TISSUE CHOLESTEROL -- Cholesterol in
the tissues is an essential anti-inflammatory. It binds and neutralizes arachidonic acid (AA) in
the tissues, AA that toxins release from cell membranes. Once bound,
the AA can no longer be converted into pro-inflammatory fatty acids,
specifically it cannot become prostaglandins, thromboxanes and
leukotrienes. These pro-inflammatory fatty acids damage cells and
tissues and, in short, initiate most if not all disease processes.
The amount of cholesterol in the tissues is based
on the relative amounts of cholesterol deliverd to, versus removed
from, the tissues. LDL cholesterol delivers cholesterol, HDL
cholesterol removes cholesterol. Thus Tissue Cholesterol is calculated
by multiplying the total cholesterol by the LDL/HDL ratio.
The right amount of cholesterol in the tissues is
important. Too little results in runaway inflammation. Positive
inflammatory markers are found in most, if not all, chronic diseases.
On the other hand, excess tissue cholesterol contributes to anaerobic
metabolism, mineral loss in the urine and electrolyte imbalances.
Please note: Tissue cholesterol is not predictive of cardiovascular
disease. CVD occurs with low, "normal" and high tissue
cholesterol.
