Lowering cholesterol – sensible or overrated?

Cholesterol has been a hotly debated topic in medicine and nutrition for decades. People who go to the doctor are often advised to lower their cholesterol – sometimes regardless of the overall picture. But many people don’t know this: Cholesterol is a vital component of our body and fulfills numerous important functions.

In this article, you will find out what cholesterol actually is, what tasks it fulfills – and why “lowering cholesterol” is not always the best solution. We also shed light on the psychological interpretation of cholesterol levels, which can provide exciting clues about our psychological protection system.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that belongs to the lipid group. It is a component of every body cell and is largely produced by the body itself – mainly in the liver. Only a small proportion comes from food.

What is cholesterol made of?

  • It belongs to the so-called sterols.
  • As it is not soluble in water, it is transported in the blood via so-called lipoproteins – mainly LDL and HDL

Where is it produced in the body?

The liver is the main production site for cholesterol. However, the intestines, the brain and the adrenal glands also synthesize this substance. If there is too little cholesterol in the diet, the body increases its own production – and vice versa.

This means that if you want to lower your cholesterol, you need to understand that the body actively compensates for this. A purely dietary approach therefore often falls short.

Its tasks – indispensable for your body

Despite its bad reputation, cholesterol is a real all-rounder:

  • Cell protection: Cholesterol stabilizes the cell membranes and protects the cells from external influences.
  • Hormone production: It is the starting material for sex hormones (e.g. oestrogen, testosterone) and stress hormones such as cortisol.
  • Vitamin D synthesis: Without cholesterol there is no vitamin D – a key factor for the immune system and bones.
  • Bile acids: Cholesterol is converted into bile acids, which are essential for the digestion of fat.
  • Nerve cell protection: component of the myelin sheaths – important for functioning signal transmission in the nervous system.

So if you want to blindly lower your cholesterol, you also run the risk of negatively influencing these important processes.

The reference range – a question of perspective

In the past, a total cholesterol value of up to 250 mg/dl was considered harmless. It was only with the introduction of cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) that the upper limit was gradually lowered – today it is often 200 mg/dl or below.

Critical to consider:
These limits are not set in stone, but have also been adjusted over the years for economic reasons. The lower the reference value, the more people are considered to be in need of treatment – and the more medication is prescribed.

Another reason why the motto “lower cholesterol at any price” should be reconsidered.

Psychological interpretation: What does it say about your psyche?

Blood values can be interpreted not only medically, but also psychologically. As on the outside, so on the inside – our blood values can also provide indications of mental processes.

Total cholesterol – mirror of internal protection

As cholesterol is located in the cell membrane and performs protective functions there, it can also symbolize our psychological protective ability:

  • Low value: Low “inner protective shield” – you are more easily influenced, have difficulties with boundaries, quickly absorb emotions or opinions from outside.
  • High value: Strong need for protection – you have a strong need for boundaries and may feel threatened or overwhelmed by many external influences.

The same applies here: neither too much nor too little is optimal. If you want to lower your cholesterol, you should ask yourself whether psychological issues such as boundaries or excessive demands may also be playing a role.

HDL and LDL – symbol for processing or stress

  • HDL (high-density lipoprotein): Brings excess cholesterol back to the liver – thus symbolically a sign that you can process and integrate external impressions well.
  • LDL (low-density lipoprotein): Transports cholesterol into the tissues – this may indicate that external stresses are being absorbed but not processed well.

An imbalance – for example a high LDL value with low HDL – could therefore also mean mental imbalance: A lot of external input, but little opportunity for processing.

Lowering cholesterol – but holistically

Of course, it can make sense to lower cholesterol in certain situations – especially when several risk factors come together. However, instead of rushing to take medication, it is worth taking a holistic view:

  • Diet: Lots of vegetables, good fats (e.g. from nuts, linseed oil, avocado), little sugar and white flour.
  • Exercise: Regular physical activity improves the ratio of HDL to LDL.
  • Stress reduction: Permanent stress influences the cholesterol level via the hormone axis.
  • Mental balance: consciously tackle the issue of boundaries, self-protection and processing external influences.

Anyone who wants to lower their cholesterol should therefore always consider this in a comprehensive context – both physically and mentally.

Conclusion

Cholesterol is a vital substance that can do far more than just “clog up the arteries”. It protects our cells, is the starting material for hormones and a mirror for our inner protective ability.

The goal should not simply be: Lowering cholesterol – but understanding cholesterol. Because, as is so often the case in life, it’s all about balance – and the interplay between body, mind and soul.