Not as Simple as “Good” vs “Bad” Cholesterol

Why It’s Not as Simple as
“Good” vs. “Bad” Cholesterol

For decades, doctors have labeled LDL as “bad” cholesterol and HDL as “good” cholesterol, telling patients that lowering LDL is the key to preventing heart disease. But functional medicine takes a deeper look—and the truth is, cholesterol is far more complex than just “good” or “bad.”

Many people are prescribed statins or other cholesterol-lowering drugs based on outdated guidelines that don’t consider cholesterol’s true role in the body. The problem? Standard cholesterol tests don’t tell the whole story—and blindly lowering cholesterol may actually cause more harm than good.

At Intentional Wellness, Inc., I take a root-cause approach to cardiovascular and metabolic health, helping clients understand what their cholesterol numbers really mean—and how to improve heart health naturally, without unnecessary medications.

 

What is Cholesterol and Why Does the Body Need It?

Cholesterol is a crucial fat-like substance that plays an essential role in the body. It is not inherently bad! In fact, without cholesterol, you wouldn’t be able to survive.

🔹 Cholesterol is the Building Block of Hormones

Your body needs cholesterol to produce key hormones like estrogen, testosterone, cortisol, and progesterone. If cholesterol levels drop too low, hormone imbalances, fatigue, and mood disorders can occur.

🔹 Your Brain is Made of Cholesterol

About 60% of the brain is fat, and a large portion of that fat comes from cholesterol. It is essential for brain function, memory, and mood regulation. Studies show that low cholesterol is linked to depression, cognitive decline, and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

🔹 Cholesterol Supports Cell Function and Digestion

Every single cell in your body contains cholesterol—it keeps cell membranes strong and flexible. Cholesterol also helps the liver produce bile, which is necessary for digesting fats and absorbing fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K).

 

The Problem With
“Good” vs. “Bad” Cholesterol Thinking

Traditional medicine looks at LDL (low-density lipoprotein) as “bad” and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) as “good.”But this oversimplified approach ignores the real question: What type of LDL and HDL are we dealing with?

🔹 Not All LDL is Bad (and Not All HDL is Good!)

Doctors often prescribe statins to lower LDL, assuming that less LDL = lower heart disease risk. But there are actually two types of LDL particles, and only one of them is harmful.

• Small, dense LDL particles are more dangerous because they easily penetrate artery walls, leading to plaque buildup and inflammation.
• Large, fluffy LDL particles are harmless and do not contribute to heart disease.

A basic cholesterol test won’t tell you which type of LDL you have—so just knowing your total LDL number doesn’t give the full picture.

🔹 “Good” HDL Isn’t Always Protective

HDL is often called “good cholesterol” because it helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream. However, more isn’t always better—extremely high HDL levels (above 90 mg/dL) may indicate impaired cholesterol recyclingor chronic inflammation.

This is why a functional medicine approach looks beyond just “high” or “low” numbers and focuses on the quality and function of cholesterol.

 

The Real Cause of Heart Disease:
Inflammation, Not Cholesterol

If high LDL alone caused heart disease, then everyone with high cholesterol would have clogged arteries—but many people with high LDL have perfectly healthy hearts. The real issue? Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.

🔹 Inflammation Damages Arteries, Making LDL More Dangerous

When the arteries become inflamed (from processed foods, sugar, stress, and toxins), the body sends cholesterol to “patch up” the damage. This is why cholesterol builds up—it’s responding to an injury, not causing it.

🔹 Sugar and Processed Carbs Create More Dangerous LDL

A high-sugar, high-carb diet leads to insulin resistance, which causes LDL to become smaller and denser—the dangerous type that contributes to heart disease. This is why reducing sugar intake is far more effective than just lowering cholesterol levels.

🔹 Oxidized LDL is the True Problem

LDL itself isn’t harmful, but when it becomes oxidized (damaged by free radicals), it turns into a sticky, inflammatory molecule that contributes to plaque formation. Oxidized LDL is driven by poor diet, stress, smoking, and environmental toxins.

The Functional Medicine Approach to Heart Health

Instead of focusing on just lowering cholesterol, I help clients improve cholesterol function, reduce inflammation, and protect the heart naturally.

🔹 Get the Right Testing (Beyond a Standard Cholesterol Panel)

Instead of just looking at total LDL, a functional medicine approach includes tests like:

• LDL Particle Size Test – Differentiates between small, dense LDL (dangerous) and large, fluffy LDL (harmless).
• Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) Test – Identifies a specific type of LDL that increases heart disease risk.
• C-reactive Protein (CRP) Test – Measures inflammation levels, which are more predictive of heart disease than cholesterol alone.

🔹 Lower Inflammation Instead of Just Lowering LDL

• Cut out processed foods, refined sugars, and industrial seed oils that drive inflammation.
• Increase anti-inflammatory foods like wild-caught fish, avocados, olive oil, and turmeric.
• Manage stress and improve sleep, as chronic stress raises inflammation levels.

🔹 Support Healthy Cholesterol Balance Naturally

• Eat more fiber-rich foods, which help remove excess cholesterol and promote gut health.
• Support liver function with cruciferous vegetables, dandelion root, and milk thistle to optimize cholesterol processing.
• Incorporate omega-3s from fish or flaxseeds, which help reduce small, dense LDL particles.

 

Take Charge of Your Heart Health the Right Way

Instead of focusing only on LDL numbers, a functional medicine approach looks at the bigger picture—cholesterol function, inflammation, diet, and lifestyle. By addressing the root cause of heart disease (inflammation), you can protect your heart naturally—without unnecessary medications.

At Intentional Wellness, Inc., I help clients:

✔️ Understand what their cholesterol numbers really mean and what tests they actually need.
✔️ Develop a heart-healthy lifestyle that lowers inflammation and improves cholesterol function.
✔️ Reduce their risk of heart disease naturally through nutrition, stress management, and metabolic health strategies.

🚀 Want to take a functional medicine approach to heart health? Let’s get started. Schedule a consultation today!