Let’s talk about one of the most misunderstood and unfairly demonized substances in your body: cholesterol.

For decades, we’ve been told that high cholesterol is the enemy — a ticking time bomb that clogs your arteries and causes heart attacks. This fear has driven millions of people onto low-fat diets and statin drugs, hoping to dodge heart disease.

But here’s the truth: your body needs cholesterol. In fact, not only is it not the villain — it’s absolutely essential for your survival. The “cholesterol is bad” narrative is outdated, overly simplistic, and, frankly, dangerous.

So today, we’re going to bust the myth of the “correct cholesterol,” explain the truth behind your numbers, and help you understand what actually matters when it comes to heart health.

The mainstream medical model has long promoted the idea that:

• Total cholesterol should be under 200 mg/dL
• LDL (“bad” cholesterol) should be as low as possible
• HDL (“good” cholesterol) should be high
• Statins are the go-to fix for anything outside those numbers

But this approach ignores a critical truth: context matters. Cholesterol isn’t inherently bad — it's your body's natural response to inflammation, injury, and stress.

Here’s what your doctor may not have told you:

Cholesterol is a healing agent. When your tissues are damaged — by toxins,
infections, poor diet, or chronic stress — your body sends cholesterol to help repair the damage. Blaming cholesterol is like blaming the fireman for being at the scene of the fire.

Let’s zoom out for a moment. Cholesterol plays vital roles in your health:

Hormone Production

Every molecule of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and vitamin D is made from cholesterol. If your cholesterol is too low (especially from statin use), you may experience hormone imbalances, mood issues, and fatigue.

Cell Membrane Integrity

Cholesterol is essential for the structure of every cell in your body. Without it, your cells become fragile and dysfunctional.

Brain Function

Your brain is made up of nearly 60% fat, and cholesterol is a key component. It supports neurotransmitter function, memory, and mood regulation. Low cholesterol levels are linked with depression, memory loss, and increased risk of dementia.

Immune Function

Cholesterol supports your immune system’s ability to fight infections. Some studies show people with higher cholesterol have better outcomes when fighting illness.

You’ve probably heard of HDL as the “good” cholesterol and LDL as the “bad” cholesterol. But those labels are outdated and misleading.

In reality:

• HDL and LDL are not types of cholesterol, but carriers (lipoproteins) that transport cholesterol through your bloodstream.
• LDL isn’t inherently dangerous. The real problem lies in what damages LDL particles — inflammation, oxidation, and poor metabolic function.

The type and quality of LDL matters more than the amount. For example:

• Small, dense LDL particles are more likely to become oxidized and contribute to plaque buildup.
• Large, buoyant LDL particles are generally protective and less likely to cause harm.

Mainstream lipid panels don’t differentiate between these — but advanced functional testing can.

At The Wellness Way – Wesley Chapel, we don’t guess — we test. Instead of looking at total cholesterol in isolation, we examine a comprehensive picture:

Here’s what we assess:

• Lipid Particle Size and Density
• ApoB (a better marker of atherogenic particles)
• Oxidized LDL
• Triglyceride-to-HDL ratio (a powerful predictor of insulin resistance and heart disease risk)
• Inflammatory markers (like hs-CRP, homocysteine)
• Thyroid and liver function (both influence cholesterol levels)
• Insulin and glucose markers (because blood sugar imbalance drives inflammation)

With this data, we can see why your cholesterol may be elevated — and whether it’s actually a problem at all.

Here’s the part most cardiologists ignore: cholesterol doesn’t cause heart disease. Inflammation does.

When your arteries are inflamed — from processed foods, chronic stress, toxins, infections, poor gut health, or blood sugar imbalances — they become damaged. Your body responds by sending cholesterol to patch the damage.

Over time, if the inflammation continues, plaque builds up. But the root cause isn't cholesterol — it’s the chronic inflammation!

Statin drugs work by blocking an enzyme in your liver that makes cholesterol. This reduces total cholesterol and LDL — but at a cost.

Common Side Effects of Statins:

• Muscle pain and weakness
• Memory loss
• Mood disorders
• Fatigue
• Decreased hormone levels
• Liver dysfunction

Worse, they don’t address the cause of inflammation — so they do nothing to actually reverse
disease.

And did you know? In people with no history of heart disease, statins don’t significantly reduce all-cause mortality. In many cases, their benefit is marginal at best.

You’ve probably heard that eggs and saturated fats raise cholesterol. Another myth.

Research now shows that dietary cholesterol has minimal impact on blood cholesterol in most people. In fact, cholesterol-rich foods like eggs, butter, and organ meats are nutrientdense superfoods.

The real dietary culprits?

• Refined sugar
• Industrial seed oils (like canola, soybean, corn oil)
• Ultra-processed foods
• Artificial additives and chemicals

These drive oxidation and inflammation — which, in turn, disrupt cholesterol balance.

• Eat whole, unprocessed foods
• Ditch seed oils and sugar
• Add anti-inflammatory fats like omega-3s, avocado, ghee, and olive oil
• Prioritize fermented foods

• Chronic stress drives cortisol, which impacts blood sugar and cholesterol
• Use adaptogens (with professional guidance), get restorative sleep, and practice breathwork

• Work with one of us to test for infections, food allergies, gut health, thyroid dysfunction, blood sugar imbalances, and toxic exposures

Cholesterol isn’t the villain. It’s the responder. Instead of attacking the body’s natural repair system, we should ask why it’s being deployed in the first place.

You deserve real answers — not fear-based medicine. If you’ve been told you need to be on statins, or that your cholesterol is “too high” without any real explanation, it’s time to look deeper.

At The Wellness Way – Wesley Chapel, we take the time to test properly, interpret those results in the context of your whole body, and design a care plan that supports true healing.

Let’s test your complete metabolic and inflammatory picture and get to the root of your symptoms.

Get your answers now!
Have questions? Reach out to us at wesleychapel@thewellnessway.com

It’s about understanding what your body is trying to tell you — and choosing to listen before things break down.

Let’s stop fearing cholesterol and start focusing on what really matters: a body in balance.

Join Dr. Lena for an eye-opening webinar on June 17th 2025 at 6:00 PM EST as she breaks down the truth behind cholesterol medicines' biggest scapegoat.

What will be covered in this exclusive webinar?

• The truth behind cholesterol and heart disease
• Why cholesterol meds may not be the answer to your long-term health
• The key factors that influence your cholesterol levels, and how to take control of them naturally
• The lifestyle changes and holistic solutions that can drastically improve your heart health
• How to approach your cholesterol concerns without relying on medication

This isn't just another "quick-fix" solution—it's an opportunity to empower yourself with real knowledge and take charge of your heart health in a way that works for you.

Don't miss out! Reserve your spot for this FREE webinar today, and start your journey toward a healthier, medication-free life.

Reserve your seat today!