For decades, we were told a simple story: “Eat low-fat, avoid cholesterol, and protect your heart.”
Yet, despite generations of people following this advice, global rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease have continued to climb. Clearly, the story is far more complex than we were led to believe. Situation in India is equally bad if not worse.
The Truth About Cholesterol
Cholesterol has been unfairly demonized, but in reality, it’s one of the most vital molecules in the human body. In fact, your liver produces 70–80% of your cholesterol and for good reason. Cholesterol is essential for:
- Building and maintaining cell membranes.
- Synthesizing hormones like oestrogen and testosterone.
- Producing bile acids that help digest fats.
- Supporting the formation of vitamin D (lacking in majority of Indians)
Without cholesterol, life simply wouldn’t be possible.
Dietary Cholesterol Isn’t the Enemy
Contrary to popular belief, the cholesterol you eat has minimal impact on your blood cholesterol levels. This finding was first highlighted in the Framingham Heart Study, one of the longest-running cardiovascular studies in history, and later reaffirmed by the 2015 U.S. Dietary Guidelines, which officially removed cholesterol as a “nutrient of concern.”
Understanding Cholesterol Changes on a Low-Carb, High-Fat (LCHF) Diet
When individuals switch to an LCHF lifestyle, their lipid profile may change but these shifts often indicate better, not worse, metabolic health.
Here’s the pattern typically seen:
- HDL (“good”) cholesterol increases.
- Triglycerides drop sharply.
- LDL particles become larger and less dense. What it means LDL is less atherogenic (less risky) form.
These improvements reflect enhanced insulin sensitivity and reduced inflammation, not a decline in cardiovascular health.
So, What Really Drives Heart Disease?
The real culprits are not dietary fats, but rather:
- Insulin resistance
- Chronic inflammation
- Poor metabolic health
When insulin levels remain elevated due to excess refined carbohydrates, stress, and lack of physical activity, the body enters a state of constant repair and that’s when cholesterol levels may rise as a response, not the cause, of damage.
Rethinking “Healthy”
It’s time to shift our focus from fearing cholesterol to improving metabolic health.
Here’s how you can start:
- Eat real, unprocessed food which should be low in refined carbs and sugars.
- Stay active and incorporate both strength training and daily movement.
- Prioritize sleep and stress management. This is the most ignored aspect.
- Work with your healthcare provider to interpret blood markers in context, beyond just total cholesterol number.
In a nutshell: Cholesterol isn’t the villain.
Cholesterol is more like the firefighter who is showing up to repair the damage caused by inflammation and poor metabolic health. When we restore balance through food, movement, and lifestyle, cholesterol goes back to doing what it was always meant to do, support life, not threaten it.
PS: If you are having any concerns regarding deranged cholesterol, feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help and guide you for optimising your health with proper nutrition and supplements.
Leave a Reply