Hypercholesterolemia
Hypercholesterolemia, or high cholesterol, refers to the build-up of fatty deposits on the lining of large and medium-sized arteries. The presence of fatty deposits, called plaques, leads to a loss of elasticity and a narrowing of vessels which results in a constriction of blood-flow ultimately depriving organs of their blood supply.[1]
Contents
Naturopathic Assessment
Causal Factors
| Article | Evaluation of the Effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the Clinical Course of Hyperlipidemia , Alt Med; 2004;Vol9(4) |
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| Article | Neptune krill oil: Overview of clinical applications, IHP, [1], June/July 2010 |
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| Article | New Naturopathic Treatments for Dyslipidemia, NDNR; 2012 October |
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In order to stimulate the innate ability of the body to heal the causes of disease must be identified and addressed. High cholesterol has been implicated as a major factor in the development of many cardiovascular diseases, especially atherosclerosis. The causal factors for high cholesterol are similar to that of atherosclerosis.
Diagnostic Testing
- When assessing cholesterol levels the following blood tests are often performed:[2] Cholesterol Panel, Apolipoprotein A, Apolipoprotein B, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Fibrinogen and Homocysteine.
- Vertex pattern baldness appears to be a marker for increased risk of cardiovascular events, especially among men with hypertension or high cholesterol levels.[3]
Related Symptoms and Conditions
High cholesterol is primarily associated with the following conditions:
| Article | Does Cholesterol Drive Coronary Atherosclerosis?, IHP; October 2011 |
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- Atherosclerosis
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular disease
- Familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic disorder caused by a defect on chromosome 19. It causes a high LDL ("bad") cholesterol that is passed down through families. The condition begins at birth and can cause heart attacks at an early age.
Naturopathic Treatment
The goal of naturopathic treatment is to support and work in tandem with the healing power of the body and to address the causal factors of disease with individual treatment strategies. The treatment of high cholesterol follows the same treatment guidelines used for atherosclerosis.
References
Reviewed by Iva Lloyd, BScH, RPE, ND [2]
- ↑ Therapeutic Herbalism
- ↑ Weiss Decker (1999) Part II: Cardiovascular Disease Nutritional Management of Clinical Markers Applied Nutritional Science Reports.
- ↑ Lotufo PA, Chae CU, Ajani UA, Hennekens CH, Manson JE (Jan 2000) Male pattern baldness and coronary heart disease: the Physicians' Health Study. Arch Intern Med.;160(2):165-71. PMID: 10647754.
