All About Cholesterol
Cholesterol has long been viewed as something to fear, but from a functional medicine perspective, cholesterol is one of the most essential molecules in the body. The real problems come from inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and damaged dietary fats—not cholesterol itself.
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Why Cholesterol Is Essential
Cholesterol plays a central role in:
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Hormone production
Necessary for estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and vitamin D. -
Brain and nervous system health
Important for memory, mood, myelin, and neurotransmitter balance. -
Cellular repair
Cholesterol strengthens and repairs cell membranes when inflammation or injury occurs. -
Digestive health
Required to create bile acids for fat digestion and vitamin absorption.
Low cholesterol can contribute to hormone imbalance, fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, and poor stress tolerance.
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Foods That Support Healthy Cholesterol
Functional medicine emphasizes real, whole-food fats that stabilize lipids and support hormone production.
1. Natural Animal Fats
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Butter
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Ghee
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Beef tallow
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Pasture-raised meats
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Chicken skin
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Duck fat
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Lamb
These fats help produce large, buoyant LDL particles (Pattern A) that are less likely to contribute to arterial plaque.
2. Eggs
Rich in cholesterol, choline, omega-3s, and B vitamins. Eggs improve HDL and LDL particle size.
3. Omega-3–Rich Seafood
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Salmon
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Sardines
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Mackerel
These improve HDL function and lower inflammation.
4. Whole-Food Fats
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Avocados
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Olive oil
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Coconut oil
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Raw nuts
These fats support metabolic health and reduce insulin resistance.
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Fats and Foods That Damage Cholesterol
1. Industrial Seed Oils
Highly inflammatory and oxidize easily:
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Canola
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Corn
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Soybean
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Sunflower
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Safflower
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Cottonseed
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Grapeseed
These promote small, dense LDL particles (Pattern B) and increase inflammation.
2. Synthetic or Hydrogenated Fats
Found in margarine, shortening, and packaged baked goods.
These alter LDL particles in the most harmful ways.
3. Sugar & Refined Carbohydrates
Raise triglycerides, lower HDL, worsen insulin resistance, and contribute to fatty liver.
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Functional Medicine Markers That Actually Matter
True risk assessment goes beyond “total cholesterol”:
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LDL particle size
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Triglycerides
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HDL function
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Triglyceride/HDL ratio
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ApoB
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Lp(a)
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hs-CRP
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Insulin & HOMA-IR
These reveal inflammation, insulin resistance, and metabolic dysfunction.
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How GLP-1 Medications Improve Lipids and Metabolic Health
GLP-1 therapy does more than support weight loss — it improves nearly every major metabolic marker.
1. Lowers Triglycerides
By reducing liver fat and improving insulin resistance, GLP-1s often reduce triglycerides by 20–40%.
2. Improves LDL Particle Size
Shifts LDL from small, dense particles to larger, buoyant ones.
3. Decreases Systemic Inflammation
GLP-1s lower hs-CRP and reduce oxidative stress.
4. Improves Insulin Sensitivity
Insulin resistance is a major driver of abnormal lipids. GLP-1s lower fasting insulin and improve HOMA-IR.
5. Reduces Liver Fat
Reductions in liver fat improve triglycerides, HDL, and inflammation.
6. Improves Endothelial Function
Reduces inflammation inside blood vessels and decreases plaque instability.
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The Good and the Bad of Statin Use
A functional, balanced look at one of the most commonly prescribed medications.
Statins can be helpful for specific populations, but they are often overprescribed based solely on LDL levels. Functional medicine looks deeper.
⭐ The Benefits of Statins
Statins can be valuable when used appropriately:
1. They reduce ApoB and small, dense LDL particles
This can decrease plaque progression in people with:
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Strong family history
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Genetic disorders like familial hypercholesterolemia
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Very high ApoB or Lp(a)
2. They reduce inflammation
Statins have anti-inflammatory effects independent of cholesterol lowering (they lower hs-CRP).
3. They lower cardiovascular events in high-risk groups
Especially in:
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Men with established cardiovascular disease
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People post-heart attack
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Severe coronary artery calcification
In these cases, statins can be life-saving.
⚠️ The Caveats and Risks of Statins
Statins are not risk-free and should not be prescribed solely based on “high cholesterol.”
1. They may cause muscle pain, weakness, or fatigue
Some patients experience:
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Myalgias
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Exercise intolerance
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Muscle weakness
These symptoms may be related to mitochondrial effects or CoQ10 depletion.
2. They can lower CoQ10
CoQ10 is essential for heart and muscle energy production. Low levels may contribute to:
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Fatigue
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Muscle symptoms
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Poor exercise recovery
Functional medicine often recommends CoQ10 supplementation for patients taking statins.
3. They may worsen blood sugar control
Statins can increase the risk of:
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Insulin resistance
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Elevated A1c
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New-onset diabetes (especially in women)
This is most concerning for patients already struggling with metabolic health.
4. They often don’t fix the root cause
If the underlying issue is:
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Inflammation
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Poor diet
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Seed oils
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Sugar intake
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Insulin resistance
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Fatty liver
…statins don’t fix any of these.
They lower a lab number, but they don’t necessarily improve metabolic health unless paired with lifestyle change.
5. Not all high cholesterol needs treatment
Cholesterol often rises due to:
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Hormone changes
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Thyroid dysfunction
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Weight loss
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Stress
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Inflammation
In these cases, treating the root cause is more effective than suppressing cholesterol.
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Key Takeaways
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Cholesterol is vital for hormones, brain function, and cell repair.
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Healthy fats (butter, eggs, seafood, tallow, avocado, olive oil) support cholesterol function.
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Inflammatory seed oils, hydrogenated fats, and high-sugar diets damage lipids.
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Functional medicine evaluates LDL particle size, triglycerides, ApoB, insulin, inflammation, and metabolic function—not just LDL.
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GLP-1s improve nearly every lipid marker by reducing inflammation, insulin resistance, and liver fat.
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Statins can be beneficial for high-risk individuals but should not replace addressing root causes like diet and inflammation.
True cardiovascular health is achieved not by chasing a single number, but by creating a foundation of metabolic wellness through whole foods, healthy fats, and reduced inflammation.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your medication or health regimen.
Berkley Wellness
102 E 6th Street
Breckenridge, TX
https://www.berkleywellness.net
Phone: (254) 212-8014
