EBWH Resource Roundup: Cholesterol Myths Edition

Making informed decisions to support your heart health starts with uncovering the myths that are holding you back.

Sep 29, 2025

Cholesterol Isn’t the Villain, But Confusion Surely Is.

You’re not alone if you’ve ever believed all cholesterol is bad. When I was growing up, my grandparents’ cholesterol level was a common topic in my household. Instead of being discussed as a necessary part of the body, it was discussed as something we all needed to avoid. But like most things in health, the truth isn’t that simple.

One of the things that I’ve learned as a health coach is that cholesterol plays a vital role in building hormones, vitamin D, and even the membranes around your cells. The problem isn’t cholesterol itself, but when there is an imbalance. In our September Edition of the EBWH Resource Roundup, we will clarify a few common myths that keep too many anxious and misinformed.

Myth #1: All Cholesterol Is Bad

For years, one of the biggest misconceptions I held onto was that all cholesterol was bad. The reason was that I greatly lacked health literacy (a topic we will dive into next month, so stay tuned!) However, the reality is that your body needs cholesterol to function. HDL (the “good” kind) actually helps remove LDL (the “bad” kind) from your bloodstream. I know I’m oversimplifying it, but the goal isn’t to wipe out cholesterol. Instead, it’s to keep our cholesterol level balanced. Thus, if your doctor mentions that your numbers are off, consider it a signal to seek more balance.

Myth #2: Only People in Larger Bodies Have High Cholesterol

Unfortunately, we live in a society where weight stigma is common, so many false assumptions are made about people with larger bodies. The reality is that cholesterol has as much to do with genetics, hormones, and stress levels as it does with body size. That means that thin people can also have high cholesterol, while larger-bodied people can have normal levels. Rather than allowing weight bias to lead you to believe the problem is how much you weigh, the real question is how well your body functions.

Myth #3: I Can Never Eat Eggs

As a person who developed an egg allergy later in life, I’d like to say this is true so that no one else can enjoy all the wonderful things you can make with eggs. In all seriousness, for most people, the dietary cholesterol from eggs doesn’t have the impact on blood cholesterol that we have been told. Therefore, if you genuinely enjoy eggs, you can easily pair them with fiber-rich foods like spinach, beans, or avocado. They not only make your breakfast most satisfying, but they also help your body process cholesterol more efficiently.

Like what you’re reading?! Share with a friend!

Myth #4: If My Numbers Are Normal, I’m Good

Even though your numbers might be “normal,” that doesn’t mean there is no room for concern. It’s important to note that cholesterol levels can change with age, hormones, stress, and medication. In other words, it’s not a “set it and forget it” situation. Therefore, it’s vital for us, regardless of how “healthy” we are, to get checked regularly, especially if we have a family history of heart disease. There are no guarantees, so don’t skip those regular check-ins, as normal today doesn’t guarantee normal forever.

Myth #5: I’m on Medicine, So I Don’t Have to Worry

Medication can powerfully impact our health; however, we cannot dismiss the importance of our dietary and lifestyle factors. Even though heart health is affected by what you eat, we cannot ignore how you move, how you manage stress, and whether you feel supported. That is part of why medication and lifestyle changes contribute to some of the best results.

Want to Learn More?

Here are a few trusted resources worth bookmarking to continue learning about heart health:

What’s one thing you’ve always wondered about cholesterol but never asked your doctor?

Reply and let me know! Your question could inspire a future newsletter (or interview!)