Some cholesterol is necessary for human health
Prof. Dr. Güldal Mehmetçik, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of Cyprus International University (CIU) talked about the function of cholesterol in the body which is considered an important risk factor.
Mehmetçik noted that cholesterol phobia has been created in the public recently by using terms like good, bad and even ultra bad cholesterol; that high cholesterol levels are the cause of heart attacks and strokes, but high cholesterol alone cannot be the sole factor leading to cardiovascular diseases. She also said, “It is a known fact that other factors besides cholesterol play a role in the development of diseases. Apart from high cholesterol, it has been proven by scientific studies that diabetes, high blood pressure, stress, smoking, genetic predisposition and most importantly, the lifestyle of the person play a very significant role.”
In her statement, Mehmetçik stated that some types of cholesterol are essential for good health, and added while too much cholesterol build-up can cause coronary artery disease, deficiency in cholesterol levels can also lead to other diseases; and noted that each patient should be evaluated according to their own health values, not according to numbers in cholesterol treatment.
Reminding that cholesterol is used to eliminate inflammation in the veins in atherosclerosis, i.e. vascular occlusion, Mehmetçik also stated, “It is not correct to consider cholesterol as a factor that eliminates inflammation in vascular occlusion, and hence functions like a band-aid.”
Dean Mehmetçik stated that animal fats and cholesterol are important components of human life and exists in the structure of the cell membrane which are also essential for a healthy human body and are used in the synthesis of important substances such as sex hormones, bile acids and vitamin D.
Mehmetçik said that in addition to the fact that cholesterol is an important component for lifelong growth and development, scientific studies have shown that it not only prevents cancer but also known to be used as an antioxidant.
Dr. Mehmetçik stated that they have recently observed an increase in the use of cholesterol-lowering drugs, and noted that the drugs in question completely stopped the synthesis of cholesterol in the body and that they reduced the cholesterol levels of people shortly after they started to be used.
Mehmetçik said it should be questioned whether it is correct to lower cholesterol which is so important for human life, and added, “Cholesterol-lowering drugs not only lower cholesterol but also raise blood sugar and cause insulin resistance. Such medication accelerates the formation of cataracts, increases the risk of infection, and can cause breast, colon and skin cancers. It even causes forgetfulness and dementia.”