People typically cringe whenever someone mentions the word cholesterol. The Internet bombards us with misinformation about cholesterol and how to lower it. While it’s true that high cholesterol levels can lead to many health concerns, not all cholesterol is bad. And there are even more misconceptions behind the source of high cholesterol in the human body. 

Modern medicine looks at cholesterol after it becomes a problem and tries to mitigate the levels reactively. But it’s crucial to look at how what can elevate cholesterol levels to an unhealthy range in the first place — inflammation. Also, what factors are behind these connected inflammatory responses. 

As a healthcare practitioner, the goal is to find the source or sources behind high cholesterol, beyond the commonly listed genetics or lifestyle factors. The more informed your patients are about this topic, the better choices they will make regarding their cholesterol and overall well-being. (1)

The Importance of Cholesterol in the Body

Some types of cholesterol are essential for good health. The body needs cholesterol to perform important jobs, such as building cells and making hormones. Sterols are a type of fat the body needs to function properly. What cholesterol the body cannot get from food, it manufactures in the liver. (2, 3)

Cholesterol performs several functions in the body, such as: (4)

  • Building cells
  • Forming and maintaining cell membranes and structures
  • Insulating nerve cells
  • Making critical hormones
  • Making estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone
  • Making vitamin D

Commonly Listed Causes of High Cholesterol

There are some common misconceptions about cholesterol, such as how cholesterol rises to unhealthy levels. Even though cholesterol is necessary for the body to perform key health functions, very high cholesterol levels can be dangerous, even life-threatening. 

Unfortunately, if your patient has high cholesterol, he or she may not know it, as it doesn’t produce symptoms. But everyone should have their cholesterol levels checked regularly to prevent serious health conditions.

From a quick Google search, you will find several factors associated with cholesterol levels. In mainstream medicine, cholesterol is related to diabetes, eating foods high in saturated fats, heart disease, high blood pressure, poor genetics, and smoking. (5, 6)

Although many people may think that the main causes are diet or genetics, this is not always the case. In fact, there are usually more underlying health problems at play. 

Inflammation and Cholesterol

Inflammation is the body’s immune response to an illness or injury, and an essential part of facilitating healing. However, when it gets out of hand, it can lead to a cascade of health problems. 

Inflammation’s impact on chronic disease, particularly cardiovascular, has been studied by a variety of researchers. For short-term conditions, inflammation is helpful, but sustained low levels of inflammation irritate the blood vessels. Inflammation may promote the growth of plaque, loosen plaque in the arteries, and trigger blood clots, setting the stage for a heart attack or stroke. (7, 8)

However, emerging research has also found a connection between inflammation and high cholesterol levels. Mice were fed a high cholesterol diet that generated excessive amounts of the protein PCSK9, known to increase LDL levels. The researchers then used methods to block the inflammatory response NLRP3 in these mice. The result was a significant drop in PCSK9 released. 

This study found a definitive link between inflammation and raised cholesterol levels, especially high LDL. (9) 

Unfortunately, the reverse is also true: high cholesterol can trigger inflammation. High levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream means excess LDL leaks into the inner wall of arteries. The body automatically produces an inflammatory response and accelerates cholesterol accumulation. This becomes an endless cycle of cholesterol buildup and inflammation, often culminating with heart disease. (10)

Pathogens and Toxins that Trigger Inflammation and Cholesterol

There is an often-overlooked cause of high cholesterol levels: pathogens and toxins. 

Toxicity can not only raise cholesterol levels to an unhealthy range, but can also cause inflammation throughout the body. And since cholesterol and inflammation go hand-in-hand and trigger each other, toxicity can exacerbate both of these two issues. 

Some toxins that are not normally discussed when it comes to inflammation and cholesterol include the following.

Chemicals in processed foods/preservatives — Cholesterol is a vital component in the human body. Your patients shouldn’t be overly concerned about natural cholesterol in foods like eggs or shrimp. It’s the chemicals and additives in processed foods they should watch out for. Certain preservatives — such as artificial trans fats and high fructose corn syrup — raises the bad LDL cholesterol in the blood. When this imbalance occurs, cholesterol can accumulate in the gallbladder and the bloodstream, causing gallstones and plaque buildup. (11, 12, 13, 14)

Food additives are in the majority of processed foods used to enhance the food taste and shelf life. However, these chemicals can target organs in the body, such as the liver and kidney. This negatively affects the cells of the immune system, causing inflammation and contributing to metabolic dysregulation. Usually observed in obese individuals, this inflammation, called “meta-inflammation,” is a pathological condition of chronic low-grade inflammation. (15)

Fortunately, individuals can combat inflammation and help lower their cholesterol with a healthy diet of whole, unprocessed fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. Particularly those free of additives and extra chemicals. (16)

Heavy metals — High levels of lead and mercury in the blood can cause high cholesterol levels. In a study, those with the highest levels of these metals in their blood: (17, 18)

  • Had a 56% greater chance of having higher total cholesterol if they had high levels of lead;
  • Were 22% more likely to have higher cholesterol if they had high lead levels; and
  • Were 73% more likely to have higher cholesterol if they had high levels of mercury.

Mold — Epidemiological evidence suggests a possible association between chronic exposures to toxigenic molds in damp water-damaged buildings and high levels of cholesterol abnormalities that may represent a high risk for cardiovascular diseases. 

Toxigenic molds release mycotoxins that affect human health and could impair cholesterol metabolism. Individuals exposed to them might be at risk of cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and stroke. (19)

Chronic mold exposure can also contribute to harmful inflammation levels in the body. Chronic inflammatory response syndrome is a biotoxin illness that can be triggered from exposure to mold. Exposures to environmental molds are associated with changes in cytokine and chemokine production — proteins that coordinate the immune response throughout the body. (20)

Parasites — Recent studies have shown elevated levels of lipoproteins like HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol in patients suffering from parasitic infections, although the exact reason is still unknown. Cholesterol is synthesized in the liver, which is a major site of parasitic infection. The thought is that parasites can take the lipids and cholesterol they need to survive from lipoprotein particles in the host’s gut. (21)

Underlying Health Issues That Also Affect Cholesterol

High cholesterol is linked to coronary heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke. In all of these cases, high cholesterol leads to plaque build-up in the arteries.

The x-factor among all these complications is inflammation. Therefore, addressing inflammation may lessen the effects of and improve the following issues. 

Coronary heart disease — If cholesterol levels are too high, it can lead to hardening of the arteries, known as atherosclerosis. If left untreated, atherosclerosis can lead to poor circulation, heart attack, or stroke. (22)

Diabetes — Diabetes can go hand-in-hand with high cholesterol levels. Diabetes brings increased risk of heart disease, and often lowers HDL and raises LDL. So keeping tabs on cholesterol levels is crucial. Many people with type 1 diabetes are prescribed statins, which can keep cholesterol levels in a healthy range. (23) 

High blood pressure — High cholesterol levels are often linked to high blood pressure. When arteries harden and narrow with plaque, the heart strains to pump blood. Because of this, blood pressure can rise to dangerous levels. 

High blood pressure and high cholesterol can lead to heart attack or stroke. Over time, high blood pressure can damage arteries, although in a different way than high cholesterol can. Either way, the stress on the arteries can lead to devastating consequences. (24)

Ischemic stroke — When too much cholesterol is in the blood, and it causes the arteries to harden, it can increase the chance of blood clots developing. If that happens, the chances of having an ischemic stroke go up exponentially. However, high cholesterol levels don’t seem to play a role in hemorrhagic stroke caused by a ruptured blood vessel. (25, 26) 

Addressing Cholesterol at the Root Level

To address cholesterol — and, in relation, inflammation — at the source, you can help support your patients with natural ingredients to target the core issue instead of just the surface-level symptoms. One of the top options is berberine.

Berberine is a bioactive compound found in some plants like European barberry, goldenseal, goldthread, Oregon grape, phellodendron, and tree turmeric. Taking berberine orally may help lower total cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride levels. It may also strengthen heartbeat. 

The health benefits of berberine have been known for many centuries. It is used to treat various medical conditions in Indian and Chinese medicine, including diabetes and hypertension. (27)

Berberine is safe for most adults. Side effects are mild, with the common ones being constipation, gas, and upset stomach. 

Herbs that contain high amounts of berberine include: (28)

  • Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
  • Goldenseal root (Hydrastis canadensis L)
  • Huanglian (Coptis chiensis)
  • Ohio grape root (Berberis aquifolium)

Researchers believe that berberine can increase the number of LDL receptors in the liver, which may help increase the clearance of LDL cholesterol from the body. Berberine also appears to act on signaling pathways involved in making fats in the body. Berberine acts similarly to phytosterols by blocking the absorption of lipids from the small intestine. (29, 30)

Other Products and Solutions for High Cholesterol and Inflammation Levels

  • Advanced TUDCA is a major liver helper that contains Tauroursodeoxycholic acid, a water-soluble bile acid. It’s present in small amounts in bile and is naturally produced in the body. TUDCA helps stimulate the release of bile into the gut to detox a range of potentially harmful substances, including those generated during metabolic processes and contaminants from food and the environment. (31, 32)
  • BioToxin Binder is a good starting place binder, for both mold and parasites. It works systemically to pull these unwanted elements out fo the body. It also helps support important building blocks, such as cellular health and the gut microbiome. (33)
  • Cholesterol-lowering foods your patients can add to their diet are apples, beans, citrus fruits, eggplant, fatty fish, fiber-rich foods, grapes, nuts, oats, okra, soy, strawberries, and whole grains. (34)
  • HM-ET Binder supports a heavy metal detox to remove any harmful metals that may contribute to your patient’s high cholesterol levels. HM-ET Binder is a unique blend of fulvic acids that work especially well for grabbing onto harmful heavy metals and escorting them from the body. It can also help remove harmful chemicals, such as glyphosate.  (35, 36)
  • IFC is formulated with 11 plant ingredients, including amino acids, enzymes, and Carbon Technology that help support lower inflammation in the body. IFC helps soothe the body and lessen sensitivities while reducing the negative impact of free radicals. It steps in to help withstand environmental stressors and minimize symptoms of other system imbalances.
  • Immune tinctures (IS-BAB, IS-BART, IS-BOOST, IS-BORR) all work together to augment immune function and have anti-inflammatory properties. These four products found in Phase 5 of the Comprehensive Protocol fight pathogens like bacteria and parasites. Together, the mix of herbs in the Immune Tinctures can help lower toxicity and pathogen load in the body to help reset the body and remove possible sources of inflammation. (37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
  • Para Kit is designed to flush critters out of the system, especially around a full moon. It contains three parasite-killing products that work synergistically to kill off parasites, as well as BioToxin Binder to remove them safely and effectively from the body.  (42, 43, 44, 45)
  • Plant sterols are available as both supplements and naturally found in food. Since plant sterols look like cholesterol in their makeup, they partly block cholesterol absorption so that dietary cholesterol can be removed as waste. This lowers blood levels of LDL cholesterol without affecting HDL-cholesterol. (46)

Combating Cholesterol at Its Core

By knowing what can contribute to high cholesterol levels and inflammation, your patients can take steps to lower dangerous cholesterol levels and inflammation in their bodies.

If your patients check their cholesterol levels regularly and pay attention to the foods they’re consuming, they may lower their cholesterol levels. Going through the detox protocol, incorporating mild exercise into their daily routine, and addressing inflammation in the body can also be helpful. By taking these measures and monitoring their progress, your patients can lower their cholesterol to healthy levels and improve overall health.