Why Your Cholesterol Is High—and How to Start Fixing It in 10 Days

The Dr. Hyman Show

Dr. Mark Hyman

Nutrition, Health & Fitness, Medicine

4.5 • 9.1K Ratings

🗓️ 8 June 2026

⏱️ 24 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

High cholesterol is one of the most common reasons people are told they’re at risk for heart disease. But what if cholesterol isn’t the root problem? What if it’s actually a signal of deeper metabolic dysfunction—and focusing on the number alone causes us to miss what’s really driving cardiovascular risk? In today’s episode, we explore a functional medicine approach to cholesterol and heart health, including: Why high cholesterol is often a downstream effect of insulin resistance, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction The surprising role sugar, refined carbohydrates, and ultra-processed foods play in driving unhealthy cholesterol patterns How healthy fats, protein, fiber, and gut health influence cholesterol regulation and cardiovascular risk The nutrition and lifestyle changes that can improve metabolic health—and begin shifting key biomarkers in as little as 10 days When it comes to cholesterol, the better question isn’t always, "How do I lower this number?" It’s, "Why is it elevated in the first place?" By addressing the root causes—from blood sugar imbalance and inflammation to diet, movement, sleep, and stress—you can improve not just your cholesterol, but the underlying metabolic health that drives long-term cardiovascular risk. Resources Mentioned: Learn more about the 10-Day Detox: https://bit.ly/3PIUoxf Listen to my full conversation with Dr. Aseem Malhotra: https://bit.ly/4x5wEUR Track your metabolic and cardiovascular health biomarkers: functionhealth.com/mark for 160+ lab tests at just $365/year. Use code MARK2026 for $50 off. Have a question you'd love answered on Office Hours? Submit it here (0:25) Introduction (1:11) Understanding and Addressing Cholesterol with Functional Medicine (2:20) Metabolic Dysfunction, Health Reset, and Dietary Recommendations (8:07) Example Daily Meal Plan and Importance of Movement (12:46) Sleep, Stress, and Supplements for Cholesterol (14:27) Cardiovascular Risk Insights and Dr. Asim Malhotra Clip (20:30) Closing Remarks, Listener Engagement, and Social Media (21:57) Disclaimer, Medical Guidance, and Gratitude to Sponsors

Transcript

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0:00.0	What if brain fog, anxiety, and mood swings aren't simply all in your head?
0:04.7	What if the health of your mind actually starts deeper in your body, in your gut,
0:09.7	and your hormones, metabolism, and your immune system?
0:12.3	Well, let me tell you, the connection is real, and it affects how you think and you feel
0:16.4	every single day.
0:17.3	And that's why I created Brain Shaping Academy, a six-week program that shows you how
0:22.1	healing your body can help you heal your mind. Brain Shaping Academy relies on the same targeted
0:27.6	nutrition and lifestyle strategies that I've used for 30 years to help my patients improve their
0:31.9	mental, emotional, and cognitive health. So if you want to feel calmer, clear, and more in control,
0:38.3	and stay sharp and protect your brain as you age, check out Brain Shaping Academy at Dr.hyman.com for slash brain shaping.
0:45.1	That's Dr.heimen.com or slash brain shaping. Welcome to office hours.
1:15.7	This is our dedicated one-on-one space to go deeper, get clear, and explore what truly moves the needle for your health.
1:21.2	I'm Dr. Mark Hyman, and each week we're going to pull back the curtain and share the insights, the research, the lessons that don't always make it into our conversations with guests. Because at the end of the day, you are the CEO of your own
1:32.1	health. And for many of you, your family's health too. And you might not feel it all the time,
1:36.6	but you have far more power in agency than you realize. I'm glad you're here.
1:43.3	This episode is brought to you by Function Health, empowering you to live 100 healthy years
1:47.6	with over 160 lab tests for just $365 a year and use the code mark 2026 to get $50 off
1:55.6	your membership.
1:56.9	You get your lab results back and your cholesterol is high.
2:00.0	And almost immediately the conversation goes in one direction. Lower your cholesterol, cut and your cholesterol's high. And almost immediately the conversation
2:01.4	goes in one direction. Lower your cholesterol, cut fat, start a medication. But what if that's not
2:06.5	the full picture? What if cholesterol isn't the root problem at all? It's just a deeper signal of
	...

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