How Gut Health Impacts Cholesterol Levels | Functional Medicine Missouri
How Gut Health Directly Impacts Cholesterol
Most people are surprised when I say:
“Your cholesterol is partly made in your gut.”
The microbiome influences:
- Bile acid metabolism
- Inflammation
- Lipid recycling
- Insulin sensitivity
The Gut-Liver Axis
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The liver produces bile from cholesterol.
Gut bacteria modify bile acids.
Unhealthy microbiomes:
- Recycle excess cholesterol
- Increase inflammation
- Raise LDL and triglycerides
Leaky Gut and Lipids
When intestinal permeability increases:
- LPS enters bloodstream
- Systemic inflammation rises
- Insulin resistance worsens
- Triglycerides rise
This is why we address gut health in cardiovascular patients in Clayton and Chesterfield.
👉 https://sheenvein.com/functional-medicine
Signs Your Gut May Be Affecting Cholesterol
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Fatty liver
- Elevated triglycerides
- Skin inflammation
Supporting Gut-Driven Lipid Balance
- Fiber diversity
- Polyphenols
- Fermented foods
- Reducing ultra-processed foods
- Targeted probiotic therapy
Final Thoughts
Cholesterol management is not just about statins.
It’s about the microbiome, inflammation, and metabolic balance.
If you’re in St. Louis, Arnold, Farmington, or Chesterfield, we can evaluate your gut-heart axis.