What about low cholesterol? (Part III of III)

Amenorrhea in female athletes is commonly considered “normal.” An athlete’s body may not be healing and repairing after workouts even though she is taking in massive amounts of protein in the form of protein shakes, bars and low-fat meats to build muscle and get a leaner appearance. She may even greatly reduce her fat intake. The logic seems right according to popular nutritional theories, but why isn’t her body healing and repairing?

She may have significant gastrointestinal issues. In the case of one particular athlete no matter how much protein she was taking in, she was not getting the full benefits because she wasn’t digesting properly. It’s not only that she wasn’t digesting the protein; she also wasn’t getting adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals and essential fats.

Low-calorie diets typically aren’t nutritionally sound. She also had a LOW cholesterol [119 mg/dl], mildly low thyroid and mild anemia. This is bad… especially for an athlete who needs optimal health for optimal performance. Cholesterol is vitally important in nerve function, healing and repair of bodily cells and hormone synthesis and regulation.

She began a supplement program and dietary guidelines based upon her objective test results. Within a few months, she was healing much more quickly after workouts [decreased muscle aches and pains] and was less injury-prone. Her cholesterol was up to 135 and within a year menstruation returned. The point is that cholesterol is very important and was the missing link in this athlete’s optimal health.

In conclusion, low cholesterol can even be worse than high cholesterol. Cholesterol is necessary for many bodily functions, as described previously. Meat-eaters tend to have certain diseases that vegetarians don’t have. Conversely, vegetarians have certain diseases that meat-eaters don’t have.

For the meat-eaters, encourage the incorporation of cleaner versions of the animal products consumed . Also [highly] encouraged is to eat more vegetables/fruits and increase the variety of vegetables consumed and, of course, decrease fried food consumption.

Most vegetarians are deficient in B12, therefore needing to supplement their diets to be balanced. In addition, our hormones are made from cholesterol, creating a hormone “starvation” in people who have low cholesterol. “Smart” fats feed your body with the essential fats you need to build and make the healthy cholesterol that are necessary for vitality. Nutrients, not drugs, are what create vitality.

If you would be interested in knowing more about a specific area or approach in natural health or nutrition, send me an e-mail at [email protected]. I am open to your suggestions on topics of interest.

1. This article is for educational purposes only.

2. Your individual health status and any required healthcare treatments can only be properly addressed by a professional healthcare provider. We encourage you to make your own healthcare decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified healthcare professional of your choice.

Footnote references from parts 1 and 2 of this article

1. Lancet 344:1195 (1994)

2. Mann, George. “Metabolic Consequences of Dietary Trans-fatty Acids,” Lancet 343:1268-71 (1994)

3. “Seventh Day Adventists & Cancer,” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 59:1136S-1142S (1994)

4. JAMA 248(12):1465, September 24, 1982

5. Lancet 339:3/2/92

6. Dunne, L. The Nutrition Almanac, third edition (McGraw Hill; New York), p. 32-33; Garrison, R. & Somer, E. The Nutrition Desk Reference, third edition (Keats Publishing; CT), pg. 126

7. Scheer, James. Health Freedom News (Monravia, CA), March 1991, pg. 7

8. Food Technology, October 1988, pg. 134; Kabara, J.J. The Pharmacological Effects of Lipids (American Oil Chemists Society; IL), 1978, pg. 1-14

9. Harmon, D., et al. Journal of American Geriatric Society, 1976 24:1, pg. 292-298

10. Enig, Mary G., PhD. “Trans Fatty Acids in the Food Supply: A Comprehensive Report Covering 60 Years of Research,” second edition, Enig Associations, Inc. (Silver Spring, MD), 1995, pg. 4-8

11. Pediatrics, March 1994, 93:3:438-443

12. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, October 2000