Fat and Cholesterol

 The Secret Life of Fat

Fat and weight gain is a topic of interest to the majority of the population, particularly as we age. A book with the above title was written by Sylvia Tara. Among the interesting topics of discussion is the work of an Indian physician named Nikhil Dhurandhar. This researcher has repeatedly shown that viral infections can result in weight gains in animals and people. He found that a much higher number of people who were obese had antibodies to Adenovirus-36. This work has been difficult to get published because many doctors do not believe that viral or bacterial infections can cause weight gain.

It has been pretty well confirmed that bacteria can result in weight gain leading to obesity. Dr. Jeffrey Gordon conducted an experiment in which he raised one group of mice in sterile conditions and another with normal bacterial growth in the intestines. Food intake was identical but the mice with bacteria weighed more. The bacteria in the gut help break down food and extract nutrients from it. When the mice raised in a sterile environment were exposed to bacteria they had a 57% increase in percent of body fat!

Obese human beings tend to have increased numbers of Firmicutes bacteria which love diets high in carbohydrates and fats. Their numbers decrease when these types of foods are restricted. Thinner individuals have higher numbers of Bacteroidetes bacteria in the gut. These bacteria are not as efficient and making nutrients in food available for absorption. Their numbers increase when the diet is high in fruits and vegetables.



Thoughts on Cholesterol

One of the most frequent questions I am asked is about cholesterol levels. Current recommendations are for a total cholesterol level less than 200 mg/dl. It is also recommended that LDL or bad cholesterol be below 130 and HDL or good cholesterol be above 35. For every 1% increase in HDL levels risk of heart attack drops by 3-4%. While LDL is usually referred to as the "bad" cholesterol the worst cholesterol is lipoprotein(a) which carries a 10-fold greater risk than LDL for heart disease.

Another factor to consider is whether cholesterol is oxidized or not. All early studies were done feeding rabbits oxidized cholesterol out of a jar. In the 1970's similar studies were done with non-oxidized cholesterol. It was learned that oxidized cholesterol is 500 times more atherogenic than the product which is not oxidized. Anyone with an elevated cholesterol should try to avoid consuming highly oxidized cholesterol products like aged cheeses, powdered eggs, and highly heated fatty foods.

Supplementation with antioxidants can reduce the risk of cholesterol oxidation. Supplementation with Carotenoid Complex was shown to increase antioxidant activity in the blood five-fold in one study. Vitamins E and C are also protective here. Salmon oil is slippery and helps prevent cholesterol from sticking to blood vessel walls. Salmon oil is very effective at reducing triglyceride levels if they are elevated.

Statin drugs are loaded with side-effects. They block the synthesis of CoQ10 and other important compounds. Lipotropic Adjunct is a supplement designed to improve the ability of the liver to process fats. The meaning of the word breaks down as follows: lipo=fat, trophic= to eat, adjunct= helper. Lipotropics tend to lower cholesterol and triglycerides.

A well tested alternative to statins is niacin which is often used on a prescription basis. It does cause an uncomfortable flush, particularly in the beginning. Plant sterols also inhibit absorption of cholesterol. These are found in NeoLife Tre-en-en. A pharmaceutical form of sterols called policosanol has been shown to compare favorably to statin drugs in lowering cholesterol.

Heart disease can also be caused by low intake of magnesium or elevated homocysteine (which is addressed by lipotropic adjunct). Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease. Risk of diabetes is reduced by avoiding sugars, heavy fats, and making sure vitamin D levels are adequate.