Recent studies published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine have found a link between low levels of a protein called Mannose binding lectin (MBL) high cholesterol levels and heart disease. Mannose binding lectin (MBL) is a protein produced by your liver that works with your immune system to help your body defend itself against invaders.

Mannose binding lectin is a protein that responses to infection caused by bacteria for example, or inflammation by either, attacking the pathogen and eliminating it or attaching itself to the invader and thus signaling the immune system of the identity of the pathogen as one that should be killed or expelled from the body.

It is known that high cholesterol levels can cause atherosclerosis, a dangerous condition where the arteries harden and narrow. The study has found that low levels of Mannose binding lectin can significantly promote atherosclerosis and that high cholesterol can magnify the condition and therefore increase the risk of having heart disease.

Because MBL stimulates and enhances the immune system it is also responsible for reducing the occurrence of inflammation in the body. This is why low levels of Mannose binding lectin, results in increased risks for inflammation of the arteries that makes them narrow. Add cholesterol build up within artery walls to the mix (that prevents blood from flowing freely through the arteries) and you have clogged and narrow arteries- a condition that often leads to heart disease and stroke.

The use statin drugs like Lipitor to lower cholesterol has also been found to be effective at reducing inflammation within the arteries. Reducing cholesterol build up within the arteries along with the reducing inflammation can prevent atherosclerosis and lower the risk for heart disease. The problem with statin drugs is that often have series of dangerous side effects from nausea and muscle pains to live r and kidney failure.

A natural alternative to lowering cholesterol is by could be achieved by low fat and low cholesterol diet along with regular exercise that will not only lower overall cholesterol, reduce LDL cholesterol and raise the good HDL cholesterol it will also control the production of cholesterol by the liver and rise the levels of Mannose binding lectin produced by the liver to help reduce inflammation and prevent atherosclerosis.