In 19 large studies of more than 68,000 deaths, reviewed by Professor David Jacobs and co-workers from the Division of Epidemiology at the University of Minnesota, low cholesterol predicted an increased risk of dying from gastro-intestinal and respiratory disease (Circulation 1997; 26)(International J. of Epidemiology 1997; 26) (Epidemiology and Infection 1998; 121)
CHOLESTEROL AND HEART FAILURE
Researchers from the University of California at Los Angeles found a higher mortality in patients with severe heart failure who had the lowest lipid values, including total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol. (American J. of Cardiology 1998; 82) This finding was confirmed by Dr. Rauchhaus, in cooperation with researchers at several German and British University hospitals. They found that the risk of dying, in patients with chronic heart failure, was strongly and inversely associated with total cholesterol and LDH- cholesterol; those with high lipid values lived much longer than those with low values. (Lancet 200; 356)(Journal of the American College Cardiology 2003; 42) The largest study included more than 1,000 patients with severe heart failure. After five years 62% of the patients with total cholesterol below 4.5mmol/L had died, but only half as many of the patients with cholesterol above 4.4mmol/L. (Journal of Cardiac Failure 2002; 8 )
CHOLESTEROL AND IMMUNE FUNCTION
The immune supporting properties of LDL-cholesterol plays an important role in human health. High cholesterol protects against infection LDL-cholesterol binds and inactivates dangerous bacterial toxins. (Infection and Immunity 1989; 57 and 1995; 63)(Arteriosclerosis and Thrombosis 1992; 12)
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, studying a group of healthy middle-aged men, found that the number of various types of white blood cells were significantly lower in the men with serum cholesterol below 4.5 mmpl/L,, than in men with serum cholesterol above 4.5mmol/L. (Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology 1997; 84)
The International Network of Cholesterol Sceptics (THINCS), a steadily growing group of scientist, physicians, other academicians and science writers are questioning the common dogma that dietary saturated fat and cholesterol cause coronary heart disease. Not only is there no proof to support this hypothesis, says spokesman Dr Uffe Ravnskov of Lund, Sweden, but the available scientific evidence clearly contradicts this claim.
There is no doubt that the present notoriety of cholesterol has all but obscured its physiological importance and necessity in our bodies.
Men with high cholesterol levels have stronger immune systems, than those with low cholesterol, as can be seen by the fact that they have more lymphocytes, total T-cells, helper T-cells and CD8+ cells. Researchers have also identified cholesterol as an inactivator/neutralizer of multiple bacterial toxins.
Further, many strains of disease-causing bacteria, are almost totally inactivated by Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (Ravnskov 2003; Quarterly J of Medicine; 96)
Cholesterol, or more precisely 7-dehydrocholesterol, is the precursor to Vitamin D. Vitamin D has long been recognized for its role in maintaining calcium balance and promoting bone health. More recently it is becoming known for a wide range of other functions, including the maintenance of mental health, a strong immune system, blood sugar regulation and the prevention of cancer.
Cholesterol also acts as an anti-oxidant, protecting cell membranes from free radical damage.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The Great Cholesterol Con: ANTHONY COLPO
The Cholesterol Myth: UFFE RAVNSKO
Fats that Harm, Fats that Heal: UDO ERASMUS
