The Doctor’s Advice That Didn’t Work

When Maria, 58 and recently post-menopausal, walked into my studio, she was desperate. Her doctor had just called with the results of her latest blood test, and her cholesterol levels were higher than ever. “You need to cut out fat—especially saturated fat,” her doctor warned.

So, Maria listened. She swapped her morning eggs for oatmeal, abandoned butter for margarine, and avoided red meat like the plague. She started eating low-fat everything: yogurt, cereal bars, crackers. But the pounds kept creeping up, her cholesterol didn’t budge, and she was constantly hungry.

Maria was frustrated. “I’m doing everything they tell me, and it’s not working. What am I missing?”

That’s when I asked her one simple question: “Have you ever wondered if everything you’ve been told about fat is wrong?”

Her skeptical look said it all. But by the end of our conversation, Maria realized that saturated fat wasn’t the villain it was made out to be—and her health transformation was just beginning.

If this story sounds familiar, and you’re struggling with cholesterol and weight gain, I invite you to book a complimentary health assessment at my studio in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada or online (you can live any where in Canada). Together, we’ll uncover what’s really going on in your body and design a plan that works for YOU.

COMPLIMENTARY 30 MINS HEALTH ASSESSMENT

---

The Big Misconception About Saturated Fat

For decades, saturated fat has been public enemy number one, blamed for heart disease, high cholesterol, and clogged arteries. It started in the 1950s with the infamous Seven Countries Study by Ancel Keys, which suggested a link between saturated fat intake and heart disease. What most people don’t know is that Keys cherry-picked his data to fit his hypothesis, ignoring countries where people ate plenty of saturated fat but had low rates of heart disease.

Fast forward to today, and this myth persists—largely thanks to the processed food industry and outdated dietary guidelines. Low-fat products flooded the market, and saturated fat became the scapegoat. But here’s the kicker: while we’ve been reducing saturated fat intake for decades, rates of heart disease and obesity have skyrocketed.

Even more fascinating? Our ancestors, who thrived on diets rich in animal fats, didn’t suffer from the same epidemics of heart disease. So, if saturated fat is the problem, why didn’t it kill them?

---

Science Break: What Does Saturated Fat Actually Do?

Let’s set the record straight: saturated fat isn’t a dietary boogeyman. It plays an essential role in your body, especially as a woman in midlife. Here’s how:

1. Hormone Production:
   Cholesterol, much of which comes from saturated fat, is the raw material your body uses to produce hormones like estrogen. When estrogen levels drop during midlife, your body’s demand for cholesterol increases.
2. Energy Source:
   Saturated fats provide a stable energy source, unlike the sugar spikes and crashes from low-fat processed foods.
3. LDL Particle Size:
   Here’s the crucial part: not all LDL (“bad cholesterol”) is created equal. Large, fluffy LDL particles are mostly harmless, while small, dense LDL particles are linked to a higher risk of heart disease. Studies show that eating healthy saturated fats actually promotes the larger, less harmful LDL particles.
4. Inflammation:
   Saturated fat itself isn’t the problem—it’s when LDL cholesterol oxidizes in the presence of inflammation that the real damage occurs.

Let’s bust another myth: dietary saturated fat has minimal impact on your cholesterol levels. In fact, your liver produces about 75–80% of your cholesterol, and it adjusts production based on your diet. Blaming saturated fat for high cholesterol is like blaming the fireman at the scene of a fire.

---

Midlife, Cholesterol, and Hormones

Midlife and especially post-menopausal time is a game-changer. When your ovaries stop producing estrogen, your body scrambles to maintain balance. Cholesterol levels naturally rise during this time, not because your body is malfunctioning, but because it’s trying to compensate.

Doctors often interpret this rise as dangerous, but here’s the nuance: higher cholesterol levels don’t always mean higher risk of heart disease. In fact, some research suggests that higher cholesterol in older women might even correlate with longer lifespans.

The real danger isn’t total cholesterol—it’s chronic inflammation and LDL oxidation. And here’s the twist: a diet rich in low-fat processed foods and devoid of healthy saturated fats often worsens these underlying issues.

---

Practical Takeaways: Redefining Healthy Fats

If you’re ready to stop fearing fat and start embracing it, here’s how to do it the right way:

1. Choose Quality Fats:
   • Opt for grass-fed butter, coconut oil, ghee, and fatty cuts of meat from pasture-raised animals.
   • Balance with unsaturated fats from olive oil, avocados, and nuts.
2. Ditch Low-Fat Processed Foods:
   These are often loaded with sugar and chemicals, which drive inflammation and LDL oxidation.
3. Reduce Inflammation:
   • Pair saturated fats with an anti-inflammatory diet rich in vegetables, berries, and omega-3s from fish.
   • Minimize processed carbs and seed oils, which are far more damaging to your cholesterol profile than saturated fat ever could be.
4. Test, Don’t Guess:
   Get your LDL particle size and inflammation markers (like CRP) checked. These give a clearer picture of your cardiovascular health than total cholesterol ever will.

---

Maria’s Transformation

With this new understanding, Maria made some key changes to her diet. She brought back eggs and grass-fed butter, swapped low-fat snacks for real, whole foods, and focused on reducing inflammation through a nutrient-dense diet. Three months later, her follow-up blood test told a different story. Her LDL particle size had shifted toward the larger, fluffier type, her inflammation markers dropped, and her energy was through the roof. But the best part? Maria finally stopped fearing food. She felt empowered, not restricted.

---

Ready to Rewrite Your Health Story?

If you’ve been stuck in the low-fat, high-frustration cycle like Maria, it’s time to break free. Let’s uncover what’s really holding you back and create a plan tailored to YOUR body and your needs. Book your complimentary health assessment today and take the first step toward feeling stronger, healthier, and more confident in midlife and beyond.