Heart Disease Is Not Caused by Cholesterol
According to Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride in her book “Put your heart in your mouth”, cholesterol is not the villain, it’s actually part of the body’s emergency repair system.
- Cholesterol is sent to damaged areas in blood vessels to heal and protect them.
- So when cholesterol is found in plaques, it’s there doing a job, not causing the problem.
Blaming cholesterol for heart disease is like blaming firefighters for a fire, they showed up because something went wrong.
The Real Issue is Chronic Inflammation
Heart disease begins with chronic inflammation, which damages the lining of the arteries. Heart disease is the result of chronic, unresolved damage and inflammation in the blood vessels, NOT excess cholesterol. Cholesterol is simply part of the body’s response to that damage.
What causes this inflammation?
- Processed foods and refined sugars
- Industrial fats and nutrient deficiencies
- Toxins from the environment
- Chronic stress
- Poor gut health
Plaque = A Protective Patch
When arteries are damaged:
- The body sends cholesterol, calcium, and other substances to repair the injury.
- Over time, repeated damage + repair leads to plaque buildup (atherosclerosis).
So plaque, is more like a “bandage” that keeps getting layered because the injury never truly heals.
The Gut-Heart Connection
Heart disease is linked to gut health:
- A damaged gut (often called leaky gut) allows toxins and microbes into the bloodstream.
- This triggers systemic inflammation, including in the arteries.
- That ongoing irritation leads to more repair activity… and more plaque buildup.
So What Is Heart Disease, Really?
Heart disease is the result of chronic, unresolved damage and inflammation in the blood vessels NOT excess cholesterol.
Cholesterol is simply part of the body’s response to that damage.
Approach to Prevention & Healing
Instead of lowering cholesterol, focus on:
- Healing the gut
- Eating nutrient-dense, traditional foods (including animal fats)
- Reducing toxins
- Supporting the body’s natural repair systems