Beyond Statins: Lowering Cholesterol Naturally and Safely - AI Podcast
May 28, 2025•6 min
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Episode description
Story at-a-glance
- Cholesterol is essential for hormone production, brain function, and cell health, and about 80% of it is made by your body — not consumed in food. High triglycerides, not total cholesterol, pose a stronger risk for heart attack — raising risk by 80% — making triglyceride-to-HDL ratio a better heart disease predictor
- Newer science shows chronic inflammation — not LDL alone — may be the real cause of plaque buildup in arteries, shifting focus to markers like ApoB and CRP
- Natural options like garlic, artichoke, bergamot, plant sterols, green tea, and oats have been shown in clinical studies to lower LDL cholesterol and improve heart markers
- Red yeast rice can lower LDL by up to 33%, but it contains a statin-like compound with the same side effects and potential kidney toxins like citrinin
- Lifestyle changes like cutting sugar, walking daily, and sleeping well can activate the Pareto Principle — where 20% of effort yields 80% of results in lowering cholesterol. Exercise improves five key metabolic biomarkers — glucose, HDL, triglycerides, blood pressure, and waist size — each linked to long-term cardiovascular health
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