LDL cholesterol

Study proves it: You NEED "bad" cholesterol!

Is your cholesterol HIGH enough?

It's not often you hear that question, but maybe docs should ask it more often -- because the latest research shows how you actually need certain levels of those fats in your blood.

And when you fall short, you could pay the price.

I know that's not what you've heard from your mainstream doc, who still thinks "lower is better" when it comes to LDL.

But it just doesn't work that way, and the new study shows what happens when your LDL levels drop: Your diabetes risk rises.

The study looked at people with genetic conditions that make them naturally prone to either high cholesterol or low cholesterol.

Sure enough, the folks with low cholesterol had a higher risk of diabetes.

But you don't have to have a genetic disorder to face that risk.

These folks had natural cholesterol levels that fell right where yours would be if you took statins, which not coincidentally have been linked repeatedly to diabetes.

The risk is so high that even the FDA was forced to issue a warning over it -- but as the new study shows, it's not just a risk of the drugs themselves.

It's a risk of the low cholesterol they cause.

You won't find that in the mainstream guidelines, which still push the myth that lower is always better.

Clearly, that's not the case. Along with increasing your risk of diabetes, very low cholesterol has been linked to immune system problems, memory loss, and certain forms of cancer.

It can even cause nutritional problems, as LDL is responsible for carrying around fat-soluble nutrients.

Of course, high cholesterol also poses risks. In the study, folks with genetically higher cholesterol levels faced a high risk of heart problems.

You won't find many people who dispute that.

The issue isn't whether or not high cholesterol is dangerous -- it's that the current guidelines are every bit as dangerous.

They're set far too low for good health, because lower isn't always better... and the number alone isn't the only risk factor anyway.

Particle size and oxidation of LDL are far more important -- which is why you can have "high" cholesterol and be perfectly healthy, or you can have "low" cholesterol and be a heart attack waiting to happen.

Any doc who doesn't take all of these risk factors into consideration is missing the big picture.

And he's not helping you. He's hurting you.

That's why I recommend working closely with a holistic medical doctor who tests for all of these risk factors -- and if you're in Southern California, I can help.

For complete cholesterol testing and natural treatment if there's a problem, make an appointment to see me at my clinic in the San Diego area.

Not in the area? I can also offer advice by phone. Call 855-DOC-MARK to schedule a consultation.

One fruit slashes your LDL cholesterol fast

Next time you head to the store to pick up your cholesterol meds you might want to reach for some apples too.

It turns out that an apple a day could be the key to keeping the statins at bay.

According to research, apples are a natural cholesterol regulator fighting LDL cholesterol levels. And we're not talking a small reduction here. Heck, I wouldn't even call it a modest one. One study finds an apple habit could slash your LDL cholesterol levels by a stunning 40 percent in just 30 days!

Given the choice between a juicy delicious apple or a heavy duty statin whose side effects could include kidney damage, liver damage, and serious muscle pain I sure know which one I would choose, but what about you?

I'd call that the very definition of a no-brainer.

And, as if a 40 percent drop in LDL cholesterol wasn't impressive enough, this super fruit has even more to offer. Statins are linked with diabetes, but people who indulge in apples have a lower risk of the disease.

Just be sure your heading to the produce aisle and not the supplement aisle... this time it's the whole food that's going to give you the most benefits.

Volunteers who received the polyphenols from apples in the form of a supplement didn't see quite as dramatic results. Although their LDL cholesterol levels did dip they couldn't compete with the apple-eaters results.

If you choose dried instead of fresh apples you can expect to see your cholesterol levels drop too. But according to another study the reduction is likely to be a bit slower and bit less impressive... around 24 percent in half a year.

To get all the juicy details on that study click here to read the free report in my House Calls archives.

Oh, and don't forget, when it comes to apples, organic is really the only way to go. Conventional apples are swimming in pesticides.