What do you know about Cholesterol?

Most of our knowledge of cholesterol is a myth. The diet we are told to follow, the studies on heart health, all leave much to be desired. According to an article in Mother Earth News, the largest study ever done on eating a low fat diet has found it has no effect on lowering cholesterol. Framington did a study showing that God is in the details. People who developed heart disease had about the same levels of cholesterol as those who didn't. After 44 years on this study done in Framington, Mass. they wrote, "The more saturated fat one ate, the more cholesterol they ate, the more calories they ate, the lower the person's serum cholesterol. We found that people who ate the most cholesterol and the most saturated fat and calories, weigh the least and were the most physically active." So it goes back to what I have long thought, that Big Pharma is just out to get your buck. They seem to think all of us should be on statins, which have been proven to kill your kidneys and liver and do your body damage, including kicking of diabetes. Case in point, my hairdresser of many years had disc surgery, and while in the hospital, a doc decided she needed meds for blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. She got home and kept feeling worse and worse, after a few months, she fell, hitting her head on concrete and ended up back in the hospital. Another doc asked her why she was taking so many meds she did not need, and took her off all of them. But the damage was done, her kidneys no longer worked right or her liver. She has never recovered. It's just good to be smart and protect yourself, and your diet can help, add wild salmon, berries, vegetables, grass fed meat, beans, dark chocolate, garlic and turmeric, pomegranate and extra virgin olive oil. Which you have to watch, a lot of the oil sold in stores is cut with cheaper oils to lower the price. I have started buying organic from Swansons. It seems the best way to protect yourself is just to be proactive about your health, learn the basics and take care of yourself. Looking for holiday gifts? How about some body scrubs? Here is one I love: 3/4 cup organic sugar 2 teaspoons ground cloves 1 teaspoon ground rose petals, pick some from your garden and dry 2 teaspoons grated orange peel 1 cup sesame seed oil. Mix all together, put in pretty containers. Makes 8 ounces. It's been a lovely week, warm days, near 80, and crisp nights. The trees are wearing fall colors, and last night's sunset shining on the red trees was awesome. Love fall, hope it lasts a long time. Add some fall veggies to your meals, the squashes are great, and versatile. Til next time, stay well.