Cholesterol (CH) is a type of lipid. It is virtually absent in plants and is therefore found in our diets in animal products. However, only a very high or low intake of CH will affect blood levels as much of it is synthesised by the liver. More is synthesised by the intestine, adrenal cortex and skin. (Kumar & Clark, 2002)
Cholesterol is used to:
- Make bile acids which help digest fats
- Make steroidal hormones especially in the adrenals and gonads
- Stabilise plasma membrane and myelin sheths in the nervous system
- Make vitamin D3 in the skin (helping prevent SAD)

As the body makes enough cholesterol to survive without dietary intake it is not necessary to eat things which contain it. We need 5.2mmol per 1000ml of blood to maintain the actions listed above. Hypercholesterolaemia is defined as 300mg of CH per 100ml (Kumar & Clark, 2002).

Usually hypercholesterolaemia is caused by large quantities of foods which are synthesised into cholesterol. These foods are usually high in saturated fats (e.g. animal products such as dairy and red meat) as these promote the synthesis of acetate into CH. Whereas, unsaturated fats (e.g. vegetable oils and fish oils) help reduce the CH levels in the blood. An additional note; Trans fats are similarly bad to saturated fats as they have been artificially saturated to artificially increase the shelf life of products such as biscuits and cakes.

However, 1 in 500 people suffer hypercholesterolaemia (high blood cholesterol) due to a defect in the liver whereby it has less receptors of CH (Kumar & Clark, 2002). This means that whereas usually the body would stop making as much CH when it is ingested, it continues making CH regardless of the levels absorbed in the diet. This condition is usually associated with a family history of heart disease. Very occasionally babies are born with no CH receptors in their liver and die of hypercholesterolaemia in their teens or late childhood due to cardiovascular complications. This condition is called homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (Kumar & Clark, 2002).

To avoid hypercholesterolaemia try lowering the levels of saturated fats you ingest significantly by changing to a healthy vegetarian or vegan diet (not one whereby animal products are replaced with artificial replicants) (Meisami et.al. 1997). However, remember that fish oils and certain nuts and seeds containing essential fatty acids (essential as we cannot synthesise them) help reduce levels of CH by reducing the absorption of saturated fats and their associated low density lipids (LDL) (Trickey, 2002).

In chronic hypercholesterolaemia caused by liver problems it is important to see a herbalist as there may be associated symptoms which will give them better clues as to which types of herbs (hot, cold, damp or dry) to give you and make a synergistic mix suited for you as an individual. On the other hand, when trying to reduce acute hypercholesterolaemia caused by poor diet a change to the diet is essential but some herbs may help; fenugreek and garlic (or onion) are well known for their CH lowering properties as well as many other spices e.g. caraway, chilli and turmeric (have lots of spiced meals such as dahl). Hawthorn is also said to regulate LDL and HDL (high density lipids) thus reducing CH levels (Wood, 2008). For those suffering with chronic hypercholesterolaemia my instinct would be to address the liver by providing bitters such as dandelion root this is supported by Mathew Wood (2008). Milk thistle which repairs the liver cells when they have been damaged may also be useful (Wood, 2008). I recently discovered that Nettle root contains a phytosterol called stigmasterol which reduces cholesterol and LDL (Ganora, 2009).

Clark and Kumar (2002) Clinical Medicine. London:Elsevier
Ganora, L. (2009) Herbal Constituents: Foundations of Phytochemistry. Colorado: Herbalchem press.
Meisami, E., Macey, R. and Kapit, W. (1997) The Physiology Coloring Book. Harper Collins.
Trickey, R. (2003) Women, hormones and the menstrual cycle. Australia: Allen and Unwin.
Wood, M (2008) The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants. California: North Atlantic Books.