Thanks, Melanie, it also helped me to understand better. In fact I printed it out to keep. Keep feeding us the science in layman's language and we may all pass the exams. HA. Seriously, it did clear up a few questions I had. Donna in Mich
be discussed. Who, why, where...EPO is toted as helping to lower
cholesterol. What does cholesterol have to do with arthritis? Should we all
go out and get huge jars of Metamuescil to lower our cholesterol? Pat B
Hi Gillian,
I thought I would help your understanding of cholesterol by giving
you the whole story.....
Cholesterol can be eaten, that is true, but it is also made by the
body from proteins, and other compounds. Mostly people's problems with it
come from storage of it in the body, or genetic metabolic imbalance (ie your
body makes more or less than the body needs). It can be stored in many
tissue cells, and well as in the liver. Let's start at the beginning.
Fats and cholesterol are digested, and taken up into the blood
stream via fat particles called Chylomicrons. The chylomicrons contain
DIETARY cholesterol and fatty acids in the form of tryglycerides (basically
3 fatty acids strung together). The fatty acids can be removed at this point
(by cells that it passes) and stored in fat tissue or muscles to be stored
or used for energy, or they can continue on to the liver.
The liver absorbs these chylomicrons, and processes them into
particles called Very Low Density Lipoprotein particles (VLDL's). These
contain mostly triglycerides and a little bit of cholesterol (from diet or
synthesized in the liver). The cholesterol helps stabilize this particle
whose main purpose is to transport the triglycerides, but a lot of the time
ends up transporting cholesterol when there is an abundance of it (as with
most of us). After most of the triglycerols have been absorbed (by fat
tissue for storage, in the case of excess, or to many tissues who use it for
energy, and as building blocks for other things)the particles are now called
VLDL remnants, and are mosly made of cholesterol at this point. Cholesterol
from this particle can be used by many cells of the body. The main use is
insertion into the cell wall. This is normal. If there is lots of
cholesterol, lots will be absorbed, and cells can store the excess. But
cells are capable of making their own as well.(from proteins and other
compounds) Most cells that store cholesterol are liver, fat and adrenal tissue.
VLDL remnants will be "rebuilt" into Low Density Lipoprotein
particles (LDL's) which have other purposes, but when there is a lot of
cholesterol, it will be absorbed by the cells and stored, or inserted into
cell membranes.
VLDL and LDL particles are "bad" because they distribute cholesterol
that can accumulate in the body and cause problems (mostly
atherosclerosis/heart disease). You will generally have a high VLDL and LDL
level if you do not exercise, and eat lots of fat, and high cholesterol foods.
High Density Lipoprotein particles (HDL's) are synthesized in the
liver and intestine. They contain almost no cholesterol, but they are
"good" because the purpose is to collect excess cholesterol and return it to
the liver. (this particle will actually take cholesterol from the cell
walls. This causes the cell to free up stored cholesterol to replace what
was lost. If this happens enough, there will hardly be any excess
cholesterol around, and the cell will just make what it needs.) It also
gathers excess cholesterol from VLDL remnants and LDL particles, preventing
excess storage of cholesterol. You will generally have a high HDL level in
your bloodstream (this is good) if you exercise, and eat a good diet low in
fat and high in fibre. The cholesterol brought back to the liver is used to
make bile salts which helps digest fats and lipids in the foods we eat.
I don't know how cholesterol would cause arthritis, but it is a
factor in other diseases. Imbalances might cause problems in the digestion
and disribution (ie in properly stabilizing the transportation particles) of
fats, whose metabolytes cause a much grater effect on many disease processes.
Fatty acids are the source of Prostaglandins and Leukotrienes that
have much to do with inflammatory response. Omega-6 fatty acids produce
prostaglandins that have been proven to increase cancer cell proliferation,
and leukotrienes that promote inflammation (ie arthritis) and increase
sensitivity of allergic reactions (ie asthsma, allergies). Steroids and
NSAIDS block the pathways that make these compounds, but don't eliminate the
building blocks that were ingested in the diet. Mild problems can be
controlled by diet alone, but more severe ones still need medication.
Omega-6 fatty acids are high in all animal products, many plants(ie
vegetables) and eggs. This doesn't mean that you can't eat them at all, but
just that you need to increase sources of Omega-3, and put the ratio of
Omega-3 to -6 in a better balance.
Omega-3 fatty acids produce Prostaglandins that have shown no cancer
cell promotion and Leukotrienes that have absolutely no inflammatory
potential. This is why Evening primrose oil is so effective. Omega-3 fatty
acids are also found in large proportions in flax seed, canola(or rape seed)
oily fish and other sources ( we feed our chickens flax seed, and get agreat
source of omega-3 from our eggs as a result - it is now being marketed all
across Canada as "Omega-3 Eggs").
Other Omega-3 products in the body help heart disease by affecting
clotting (less clotting lowers incidence of strokes, etc,) and helping the
blood vessels to dilate (helping heart attacks, etc.)
I hope that explains a little how cholesterol works, and how I don't
think it is related to arthritis. Certain fatty acids are definitely
beneficial in managing a disease like arthritis, but I don't really think
they CAUSE it. That would more be from a genetic source that causes normal
triggers of inflammation to be over sensitive, or maybe more trigger cell/or
proteins are made by the body.... it is still being researched, and it is a
complex problem.
Melanie Dale :):)
(Roy's wife, the Biology student)
p.s. I just got prescribed a drug called Chloroquine (I don't know if it is
a generic name or a specific brand name) Has anyone had any success with
it?? I sure am hoping that it will help with my PA, because no one has been
able to do anything for me.
Roy Dale
Roy, Melanie
Robbie, Andrew
and Shannon :) :) :) :) :)