Two Doctors Come Out of the Woodwork about Cholesterol

       Dr. Oz video clip about cholesterol

       I think everyone needs to see this. Hopefully since Dr. Oz covered this topic, it'll be taken seriously now. It's difficult to put your reputation on the line and state conclusions like this to the public but a cardiologist and a nutritional doctor are coming out of the woodwork to say sugar intake and inflammation contribute to heart disease rather than cholesterol intake. They go on to say the LDL particle size test is more important than just testing how much LDL there is because not all LDL is bad cholesterol. Like I mentioned in a previous article, cholesterol has so many important functions, so if we can decrease heart disease through exercise, limiting sugar intake and choosing foods that are anti-inflammatory we can prevent all the nasty consequences of taking statins. Statins are necessary for certain populations but they are definitely over-prescribed. In the near future I will be addressing how being on statins may affect menopause and andropause.      


A couple tips to reduce sugar besides the obvious are: 

1. If you're addicted to juice or pop try diluting it with water. 
2. Try drinking real coconut water instead of Gatorade or Powerade* when rehydrating.
3. If you're going to a have a night on the town try mixing with water rather than pop.
4. Don't "save room for dessert"
5. Eat often throughout the day so you don't crave sugar when your blood levels drop too low
6. In general, try to make sure there is more fiber than sugar on the food label when buying cereals and snack bars, etc...
7. Fruit do have many benefits but try to snack on vegetables more often than fruit. 

*Check out this video on how Powerade is made


Some ways to reduce inflammation are: 

1. Fish that are high in Omega 3's, just remember in general, Big fish have more mercury. Use this calculator to see how much mercury certain fish have.  Sardines, mackerel, anchovies, salmon and herring are great choices. 
2. Identifying food sensitivities that may inflame your stomach or intestinal lining. 
3. Exercise, take adequate fiber and detox regularly to make sure things are moving well (if something becomes stagnant in your system there's a good chance an inflammatory response will occur to try to get rid of it. 
4. Eat real food, not processed meat or artificial sweeteners. 
5. Avoid dairy if you can not tolerate it.
6. Cook your food in water and then add whatever oil you would like to use. Once most oils get too hot they become pro-oxidants rather than anti-oxidants (which is bad!).
7. You can add turmeric, garlic, onions and many other meal enhancements.
8. There are several supplements that are great to reduce inflammation. 

Some sources of inflammation are: 

1. Pretty much all of the addictors out there: alcohol, caffeine, sugar, smoking, certain medications, overeating.
2. Stress, whether it be mental, emotional or physical
3. Bacterial, fungal or viral infections. 
4. Autoimmune disorders 
5. Certain supplements and foods
6. Excess iron or heavy metals 

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to email me. 

Justin Gallant
Naturopathic Doctor
Bachelor of Kinesiology