Cholesterol On Carnivore Diet: 6 Crazy Facts You Need to Know About Your Levels
Are you worried about your levels of cholesterol on carnivore diet?
For years, we’ve been led to believe that cholesterol causes heart disease, and that eating high-cholesterol foods can harm our health.
But newer research shows a different picture.
Many studies now suggest that cholesterol isn’t the “villain” it was once thought to be.
When I switched to the carnivore diet over a year ago, I had my own concerns about how it would affect my cholesterol levels.
But since then, I’ve found that my overall health has improved.
This includes winning my battle with Lyme disease.
In this article, I’ll share some surprising facts about cholesterol on the carnivore diet and why it might not be as bad as it seems.
Cholesterol On Carnivore Diet Molecule
6 Crazy Facts About Cholesterol Levels And The Carnivore Diet That You need To Know
Fact One: Dietary Cholesterol Doesn’t Directly Impact Blood Cholesterol
For years, it was believed that eating foods high in cholesterol would lead to high cholesterol levels in the blood, therefore increasing the risk of heart disease.
However, recent studies show that for most people, dietary cholesterol has minimal effect on blood cholesterol levels.
Our body is smart.
It regulates its own cholesterol production.
When we consume more cholesterol through food, the liver typically produces less of it to balance levels.
Fact Two: Improved Lipid Profiles
Many people on the carnivore diet report improved lipid profiles.
They especially report an increase in HDL (the “good” cholesterol) and a decrease in triglycerides.
Higher HDL and lower triglycerides are often signs of better heart health, so this shift can be very positive.
Cholesterol On Carnivore Diet Lipid Profiles
Cholesterol On Carnivore Diet: Here’s An Easy Way To Understand HDL, LDL And Triglycerides
Imagine your bloodstream is like a big highway.
And on that highway, you have three types of “cars” carrying different things around to keep your body healthy:
- HDL
- LDL
- Triglycerides
1: HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein)
Think of HDL as the “good cleanup trucks” on the highway.
- HDL goes around picking up extra cholesterol (a kind of fat) that isn’t needed and takes it back to the “recycling center” (the liver) to be thrown away or reused. This keeps the highway (your blood vessels) clean and free from junk that can clog it up.
2: LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein)
LDL is more like “delivery trucks” that carry cholesterol to different parts of the body.
- But if there’s too much LDL, it can dump extra cholesterol along the sides of the highway, creating “traffic jams” or blocks in your blood vessels. This can make it harder for blood to flow through and isn’t good for your heart.
3: Triglycerides
These are the “fuel tanks” in your body.
- When you eat more food than your body needs, the extra energy is stored as triglycerides in fat cells. They’re like backup fuel, saved up for later when your body needs energy. But if there’s too much triglyceride fuel in your bloodstream, it can lead to problems, especially if it combines with too many LDL trucks and too few HDL cleanup trucks.
So, HDL is like the helpful cleanup crew.
LDL is like the delivery truck that can sometimes cause blockages.
And triglycerides are your stored fuel for energy.
Keeping them balanced helps your blood flow smoothly, which is good for your heart!
Cholesterol On Carnivore Diet Highway
And Now Back To Our Facts About Cholesterol
Fact Three: Reduced Inflammation
Inflammation is a major factor in heart disease.
The carnivore diet can significantly reduce inflammation because it eliminates processed foods, sugars, and seed oils.
These things are known to increase inflammation in the body.
By reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, the carnivore diet may actually lower heart disease risk.
Fact Four: Blood Sugar And Insulin Stability
The carnivore diet is a very low-carb diet.
This can lead to more stable blood sugar and insulin levels.
When insulin and blood sugar levels are stable, there is a reduced risk of insulin resistance – a condition closely linked to heart disease.
By keeping insulin levels steady, the carnivore diet reduces cardiovascular risk factors often tied to high blood sugar.
Fact Five: A New Perspective On LDL Cholesterol
LDL is commonly referred to as “bad cholesterol.”
And it has often been blamed for heart disease.
However, emerging research suggests that high LDL isn’t necessarily harmful for everyone.
High LDL can play a role in healing tissue and fighting infection.
What matters more is the presence of other risk factors, like inflammation and high triglycerides, rather than LDL alone.
Fact Six: Focusing On Other Health Markers Over Cholesterol
Many people on the carnivore diet realize that cholesterol isn’t the only health marker to watch.
Bloodwork that tracks inflammation markers, triglyceride levels, and insulin sensitivity often provides a fuller picture of heart health.
Monitoring these other markers may be more beneficial than focusing solely on cholesterol levels.
The Importance Of Getting Your Bloodwork Done Regularly When You’re On The Carnivore Diet
Cholesterol On Carnivore Diet: Tracking Health Markers
Bloodwork provides insights into various health markers like cholesterol levels, liver and kidney function, and blood sugar.
Many people on the carnivore diet see improvements in HDL and triglycerides.
While others may notice elevated LDL.
Regular testing can help you and your healthcare provider understand these levels.
Markers like CRP and homocysteine can help monitor inflammation, an important factor in heart health.
Ulta Lab Test: Order The Test, They Do The Rest
If you’d like to get your bloodwork done, I recommend a company called Ulta Lab Tests.
Ulta Lab Tests is a company offering affordable, convenient, and confidential lab testing and health screening services.
With a network of over 2,100 patient service centers, they provide access to more than 2,000 lab tests.
Tests can be ordered online 24/7.
This can save you up to 90% on traditional lab costs.
Test results are typically available within 12 to 48 hours through a secure, HIPAA-compliant portal.
Your results are displayed with color-coded, dynamic graphs to help you track and monitor your health over time.
Ulta Lab Tests is designed to make lab testing accessible and manageable.
Which helps you stay informed and proactive about your wellness through an easy-to-use, online platform.
Cholesterol On Carnivore Diet: Recommended Reading To Increase Your Knowledge Base
If you want to learn more about cholesterol, I recommend a book called The Great Cholesterol Myth.
The book challenges the conventional belief that high cholesterol is the primary cause of heart disease.
The authors argue that the emphasis on lowering cholesterol as a way to prevent heart disease is misguided and largely driven by pharmaceutical interests promoting statins.
Some Key Points In The Book Include:
1: Cholesterol Isn’t the Main Culprit: The authors contend that cholesterol itself isn’t the direct cause of heart disease. Instead, they suggest that inflammation, oxidative stress, sugar intake, and processed foods play a far more significant role.
2: Role of Statins: While statins do lower cholesterol, the book argues that they don’t necessarily reduce heart disease risk in people without a history of heart disease. The authors point out potential side effects of statins, including muscle pain, memory loss, and an increased risk of diabetes, and they suggest that statins are overprescribed.
3: Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: According to the authors, inflammation and oxidative stress are major contributors to heart disease. Factors like a high-sugar diet, smoking, and exposure to environmental toxins can increase inflammation, which in turn can damage blood vessels and contribute to heart disease.
4: Importance of Diet and Lifestyle: The book emphasizes a low-sugar, low-processed food diet to improve heart health. Sinatra and Bowden advocate for diets rich in vegetables, healthy fats, and lean proteins, along with lifestyle changes like stress management, regular exercise, and quitting smoking.
5: Alternative Heart Health Markers: Instead of focusing on cholesterol alone, the authors suggest monitoring other markers such as triglyceride levels, inflammation markers (like CRP), blood sugar levels, and the triglyceride-to-HDL ratio, which they believe provides a more accurate picture of heart health.
Cholesterol On Carnivore Diet Great Myth
In essence…
…The Great Cholesterol Myth challenges the conventional wisdom around cholesterol and heart disease.
It offers an alternative view that emphasizes inflammation and lifestyle factors over cholesterol levels alone.
The book is aimed at educating readers about the complex nature of heart disease.
And it encourages a more holistic approach to heart health.
FAQ’s About Cholesterol On Carnivore Diet
Q1: Can The Carnivore Diet Cause High Cholesterol?
For some, cholesterol levels may increase. but many find that HDL (good cholesterol) also rises while triglycerides decrease, which is positive for heart health.
Q2: How Can I Monitor My Cholesterol On The Carnivore Diet?
Regular bloodwork, including a full lipid panel, can provide a clear picture of how the diet impacts your cholesterol and heart health.
Q3: What About Inflammation On Carnivore?
Carnivore can reduce inflammation by eliminating irritants like sugars and processed foods.
The carnivore diet can bring surprising benefits to cholesterol levels and overall heart health.
Through regular bloodwork…
…and focusing on broader health markers, you can confidently approach a carnivore diet without the fear of cholesterol.
Remember, real health is about more than just one number on a test!
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them below.
Thanks for supporting me by reading this article,
The Carnivore Gal
P.S. If you enjoyed this article, you might want to read this one about fiber on carnivore diet.
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Not Medical Advice:
The information on this website reflects my personal journey and experiences with the carnivore diet and is shared for informational and entertainment purposes only. I am not a medical professional, and this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen. Any statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA and you should do your own due diligence in order to make informed decisions.