In this episode of the Fiat Health Podcast, Caroline and Ashlynn tackle the complex (and often misunderstood) topic of cholesterol. They go beyond the surface and dive into the science behind LDL and HDL cholesterol, clarify misconceptions about "good" and "bad" cholesterol, and explain how high cholesterol is your body's response to healing something deeper, not the root cause itself. Caroline and Ashlynn explain what you need to know about your test results and how simple changes in your diet can improve your health and lower your cholesterol.

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or discontinuing an existing treatment.

Key Takeaways:

1. Cholesterol Is Not the Enemy: The hosts emphasize that cholesterol is a vital component for brain, hormone, and cellular health. Not all cholesterol is "bad"—cholesterol acts as a responder to inflammation (like firefighters to a fire) and focusing solely on lowering cholesterol numbers is not addressing the root cause issue.
2. Traditional Lipid Panels Are Limited: Standard cholesterol testing (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides) does not provide a complete picture of heart or metabolic health. Advanced testing like the NMR LipoProfile gives more detailed information such as particle size and number, which better predicts cardiovascular risks.
3. Diet and Lifestyle Have a Major Impact: Processed carbohydrates, sugars, and seed oils are bigger contributors to unhealthy cholesterol and inflammation than dietary fat, such as butter, eggs, or red meat. Increasing fiber, healthy fats, and omega-3 rich foods are supportive for healthy cholesterol markers.

Resources:

We recommend the following supplements to support healthy levels of cholesterol (be sure to speak with your provider before starting new supplements)

• Omega-3 with a 2:1 EPA to DHA ratio and at least 2,000mg of EPA
• CoQ10
• Plant Sterols
• Red Yeast Rice
• L-arginine
• Fiber

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:04 - Cholesterol Basics and Misconceptions

04:38 - LDL and HDL Explained: Good vs Bad

08:07 - Understanding Lipid Panels

14:13 - How Diet Impacts Cholesterol

21:50 - Supplements

25:58 - Additional Testing and Recommendations

To learn more visit fiathealth.org

Don't be a stranger! Reach out, ask a question, or suggest a topic for a future episode by emailing us at [email protected]