Encore Episode: Cholesterol: Not Your Heart's Enemy

Cholesterol isn't bad for your heart, contrary to what you may have heard.Doctors have gotten it wrong about cholesterol in the past. The guidelines have changed, but we still get stuck on old information.

Why have you been told to avoid saturated fault? Because of cholesterol. You’ve been told cholesterol causes heart disease. Wrong.

You need cholesterol for vitamin D production, sex hormones and brain health.

This focus on cholesterol has lead to the over-prescription of statins. In many cases, you can improve heart health without these drugs. Statins are mildly anti-inflammatory but carry many side effects. Fish oil can reduce inflammation and has no negative side effects. Citrus bergamot lowers triglycerides and inflammation and raises HDL cholesterol (the "good" kind).

Cholesterol is far more complicated than the two categories established decades ago. Particle testing is more reliable for getting an accurate picture of your own cholesterol. Of course, your cholesterol numbers won’t determine your risk for heart disease.

It’s more important to reduce your inflammatory risk by improving your diet and helping your gut microbiome than to worry about cholesterol.

Listen as Dr. Jonny Bowden joins Dr. Mike Fenster to preach the gospel of cholesterol.

Sponsor: Real Salt - Is Your Salt Real?