Decreased Cholesterol Levels-
As Bad As Elevated levels?

It is well known that elevated cholesterol levels pose an increased risk for developing atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. What is not so well known is that a decreased cholesterol level can be just as harmful. Cholesterol provides the structure for the following:

1. Cellular membranes, where it helps regulate membrane fluidity and intra-cellular communication
2. Myelin sheaths, where it provides for the structure of the myelin sheaths in the nervous system, which helps regulate nerve transmission
3. Steroid hormones, where it provides the backbone for adrenal hormones, sex hormones, and vitamin D.

Harry Eidenier, PhD, using electrophoretic studies, hormonal studies, glycoprotein electrophoresis, CBC with differential and other blood studies, was able to confirm that a sudden decreased cholesterol for a patient who historically had not had low cholesterol, was a strong diagnostic indicator of an increased oxidative stress and potential neoplastic development.

Decreased levels of cholesterol may lead to nervous system dysfunction and poor hormonal synthesis, as well as increased levels of stress to the cardiovascular system. The immune system, which relies heavily on cellular communication and recognition, may be at a great risk too. Given the above list of essential functions of cholesterol to the human metabolism, it is not difficult to see why low cholesterol is as dangerous as high.

© 2004 Dicken Weatherby, ND

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Dicken Weatherby is a graduate of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. He is the co-author of the best-selling book "Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis- Clinical Laboratory Testing from a Functional Perspective". To learn more about Dr. Weatherby's functional diagnosis books and sign up for FREE functional diagnosis tips, tools, and techniques, visit his web site at http://www.BloodChemistryAnalysis.com

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