At annual physicals all over America, patients anxiously ask their primary care doctor, "How's my cholesterol?" If you're one of those people and the number is good, you probably relax, thinking you're in a good position with respect to your risk of heart disease.
However, according to my intensive study of the scientific literature, cholesterol is not actually the terrible culprit behind heart attacks and strokes. Key articles in medical journals reveal that Triglycerides are the true villain in killer cardiovascular events.
Why Haven't You Heard This?
Unfortunately, so much of the medical information that reaches the public is either directly or indirectly influenced by the drug companies. If you don't have medical or scientific training, you wouldn't know how to evaluate the information that comes to you on radio or TV or in newspapers and magazines. My impartial study of research findings has convinced me that the focus on cholesterol as the overwhelming "bad guy" in the last couple of decades is not valid.
Two Crucial Pieces of Evidence
One of the studies on the leading role of Triglycerides in cardiovascular disease that impressed me was Harvard research published in the journal Circulation in 1997. This study revealed that the 25% of the population with the highest Triglycerides to HDL cholesterol ratio have 16 times more heart-related events than the 25% whose ratios are the lowest.
In addition, William Castelli, M.D., a former director of the famous and respected Framingham Heart Study, has pointed out that people with low cholesterol (lower than 200) suffer nearly 40% of all heart attacks.
What Are Triglycerides?
Triglycerides are a type of fat that circulates in the blood. They provide a good deal of the energy needed for cells to function.
At your annual physical, ask your doctor to test you for both cholesterol and Triglycerides. For optimal health and a lower risk of heart attack and stroke, you want high HDL cholesterol and low Triglycerides. According to the American Heart Association, a normal Triglycerides level is less than 150 milligrams per deciliter.
What Does This Mean for You?
If your lab tests reveal high Triglycerides, you should focus on lowering starch and sugar in your diet, such as by avoiding sweetened beverages, cereal, bread, pasta, ice cream, pie and cakes. In contrast to taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, this change in diet will lower Triglycerides and reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Dr. Ron Grisanti, D.C., is the founder and director of Functional Medicine University, a training program for medical professionals. For the general public, he has created the health information site YourMedicalDetective.com, which offers free, easy-to-understand articles on a broad range of health problems. For a free membership in YourMedicalDetective.com, go to yourmedicaldetective.com yourmedicaldetective.com
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