Cholesterol: when numbers confuse and why understanding them changes everything
Cholesterol is one of the most discussed markers in medicine and at the same time one of the least understood. Many people know that their cholesterol is “too high”, “borderline”, or “something to keep an eye on”, but very few understand what cholesterol actually is, why it changes, and what it is trying to tell them.
This lack of understanding often leads to two extremes: unnecessary fear on one side and dangerous neglect on the other. Neither supports long‑term health.
Cholesterol is not the enemy, it is essential
Cholesterol is a vital substance. Your body uses it to build cell membranes, produce hormones, digest fats, and support the nervous system. Without cholesterol, normal physiological function and repair would not be possible.
The problem is not cholesterol itself. The problem is the metabolic environment in which cholesterol circulates.
Where cholesterol really comes from
One of the most persistent myths is that cholesterol mainly comes from food. In reality, the majority of cholesterol in your blood is produced by your own liver, adjusted daily according to your body’s needs.
Unfavourable cholesterol patterns are usually driven by metabolic stress, such as chronic sugar overload, insulin resistance, liver stress, and disturbed fat metabolism. In this sense, cholesterol changes are signals of deeper metabolic imbalance, not dietary mistakes.
What the real risk is and what it is not
Cholesterol as a whole itself does not damage blood vessels. Risk increases when certain specific cholesterol particle types are transported in a metabolically unhealthy context, characterised by insulin resistance, inflammation, and excess fat production in the liver.
This explains why some people with “acceptable” cholesterol develop cardiovascular disease, while others with higher cholesterol values do not. Context matters more than a single number.
About medication, important but not the whole story
Cholesterol‑lowering medication can be critical in specific situations, especially in people with established cardiovascular disease or very high risk.
In many other situations, medication mainly masks the biochemical signal without addressing why cholesterol became dysregulated in the first place. The underlying drivers may remain unchanged, while delivering a bunch of side effects, such as:
persistent fatigue, muscle pain or weakness, reduced physical performance, and erectile dysfunction. This does not mean medication is wrong, but it does mean it should not replace addressing the underlying causes whenever possible.
I am not against medication. I am firmly in favour of fixing the root causes first.
Why nutrition, fasting, and detox matter
Metabolic imbalance does not resolve through suppression alone. It improves when the body is given the right conditions to recover.
Targeted nutritional strategies, therapeutic fasting, and structured detox programs have been shown to lower triglycerides, improve insulin sensitivity, reduce liver fat, and normalise cholesterol transport patterns.
Fasting is not about deprivation. It is about creating a temporary metabolic reset that allows the body to shift from constant storage into repair and regulation. When metabolism improves, cholesterol patterns often improve as a natural consequence.
Why this matters now
Cholesterol disturbances often appear years before disease develops. This makes them a valuable early warning system, provided they are understood correctly.
Waiting until medication becomes the only option usually means that the metabolic window has already narrowed. Understanding cholesterol early keeps choices open.
The cholesterol edition at Loodus BIOSPA
From 2–7 March, our fasting and detox program includes a Special Cholesterol Edition.
Upon arrival, you will receive a comprehensive cholesterol blood test as a gift. We will use these laboratory results during the discussions and explanations, so you gain a clear and picture of what is happening in your body.
During the program, I will personally explain what cholesterol really is, how to understand your own results, what and how to eat to manage cholesterol effectively, and how fasting and detox can support metabolic recovery.
You will leave with clarity, practical tools, and confidence, not only for yourself but also for your loved ones.
Do not miss it!
HOPING TO See you SOON!
Liina Molenaars-trofimova
Integrative nutritionist and orthomolecular coach