Cholesterol and the Carnivore Diet

Many people are turning to the Carnivore diet for weight loss and/or better health.

And it’s working!

It is the diet that is most natural for humans.

But one of the biggest concerns with the Carnivore diet is cholesterol. 

We’re told (usually by doctors) that high cholesterol levels increase our risk of having a heart attack. 

But is that really factual? Should we be worried?

Let’s talk about it. 

What is cholesterol? 

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that is found in all cells of your body. 

Your body makes cholesterol. It is essential, and without it you literally could not exist. 

We also get dietary cholesterol from animal foods, such as meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy. 

When we’re talking about cholesterol levels in the body, we’re talking about LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density protein.)

LDL

LDL is usually thought of as the bad guy. 

LDL is the one that doctors are most concerned with because they’ve been taught that high levels of LDL can clog up arteries. 

This, in turn, can increase risk of heart attacks. 

But the science does not back this up. In fact, it says quite the opposite. 

HDL

HDL, AKA “the good cholesterol,” helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream.

High levels of HDL are considered good for heart health. 

Does the Carnivore diet really raise cholesterol levels?

Yes, it’s actually common for this to happen. 

After all, animal products are high in saturated fat. 

But saturated fats are getting a bad wrap. They’re not the bad guy they’ve been made out to be.

And it’s important to note that while we do see LDL levels increase on the Carnivore diet, HDL levels tend to go up, as well. 

So looking at LDL levels alone isn’t really giving us the full picture. 

A better number to look at is a ratio of total cholesterol to HDL.

But there’s more … 

There are some studies emerging that show that there may be no adverse effect of high cholesterol on longevity. 

Instead, suggesting a lower rate of death, compared to those with lower cholesterol levels. 

This is why statins (that doctors seem to want to push) could be considered to be a bad idea. 

Your body needs cholesterol. 

CAC scan, and what it can tell us 

A CAC is a Coronary Artery Calcium scan. 

It shows the amount of calcium deposit in coronary arteries. 

LDL levels cannot tell you who is at risk of heart attack. 

CAC scans can. 

And an interesting fact is that those with high LDL levels tend to have lower CAC scores. 

In other words, high LDL levels are not the problem. Cholesterol is not the problem. 

Think about this 

Your body makes cholesterol. And it needs it!

Cholesterol has many vital functions in the body, including making up your cell membranes. 

Without cholesterol, you would literally fall apart. 

So it makes you wonder, if cholesterol is so bad for you, why would your body make it? 

Just something to consider. 

So if cholesterol is not the problem, what is?

Inflammation. Glucose. Insulin resistance. Metabolic disease. 

These are the things that increase your risk of heart disease and heart attacks. 

All the things that the Carnivore diet can fix. 

Should I take the statin my doctor wants me to take?

We can’t tell you to not take your doctor’s advice. 

You are the one who ultimately has to make the decisions regarding your health. 

But what we can tell you is according to studies (and anecdotal evidence), cholesterol is not what’s clogging up arteries. 

Diets high in simple carbohydrates, seed oils, and processed foods are the culprits. 

So taking a statin that reduces our cholesterol doesn’t make sense. 

That’s not addressing the root problem. 

Especially when you consider that lower cholesterol levels are associated with higher death rates. 

The maths ain’t mathing, as they say. 

But my friend started the Carnivore diet and had a heart attack!

We would venture to say it was years of damage already done that led to the heart attack, not the switch to the Carnivore diet. 

Bottom line 

Like we said, we can’t tell you not to listen to your doctor. 

But at least do your research so that you can make well informed decisions around your health and the Carnivore diet.