CHOLESTEROL is a white fatty substance found to be present naturally in all the cells and tissues of the body. It is made mainly in the liver and also found in some animal-based foods. Like other fats and oils (lipids), cholesterol does not dissolve in water. It is transported to and from the cells by carrier-proteins called lipoproteins, which are classified as Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL or “bad cholesterol”) and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL or “good cholesterol”). While the latter carries cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver, where it is broken down or passed out of the body as a waste product; LDL carries cholesterol to cells where it can build up in the artery walls, leading to disease of the arteries. Hence, the names “good” and “bad” cholesterol, respectively. Blood tests are required to measure the amounts of both HDL and LDL in the blood.
The normal total cholesterol measured in the laboratory is defined as less than 200 mg/dL (milligram per deciliter) of blood. The level, ranging between 200 to 239 mg/dL, is considered borderline, while elevated cholesterol levels above 240mg/dl are considered to be high (hypercholesterolemia).
Elevated cholesterol in the blood is indicated to increase the risk of atherosclerosis, narrowing of the arteries, developing a blood clot, coronary heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Causes of elevated cholesterol in the blood include
Unhealthy diet: Especially eating high levels of saturated fats that are found in meats, eggs, dairy products, and some vegetable oils made from coconut, palm, and cocoa. Note that too much saturated fat decreases the removal of cholesterol from the bloodstream as so is tagged a major cause of elevated levels of cholesterol in the blood.
Underlying condition: Having diabetes, elevated blood pressure (hypertension), under active thyroid gland, kidney and liver disease.
Smoking: Chemicals found in cigarettes may interfere with the function of the HDL, leading to narrowing of the arteries.
Alcohol: Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol regularly.
Sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise: Can increase your level of LDL.
Aging: There is a tendency of the arteries narrowing as one ages.
At this juncture, it is important to mention that although too much of cholesterol in the blood is dangerous, as noted above, it is essential for many of the body’s metabolic processes. Cholesterol helps to make hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and adrenaline. It is used in the production of vitamin D; bile acids, which help the body, digest fat and absorb fat-soluble vitamins in the small intestine. Cholesterol is also important for the normal functions of the nerves, brain, and skin. Given its importance to life, it becomes imperative to maintain a healthy balance of cholesterol in the bloodstream as extreme low levels may give rise to severe alteration in the blood and brain chemistry.
And one vitamin getting a lot of attention on the elevated blood cholesterol scene is inositol. Inositol plays a structural role in your body as a major component of cell membranes. Its primary role may lead to an improvement in lipid profiles. Several studies suggest that inositol supplementation results in a reduction in triglycerides, total -and LDL-cholesterol levels among patients with metabolic diseases. And hence, has the potential to be included in complementary therapy for metabolic health conditions.
So what is inositol?
Inositol has a calming effect and antioxidant properties that fight free radicals in many body systems and tissues. Though often referred to as vitamin B8, inositol is not a vitamin but rather a biomolecule the body makes from glucose. It is also found in plant foods such as legumes; whole grains; nuts; fruits (golden melon, citrus); many fiber foods such as beans, brown rice, corn, sesame seeds, oats, wheat bran); vegetables, unrefined molasses, raisins, lecithin and brewer’s yeast. Inositol is thought to be one of the reasons these foods confer their health benefits. But because phytates are indigestible by human enzymes, getting inositol requires microbial digestion or supplementation.
There are two main forms of inositol used in supplements, namely myo-inositol (MYO) and D-chiro-inositol (DCI). Studies have suggested that myo-inositol may aid in the treatment of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women. According to a study, women assigned to six months of myo-inositol supplements experienced significantly greater improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol levels than women provided a placebo. When treated with myo-inositol, women with metabolic syndrome experienced a drop in diastolic blood pressure as well as in the triglycerides and an appreciable increase in “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. All of these findings translate to an improvement of metabolic syndrome as well as a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease.
In addition to normalizing blood cholesterol, alternative health providers recommend inositol supplements for a wide range of health conditions, including anxiety, depression, diabetes, panic disorder, and polycystic ovary syndrome. It prevents hardening of the arteries and helps remove fat from the liver. Some people also use inositol to promote hair growth or overcome insomnia.
Inositol supplements are sold as powders, tablets, and capsules. There is no recommended daily allowance for inositol, and there is no standardized dosing schedule. Studies suggest that 3–6 grams of inositol taken daily for up to six months may help reduce elevated blood cholesterol.
Deficiency can lead to arteriosclerosis, skin eruptions, constipation, hair loss, irritability, and mood swings.
If you have runs a test and result shows high cholesterol readings, inositol would certainly seem like a useful supplement to consider. You can also begin optimizing the potentials of inositol as an alternative therapy for metabolic health conditions by increasing your intake of foods that contain this “super bullet”!