I’m gonna go out on a limb here and guess that your doctor has scared you by saying your cholesterol is high (which automatically means heart attack) and now you’re searching online about how to lower cholesterol without medications.

But…

Are you sure you want to lower your cholesterol?

This is the first question we need to ask.

Despite what medical doctors will tell you, high cholesterol is absolutely not associated with heart disease or heart attacks.

That’s a bold statement but I’m going to back that up with links to research articles and studies (and 8 great books) that prove my points.

If high cholesterol doesn’t cause heart attacks then…

1. Why do doctors prescribe cholesterol lowering medications?
2. What does cause heart attacks?

Both great questions which we’ll tackle in this article.

I realize I made a bold claim at the beginning of this article. Claims like that need to be researched. So I ask you to click on the links in this article, read the books below, and talk with your doctor about this issue. Because the reason why you’re reading this article in the first place is that your cardiologist told you that your cholesterol is sky high and if you don’t bring it down, you could have a heart attack.

I need you to think for a moment about how to reason logically. When people like doctors make associations (that they try to convince you are causes) they’re making a circular argument. The premise must first be proved to be true, in order for you to accept the conclusion that depends on the truth of the premise.

For example there’s a lot to unpack about cholesterol like. Here would be some good questions to ask your doctor.

1. You’re assuming cholesterol is bad without proving it. Can you show me studies that prove it definitively?
2. How exactly does cholesterol cause a heart attack?
3. Why is it  high in the first place?
4. If I got rid of the “why” would it naturally lower itself?
5. Is it even proven that high cholesterol causes heart attacks or just associated (like all tall men have two arms and two legs)?
6. Are there people with very high cholesterol levels that DON’T die of heart attacks? Why?
7. And so on…

This article is meant to give you an alternative outlook on whether or not you should lower cholesterol without medication. Again always speak with a doctor who’s skilled in natural medicine before following anybody’s advice about your cardiovascular health.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol has been demonized by the mainstream medical industry because they say that if it is too high, you could have a heart attack. Turns out they have medications that can lower a number that’s associated with cholesterol. Whenever there is a drug that can have a physiological impact in the human body (in this case lower a number that’s associated with cholesterol, remember they’re not lowering cholesterol itself but lowering the number [with ranges they made up to suit their needs] associated with it), you can bet that they will demonize anything natural that does the same thing.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in nearly every cell (and cell membrane) of your body. Cholesterol is absolutely essential for many critical functions, like the production of hormones (think estrogen and testosterone), vitamin D, and bile acids that aid in digestion.

It also plays a key role in building and maintaining cell membranes (like I mentioned above), especially in the brain, where it supports cognitive health and memory. Although high cholesterol is often vilified as harmful, mostly in relation to heart disease, cholesterol is absolutely vital for your overall health, and low levels have been linked to increased risks of cognitive decline, depression, and even mortality in older adults​​​​​.

Which brings me to the….

Dangers of Lowering Cholesterol

Perhaps we’ve been sold a bill of goods about cholesterol. Maybe the drug companies found a way to “associate” this important lipid soluble antioxidant in your body with heart attacks. If they could make a drug that lowers the number associated with cholesterol they stand to make a ton of money. We know that they’re really not interested in curing people but profiting off of them.

Since this is the case and companies like Pfizer as made 12.6 billion dollars in 2006 alone from cholesterol lowering drugs, is it safe to assume they’re more interested in profiting from a drug than your health? I’d say that’s a pretty safe assumption. World wide these drugs are making 19 billion per year.

Do you think they’re going to give up making 52 million dollars per day anytime soon? Think about that number. That’s $2.1 million dollars per hour or $36,149.16 per minute! There’s no way they’re going to give that up.

Lots of money is made from this scary boogeyman called “high cholesterol”.

Why would you want to lower something your body makes naturally to protect itself from stress and oxidative damage? If the oxidative stress is causing your cholesterol levels to rise as a response, why not eliminate the oxidative stress instead of taking a medication?

The answer is because it’s easier to pop a pill instead of making a life change. We do this to our own peril.

But anyway….

A 2008 study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry examined 1,462 elderly people and found that those with the highest cholesterol levels, including LDL, had the best memory performance. The study concluded that low cholesterol levels might increase the risk of cognitive decline in older adults. – Source​

A 2024 study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology followed participants aged 85+ from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. The results showed that lower total cholesterol (below 131 mg/dL) was associated with a 12% increase in all-cause mortality per 1 mmol/L drop in cholesterol levels, challenging the “lower is better” view. – Source​

A 2014 study published in JAMA Neurology on 74 seniors found that those with higher HDL and lower LDL cholesterol levels had reduced risks for amyloid plaque deposits, which are linked to Alzheimer’s. The researchers concluded that maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is essential for protecting brain function. – Source

Types of Cholesterol

Not let’s talk about the different types of cholesterol.

Cholesterol is carried through your bloodstream by what’s called lipoproteins, which come in different types, each playing distinct roles.

There are two main types of cholesterol….

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is often labeled as “bad” cholesterol (by the drug companies because their drugs can alter these levels, not surprising) because it transports cholesterol from the liver to the cells, and excess LDL can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, “potentially” increasing heart disease risk.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) on the other hand, known as “good” cholesterol (in reality there is no such thing as good or bad cholesterol), carries excess cholesterol from the cells and arteries back to the liver for recycling or elimination, helping to protect against heart disease. There’s also very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), which mainly transports triglycerides, and intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), a transitional form between VLDL and LDL​​​.

Optimal Cholesterol Ranges

Here’s the optimal cholesterol ranges based on my research…

• Total cholesterol (TC): For individuals aged 85 and older, a healthy range is between 131 to 200 mg/dL. Below 131 mg/dL is associated with increased mortality risks​.
• LDL cholesterol: Ideal LDL levels range from 100 to 200 mg/dL. Lower LDL levels, particularly under 90 mg/dL, are linked to increased diabetes risk in older adults​ .
• HDL cholesterol: The ideal HDL range is 55 to 80 mg/dL, with levels above 100 mg/dL possibly indicating chronic inflammation .
• Triglycerides: Optimal triglyceride levels fall between 40 to 80 mg/dL .

But some folks I follow like Dr. Jennifer Daniels and Dr. Hal Huggins suggest even higher cholesterol levels as you age. Dr. Hal Huggins has said in his analysis of over 300,000 data points that a total cholesterol number of 220 or above is optimal for people in middle age.

Then you have Dr. Jennifer Daniels (radio show below) who has stated that her research indicates that you want a total cholesterol number of over 300 if you’re over the age of 60.

The reason is that your cholesterol naturally rises as you age because you have less energy (ATP) to deal with oxidative stress. You could fix this a number of ways like…

1. Learn how to create more energy
2. Lower oxidative stress
3. Improve digestion
4. Restore mitochondrial function
5. NOT take a pill to lower cholesterol

Cholesterol Ratios

Cholesterol ratios are another thing doctors will mention in regards to cardiovascular health. What I want to stress is that these numbers are “made up” meaning there’s nothing tangible about them in real physical life. Along with them being made up, the numbers are “associated” with cholesterol which is not even something that can be scientifically proven.

So when it comes to numbers, ratios, levels etc, take it all with a grain of salt knowing that these tests are only a “snapshot in time” of what your body was doing in that moment.

With that as a backdrop here’s some information about healthy cholesterol ratios from my research…

LDL ratio (Low-Density Lipoprotein to High-Density Lipoprotein)

Compares “bad” cholesterol (LDL) to “good” cholesterol (HDL), where a lower ratio indicates a healthier balance.

Ideal: 3:1 or lower, Optimal: 2:1

Triglyceride ratio

Assesses triglycerides (blood fats) in relation to HDL, with a higher ratio linked to increased cardiovascular risk.

Ideal: 2:1 or lower, Optimal: 1:1

Total Cholesterol ratio

Compares total cholesterol to HDL levels, with a lower ratio suggesting better heart health.

Recommended: 5:1 or lower, Optimal: 3.5:1​​​.

Cholesterol & Heart Attacks

The lynch pin in all this is the supposed connection between cholesterol and heart attacks. If you can scare patients by using fear of a heart attack to take Lipitor or other cholesterol lowering drugs, then you’ve won the battle. As soon as you prove there’s no association between cholesterol and heart attacks, then there’s nothing to fear.

And even if cholesterol did 100% cause heart attacks, does that mean statins are the ONLY substance that can lower cholesterol or prevent heart attacks? Remember lowering cholesterol and preventing heart attacks are two distinctively different things.

Even if we conflate them, that doesn’t mean Lipitor is the only answer.

The Minnesota Coronary Experiment (1968-1973) revealed that lowering cholesterol through dietary changes did not reduce heart disease deaths. In fact, a 30-point drop in cholesterol was associated with a 22% increase in death risk from cardiac disease. – Source

A 2018 review published in Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology concluded that there is no association between LDL cholesterol and heart disease, challenging the cholesterol-heart disease hypothesis. – Source

The Honolulu Heart Program study, published in The Lancet in 2001, found that persistently low cholesterol was linked to higher mortality in elderly people, questioning efforts to aggressively lower cholesterol in older adults. – Source

The Framingham Study reanalysis showed no correlation between cholesterol levels and the development of arterial sclerosis, challenging cholesterol’s role in heart disease. – Source

A Scandinavian study (2008) highlighted that stress, rather than cholesterol, plays a more significant role in coronary heart disease. – Source

Heart Attacks

As I mentioned the real fear is the heart attack not the cholesterol. As long as they can conflate the two, you’ll be on medication. If you don’t want to be on drugs for the rest of your life but you also want to prevent heart attacks, I would look into this information for a list of many things you can do to prevent a heart attack.

With that said I will give you something you can do once or twice per year that can lower your risk of having a heart attack by anywhere between 44% to 88%, something only Lipitor wishes it could do!

What is it? Is it a food to avoid? Is it a supplement you can take? Is it a food you should start eating?

What is this magical thing that can prevent heart attacks?

Blood donation….

“2,862 men ages 42 to 60 were observed for an average of nine years. Only one man out of 153 (0.7%) who had donated blood had an acute myocardial infarction (“heart attack”) from 1984 to 1995, as compared with 316 of 2,529 men (12.5%) who hadn’t donated blood. After all the usual “research adjustments”—age and all other predictive coronary risk factors—the blood-donating men had 88% less risk of acute myocardial infarction as compared with non-blood-donating men. (For the technically inclined, the difference between 0.7% and 12.5% had a p<0.0001. For the non-technically inclined, that means it’s really, really significant!) The researchers wrote, “These findings suggest that frequent blood loss through voluntary blood donations may be associated with a reduced risk of acute myocardial infarction in middle-aged men.” – Source

and this study was interesting….

“another research study involving women (and men) donating blood and risk of heart attack and stroke. In a five-to-eight-year follow-up of 1,807 women and 2,048 men ages 63 to 95, cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke) were reported by 64 blood donors (9.77%) and 567 non-donors (17.72%; p<0.001). That’s a 45% risk reduction.” – Source

And Statin drugs by comparison….

“The absolute risk reduction of dying, having a heart attack or stroke was 0.8%, 1.3% and 0.4% respectively. The relative risk of death by 9%, heart attacks by 29%, and strokes by 14%.” – Source

Benefits of Saturated Fats

Saturated fats are so important for maintaining your overall health, contrary to their long-standing vilification. They provide structural integrity to cell membranes, ensuring proper cell function. They do this by maintaining proper pH of the membrane which allows for electrical voltage across the cell membrane. This is critical for allowing the right things to enter and exit the cell.

Saturated fats are also essential for bone health by regulating calcium absorption, and they help produce extremely important hormones like estrogen and testosterone.

Additionally, and this is the kicker….they lower Lp(a) (a marker of heart disease risk), enhance immune function, and act as a primary fuel source for the heart. How could this be? I thought they caused heart attacks? Far from it. Short- and medium-chain saturated fats also have antimicrobial properties, protecting against harmful microorganisms in the digestive tract​​.

The campaign to get you off of healthy saturated fats our ancestors ate,  onto PUFAs (vegetable oils, seed oils etc) which cause heart attacks, has made trillions of dollars over the decades to the pharmaceutical industry and cost millions of lives.

Remember who is the 3rd leading cause of deaths?

You guessed it.

Doctors.

For more information on that I would read the book called Murder by Injection. To quote Will Hunting in my favorite movies of all time Goodwill Hunting, “That book will knock you on your ass“.

Natural Ways To Reduce Cholesterol

If after reading all this, you still feel the need to reduce your cholesterol I’ll add some foods and some supplements you might consider below. Again always check with your doctor about these things. I’m just a health researcher and we know that doctors are all knowing Gods living on earth. 😉

Here’s how to lower cholesterol without medication…

Foods

• Almonds – Studies show that adding almonds to the diet can significantly lower LDL cholesterol while improving HDL levels. – Source​
• Olive Oil – Consumption of olive oil, particularly extra virgin, helps lower LDL cholesterol and reduce oxidation, improving heart health. – Source​
• Walnuts – Including walnuts in a cholesterol-lowering diet reduces LDL and promotes better cardiovascular outcomes. – Source​
• Psyllium – This soluble fiber helps lower total and LDL cholesterol effectively, often comparable to the effects of statins. – Source​
• Beta-Glucan (from Oats) – This fiber reduces LDL cholesterol by binding with bile acids in the intestines. – Source​
• Pistachios – Daily consumption of pistachios lowers LDL cholesterol and supports better lipid profiles. – Source​
• Plant Sterols – Naturally occurring in plants, these compounds block cholesterol absorption and lower LDL levels. – Source​
• Coenzyme Q10 – This antioxidant has been shown to reduce LDL oxidation, helping to lower cholesterol and protect cardiovascular health. – Source​
• Green Tea – Catechins in green tea have been found to lower LDL cholesterol and improve the LDL ratio. – Source​
• Curcumin – Found in turmeric, curcumin helps reduce cholesterol levels and has anti-inflammatory effects. – Source​.

Supplements

• Red Yeast Rice – Red yeast rice has been shown to significantly lower cholesterol levels and improve endothelial function in hypercholesterolemic patients. – Source
• Vanadium – Vanadium supplementation improves lipid profiles and may help lower cholesterol in individuals with hyperlipidemia. – Source
• Vitamin E – Alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) reduces the oxidative susceptibility of LDL, which helps prevent the buildup of cholesterol in arteries. – Source​
• Vitamin A – Vitamin A helps reduce cholesterol by regulating lipid metabolism and improving the breakdown of fats in the liver. – Source
• Vitamin C – Vitamin C prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, reducing the risk of cholesterol buildup and improving cardiovascular health. – Source
• Magnesium – Magnesium supplementation improves cholesterol metabolism, helping lower total cholesterol and LDL levels. – Source
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) – Niacinamide reduces LDL cholesterol and increases HDL levels, making it an effective supplement for improving overall lipid profiles. – Source
• Amla Berry – Amla extract has powerful lipid-lowering effects, helping reduce both total cholesterol and triglycerides. – Source​
• Vitamin K – Vitamin K plays a role in preventing arterial calcification and helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels by influencing calcium metabolism. – Source .

Resources

• The Origin of Atherosclerosis
• Lipitor Thief of Memory
• The Blood Thinner Cure
• The Cholesterol Myths
• Fat and Cholesterol Don’t Cause Heart Attacks and Statins are Not The Solution
• The Great Cholesterol Myth
• The Clot  Thickens
• The Truth About Statins

Conclusion

As you can see I barely touched on all the studies and information about how to lower cholesterol without medication. I didn’t discuss blood tests to get, which diets are heart friendly or how heavy metals impact cholesterol levels.

My main goal was to break the myth that high cholesterol causes heart attacks. This should be enough for you to use this as a springboard to look further into this unproven hypothesis. It’s a rabbit trail that can literally save your life.

I would start by reading those books above or looking into my Healthy Heart Protocol.

I hope I shared reliable scientific data about how to lower cholesterol without medication but the question is, should you?

Questions:

1. Do you have high cholesterol?
2. Have you ever talked to a doctor that encourages natural remedies first?
3. What have you tried to lower it? Did it work?
4. What did your doctor say when you brough up alternative health information?

Comment below!