Reclaiming Heart Health with a Root-Cause Approach

For many years, like most people, I believed the common narrative: cholesterol causes heart disease. It’s a message that’s been drilled into us for decades—through television commercials, dietary guidelines, and even routine doctor visits. But as I’ve grown in my practice and dug deeper into the research, I’ve come to understand a very different truth: cholesterol isn’t the culprit. In fact, it’s part of the solution. The real issue is the oxidation of cholesterol, not cholesterol itself.

Let me explain what I’ve learned through science, clinical practice, and personal experience—so you can make empowered, informed decisions about your heart health.

Cholesterol: Your Body’s Repair Mechanism, Not a Villain

When tissues in the body are damaged—particularly the inner lining of the arteries—cholesterol acts like a first responder. It shows up to help patch things up and initiate healing. That’s why I view cholesterol not as a threat, but as a critical part of the body’s repair process.

So, if cholesterol is trying to help, what’s really causing heart disease?

The answer lies in inflammation and oxidation. When cholesterol—especially small, dense LDL particles—gets oxidized, it sets off an inflammatory cascade that can contribute to plaque formation and arterial damage. The real problem isn’t that your body makes cholesterol. The problem is what happens to that cholesterol under stress.

What Causes Oxidized Cholesterol?

Many of the people I work with are surprised to learn that it’s not just genetics or bad luck that lead to heart disease—it’s our modern lifestyle.

Here are the top factors I’ve seen contribute to cholesterol oxidation:

  • Poor Diet: Diets high in processed foods, trans fats, and refined carbohydrates create a pro-inflammatory environment in the body. These foods also promote insulin resistance, which directly affects how cholesterol is used and managed.

  • Excess Sugar: Sugar creates glycation end products—sticky molecules that can damage blood vessels and increase oxidative stress.

  • Chronic Stress: Ongoing stress elevates cortisol levels, which can affect everything from blood sugar regulation to inflammation.

  • Environmental Toxins: Pesticides, plastics, heavy metals, and air pollution all place an extra burden on your body and contribute to oxidative stress.

  • Metabolic Dysfunction: Insulin and leptin resistance—two common but often overlooked conditions—disrupt how your body manages fats and sugar, making it easier for LDL particles to become small, dense, and dangerous.

Rethinking Statins and the Conventional Approach

Statin drugs are one of the most prescribed medications in the world. I’ve worked with many clients who’ve been on statins for years, often without fully understanding why—and without necessarily feeling any better.

Statins may reduce your total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol numbers, but they don’t fix the underlying issues. In many cases, they simply mask the symptoms. What concerns me most are the side effects I see in my practice:

  • Muscle pain and weakness

  • Fatigue

  • Cognitive issues like brain fog and memory lapses

  • Depletion of CoQ10, an essential nutrient for heart and mitochondrial health

Your body needs cholesterol to function. It’s a building block for hormones, brain cells, and vitamin D. Rather than suppressing it with medication, my approach is to ask why your cholesterol levels are elevated and what your body is trying to tell you.

My Functional and Integrative Approach to Heart Health

As a solo practitioner, I focus on root-cause healing. Every client I work with receives a personalized plan because no two bodies—or hearts—are the same. When someone comes to me concerned about heart disease or elevated cholesterol, I start by looking at the whole picture.

Here’s how I approach cardiovascular health differently:

1. Reduce Inflammation

We address sources of chronic inflammation from diet, environment, and lifestyle. This might include removing inflammatory foods like refined sugars, gluten, and industrial seed oils.

2. Balance Blood Sugar

Blood sugar imbalances are a huge driver of cardiovascular risk. I help clients stabilize their glucose levels through whole-food nutrition, stress management, and movement.

3. Support Liver Function

Your liver is responsible for processing and recycling cholesterol. A sluggish liver can lead to imbalances in lipid metabolism. Detox support and liver-loving foods like leafy greens, beets, and cruciferous vegetables are often part of my protocols.

4. Assess Nutrient Deficiencies

Many people with cardiovascular concerns are deficient in key nutrients like magnesium, omega-3s, and CoQ10. I may recommend targeted supplementation based on testing or symptom history.

5. Address Stress and Emotional Health

The heart and emotions are deeply connected. I support my clients in building stress resilience through mindfulness, breathwork, restorative practices, and nervous system regulation.

A Holistic View of the Heart

When I think about heart health, I think about more than arteries and lab results. I think about vitality, energy, emotional balance, and joy. True cardiovascular wellness involves supporting the whole person—not just lowering numbers on a chart.

That’s why I believe in partnering with my clients to create a plan that’s realistic, sustainable, and aligned with their goals. Whether you're dealing with a family history of heart disease or simply want to optimize your wellness, there are powerful tools and strategies we can use together to support your heart—naturally and effectively.

Let’s Work Together

If you’ve been told that cholesterol is the enemy or that statins are your only option, I want you to know there’s another path. My practice is based on empowerment, education, and personalized care. I don’t offer cookie-cutter solutions—just compassionate, integrative support rooted in science and guided by your unique story.

If you’re ready to explore a more holistic and empowering approach to heart health, I’d love to connect. You can reach me at livingbalance180@gmail.com to schedule a consultation or ask questions about how I work.

Together, we can uncover the root causes of your symptoms and develop a plan that helps your heart—and your whole body—thrive.