Cholesterol, cell membranes, and ion channels.

[Guest guest]

After pushing my cholesterol levels down into hypolipidemia numbers with the

drug niaspan, I encountered muscular attacks that clearly mimic a rare disorder

called Periodic Paralysis.

In brief, exercise followed by rest induces paralytic attacks where my body

becomes flushed with muscle weakness. I can't move or get up.

In periodic paralysis, the ion channels that move potassium in and out of the

cells don't function properly.

So what does this have to do with cholesterol?

Cholesterol is important in cell membrane integrity. My research shows

cholesterol plays a vital roll in the ion channels that move potassium in and

out of cells. Maybe, just maybe this is where some of the damage might be

occurring with lipid lowering cases of myopathy.

Look at this article from the oxford journals showing cholesterol's important

role in ion channel function:

http://cardiovascres.oxfordjournals.org/content/33/2/272.full