and margarines. Other dietary components, notably sugar and carbohydrates, may be significant players in heart health and obesity.

The Role of Cholesterol and Inflammation

The liver ramps up cholesterol production during periods of stress, inflammation, and illness. Oxidized, small LDL particles seem to be a significant contributor to inflammation and ill health. A diet rich in antioxidants, such as blueberries, pecan nuts, and walnuts, coupled with avoiding processed foods, can do wonders for heart health.

Several factors, including the roles of triglycerides, inflammatory engineered oils, vitamin D deficiency, lifestyle, and stress, contribute to heart health. Understanding these factors can provide valuable insights into preventing diseases of the heart, such as clots in the arterial walls.

Why You Should Moderate Salt Intake

Although essential, excessive salt intake can lead to high blood pressure, forcing your heart to work harder and thus increasing the risk of heart disease. Processed and junk foods, notorious for their high unhealthy fat, sugar, and salt content, are standard culprits. Cutting down your salt intake just by 1 gram per day can drastically reduce annual deaths from strokes and heart attacks.

The Surprising Upside of Cholesterol

New research now questions the perceived negatives of cholesterol. A study found that a high proportion of elderly individuals with high cholesterol lived longer. Increasingly, it seems that cholesterol, rather than being harmful, actually carries several health benefits, particularly for women.

Vitamin D, preferably derived from sunlight, plays a crucial role in health. Insufficient vitamin D was found to increase the risk of heart disease by 64% and the risk of death from heart disease by 81%. Just 20 minutes outside daily can help lower blood pressure and increase vitamin D production.

Unveiling the Health Benefits of Cholesterol

Present in every cell, cholesterol contributes to maintaining the stability and structure of cellular membranes. It aids in hormone production, including oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol. Around 60% of our brain consists of fat and cholesterol, making cholesterol an essential part of brain function. Besides aiding in the digestion of fats, cholesterol also helps convert sunlight to vitamin D.

heart health, cholesterol, saturated fat, hydrogenated vegetable oils, antioxidants, LDL particles, triglycerides, salt reduction, Vitamin D, inflammation