lets talk about cholesterol

When you hear the word cholesterol, what comes to mind? For many, it’s warnings about heart disease and advice to lower cholesterol at all costs. But what if cholesterol isn’t the villain it’s made out to be? The Weston A. Price Foundation (WAPF) challenges the mainstream narrative, emphasizing the vital role cholesterol plays in overall health.

Why Cholesterol Is Essential

According to WAPF, cholesterol is not something to fear—it’s something your body needs. Here’s why: ✅ Hormone production: Cholesterol is the building block for vital hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol.
✅ Brain health: About 25% of your body’s cholesterol is in your brain, supporting memory and cognitive function.
✅ Cell structure: Every cell membrane relies on cholesterol for stability and function.
✅ Vitamin D synthesis: Your body needs cholesterol to produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.
✅ Bile production: Cholesterol helps make bile, which is essential for digesting fats and absorbing fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K).

💡 Fun fact: Your liver produces most of your body’s cholesterol—because it’s that important!

What Weston A. Price Found

Dr. Weston A. Price, a dentist in the early 20th century, studied traditional diets worldwide and found that populations consuming nutrient-dense, whole foods (including cholesterol-rich animal fats) enjoyed robust health, strong teeth, and low rates of chronic disease.

✅ Traditional diets included foods like butter, eggs, organ meats, and full-fat dairy.
✅ These populations had minimal processed foods, refined sugars, and vegetable oils.
✅ Their cholesterol intake was often higher than modern recommendations—yet they thrived.

Cholesterol and Heart Health: Rethinking the Link

While conventional advice often focuses on lowering cholesterol to reduce heart disease risk, WAPF highlights that inflammation and processed foods are bigger culprits.

🚫 What’s more harmful:

• Refined carbs and sugars

• Trans fats and processed vegetable oils
  ✅ What supports heart health:

• Whole, nutrient-dense foods

• Omega-3-rich fats (like those in wild-caught fish)

• Natural saturated fats from pastured animals

💬 "Cholesterol is not the cause of heart disease—it’s the body’s response to inflammation," says WAPF.

So, Should You Fear Cholesterol?

Not necessarily! Cholesterol-rich whole foods can be part of a healthy, balanced diet. Instead of focusing on lowering cholesterol, prioritize: 🥩 High-quality animal fats (grass-fed butter, eggs, organ meats)
🥬 Plenty of vegetables and fermented foods
🍠 Minimizing processed foods and refined sugars
🐟 Anti-inflammatory fats like those in fish and olive oil

The Weston A. Price perspective encourages us to embrace traditional wisdom: whole foods, healthy fats, and cholesterol-rich diets aren’t the enemy—inflammation and processed foods are.

By nourishing your body with the right fats and minimizing processed junk, you can support long-term health and vibrant energy. ❤️🥑🥥