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Overview
"The Paleo Cardiologist" is about finding the cause of heart problems, instead of the typical Band-Aid fixes of conventional medicine. The truth is that heart disease can be prevented naturally and cardiologist Dr. Jack Wolfson will show you how.
You can trust Dr. Wolfson. For 16 years he worked as a hospital cardiologist performing coronary angiograms and pacemakers. After meeting his chiropractic wife, Dr. Wolfson now runs a very successful, holistic cardiology office.
Inside "The Paleo Cardiologist," you will learn: 1) Paleo Nutrition is the food plan for health, 2) The importance of cholesterol to every cell in the body, 3) How to avoid pharmaceuticals and skip the dangerous procedures, 4) Why stress is bad for your heart and how to relax, 5) How to get rid of the chemicals and heavy metals, 6) Sleep is critical for heart health and how to get more Z’s, 7) The Top 20 supplements for heart health, 8) The Top 20 blood tests you need
Get informed. Get empowered. Read "The Paleo Cardiologist," the natural way to heart health.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781630475802 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Morgan James Publishing |
| Publication date: | 06/02/2015 |
| Pages: | 262 |
| Sales rank: | 315,683 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.90(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.80(d) |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
CHOLESTEROL IS KING
"If you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes truth"
— Unknown
Just say the word cholesterol out loud. What images does it conjure up? Perhaps a person having a heart attack or stroke, a vessel clogged with yellow plaque, or maybe a juicy cheeseburger? Your preconceived notions are all the result of an aggressive marketing campaign by pharmaceutical companies to generate fear. The scare propaganda gets you to take drugs leading to trillions of dollars in the coffers of "Big Pharma."
But ask yourself, your doctor, or even your next-door neighbor, "What is cholesterol? What does it do and why does my body make it? Why is cholesterol present in dogs, chickens, cows, and gorillas? If it is harmful, is my body trying to cause a heart attack or a stroke?" Chances are, whomever you ask, will not give you the correct answer. Your doctor is likely to give you a blank stare or quickly get intimidated, possibly kicking you out of his or her office.
These questions seem foolish because if the body is making cholesterol, there is an obvious purpose. In fact, everything the human body does is for a reason. Cholesterol is a small molecule made by all mammals that contains three different elements or atoms: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. This "scary" substance contains only these three basic elements. We are not talking about dangerous heavy metals like mercury and lead, or the harmful chemicals in plastic. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are the building blocks of life. Cholesterol is a pretty basic structure that has been around for hundreds of millions of years. This fact was drilled into young, fertile minds during medical school, but was later suffocated by the tentacles of "Big Pharma" and their cheerleaders in the media. This chapter will dispel the unfounded negativity surrounding cholesterol and give you confidence that eating cholesterol-containing foods is critical to health.
CHOLESTEROL 101
Cholesterol is a hydrophobic, wax-like molecule, meaning it does not like water; it prefers the company of fat. Picture a pot of chicken soup left out all night, which develops a thick layer of fat on top (which you can use to fry eggs, vegetables, etc.). Because of its unique structure, cholesterol must travel around the body with "friends" called LDL and HDL (more on lipoproteins in the next chapter). A large percentage of cholesterol production occurs in the liver, an organ in the upper right portion of your abdomen. The liver is responsible for many functions including detoxification (removing the gunk from the body), the manufacturing of proteins and fats, storage and breakdown of sugar, digestion of food, and making cholesterol. The body makes about 1000 mg of cholesterol daily, enough to fill a vitamin capsule. Very low cholesterol is a bad sign the liver is not functioning and is associated with cancer risk and death.
* LIVE WELL: Keep your liver healthy by eating right and avoiding chemicals.
Cholesterol is found in all animal sources of food because animal cells contain it, just like human cells do. The typical daily consumption of cholesterol in the U.S. is 200-300 mg, about the weight of 3 raindrops. Most of the cholesterol from food is not absorbed, but preferentially passed in the stool. The gut prefers to absorb the cholesterol made by the liver and passed into the bile to assist with digestion. There are some pharmaceuticals and natural supplements, which prevent reabsorption as a way to lower cholesterol numbers. Most people either make a lot or absorb a lot, which stands to reason because of the importance of this molecule. There are tests available to determine if you are a hyper-absorber or a hyper-synthesizer of cholesterol. Of note, insulin released in response to sugar and carbohydrate ingestion stimulates the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme to produce excess cholesterol.
* LIVE WELL: Decreasing sugar intake is one of the best ways to control excess cholesterol.
So now that you understand the structure of the tiny cholesterol molecule, we can discuss why the human body and every animal on the planet produce it. The truth, encoded in our DNA, is the desire for the body to give itself a heart attack or stroke? How moronic does that sound? Our DNA and genetics are not trying to kill us. Yet this is the garbage spewed by doctors and pharmaceutical companies on a daily basis. Tens of billions of dollars wasted under the false pretense that cholesterol is harmful. Handfuls of pills, side effects galore, and lost time for blood tests and prescription refills highlight the runaway drug train. Read on to learn the critical importance of cholesterol, the "can't live without" substance.
TESTOSTERONE, ESTROGEN, PROGESTERONE
Extra! Extra! Testosterone is made from cholesterol. Got your attention now guys? Without cholesterol to make testosterone, your libido disappears and your erections are more like a wet noodle. Women also produce testosterone as part of their delicate hormone balance. Testosterone increases muscle mass and leads to improved bone density and strength. Without enough cholesterol, testosterone production has to suffer. Low "T" is linked to Alzheimer's dementia and coronary artery disease. In fact, it is well known testosterone supplementation reduces LDL (low-density lipoprotein). But don't run out to fill your script for testosterone just yet. The reason LDL is reduced is because the liver does not see the need to produce cholesterol for testosterone production. The body is getting it externally. The testicles cry out for cholesterol when the body wants to produce testosterone. The liver makes it and packages it up in the LDL carrier, or LDL "bus" as I call it. (More on LDL in Chapter 2). I am not saying all erectile and libido issues are related to cholesterol, but I am saying the body needs cholesterol; therefore, lowering cholesterol does not seem to be in the best interest for someone looking to increase sex hormone production.
The female sex hormones progesterone and estrogen come from — you guessed it, our friend cholesterol. Progesterone is produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands, and in the placenta during pregnancy. It is a crime for a premenopausal woman to be put on a cholesterol reducing pharmaceutical, since we have no idea if this affects fertility or fetal development. After menopause, sex-hormone production decreases and is largely responsible for symptoms. It seems to me we would want cholesterol around to form these hormones and minimize hot flashes, low libido, and a general cantankerous attitude towards unfortunate husbands (ha-ha). There is a lot of controversy regarding post-menopausal hormone prescriptions, but there should be no confusion about letting the body produce what it naturally wants without inhibition by cholesterol reducing drugs. Could a vegan diet, void of cholesterol, limit hormone production?
Finally, the most prevalent sex hormone in circulation is DHEA. This master molecule is converted into estrogen and testosterone. DHEA is made in the adrenals, testes, and ovaries from cholesterol. Hundreds of studies prove that a low DHEA level is associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and just about everything else. One scary fact is that vegan women suffer from lower DHEA levels as compared to Paleo eaters (more on Paleo in Chapter 3). Whether or not DHEA supplementation is beneficial is a subject of debate. I usually recommend it when levels are found to be low through saliva or blood testing.
* LIVE WELL: Male and female hormones are made from cholesterol.
ENERGY
Do you constantly feel tired or fatigued? Do you need Starbucks to get through this chapter? (I hope not, since I wrote it). If you are regularly fatigued, it could be a cortisol problem. You see, cortisol is the main energy hormone of the body, and cortisol is made from cholesterol. If a tiger is chasing you, cortisol is pumped out of the adrenal glands like oil in the Gulf. Its primary functions are: to increase blood sugar (critical in times of stress); balance the immune system; and aid in fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. Cortisol maintains blood pressure and is important for stomach acid secretion. If the stomach does not produce enough acid, digestion is poor, and nutrients are not absorbed. The consequences are staggering. Cortisol production is markedly diminished in many people because of poor nutrition (sugar and caffeine), chemicals, lack of sleep, and chronic stress. By trying to decrease cholesterol, we are tying both hands behind the back of the adrenal gland and limiting the creation of cortisol.
Aldosterone is another vital hormone, and is responsible for salt retention in the kidneys. We are all taught salt is bad, but I assure you, we cannot live without sodium. Despite all the negative press, sodium is a precious element. Salt (or sodium) retention is responsible for blood pressure maintenance: No pressure equals no life. Guess where aldosterone comes from? Yep, our friend cholesterol.
* LIVE WELL: Cortisol is the energy hormone that comes from cholesterol.
Thyroid hormones T3 and T4 are responsible for temperature maintenance, cell metabolism and energy. Symptoms of low thyroid include constipation, poor sleep, dry skin, and weight gain. Theses hormones are actually made from the amino acid tyrosine and iodine, not cholesterol. I am discussing the thyroid here because the follicular cells in the thyroid responsible for hormone production all contain cholesterol (as does every cell in the body).
Are you getting the picture yet? The drug companies and their doctors on the payroll are demonizing this critical molecule, yet as discussed, cholesterol is crucial for living a healthy life. But wait, cholesterol does so much more.
Most people heard the news that vitamin D is essential for health. It builds strong bones, normalizes blood pressure, boosts immune function, and decreases the risk of cancer. How is it made? Cholesterol travels through small vessels in the skin where sunlight converts it into vitamin D. Vitamin D then requires optimal liver and kidney function to be converted to a useable form. Vitamin D is very easy to measure and I prefer my patients achieve a level higher than 50 (more in Chapter 16 about vitamin D supplementation). Some people make vitamin D but it doesn't function because of a genetic defect. Is your doctor testing you for this gene defect? They should.
LET THE SUN SHINE IN
Despite the negative press, the TRUTH is the sun is critical for life. Living in northern climates increases your risk of several diseases, presumably from less sun exposure. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the myelin sheath of nerve cells in the body. This sheath is like the insulation on a wire, so when you put your hand on a hot stove, you sense it and jerk your hand away before it burns. This response relies on the speed of your nerves, which is heavily influenced by the myelin sheath. There are many symptoms of MS, but clearly, the less sun you get, the higher your risk.
Getting full-body sun exposure for 15-30 minutes a day is critical for health. Our Paleo ancestors were outside all day long! Remember the phrase, "Where the sun don't shine?" Don't have an area on your body that fits that saying. Just be careful to avoid a sunburn. And remember, if our body does not make cholesterol, it cannot produce vitamin D. Our family usually runs around the backyard naked to soak up the sun. Don't be shocked if you come by for a visit.
BRAIN HEALTH
The brain has countless responsibilities such as movement, sensation, thought, memories, sight, and hearing. Did you know the brain is loaded with fat and cholesterol? A recent study found the people with the highest cholesterol levels have the best memory. Another report concluded people with low cholesterol had higher rates of depression, aggression, and suicidal thoughts. Over the years, I realized vegan patients do not think as clearly and suffer from more hormonal issues compared to meat eaters. Breast milk contains fat and cholesterol because those are what a baby's brain needs. Infants can live for years on breast milk alone. Would the human body secrete a deleterious substance to nurse its young? Would mammals feed their offspring with cholesterol-laden milk if it were harmful? A chicken cannot grow inside an egg without the cholesterol in the yolk.
If you do not eat animal products, you do not give your body the nutrients it needs to make cholesterol. If we lower cholesterol with pharmaceuticals, our levels are decreased everywhere in the body. Do we really want to lower cholesterol from our brain? For a great read debunking veganism, check out The Vegetarian Myth by Lierre Keith Ph.D.
* LIVE WELL: Find out if you were breast-fed and encourage all moms to do so.
DIGESTION
Another critical function using cholesterol is digestion. If we do not digest food properly, even the best foods will not be absorbed. Cholesterol is secreted by the liver into the bile ducts to help digest food. Ask someone without a gall bladder, removed in a procedure called a cholecystectomy, what happens if they eat oily or fatty foods. Usually, diarrhea is a consequence of those meals. It is because the gall bladder stores bile salts and squirts it onto fats to aid in their breakdown. Without the cholesterol and bile salts, our digestion is poor, nutrients are not absorbed, and disease is inevitable. Doctors claim the gall bladder is not necessary. Oh, how wrong they are. If a doc is recommending the removal of this organ, get a second opinion from a natural doctor ASAP.
* LIVE WELL: A healthy gall bladder is vitally important.
CELL MEMBRANE
The human body is made up of trillions of cells. Each of those tiny cells is held in place by a thin layer called the cell membrane, much like a house surrounded by a fence. Cholesterol is an integral part of the cell membrane. It helps keep the fence strong yet fluid so cells can communicate with each other, keep important contents in, and keep unwanted particles out. Hormones, vitamins, minerals, and hundreds of other tiny molecules enter and exit cells based on the integrity and health of the cell membrane. Our intestines are lined with cells, which form a tight barrier, limiting what molecules come in to our body. Could one cause leading to the rise of Leaky Gut syndrome be from so many millions taking cholesterol-reducing drugs? (More on Leaky Gut in Chapter 10). One of the first organs damaged on the pathway to cardiovascular disease is the endothelium. This single layer of cells lines our blood vessels and is critical to heart health. If the endothelium does not function, the equivalent of a forest fire starts in the vessel wall with the end result of plaque creation and a possible heart attack. Communication between cells is one of the keys to life, and it is dependent on cholesterol.
* LIVE WELL: Every single cell in the human body contains cholesterol.
IS HIGH CHOLESTEROL ASSOCIATED WITH HEART DISEASE?
The MRFIT study, a landmark cardiovascular study undertaken in the 1970's, provided tremendous data on a large population and risk factors for heart disease. The following graph was published to demonstrate cholesterol levels and mortality (death rates) over the course of six years.
We can see in the above chart, all-cause mortality is the same from the cholesterol range of 150-250. You read that correctly. The chances of dying are the same whether your total cholesterol is 150 or 250! Notice the striking increase in all-cause mortality at the lowest levels of cholesterol (top left). I start the search for cancer in my patients with cholesterol less than 150. Finally, notice how total cholesterol has nothing to do with the chance of dying from a stroke.
Humans evolved over millions of years. Our DNA is essentially perfect, until the damage from poor nutrition and chemicals occurs. These two categories influence the way our DNA is put to use. Broccoli can trigger a gene to turn on, while pizza can turn it off. Discussing nutrition and chemicals will make up a large part of this book and is the foundation of prevention and treatment of disease.
CASE STUDY
Todd P. was a middle age male with fatigue and low total cholesterol. He was vegan for years and considered introducing meat back into his diet. Of course, I thought this was a fabulous idea. Adding meat back to the diet has to be done slowly and carefully. Many vegans complain of digestive issues when resuming animal foods. This is because the vegan body is deficient and does not have the tools needed to digest meat. It is best to start slow and use digestive enzymes to get through the early stages of any dietary change. I tested Todd's cortisol levels, which were very low. Within four months of adding meat and seafood, along with plenty of coconut oil, Todd's cholesterol went from 123 to 186. He felt great and regained all his lost energy.
ACTION PLAN
1. Cholesterol is critical to the function of every cell in the body.
2. Hormones, vitamin D, and digestive juices all come from cholesterol.
3. The cell membrane is a cholesterol-rich structure vital to health.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "The Paleo Cardiologist"
by .
Copyright © 2015 Jack Wolfson.
Excerpted by permission of Morgan James Publishing.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: Cholesterol is KingCHAPTER 2: LDL is not the Boogie Man
CHAPTER 3: Let’s Eat Paleo
CHAPTER 4: Nutrition: Where Did We Go Wrong?
CHAPTER 5: One Nation under Prozac
CHAPTER 6: The Failed Promise of Big Pharma
CHAPTER 7: Useless Dangerous Procedures
CHAPTER 8: Our Toxic World
CHAPTER 9: Heavy Metal Madness
CHAPTER 10: The Body Fights Back
CHAPTER 11: Go to Sleep
CHAPTER 12: Get off your Butt
CHAPTER 13: Healthy Beverages
CHAPTER 14: The Wonders of Chiropractic
CHAPTER 15: Teeth are More Than a Beautiful Smile
CHAPTER 16: Top Twenty Supplements
CHAPTER 17: Top Twenty Blood Tests
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