Did you know that roughly one in four Americans are on statins? And about half of men between 65 and 75 take them? What if the widespread use of these drugs is based on a misunderstanding about the real cause of heart disease?
For years, we’ve been told that cholesterol is the enemy, and that we need to avoid fats – especially saturated fats – to protect our hearts. But what if that’s not the whole story? What if sugar and carbohydrates are bigger culprits than we ever imagined?
Dr. Boz has seen firsthand how deeply ingrained the low-fat dogma is in her patients, making it challenging for them to embrace a ketogenic diet. The fear of fat and cholesterol is real, but it might be misplaced.
Let’s explore how this cholesterol myth took hold, and what a better approach to heart health might look like.
The Flawed Foundation: How the Cholesterol Hypothesis Took Hold
How did we get to a place where so many people are convinced that fat is bad for their hearts? It all started decades ago.
Back in the 1960s, the American Heart Association began advising people to cut fat, especially saturated fat and cholesterol, from their diets. The food guide pyramid, which was built on these principles, recommended that we get half of our calories from carbohydrates. Fats and oils were relegated to the very top, suggesting we needed hardly any. Looking back, this advice may have been more harmful than helpful.
The message was clear: avoid fat and cholesterol, or you’ll die of a heart attack. This idea was drilled into people’s heads and it’s a belief that’s still around today. Ask many baby boomers what causes heart disease, and a large number will say high-fat foods, cholesterol, or red meat. This is the cholesterol hypothesis: cholesterol builds up, clogs your arteries, and causes a heart attack. But a growing body of evidence suggests that this might not be the case.
What if the real cause of heart disease isn’t fat, but sugar and carbohydrates? It might sound unbelievable. But the carbohydrate-centric model suggests that excessive consumption of sugar and starches leads to insulin resistance, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome. These are the key drivers of atherosclerosis and heart disease.
The Battle of the Doctors: Yudkin vs. Keys
How can the theories about heart disease be so different? The answer goes back to two research doctors and a presidential heart attack.
When President Eisenhower had a heart attack in 1955, it shocked the nation. We were desperate for an explanation. Two main theories emerged, championed by Dr. John Yudkin and Dr. Ancel Keys.
Dr. John Yudkin, a British nutritionist, wrote the book Pure, White, and Deadly in 1972. In it, he predicted that sugar was the core cause of obesity, inflammation, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome. He was an early voice warning about the dangers of sugar.
Ancel Keys, an American physiologist, had a very different view. He joined forces with the processed food and sugar industry and attacked and discredited Yudkin’s work. Keys was a persuasive figure who convinced Americans that they needed more carbohydrates and less meat. With the help of the sugar industry, he was able to sway public opinion and influence dietary guidelines.
The Seven Countries Study: A Critical Examination
How did Ancel Keys convince the American public that saturated fat was the enemy? It stems from his research in the Seven Countries Study.
Keys’ Seven Countries Study seemed to show that as saturated fat consumption increased, so did heart disease. This appeared to be a clear, linear pattern.
Looking back, this study wouldn’t be accepted into a reputable journal today. Why?
- Selection bias: Keys selected countries that he knew would prove his point. He didn’t include data from countries where saturated fat consumption was high but heart disease rates were low.
- Other factors ignored: The study didn’t account for other important factors like socioeconomic status, activity level, and smoking habits.
- Correlation vs. causation: Keys only found a correlation between saturated fat and heart disease. He then extrapolated that saturated fat must be the cause.
Despite these flaws, medical orthodoxy latched onto Keys’ explanation, and it became American policy. Yet, there was no surefire evidence. This decision had long-term negative consequences for public health.
The Statin Empire: Why Reversing the Ideology is So Difficult
Why is it so hard to reverse this incorrect ideology? Money.
It’s lucrative to keep the public believing that cholesterol needs to be lowered to prevent heart disease. One in four Americans are on statins. Half of the men between 65 and 75 are on statins. Yet, there’s no solid evidence that this will reverse their heart disease.
Big pharma strongly resists any attempts to change the narrative around cholesterol and heart disease. They lobby the government to protect their statin income.
You can’t throw drugs at a dietary disease. You’re only treating the symptoms, not the disease itself. Drugs don’t address the underlying issues of insulin resistance, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome that drive heart disease.
A Better Approach: Treating Heart Disease Holistically
Editor’s Note: We are not endorsing these products as we have never tried them. But Dr. Boz seems to make a lot of sense, so if you’re interested in
So, what’s a better approach? Instead of focusing solely on lowering cholesterol with medication, Dr. Boz focuses on addressing the root causes of heart disease through lifestyle changes. She has a video that explains how she treats heart disease with autophagy.
Consider exploring ketogenic diets and lifestyle changes. These can help reduce insulin resistance, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome – the real drivers of heart disease. Check out these resources from Dr. Boz:
- Read Anyway You Can – A Beginner’s Guide to Ketones For Life
- Read KetoCONTINUUM: Consistently Keto For Life and the ketoCONTINUUM Workbook
- Use the Dr. Boz Food Guide
- Enroll in the Consistently Keto Course
How to Prepare for Food Emergencies if You Don’t Have a Homestead or Bunker
In an unpredictable world, where supply chain disruptions, natural disasters, or economic instability can strike without warning, having a reliable food supply is more than just smart—it’s essential for survival. Whether you’re a “prepper” or not, we all know the golden rule: self-sufficiency is key. But what if you’re living in an apartment, working long hours, or simply don’t have the land to turn into a thriving homestead? Don’t worry; there’s a practical, effective way to build your food security without needing acres of soil or a fortified bunker.
The Ideal Prep: Building Your Own Food Empire
The ultimate dream for any serious prepper is controlling your own food production. Imagine waking up to a sprawling garden bursting with fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs—tomatoes ripening on the vine, potatoes ready to harvest, and greens that provide nutrition year-round. Add in livestock like chickens for eggs and meat, and you’ve got a self-sustaining system that keeps your family fed no matter what chaos unfolds outside.
This approach isn’t just about calories; it’s about resilience. A well-maintained garden can yield hundreds of pounds of produce annually, while a small flock of chickens might produce dozens of eggs weekly. It’s empowering, cost-effective in the long run, and teaches invaluable skills like crop rotation, animal husbandry, and preservation techniques. If you have the space, time, and resources, starting small and scaling up is the best path to true independence.
The Reality Check: Not Everyone Can Homestead
But let’s face it—not all of us are in a position to go full homesteader. Urban dwellers might be limited to a balcony or community plot that’s far from sufficient for long-term needs. Busy professionals juggling jobs, families, and daily life often lack the hours required for daily tending. And for those in apartments, condos, or regions with harsh climates, raising livestock or maintaining a large garden simply isn’t feasible. Factors like zoning laws, soil quality, water access, or even physical limitations can make this ideal out of reach.
That’s where the frustration sets in. You want to be prepared, but without a homestead or bunker, how do you ensure your pantry doesn’t run dry during a prolonged crisis? The good news is, you don’t have to sacrifice your preparedness goals. There’s a smart, accessible alternative that bridges the gap: investing in high-quality, long-term storage food.
The Smart Alternative: Long-Term Storage Food from Heaven’s Harvest
Long-term storage food is designed for exactly these scenarios—providing nutrient-dense, shelf-stable meals that last for decades without refrigeration or special conditions. It’s the perfect solution for preppers who can’t rely on fresh production but still demand reliability and variety in their emergency stockpile.
At Heaven’s Harvest, they specialize in premium survival food kits that make preparedness effortless. Their products are crafted with the prepper mindset in mind: non-GMO, made in the USA, and packed with real ingredients that taste like home-cooked meals, not bland rations. Whether you’re stocking up for a short-term blackout or a long-haul SHTF event, our kits offer:
- Extended Shelf Life: Up to 25 years of storage, so you can buy once and forget about rotation worries.
- Nutritional Balance: High-protein entrees, fruits, vegetables, and dairy alternatives to keep your energy up and health intact.
- Ease of Preparation: Just add water, and you’ve got hearty meals like beef stroganoff, chili mac, or cheesy lasagna ready in minutes—no garden weeding required.
- Customizable Options: From individual buckets to family-sized kits, scale your supply to fit your needs and budget.
- Peace of Mind: Sealed in durable, waterproof containers that protect against pests, moisture, and light.
Unlike generic store-bought cans that spoil quickly or lack variety, Heaven’s Harvest focuses on quality and sustainability. Our food is freeze-dried or dehydrated to lock in flavor and nutrients, ensuring you’re not just surviving but thriving. And for those concerned about allergens or dietary preferences, we offer gluten-free and vegetarian options to keep everyone covered.
Why Wait? Secure Your Food Supply Today
Preparing for food emergencies doesn’t require a homestead or bunker—it requires action. By choosing long-term storage food from Heaven’s Harvest, you’re taking control in a way that fits your lifestyle. Start small with a 72-hour kit to test the waters, or go all-in with a year’s supply for ultimate security.
Visit Heaven’s Harvest today and use code “PATRIOT” for an exclusive discount on your order. Don’t let limitations hold you back; build your resilient future, one meal at a time. Your family will thank you when it matters most.
There’s good cholesterol and bad cholesterol it pays to know the difference.
There’s also a ratio calculation that must be considered when evaluating cholesterol, not just HDL and LDL levels alone. The ridiculous levels doctors (Big Pharma) dictate as “recommended/normal levels” are ludicrous without considered the ratio calculations mention above. Many people have no idea that the human body makes cholesterol and a person would die without it. Big Pharma wants to keep it this way. If your doctor does not know these things, doesn’t bother to educate him/herself and indiscriminately prescribes statin drugs, then the possibility that the doctor has been corrupted by Big Pharma is sky-high he or she should not be ‘practicing’ medicine.
There is not good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. We have cholesterol in every cell of our body and need it to live. The idea that fat causes cholesterol and heart disease is false. It’s a lie perpetrated by the sugar industry in the 1950s, and glommed onto by makers of statins. If you’re sure that there’s bad cholesterol that needs medication to manage, you have not done your research. You are a purveyor of misinformation, and a victim of propaganda.
WRONG! The idea of “good” and “bad” cholesterol is part of the myth. And the perpetuation of that idea does nothing but continue lining the pockets of its proponents, i.e., Big Pharma and YOUR government “health” agencies.
It’s all about the money. Note how big pharma pulled statin drug ads from their “repertoire”. Reason being, statins are just a big con to convince people to reduce the very thing that reduces inflammation in the blood vessels. Published research has made this abundantly clear. Big pharma could get sued for pushing statins. Note how the “news” media, financed by big pharma, completely ignores this research.
Watch the documentary Fat Head, it clearly lays out the lipid hypothesis, it’s torrid history, and how it was forced on the American public.
There is no such thing as good or bad cholesterol. Please provide the chemical formula for each.You can’t. Doesn’t exist. Cholesterol is extremely good for you. LDL and HDL are the transfer mechanisms that move cholesterol around.
When I realized that the statins I was taking were destroying my body, I told my cardiologist I stopped taking them. He was incredulous. I took statins for over eight years after having a stent put in my heart. I now eat very few carbs but do maintain a healthy diet of meat, fat, vegetables and very little fruit, while also taking in very little sugar and no soft drinks. The sugar I do use is Agave Syrup which sits at only about 27 on the glycemic scale, and at only one tablespoon a day, I believe I am safe.
One thing is certain, Statin drugs do NOT stop your arteries from clogging. It’s all a farce. The only thing that will is Repatha.
Statins destroy your liver
If you like leg and foot cramps then you’ll love statins.
Prostate cancer thrives on saturated fat.
Baloney!
It amazes me how stupid and ignorant people are. It is not cholesterol, it is homocisteins that are the culprit. Cholesterol is merely the carrier. They are trying to kill the messenger, while leaving the culprit run free and do all the damage. There is no such thing as good or bad cholesterol. One carries homocisteins, but that doesn’t make it inherently bad. As I told my doctor years ago, when you learn how to address homocisteins, then you can talk to me about your fairytales. He never mentioned cholesterol again. People are too gullible. They believe everything the criminal government and pharma hooligans tell them. After covid, anyone that doesn’t question everything that comes out of their mouth is a fool and a moron.