By Lee Know, N.D.
Practicing Naturopathic medicine along the waterfront since last year, I’ve seen many patients with all sorts of conditions. However, if I had to choose one condition I’ve treated most, it would have to be high cholesterol.
Cholesterol is a valuable substance in the human body, but has become the source of much fear. It is needed for strong cell walls, for hormone production, and as a coating around nerves, to name just a few of its functions. HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) is considered to be beneficial, as it works to remove cholesterol from blood vessel walls and the blood itself.
LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), is thought to be harmful to the body, as it carries cholesterol into the bloodstream and can promote plaque build-up. Therapy should ideally focus on decreasing LDL and increasing HDL. In fact, for every 1% drop in the LDL level, the risk for a heart attack drops by 2%, but for every 1% increase in the HDL level, the risk drops by 3-4%.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs are the most prescribed pharmaceuticals in Canada, and although it has reduced the number of deaths from heart attacks and strokes, they’ve actually increased the overall death rate since they can cause cancer and are toxic to the liver. The good news is that I have found natural therapies to be superior to pharmaceuticals in treating this condition. So if you know someone with high cholesterol, let them know that healthy levels are easy to achieve by visiting a Naturopathic Doctor (covered by most extended health plans).
Lee Know is Naturopathic Doctor with a private medical practice located in Lord Chiropractic Clinic at 5 Rees St. (at Queen’s Quay W.).
Please call 416-260-0082 with questions and comments, or to book an appointment.
