4 Cholesterol Myths that Even Doctors Believe

Cholesterol is a type of fat found in a wide range of animal products, from cheese and eggs to steak, shellfish and poultry. For years the medical establishment and most consumers have regarded this substance as dangerous and potentially deadly, but the truth is significantly more complex. Cholesterol is actually essential for healthy bodily function, and the amount you eat could have very little to do with your basic health indicators. Unfortunately, even doctors believe a wide range of myths about cholesterol, making it extremely important to do your own research.

1. High blood cholesterol leads to heart attack and stroke - Medical practitioners all over the world measure patient cholesterol levels in an attempt to head off cardiovascular disease before it can strike. Unfortunately, data from the World Health Organizations shows that your blood cholesterol levels may have very little to do with your heat attack risk.

For instance, Swiss citizens have some of the highest blood cholesterol measurements in the world, but among the lowest rate of death from heart disease. Many people who have had a heart attack have cholesterol levels that are identical to people who have not.

2. High cholesterol is a death sentence - Many people assume that high blood cholesterol levels will inevitably lead to early death. A number of studies, however, have shown that people with higher average cholesterol actually tend to live longer. This is especially true if your are over the age of 65 or female.

3. Cholesterol in food directly enters the bloodstream - A few early studies that showed an increased risk of heart disease among people whose diets contained large amounts of meat and cheese have led to demonization of these foods. A significant percentage of the population actively avoids cholesterol-containing products, but what you eat may not affect your blood cholesterol levels. These levels seem to be influenced by stress, activity levels and a range of other factors just as much as by diet.

4. Medication is the solution - Cholesterol-lowering medication is heavily prescribed, to the point where some doctors automatically give statins to every patient regardless of his or her situation. These drugs aren't entirely beneficial, however. Estimates of their benefits are fuzzy guesses at best, since it's hard to tell when a heart attack has been prevented. Many medications of this type also come with a range of unpleasant side effects.

You can't always trust your doctor to know that these cholesterol myths aren't really true. That's why it's important to find out as much as you can and look for a medical practitioner who's willing to question "common knowledge" in search of the truth.