Back when I was completing my nutrition degree, one of my reading requirements was Deep Nutrition by Dr. Cate Shanahan.
In her book, Dr. Shanahan shares how she was taught in medical school that cholesterol causes heart disease, that low-fat/low-cholesterol diets were “heart-healthy,” and that statins were the gold standard for lowering cholesterol.
But something didn’t add up for her.
If saturated fats and cholesterol were truly the villains, why were so many of the farmers she treated—who ate bacon and eggs every morning—among her healthiest patients?
That curiosity led her down the rabbit hole of questioning the official narrative… and thanks to her research, I learned the truth as well.
Today, let’s look at where the cholesterol myth came from and what actually helps protect your heart.
It all started with a slanted study
For decades we’ve been told that cholesterol causes heart disease.
But what most people don’t realize is that cholesterol’s role has been greatly exaggerated.
The demonization of saturated fats began in 1963 when physiologist Ancel Keys published his famous “Seven Countries Study,” claiming a connection between saturated fat and heart disease.
But there was a major problem: Keys cherry-picked his data.
When researchers later added back the 16 countries he omitted, the “connection” disappeared. There was no relationship between saturated fat, cholesterol, and heart disease.
And here’s an ironic detail—Keys suffered several strokes in the years before his death in 2004.
The rise of the statin empire
Pfizer’s blockbuster statin drug Lipitor remains the best-selling medication in history, with sales approaching $1 trillion. That success was fueled by the cholesterol narrative and the fear surrounding heart disease.
We also can’t ignore the tremendous influence pharmaceutical companies have on medical school curricula, medical associations, the FDA, and the CDC. Over time, prescribing guidelines have shifted in ways that conveniently expand the number of people labeled as needing statins.
For example:
Decades ago, “high cholesterol” meant total cholesterol over 240 mg/dL—usually alongside other real risk factors like smoking.
Today? The threshold has dropped to 200 mg/dL.
That change alone pulled millions more people into the “statin-eligible” category.
Cha-ching.
Despite this massive increase in statin use, we are not seeing meaningful decreases in heart disease. Funny how that part never makes it into the commercials.
The real truth about cholesterol and heart disease
Nothing in your body exists by accident—and cholesterol is no exception.
Your body needs cholesterol. It:
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Functions as an antioxidant
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Helps protect against cancer
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Repairs tears and damage in your arteries
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Supports your brain and nervous system
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Is required to make hormones and vitamin D
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Helps your body use serotonin, your natural feel-good neurotransmitter
The real instigator behind heart disease is inflammation in your arteries, and this commonly stems from:
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Excess glucose in the bloodstream from refined carbs, sugars, processed foods, soda, and chronic stress
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Elevated homocysteine due to low B-vitamin status
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Lack of omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep inflammation in check
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High blood pressure, often tied to poor diet and lack of exercise
Once inflammation occurs, cholesterol is sent in as a repair crew—but it is not the culprit.
The truth: statins are not safe
Although promoted as “safe,” statins can cause serious side effects, including:
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Muscle pain and weakness
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Kidney failure
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Liver damage
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Type 2 diabetes
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Memory loss and cognitive decline
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Depression and anxiety
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Pancreatic inflammation
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Sexual dysfunction
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Gallstones and digestive issues
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Abnormal heart rhythms
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Increased aggression and violence
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Higher suicide risk
They’ve also been linked to ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
And statins deplete your body of CoQ10—a nutrient essential for heart health—and interfere with vitamin K2 synthesis, which protects arteries from calcification.
What’s “safe” about any of that?
Many side effects appear slowly over time, while cholesterol may drop quickly, giving the illusion of improved health… even as underlying problems worsen.
How to safely support healthy cholesterol levels
A smarter, safer long-term strategy is to naturally reduce inflammation and support your body’s innate repair systems.
Here are four effective steps:
1. Eat the right diet
Focus on real, whole foods—especially fresh vegetables—and ditch the processed foods, fast food, sugars, refined carbs, and soda.
And ignore the myth that all saturated fat is bad. That narrative is heavily promoted by companies selling inflammatory seed oils and margarine.
Your body needs healthy saturated fats, such as:
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A 3–4 oz. serving of organic meat
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Eggs
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Real butter
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Coconut oil
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Avocado
2. Get enough omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3s help:
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Reduce cholesterol and triglycerides
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Improve blood flow
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Lower clot risk
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Prevent atherosclerosis
Some studies show cholesterol levels can decrease by up to 20% in just 10 days through omega-3 intake.
Because most people don’t eat fatty fish daily (and much of the available fish is farmed and contaminated), supplementation is a reliable solution.
VitalMega-3 delivers a powerful 1,200 mg of pure omega-3s per daily dose, including 600 mg EPA and 400 mg DHA in the ideal 3:2 ratio.
3. Engage in regular exercise
Working up a sweat 3–4 times per week is one of the best ways to:
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Lower blood pressure
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Maintain a healthy weight
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Reduce stress (a major contributor to inflammation)
Always check with your doctor before starting a new routine.
4. Get enough B vitamins
Vitamins B6, B12, and folate help convert homocysteine into a harmless amino acid. Without enough B-vitamins—especially B12—homocysteine levels can rise and damage artery walls.
Our Super Core multi-vitamin ensures you get robust, bioavailable levels of these crucial nutrients, along with additional antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatories.
Now you know the real story behind cholesterol and heart disease—and you can make informed choices to protect your health naturally.
To your health,
Sherry Brescia
