Cholesterol has been given so much attention by the medical profession over the last 40+ years that the word 'cholesterol' is automatically (and wrongly) equated with cardiovascular disease because it is often found deposited, along with fats, fibrin, and calcium in the inner lining of arteries where it narrows them. 

​

There are several theories about the theory of cardiovascular disease. A Unifying theory has been proposed by Drs. Rath and Pauling - Dr Pauling is the winner of 2 nobel prizes. Their theory suggests that thickening arteries and cardiovascular disease revolve primarily around the lack of vitamin C.

Vitamin C is necessary for the production of collagen and elastin, which keep our arteries, bones, teeth, cartilage, and other tissues strong. Lack of vitamin C results in weakened arteries and bleeding into the tissue spaces. 

​

Under survival pressure, according to Rath and Pauling, nature developed and selected for survival a way to protect us from early death due to weakened artery walls. This was to thicken our arteries using an adhesive repair protein called apo(a) made in our liver. Apo(a) and it's carrier vehicle in our bloodstream, lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], are stronger risk factors for cardiovascular disease than LDL which, if not associated with Lp(a), is only a weak risk factor. 

Rath and Pauling suggest that in killing us by apo(a) induced artery thickening, nature infers on us a survival advantage. For survival of the species, it is better to die from a heart attack after we have reproduced, that to die from weakened arteries before we have had a chance to reproduce. Cholesterol and triglycerides play a part in making platelets more sticky, which makes a clot blocking a narrowed artery more likely.

​

Reversing the damage. 

When vitamin C ascorbate levels in our blood increases and thus keeps the connective tissue in our arteries strong, apo(a) levels decrease, because less repair protein is necessary. Thus lack of antioxidants (vitamin C) leads to poor control of the free radicals normally produced by oxidation and other processes in our tissues, or produced by pollution, drugs, pesticides, and synthetics from outside. These free radicals speed oxidation of cholesterol and triglycerides. Free radicals, oxidized cholesterol, and oxidized triglycerides can damage arteries, especially ones that are weakened by deficient vitamin C.

​

Exerpt from 'Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill' by Udo Erasmus.