What are the actual causes of elevated cholesterol levels? Let’s explore this topic.
Causes of Elevated Cholesterol
The body requires cholesterol for several important functions, including patching blood vessel walls, producing adrenal stress hormones, sex hormones, and Vitamin D, as well as creating bile salts for fat digestion. Cholesterol also plays a crucial role in maintaining cell structure and is an essential component of every cell membrane.
It is important to remember that the body constantly strives to achieve a state of balance, known as homeostasis. When cholesterol levels are elevated, we should ask ourselves why this is happening. What is prompting the body to increase cholesterol levels, and which part of the body is signaling for more cholesterol?
Most often, elevated cholesterol is a response to inflammation in the body. Conditions such as tendonitis, arthritis, gingivitis, and prostatitis, all of which end with “-itis,” indicate inflammation. When inflammation occurs, the body activates processes to mitigate it and return to homeostasis.
The liver is responsible for producing approximately 85% of the body’s cholesterol. In response to inflammation, it releases cholesterol in the form of LDL (low- density lipoprotein) to address the issue. HDL (high-density lipoprotein), on the other hand, is the cholesterol that returns to the liver, indicating, “I completed my job.”
But how can you tell if there is inflammation in your body that is not immediately obvious? Typically, an elevated level of C-reactive protein (CRP), which can be detected through a CRP blood test, is a strong indicator of inflammation in the body and blood vessels. This can be a concerning factor when assessing potential cardiovascular risk.
To manage this inflammation, it’s important to treat the underlying conditions associated with the “-itis.” First, obtain a blood test for CRP to check for inflammation, and also test your DHEA-S levels to evaluate adrenal function, along with 25-OH Vitamin D levels. Depending on the test results, consider using nutritional whole food supplementation to support the part of the body that initially required more cholesterol.
The solution to elevated cholesterol is not necessarily cholesterol-lowering drugs, as they do not address the underlying problem. Instead, support healthy cholesterol levels by reducing inflammation. By doing so, you may find that your cholesterol levels return to normal.
To Your Health!