By: Roy Williams
We’ve been told for decades that cholesterol is the villain—that lowering it at all costs is the ticket to good health. But what if I told you that story is incomplete, maybe even upside down? What if lowering cholesterol too far can actually harm you? What if higher cholesterol provides benefits you’ve never been told? And what if the drugs designed to lower it—statins—carry a list of side effects that the pharmaceutical industry doesn’t want you to focus on?
Part One: The Hidden Dangers of Low Cholesterol
“First, let’s talk about what happens when cholesterol drops too low. Cholesterol isn’t a toxin, it’s an essential molecule. It forms the walls of every single cell in your body. It insulates your nerves, keeping your brain firing smoothly. It’s the raw material your body uses to produce hormones like testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, and even vitamin D.
But here’s the kicker: When cholesterol gets too low, bad things happen.
Studies show that people with low cholesterol face increased risks of hemorrhagic stroke, depression, aggression, certain cancers, and overall higher mortality [MedRite Urgent Care; Mayo Clinic].
And let’s not forget cognitive health. One long-term study found that dropping cholesterol levels between checkups was linked to higher dementia risk, even when Alzheimer’s wasn’t present. Other studies show that both very low and very high HDL—the so-called “good cholesterol”—correlate with dementia risk [Neurology.org, BU.edu].
In other words: Cholesterol isn’t the enemy. Too little cholesterol can mean your brain doesn’t function right, your hormones don’t regulate, and your health declines.”
Part Two: The Benefits of Higher Cholesterol
“Now let’s flip the script. What about the benefits of higher cholesterol?
Cholesterol stabilizes cell membranes; without it, cells fall apart. In the nervous system, cholesterol-rich myelin sheaths are what allow your nerves to send signals efficiently. Without cholesterol, the nervous system literally shorts out.
Cholesterol is also the backbone of hormone production. Without it, you can’t make testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, or vitamin D. In short—your energy, reproduction ability, bone strength, stress response, and even immune system all rely on adequate cholesterol.
And here’s where it gets really interesting. A groundbreaking 2025 study of lean, metabolically healthy individuals on ketogenic diets found that even with very high LDL cholesterol, these people didn’t show increased arterial plaque or heart disease progression [SciTechDaily]. That challenges the entire cholesterol–heart disease narrative.
Some research even hints that higher cholesterol may protect against certain cancers. In a cohort of over 16,000 women, those with higher cholesterol had a 33% lower risk of breast cancer and a 40% lower risk of death from it.
So instead of demonizing cholesterol, we should see it for what it is: a foundational molecule of life. Maybe too much is harmful. But it turns out that too little is even more harmful.
Bringing It All Together
“So here’s the bottom line, friends:
· Lowering cholesterol is rarely healthy. It can raise risks for stroke, depression, dementia, and even cancer. Every cell in your body needs it and your body knows how much it needs.
· Higher cholesterol, in the right context, can be protective—for your brain, your hormones, your muscles, and your immune response that protects against certain diseases.
· Statins come with a laundry list of side effects—diabetes, muscle disease, cognitive decline, liver and kidney risks—that the industry would rather you ignore.
Cholesterol is not the villain. It’s a vital part of life. The real villains are imbalance, ignorance, and the blind pursuit of money over safety, which is the problem with the pharmaceutical industry.
So, support your health with high-quality foods, exercise, supplements, and lifestyle that respect the role of cholesterol, not demonize it.
Now that you know the facts, we at NEWtritional Health Care and our two local stores Herbs & More in Athens and NHC Herb Shop in Killen can help you reach the perfect balance without being dependent on pharmaceutical drugs that may or may not move your cholesterol levels into the healing range. Before going on one of the statins that have so many side effects, why not use some very powerful supplements that are not only safe but also side effect free.
Thousands have reached healthier cholesterol levels using the Healthy Cholesterol Combo, which is a combination of MSM+C and Ultimate EFA’S. Both of these products are totally safe and effective as verified by our customers own medical records. Go to Herbs & More in Athens, NHC Herb Shop in Killen or visit www.nhcherbs.com or call 256-757-5660 and order the Healthy Cholesterol Combo today. You will be glad you did.
Your friend in health,
Roy P. Williams
