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What Causes High Cholesterol? (Hint: It’s 4 Letters, Starting with “I” and Ending with “N”)

cholesterol copper iron

First off, cholesterol isn’t bad — it’s an ANTIOXIDANT (this word is important). And cholesterol is incredibly important to our ability to create energy.⚡
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To make energy from oxygen, we need copper and Vitamin A from animal sources, which usually in the form of animal fat (dietary cholesterol).
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Even though dietary cholesterol is important to make sure we get fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamin A, our body actually makes ~80% of its own cholesterol in the liver.
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In 1973, Dr. Leslie M. Klevay discovered that a lack of copper caused cholesterol to rise in the body. Why?
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Copper is what allows us to make energy with oxygen — the 2nd most reactive element on the planet — SAFELY. When we are overloaded with iron and/or copper-deficient, we create OXIDANTS instead of energy, which = aging and disease.💥
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Cholesterol is an oxygen sink. It takes 11 molecules of oxygen to make just 1 molecule of cholesterol.
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When we cannot make energy correctly, our body senses this and makes cholesterol to safely harbor oxygen. This is a protective mechanism to keep oxygen from creating oxidants and RUST. In short, even though cholesterol is good, anyone with high cholesterol is probably having a lot of trouble making energy.
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Copper is also needed to convert LDL (“bad”) cholesterol to HDL (“good”) cholesterol (more on this in the future).🔀
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While cholesterol gets blamed for many things like heart disease, as you can see, it’s very PROTECTIVE against disease. It’s actually excess iron that oxidizes cholesterol and causes the plaque atherosclerosis is known for.
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If you or someone you know has been told they have high cholesterol, maybe rethink how you’re going to approach it.
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More food for thought!

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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.

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References

Klevay, L.M. (1973). Hypercholesterolemia produced in rats by an increase in ratio of zinc to copper ingested. Retrieved from: https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/26/10/1060/4802375.

Klevay, L.M. (1978). Cholesterolemia and cardiovascular abnormalities in rats caused by copper deficiency. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/22512134_Cholesterolemia_and_cardiovascular_abnormalities_in_rats_caused_by_copper_deficiency.

Klevay, L.M. (1978). Cholesterol metabolism in copper deficient rats. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/22470728_Cholesterol_metabolism_in_copper_deficient_rats.

Klevay, L.M. (1978). Copper deficiency and cholesterol metabolism in the rat. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/22423046_Copper_deficiency_and_cholesterol_metabolism_in_the_rat.

Klevay, L.M. (1983). Copper and ischemic heart disease. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258828858_Copper_and_ischemic_heart_disease.

Klevay, L.M. Inmann, L. Johnson, L.K. Lawler, M. Mahalko, J.R. Milne, D.B. Lukaski, H.C. Bolonchuck, W. Sandstead, H.H. (1984). Increase cholesterol in plasma in a young man during experimental copper depletion. Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0026049584900969.

Klevay, L.M. (1987). Dietary copper: A powerful determinant of cholesterolemia. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/19839259_Dietary_copper_A_powerful_determinant_of_cholesterolemia.

Klevay, L.M. (1989). Ischemic Heart Disease as Copper Deficiency: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/20459370_Ischemic_Heart_Disease_as_Copper_Deficiency.

Klevay, L.M. (1994). An antioxidant nutrient for cardiovascular health. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8168381_Copper_An_antioxidant_nutrient_for_cardiovascular_health.

Klevay, L.M. (2000). Cardiovascular Disease from Copper Deficiency—A History. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/12593865_Cardiovascular_Disease_from_Copper_Deficiency-A_History.

Klevay, L.M. (2000). Dietary copper and risk of coronary heart disease. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/12518788_Dietary_copper_and_risk_of_coronary_heart_disease.

Klevay, L.M. (2007). Copper deficiency, lead and paraoxonase. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1913565/.

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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. While the owner of this website tries to keep the information up to date, there may be things that are out-of-date and out of their control.