Cholesterol Myths & How Naturopathy Can Help
Recent research turns traditional advice on its head
🥑 What Causes High Cholesterol?
For years, we were told that eating cholesterol-rich foods caused heart disease. But recent research shows that’s not the full story.
In fact, around 70% of the cholesterol in your body is made by your body—not from what you eat.
Cholesterol isn’t the villain it’s been made out to be. That said, there is a specific type of LDL cholesterol that may need attention.
🧬 Your Body Needs Cholesterol
Typically, we produces around 2000mg of cholesterol every day—and for good reason. Cholesterol plays a vital role in:
- Healing tissues, including the heart
- Producing hormones (like stress and sex hormones, and vitamin D)
- Supporting digestion and bile production
- Helping serotonin function
- Strengthening immune response
🧪 Had a High Cholesterol Reading?
We’ve been taught that HDL is “good” and LDL is “bad.” But it’s more nuanced than that.
It’s small, dense LDL that’s more likely to contribute to arterial plaque. The rest of the LDL isn’t necessarily harmful.
Unfortunately, standard tests don’t differentiate between the two—so a high LDL reading may not tell the full story.
Further testing can give a clearer picture of what’s really going on.
🌿 How I Can Help
There’s a functional medicine test that can identify which type of LDL is elevated. This helps determine whether there’s a real concern—and how best to support your body.
Rebalancing cholesterol is something I often support through:
- Targeted dietary steps
- Natural remedies to reduce inflammation
- Nutrients that support liver and cardiovascular health
🩸 What Causes Artery Plaque?
Unhealthy fats play a role—but they’re not the main driver.
The bigger issue is inflammation—often triggered by diets high in sugar and refined carbohydrates.
When inflammation is present, fats and other materials are more likely to stick to artery walls.
A high-carb diet raises insulin, which promotes fat storage in the body—contributing to:
- Fatty liver
- Arterial plaque
- Circulatory sluggishness
Want to Explore This Further?
If you’ve had a high cholesterol reading—or want to understand your cardiovascular health more deeply—I’d be happy to help.
Hear from my clients
“Amazing man with a heart of gold, he actually helps with what ever U have going on. I swear by this man.”
– Jane
This information is for general guidance only and does not replace medical advice. Naturopathic support is tailored to each person’s unique needs and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. Individual results vary.
