If you’ve been told you have high cholesterol, you may be wondering what this means for your health—and more importantly, what you can do about it. While many people fear cholesterol as a “bad” substance, the truth is more nuanced. Cholesterol is essential for hormone production, brain function, and cell membrane integrity. However, when levels become imbalanced, it can increase your risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and inflammation.
The good news? You don’t have to wait for things to get worse or rely solely on medications. Through a root-cause, functional medicine approach, many people are able to bring their cholesterol levels into balance naturally, safely, and effectively.
Let’s explore what high cholesterol really means and what steps you can take today to improve your numbers and your overall health.
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in every cell in your body. It travels in your blood in particles called lipoproteins.
Note: Functional medicine often evaluates these numbers more contextually, considering inflammation, insulin resistance, particle size, and other metabolic markers.
There are several root causes of high cholesterol beyond just eating too much fat. Common drivers include:
That’s why a one-size-fits-all treatment doesn’t work. The key is to identify and treat the underlying cause.
Here are the top functional and evidence-based strategies to improve your cholesterol profile naturally:
Diet plays a major role in cholesterol regulation, but it’s not just about eating less fat—it’s about eating the right foods to support liver function, reduce inflammation, and improve lipid metabolism.
Physical activity helps raise HDL and lower LDL and triglycerides. Aim for:
High blood sugar and insulin resistance are tightly linked with elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. To stabilize glucose:
Your liver plays a major role in cholesterol metabolism. Improve detoxification and bile flow by:
Chronic stress raises cortisol, which can lead to increased cholesterol and triglycerides. Try:
Certain supplements have been shown to support healthy cholesterol levels:
Always consult a provider before starting new supplements—some interact with medications.
A functional medicine provider can run advanced labs to check:
This data helps tailor a personalized plan for long-term cardiovascular health.
While natural approaches can dramatically improve lipid markers, some individuals with very high cholesterol or genetic risk (like familial hypercholesterolemia) may benefit from medications.
If your provider recommends a statin or other lipid-lowering drug, you can still support your body by:
Being told you have high cholesterol doesn’t mean you’re doomed to heart disease or lifelong medication. By taking a root-cause approach, you can often reverse your numbers naturally and safely—while also improving your energy, brain health, weight, and longevity.
Remember: it’s not just about lowering a number on a lab test. It’s about optimizing the health of your entire cardiovascular system, from your cells to your arteries.
If you’re struggling with high cholesterol, our functional medicine team can help you uncover what’s really driving it and create a plan that works for your body.
Book your functional lab review or consultation today and take the first step toward heart-healthy living.