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How Do I Lower My Cholesterol Levels (Hint: It’s Not What You Would Expect)

cholesterol metabolism thyroid

I was talking to a family member yesterday about high cholesterol. While there are many different factors that can impact cholesterol status, it’s primarily influenced by your thyroid.
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In his book “Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness,” Dr. Broda Barnes makes the connection over and over again that high cholesterol is synonymous with low thyroid function.
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Cholesterol is the “starting point” for steroid hormones: stress and sex hormones. All cells, except red blood cells, have mitochondria (hello copper, magnesium and Vitamin A!) where the manufacturing of cholesterol to hormones takes place.
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First, cholesterol gets converted into pregnenolone, the precursor for progesterone and DHEA. Progesterone can then get converted into cortisol and aldosterone (as needed) and DHEA can get converted into testosterone and estrogens estrone, estradiol and estriol.
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Thyroid hormone, specifically T3 (the active form) and Vitamin A are required to convert cholesterol into steroid hormones. It also helps clear LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by increasing the production of LDL receptors in the liver, which bind up LDL cholesterol and help clear it from the blood.
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Dr. Ray Peat states that “... in hypothyroidism, the use of cholesterol is slowed, allowing the toxic forms to accumulate.”
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Cholesterol is highly protective, anti-inflammatory and acts as an antioxidant. When oxidized, however, it loses its protective qualities - this is the form that’s most commonly found in people with atherosclerosis.
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How can you lower high cholesterol naturally?
-Boost your metabolism (this requires work and patience)
-Get sun daily
-Consume Vitamin A via grass-fed beef liver and high-quality dairy
-Consume coconut oil to encourage the utilization of existing cholesterol and other saturated fats that do not oxidize in the body
-Get whole food Vitamin C daily (see my ‘Papaya’ post) and Vitamin E, both shown to help regulate cholesterol levels

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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.

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References

Barnes, B. (1976). Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness. Toronto, CA: Fitzhenry & Whiteside Limited. 

Campbell-McBride, N. (2016). Put Your Heart in Your Mouth. United Kingdom: Medinform Publishing.

East West Healing. (2017). Cholesterol and Hypothyroidism. Retrieved from: https://eastwesthealing.com/cholesterol-and-hypothyroidism/.

Guillette, L.J. (2012). Towards an Understanding of the Evolution of the Chorioallantoic Placenta: Steroid Biosynthesis and Steroid Hormone Signaling in the Chorioallantoic Membrane of an Oviparous Reptile. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/General-overview-of-the-steroid-hormone-biosynthetic-pathway-Cholesterol-which-is-the_fig5_229323685.

Peat, R. (2007). Cholesterol, longevity, intelligence, and health. Retrieved from: http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/cholesterol-longevity.shtml.

Soliman, G.A. (2018). Dietary Cholesterol and the Lack of Evidence in Cardiovascular Disease. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6024687/.

Tiecholz, N. (2014). The Big Fat Surprise. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks.

Tortora, G.J. Derrickson, B. (2015). The Human Body. Danvers, MA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. While the owner of this website tries to keep the information up to date, there may be things that are out-of-date and out of their control.