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Acupuncture treatment for Cholesterol
Cholesterol, an organic molecule known as sterol (or modified steroid) is a type of lipid molecule which is biosynthesized by animal cells, because is an essential structural component of animal cell membranes; cholesterol is vital to maintain both membrane structural integrity and fluidity. In this sense, cholesterol enables animal cells to dispense with a cell wall (to protect membrane integrity and cell viability), thereby allowing animal cells to change shape rapidly and animals to move (unlike bacteria and plant cells, which are restricted by their cell walls).1
In addition to its importance for animal cell structure, cholesterol is also known to serve as a precursor for the biosynthesis of steroid hormones, bile acid and vitamin D. Cholesterol is the principal sterol synthesized by animals. Hepatic cells typically produce the greatest amounts of cholesterol in vertebrates, however it is absent among prokaryotes (such as bacteria and archaea) with some exceptions such as mycoplasma, which requires cholesterol for growth.2 In this vein, cholesterol is a substance which comes from 2 main sources being the human body (liver) and the food intake. However, high cholesterol levels in the blood can lead to a serious bodily condition as well.3
CONTENTS
SYMPTOMS
CAUSES
TREATMENTS
SYMPTOMS
Cholesterol is a useful substance to the human body. But, if the concentration is too high a condition known as high cholesterol does happen which usually does not cause any symptoms, but it can end up in heart attack or stroke, when the high cholesterol forms plaques inside the blood arteries, since the plaque makes the blood flow difficult. The cholesterol level is said to be high when it reaches above 240 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).4
CAUSES
The disorder from cholesterol will emerge if the cholesterol level in the blood is considered high. That is, the disorder is caused by high cholesterol levels. There are 2 types of cholesterol, which are Low-density lipoprotein or LDL or bad cholesterol, and High-density lipoprotein or HDL or good cholesterol. Therefore, the disorder occurs when the LDL level is too high.5
TREATMENTS
Related Acupuncture Points:
Basically, the acupuncture treatment’s objective for high cholesterol disorder is to balance the body. When dealing with this disorder, the following acupoints ST-40, LI-11, CV-12 and SP-9, are shown to have promising results. Furthermore, the blood stasis (inactivity) that usually causes many additional problems is removed by targeting the acupoints SP-10, LI-4 and LV-3.6 Another condition related with high cholesterol such as high blood pressure can also be treated using acupuncture. Not only that, but the risk factor associated with high cholesterol such as smoking can be overcome using acupuncture.7
In general high cholesterol diagnose is considered a liver yang excess syndrome in chinese medicine terminology. This excess aspect of the diagnosis occurs because the body produces its own cholesterol. For patients that cannot control their cholesterol through their diet, the production mechanisms can be overworking. In fact, some studies have shown that a combination of excessive dietary intake and lack of exercise can increase the production of cholesterol, leading to high cholesterol regardless of the changes patients make. This aspect is somewhat outside of the HDL/LDL balance which is also important and can be significantly altered with dietary change. In effect, HDL removes cholesterol from the arteries that is not needed, and LDL puts it back in where it collects and causes problems.8
Another treatment known as the Tam healing system utilizes the huatuo points at T-7, T-9 and T-10. T-7 on the left side controls the spleen and the right side controls the abdominal blood vessel. T-9 on the left side controls the stomach and the right side controls the liver. T-10 on the left side controls the gall bladder and on the right side controls the bile duct. The “blockage” can be on either side with high cholesterol, so the side that elicits the most pressure pain upon palpation should be focused on. GV-22 – is also stimulated to effect the pituitary gland which influences cholesterol production and the endocrine system. The known window of the sky points are also stimulated, TH-16, TH-17, ST-11, ST-12 – these are used to positively influence the freedom of circulation to and from the brain. This provides that the brain is properly nourished in order to provide the correct regulation.9
Footnotes
- What is cholesterol? – nhlbi.nih.gov – 2017, https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbc
- Steroidogenic enzymes – sciencedirect.com – 1992, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0960076092903075
- About Cholesterol – heart.org – 2017, http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/About-Cholesterol_UCM_001220_Article.jsp#.V8MKO6InLYg
- What are the symptoms of high cholesterol? – healthline.com – 2017, http://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol-symptoms#Symptoms2
- Diseases and Conditions:High cholesterol – mayoclinic.org – 2017, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/symptoms-causes/dxc-20181874
- Acupuncture for Cholesterol Management – acufinder.com – 2017, https://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+Information/Detail/Acupuncture+for+Cholesterol+Management
- Acupuncture Lowers High Cholesterol – healthcmi.com – 2014, http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1413-acupuncture-lowers-high-cholesterol
- The Treatment of High Cholesterol with Chinese Medicine and the Tam Healing System – yinyanghouse.com – 2009, https://yinyanghouse.com/acupuncture/the-treatment-of-high-cholesterol-with-chinese-medicine-and-the-tam-healing-system
- The Treatment of High Cholesterol with Chinese Medicine and the Tam Healing System – yinyanghouse.com – 2009, https://yinyanghouse.com/acupuncture/the-treatment-of-high-cholesterol-with-chinese-medicine-and-the-tam-healing-system