Cholesterol, Joint Pain, and Middle Age
Why do we need cholesterol?
The liver makes cholesterol for the body to properly function. Cholesterol helps stabilize the outer layer of every cell in the body, and the liver uses it to make bile acids. When exposed to sunlight the body makes vitamin D with cholesterol, and it’s the building block for all of our hormones.
The Thyroid Regulates Cholesterol
The thyroid also plays a crucial role in cholesterol levels. All of the blood in the body is circulated through the thyroid about every 15 minutes. Inadequate thyroid hormone can lead to elevated cholesterol levels. Thyroid hormone is one of the main governors of how our cells manage cholesterol in the blood stream. Iodine is essential for our making enough thyroid hormones.
What Changes After Midlife?
As we age, hormone levels decline. For women, this happens during menopause, and for men, andropause—the male equivalent of menopause. When hormone production slows down, the body needs less cholesterol for hormone synthesis. However, leftover cholesterol can start to build up in blood vessels, the lymphatic system, and even in joints and skin. This can stiffen blood vessels, swell lymph tissue, increase the risk of plaque formation, and we can start to put on the pounds
Fat Accumulation
Through the lymphatic vasculature, a process called reverse cholesterol transport (RCT,) transports excess cholesterol to the thoracic and right lymphatic ducts, where it enters back into the blood stream, and is returned to the liver for processing. If anywhere along the journey the involuntary smooth muscles are not up to the job, plaque may pile up, like cars in traffic jams during a Friday afternoon rush hour. Cellulite can accumulate after menopause, and for the guys that big ‘pregnant’ belly with a fatty liver.
How This Affects Joints
When cholesterol builds up around joints, it can slow local circulation, further compounding the problem. That means fewer nutrients get delivered, waste products aren't removed as efficiently, and minerals like calcium can be left behind in the joints. Over time, it contributes to rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.
The Takeaway
After menopause and andropause, lower hormone levels can lead to cholesterol buildup, poor circulation, and inflammation. This chain of events can speed up joint degeneration and bone loss.
What to do about it?
Get that blood pumping. Exercise post andropause and menopause is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight, preserving muscle mass, and reducing the risk of chronic conditions like arthritis, heart disease, and osteoporosis. It also helps improve mood, sleep quality, and overall quality of life.
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a65317232/tennis-benefits-longevity/
Exercise Smooth Muscles
Exercise the lymphatic system, which is controlled by smooth muscles. Smooth muscle contractions make us feel good. Think contraction of the pupils in the eyes on a sunny day, feel good goose-bumps in the skin, salivating for a slice of pizza, and a very satisfying bowel movement. Do things that make you feel GOOD! Use Vancoction Salves as they stimulate smooth muscle contractions. Use our salves while giving yourself a lymphatic drainage massage. Do cold water therapy, it also causes smooth muscle contractions.
https://www.vancoction.com/news/the-lymphatic-system
Just Say NO to Constipation
Don’t be constipated. Constipation means toxins are being retained. That’s not good!
https://www.vancoction.com/news/epsom-flush
Salt is Life
You need more salt, not less. The human body primarily gets chloride from sodium chloride, table salt. Our white blood cells use that chloride to make hypochlorous acid, HOCL, to fight infections. HOCL is the active ingredient in bleach. Your white blood cells make bleach to kill infection! If you’re not getting enough salt, you’ll have to go back to the guys who recommended you don’t eat salt, for their for-profit antibiotics to kill infections you’ll be getting from living on a low salt diet.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myeloperoxidase
Iodine
Make sure you’re getting enough iodine.
https://www.mercuryfreekids.org/mercury101/2016/11/22/iodine-our-most-important-element?rq=iodine
Eat Apples, Broccoli, and Cabbage
In addition to iodine and salt, be sure you’re eating enough cruciferous vegetables and apples so your body can make all the different types of lactoperoxidase. This is essential for good health. For example, if a person is deficient in iodine and sulfur, the immune system will be overly dependent on HOCL to fight infections. Although HOCL is essential, if your while blood cells only have HOCL at their disposal to fight infection, there will be lots of oxidative damage and swelling. If HOCL is the only tool in your toolbox, you’ll end up with a lot of pain from the resulting oxidative stress.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactoperoxidase
Pantethine
Pantethine is a great supplement for naturally dissolving cholesterol. It can get some people off of statins.
Pantethine: Potential Nootropic Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects, Interactions, and Other Important Information About This Supplement
https://nootropicsplanet.com/pantethine/
Where Do We Swell?
Everything I’ve listed above will help keep the swelling of the body down. We swell in what are called the interstitial spaces in the body. That’s where excess fat, cholesterol, oxidized by products and excess fluids accumulate.
https://biologyinsights.com/what-is-interstitial-fluid-and-why-is-it-important/
The Role of the Lymphatic System in Cholesterol Transport
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4557107/