How’s Your Cholesterol?

Column #353     June 10, 2022

Most meat eaters have high cholesterol. That’s why when people ask about a meat diet, medical personnel usually discourage it because meats are loaded with saturated fats that increase cholesterol levels—especially the dreaded LDL numbers. Conduct a search for “cholesterol” and invariably you’ll find that all of the information refers to lowering cholesterol. Then ask yourself, are the concerns for high cholesterol levels by the masses based on science or mythology?

Over the years I’ve written quite a few articles about cholesterol. In many of the articles I referred to a 2013 report authored by Dr. Aseem Malhotra titled “Saturated Fat Is Not the Major Issue.” Dr. Malhotra, a cardiologist, has written several books and many reports (some are posted on his website) and is well-known for his scientific advocacy. Based on his background and his studies, I consider his information far more relevant than that of the average general medical practitioner.^{1 2}

Then last week Kevin Stock, who is a really big meat eater, also addressed the cholesterol issue in a paper he wrote and posted on his website. Dr. Stock is a Dentist, but he has been focused on nutrition for more than 20 years and is very much into the actual science of how various foods impact body function. Between Malhotra’s and Stock’s two websites there’s a world of actionable information about cholesterol you can use. I encourage you to study their links.³

Meat eaters are powered by fat rather than getting their energy from carbohydrates and sugars. Unfortunately this Keto approach to diet is not very popular. Yet, the points made by Dr. Malhotra and Dr. Stock certainly make us wonder why meat still earns bad press. Below, I have randomly listed just a few of the modern findings about cholesterol that these two doctors embrace.

Since 1970 common knowledge has been saying that saturated fat must be removed from the diet to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. On the other hand, scientific evidence shows that this advice has increased statin drug use and cardiovascular risks.
●    The side effects of statins include memory loss, mental confusion, and people not feeling themselves.
●    The brain hogs 25% of all our bodily cholesterol.
●    Low cholesterol increases the risk for brain problems like dementia, depression, and Parkinson’s disease.
●    Low cholesterol is associated with decreased life spans.
●    Low LDL increases cancer risk.
●    Low cholesterol increases Alzheimer’s disease risk.
●    Lowered cholesterol via statins is a failure and dangerous.
●    Seventy-five percent of heart attack patients have normal or low LDL.
●    In the United States the proportion of energy from consumed fat has fallen from 40% to 30% yet obesity has rocketed.
●    Reducing LDL cholesterol by reducing saturated fat intakes involves the large, buoyant (type A) LDL particles. Yet, it’s the small, dense (type B) particles (responsive to carbohydrate intakes) that are implicated in cardiovascular disease.
●    The cholesterol levels of most heart attack patients' don't indicate cardiac risk.

Interestingly, everyone thinks a low cholesterol measure is critical for improved heart health. Yet they do not know that low cholesterol is linked to brain problems like dementia, depression, and Parkinson’s disease. Obviously, your diet impacts your cholesterol levels. And, heart disease or no heart disease, everyone wants to keep their brain function up to snuff.

If your cholesterol is low, then for sure you need more animal fats in your diet if you want to live longer and still be able to be aware of your surroundings. If the advice to eat more meat scares you, then you need to study the science. You’ll need to do that in order to gain confidence in the real world instead of continuing to rely on the imaginary world of the mythologists.

To your health.

Ted Slanker

Ted Slanker has been reporting on the fundamentals of nutritional research in publications, television and radio appearances, and at conferences since 1999. He condenses complex studies into the basics required for health and well-being. His eBook, The Real Diet of Man, is available online.

Don't miss these links for additional reading:

1. Saturated Fat Is Not the Major Issue by Aseem Malhotra

2. The Science by Aseem Malhotra—Award Winning Cardiologist

3. Cholesterol and the Carnivore Diet by Dr. Kevin Stock