High cholesterol: lowering levels naturally by addressing underlying triggers
Cholesterol imbalances are often a sign of deeper metabolic issues. Functional medicine looks beyond the numbers, addressing inflammation and metabolic health to restore cholesterol levels naturally.
How to treat high cholesterol naturally
Looking to discover the functional medicine approach to treating high cholesterol? This page covers:
At Melbourne Functional Medicine, we’ll work with you to understand the root cause of your high cholesterol so we can treat the real issue naturally and effectively, using our award-winning approach to healthcare.
What is high cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia)?
Understanding your condition
High cholesterol (Hypercholesterolaemia) is a general term used to describe dyslipidaemia – a suboptimal blood lipids profile.
Cholesterol is important for the production of steroids, sex hormones, bile acids, and as a component of all cell membranes. Our bodies only require a small amount of cholesterol to perform these important functions, and when blood lipid levels become altered, there is an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and development of cardiometabolic disease.
What is high cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia)?
Understanding your condition
High cholesterol (Hypercholesterolaemia) is a general term used to describe dyslipidaemia – a suboptimal blood lipids profile.
Cholesterol is important for the production of steroids, sex hormones, bile acids, and as a component of all cell membranes. Our bodies only require a small amount of cholesterol to perform these important functions, and when blood lipid levels become altered, there is an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and development of cardiometabolic disease.
High cholesterol requires a deeper look
Cholesterol, and more broadly dyslipidaemia, should not be considered in isolation, but as one component of a comprehensive cardiovascular and cardiometabolic disease risk assessment.
The functional medicine approach assesses a person holistically to understand why blood lipids are abnormal. Once identified, the best natural treatment for high cholesterol involves treating the underlying causes so a person’s cardiovascular health can be improved, reducing the risk of cardiovascular events.
Symptoms of high cholesterol
Unfortunately, most people who develop hypercholesterolaemia will have no overt signs and symptoms, and the dyslipidaemia is only discovered by chance when the blood is tested during a routine health check.
This is why it is vitally important to have your lipid profile checked regularly, especially if you are:
- Over 40 years of age
- Overweight or obese
- A smoker
- Have excessive alcohol intake
- Consume a diet high in saturated fats and low in fibre
- Lead a sedentary lifestyle, or;
- Have a family history of hypertension or cardiovascular disease
Reduce your cardiovascular risk, naturally
Cholesterol markers – what do they mean?
Hypercholesterolaemia is diagnosed when an elevated level of total cholesterol is found on a blood lipids panel. Australian guidelines currently recommend a total cholesterol level of less than 4.0mmol/L for people at high risk for the development of cardiovascular disease, or less than 5.5mmol/L for the general healthy population. Elevated total cholesterol, however, is not a reliable indicator for cardiovascular disease risk, and the standard medical approach is to test for High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) often referred to as good cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), HDL: LDL ratio and triglycerides. If these markers are outside the normal ranges then dyslipidaemia is diagnosed.
Cholesterol is an essential fat produced in the liver and some other tissues. It is then transported in the blood attached to lipoproteins (fat transporting proteins), which is why a lipid profile will usually include the following markers (optimal ranges included):
- High Density Lipoprotein (HDL-c) 1.0-2.0mmol/L
- Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL-c) 2.0-3.5mmol/L
- Total Cholesterol (TC) 3.0-5.5mmol/L
- Non-HDL Cholesterol <3.37mmol/L
- Triglycerides <1.7mmol/L
In addition to the standard lipid profile, it is advisable to also measure:
- Apolipoprotein B (APO-B) <130mg/dL
- Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) <30mg/d
HDL-c
HDL-c is often referred to as “good” cholesterol as it is responsible for transporting cholesterol out of the cells and back to the liver where it is synthesised into bile acids and excreted.
LDL-c
LDL-c is often referred to as “bad” cholesterol as it transports cholesterol from the liver to the cells where it is used in cell structures or to make various hormones. For this reason, LDL-c should not be considered “bad” but recognised as being in excess.
VLDL
VLDL is responsible for transporting triglycerides to the cells of the body to make energy. If triglycerides are high, VLDL will transport them to adipose tissue, where they are stored as body fat.
APO-B
APO-B is another type of protein that is associated with cardiovascular disease, as it is atherogenic – meaning it is able to contribute to arterial plaque associated with cardiovascular disease. APO-B attaches to other atherogenic lipoproteins such as LDL-c and VLDL to provide structural support to the fatty plaque-like structure. Having a high level of APO-B correlates with a high level of atherosclerotic plaque-forming lipoprotein structures in the blood. Current evidence suggests that APO-B is a better marker than cholesterol, HDL, and LDL to determine cardiovascular disease risk.
However, cholesterol isn’t the problem
A common misconception about cholesterol is that it is “bad” and therefore if you lower cholesterol, you lower your risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Yet the main problem with hypercholesterolaemia is less about the cholesterol and more about these plaque-forming lipoproteins that are responsible for the transport of cholesterol and triglycerides around the body. It is these lipoprotein structures (LDL, VLDL, APO-B) that correlate to cardiovascular disease development.
What causes high cholesterol?
For the majority of the 1.5 million Australians who have high cholesterol, the root cause for elevated cholesterol levels and dyslipidaemia will be dietary. Foods that can cause high cholesterol are those high in saturated and trans-fats, and low in unsaturated plant based fats, or omega 3 fatty acids (fish oils). A diet low in fruits, vegetables and fibre and a high consumption of alcohol will also contribute to elevated cholesterol and an altered lipid profile. However dyslipidaemia should not be considered in isolation, but as part of a complete cardiovascular or cardiometabolic risk assessment.
As with all cardiometabolic disease, the principle underlying problems are dysregulation of the neuro-endocrine and immuno-inflammatory pathways that impacts the cardiovascular system in some way. The systemic vascular inflammation present makes the vessel tissue fragile and prone to injury. When this occurs, atherosclerotic plaque forms, and immune cells migrate to the site progressively impeding blood flow, and potentially fragmenting the plaque leading to a blockage in a blood vessel and the potential for heart attack and stroke. The risk of this occurring is higher in people with dyslipidaemia.
Familial hypercholesterolaemia
Less commonly, some people may have a hereditary predisposition to high cholesterol, known as familial hypercholesterolaemia, which affects 1 in 250 people in Australia. Familial hypercholesterolaemia prevents the body from removing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from the blood which can lead to extremely high cholesterol levels. A diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia can be made using family history, cholesterol levels and genetic testing. There are also certain populations of people, such as indigenous persons or those of African heritage, who have a hereditary predisposition to developing dyslipidaemia and cardiovascular or cardiometabolic disease.
Factors contributing to high cholesterol
Other than diet, other contributing factors are those common to all cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases:
- Genetic predisposition
- Family history of cardiovascular/cardiometabolic disease
- Psychosocial stress
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Inflammation
- Development of insulin resistance
Conventional treatments for high cholesterol
Dietary modification and lifestyle factors such as exercise and smoking cessation are the first-line strategies in conventional care for dyslipidaemia. If these strategies are not successful in correcting the lipid profile within 3 months, then pharmaceutical medications may be prescribed.
The most common class of medications used to treat dyslipidaemia are statins which inhibit a metabolic pathway (HMG-CoA reductase) for endogenous production of cholesterol. One of the most common side effects of statins is persistent muscle aches and pains. If the use of statins alone is not effective in lowering cholesterol and correcting the lipid profile, or if a patient is unable to tolerate statin medications, other medications such as fibrates, nicotinic acid, or Ezetimibe may be prescribed.
However, treating elevated cholesterol and dyslipidaemia in isolation of a total cardiovascular risk profile can be problematic, as it may not necessarily reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
The Melbourne Functional Medicine approach – natural treatment for high cholesterol
A personalised assessment of your cardiometabolic health
Mark Payne has extensive experience in cardiometabolic health and takes a 360-degree approach to assessment, considering health history, genetics, lifestyle, and risk factors to build a complete picture of each person’s cardiometabolic health. Beyond a thorough case taking, functional testing may be used to either assess cardiometabolic risk or to further investigate the underlying cause of high cholesterol.
Assessing cardiometabolic risk with functional testing
While the conventional blood lipids give some indication of altered blood lipids, a more insightful, comprehensive test looks at particle size and quantity of LDL cholesterol, which are more accurate markers to determine cardiovascular risk. This comprehensive cardiovascular profile screens for the most important markers for cardiovascular disease and cardiometabolic disease, including multiple sub-fractions of LDL-c, blood clotting factors, as well as inflammatory markers.
In some cases, natural treatment for high cholesterol will include running general pathology tests for other factors that might be influencing cardiometabolic health, like:
- Vitamin B12
- Folate
- Vitamin D
- Iron studies
- Kidney function
- Liver function
Creation of a personalised protocol to improve your cardiovascular health
Your functional medicine practitioner will then discuss how you can lower your high cholesterol levels naturally and work with you to create a personalised protocol to improve your cardiovascular or cardiometabolic health, which may include:
- Hypercholesterolaemia dietary management including tailored nutritional interventions to improve blood lipid profile, e.g. a high fibre, reduced fat diet
- Supplement recommendations to support healthy cholesterol metabolism
- An anti-inflammatory protocol – dietary and prescribed anti-inflammatory supplements
- Stress management and reduction
- Lifestyle recommendations like exercise
Studies show that having the support of a health coach to implement these measures improves outcomes for those with cardiometabolic health issues. This is why, in our clinic, you have the ongoing guidance and support of a health coach so you can achieve your health goals and reduce your cardiovascular risk.
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Our unique model of care was designed with you in mind. Find out how, then book a call today
Frequently
Asked
Questions
What causes high cholesterol?
High cholesterol can have both genetic and lifestyle-related causes:
- Genetic factors: Around 1 in 250 people have familial hypercholesterolaemia – a genetic condition that disrupts fat metabolism
- Dietary factors: Diets high in saturated and trans fats, and low in fibre, omega-3s, and plant-based unsaturated fats can raise cholesterol levels
- Lifestyle factors: Smoking, being overweight, insulin resistance, and sedentary habits all contribute
- Underlying drivers: Beyond diet and lifestyle, high cholesterol often reflects neuro-endocrine and immune-inflammatory dysregulation impacting the cardiovascular system
How can I lower familial hypercholesterolaemia naturally?
Lowering familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) naturally focuses on optimising fat metabolism and supporting cardiovascular health. A functional medicine approach may include:
- Comprehensive testing: Analysing your lipid profile to understand cholesterol particle size, ratios, and metabolism pathways
- Dietary strategies: Reducing saturated fats, avoiding trans fats, and eating more fibre-rich fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and omega-3-rich foods (like sardines, mackerel, salmon)
- Lifestyle changes: Regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol, and managing stress
- Targeted supplementation: Using evidence-based nutrients and compounds that support fat metabolism, prescribed according to your test results
By addressing both genetic predisposition and modifiable factors, you can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and support healthier cholesterol balance.
Is familial hypercholesterolaemia genetic?
Yes, familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a genetic condition. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning if one parent carries the altered LDL receptor gene, there’s a 50% chance of passing it on to their child.
- One altered gene (heterozygous FH): Usually leads to high cholesterol from childhood and higher risk of early cardiovascular disease
- Two altered genes (homozygous FH): A more severe form, with extremely high cholesterol levels requiring lifelong diet, lifestyle management, and often medication to reduce cardiovascular risk
Does coconut oil cause high cholesterol?
Coconut oil is high in saturated fats, particularly lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid. Research shows that while it may offer some benefits – such as reducing inflammation and supporting weight management – it can also increase total cholesterol, raising both LDL (“bad”) and HDL (“good”) cholesterol.
For heart health, the key is balance and quality of fats. Plant-derived fats like olive oil, nuts, seeds, and avocado are generally considered healthier long-term options compared to animal-derived saturated fats, which often contain higher levels of trans fats.
What are the top foods that can cause high cholesterol?
The main foods that contribute to high cholesterol are those rich in saturated fats and trans fats, especially when diets are also low in heart-healthy fats and fibre. These include:
- Processed meats (sausages, salami, bacon)
- Fried and fast foods cooked in refined oils
- Baked goods like pastries, cakes, doughnuts, and biscuits
- Full-fat dairy products (cheese, cream, butter)
- Certain cooking oils (palm oil, hydrogenated oils)
- Excessive alcohol intake disrupts lipid metabolism
Shifting towards omega-3-rich fish, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help maintain healthier cholesterol levels.
What are some hypercholesterolemia dietary management tips?
Dietary changes can make a significant difference in managing high cholesterol. Some key tips include:
- Choose healthy fats: include foods like wild-caught fish, extra-virgin olive oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds
- Increase fibre intake: whole grains, legumes, fruit, and vegetables help lower LDL cholesterol
- Limit saturated fats: cut back on processed meats, fried foods, and full-fat dairy products
- Avoid trans fats: steer clear of hydrogenated oils and highly processed baked goods
- Support overall heart health: reduce sugar and refined carbs, manage alcohol intake, and stay hydrated
A personalised nutrition plan can help address your unique cholesterol profile and support long-term cardiovascular health.
How to treat high cholesterol naturally?
A functional medicine approach looks beyond cholesterol numbers to uncover the underlying drivers of imbalance. Treatment often begins with functional testing to assess cardiometabolic risk and contributing factors. Natural strategies may include:
- Tailored dietary interventions: e.g. high-fibre, plant-rich meals and reduced intake of saturated fats
- Targeted supplementation: nutrients that support healthy cholesterol metabolism
- Anti-inflammatory support: both dietary and supplemental approaches to calm systemic inflammation
- Lifestyle changes: regular exercise, quality sleep, stress reduction, and smoking/alcohol moderation
This whole-person strategy aims to restore balance and reduce cardiovascular risk without relying solely on medication.
What are the early symptoms of high cholesterol?
High cholesterol itself rarely causes noticeable symptoms, which is why regular blood tests are important. In some cases, fatty deposits called xanthomas or a family history of cardiovascular disease may be early clues. Most people only discover high cholesterol when routine screening shows elevated levels.
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