Cholesterol

Cholesterol: a substance naturally occurring in the body

Cholesterol has had a bad name for years. It is often seen as something dangerous that should be as low as possible. But cholesterol is not an enemy of the body. It is an essential building material that is needed for recovery, hormones, cell walls, brain and energy metabolism.

An elevated cholesterol level therefore does not automatically mean that something is going wrong. It often shows that the body needs extra cholesterol for something.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that the body uses for, among other things:

  • the production of hormones

  • vitamin D

  • bile salts

  • cell recovery

  • brain function

  • nervous tissue

  • cell membranes

Hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, progesterone and cortisol are also made from cholesterol. Without sufficient cholesterol, the body cannot produce these substances properly.

Your body makes cholesterol itself

Most of the cholesterol is made by the body itself, especially in the liver. Diet therefore plays only a limited role in the total amount of cholesterol in the blood.

More important is how the metabolism functions. Chronic stress, inflammation, blood sugar problems and insulin resistance often have much more influence on cholesterol levels than natural fats.

LDL and HDL

Cholesterol travels through the blood via the transport particles LDL and HDL.

LDL

LDL transports cholesterol to where it is needed. For example, for recovery, hormone production and cell building.

The body can make LDL from both fats and carbohydrates. With a surplus of sugar and fast carbohydrates, the body mainly produces more LDL and triglycerides.

HDL

HDL actually helps with the return transport and removal of excess cholesterol.

Natural fats are important for good HDL production. The body can make both LDL and HDL from fats.

As a result, you regularly see that a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates leads to:

  • higher triglycerides

  • lower HDL

  • more disruption of fat metabolism

While a diet with sufficient natural fats often goes together with:

  • higher HDL levels

  • more stable blood sugar

  • better metabolic health

Both systems are important. Problems mainly arise when LDL becomes damaged by oxidation, inflammation or long-term metabolic disruption.

What are triglycerides?

Triglycerides are fats that circulate in the blood. They mainly occur when the body has to store a surplus of energy. An excess of sugar and fast carbohydrates in particular is converted into triglycerides by the liver.

An increased triglyceride level is therefore often a sign that the body has difficulty processing sugars and energy.

High triglycerides are regularly seen in:

  • insulin resistance

  • belly fat

  • fatty liver

  • overweight

  • metabolic disturbance

Triglycerides therefore often say more about metabolism than total cholesterol alone.

The TG/HDL ratio

The ratio between triglycerides and HDL provides a lot of information about metabolic health.

A combination of high triglycerides and low HDL is consistent with insulin resistance and disruption of fat metabolism.

As a result, someone can have a “normal” LDL value, while still having an increased cardiovascular risk.

What increases cholesterol?

An elevated cholesterol level often does not occur just like that. The body usually increases cholesterol production because there is a greater demand for recovery substances, hormones or protection.

Factors that may have an influence:

  • chronic stress

  • ignitions

  • insulin resistance

  • overweight

  • poor sleep

  • nutrient deficiencies

  • smoking

  • little movement

  • dehydration

Diets high in refined carbohydrates, trans fats and highly processed products can also disrupt fat metabolism.

Improving cholesterol starts with metabolism

The greatest disturbance of cholesterol is usually not caused by natural fats, but by disruption of metabolism.

Important pillars:

  • stable blood sugar values

  • less refined carbohydrates and sugar

  • sufficient natural fats and proteins

  • sufficient hydration

  • sufficient minerals

  • regular exercise

  • good sleep

  • recovery moments and relaxation

  • reducing chronic inflammatory activity

When the metabolism calms down, triglycerides, HDL and insulin sensitivity often improve automatically.

Important to remember

Cholesterol is not an isolated culprit, but part of a much larger system. That is why one cholesterol value often says little without context.

The complete metabolic picture is much more important:

  • triglycerides

  • HDL

  • blood sugar

  • insulin sensitivity

  • ignitions

  • lifestyle

  • energy management

Those who only look at total cholesterol often miss the real story behind the values.