The Cholesterol Myth: Why Higher Cholesterol Can Actually Help You Live Longer
What if everything you’ve been told about cholesterol is wrong?
For decades, we’ve been told that high cholesterol causes heart disease and that we need to lower it at all costs—usually with statins and low-fat diets.
But what if I told you that new research from Sweden suggests the opposite?
That people who live the longest actually have higher cholesterol—and that the real danger isn’t cholesterol at all, but poor insulin sensitivity?
Let’s break this down, Maverick style—with common sense, real science, and a no-BS approach to health.
The Sweden Study That Changes Everything
A recent study from Sweden’s AMORIS cohort looked at bloodwork from people who lived to be 100 years old (centenarians) and compared them to those who didn’t make it that far. (Study link)
Guess what they found?
Centenarians had higher cholesterol than those who died younger.
They also had better insulin sensitivity, meaning their bodies handled blood sugar more effectively.
Their bloodwork was “stable” for decades before they hit 100.
In other words, having high cholesterol didn’t kill them—it helped them live longer.
And poor insulin sensitivity (a.k.a. insulin resistance)—which happens when your body stops responding to insulin properly—was a much bigger problem than high cholesterol.
So, if you’ve been told by your doctor that you need to lower your cholesterol, you might want to question that advice.
💉 Insulin Sensitivity: The Real Key to Longevity
Cholesterol isn’t the villain. Poor blood sugar control is.
When you eat too much processed food, sugar, and refined carbs, your body pumps out insulin to lower your blood sugar. Over time, if you do this too often, your body stops responding to insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance, and it leads to:
Fat gain (especially belly fat)
Higher risk of heart disease and diabetes
Chronic inflammation, which destroys your health
The centenarians in the Swedish study didn’t have this problem. They had better insulin sensitivity, meaning their bodies managed blood sugar effectively.
And guess what helps you maintain insulin sensitivity?
👉 Eating healthy animal fats, eggs, and dairy (foods mainstream medicine told us to avoid).
🥩 The Best Foods to Improve Cholesterol & Insulin Sensitivity
The good news? Fixing this is simple.
To increase healthy cholesterol and keep insulin in check, focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods—just like our ancestors did.
Animal Fats – Beef tallow, butter, lard, and fatty cuts of meat provide healthy cholesterol and essential fat-soluble vitamins.
Eggs – One of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. High in cholesterol, choline, and protein, they support brain health, testosterone, and longevity.
Dairy (Full-Fat, Grass-Fed) – Raw milk, cheese, yogurt, and cream are packed with healthy fats, protein, and probiotics that support metabolic health.
Red Meat – High in saturated fat, protein, and essential minerals, it helps build muscle, balance hormones, and improve metabolic health.
Olive Oil & Avocados – Great sources of monounsaturated fats that support insulin sensitivity.
What to Avoid?
Processed seed oils (canola, soybean, sunflower)
Refined carbs and sugars (grains, white bread, pasta, sodas)
Ultra-processed foods loaded with artificial ingredients
If you eat real food, your body naturally regulates cholesterol and insulin—no need for statins or extreme low-fat diets.
The Midlife Maverick Takeaway
At Midlife Mavericks, we question the mainstream narrative and take a holistic approach to health.
We don’t just follow the herd and pop a pill every time a doctor says so.
We look at real science, real life, and real results.
This study confirms what we already know:
✅ Cholesterol isn’t the enemy—your body needs it for hormones, brain function, and longevity.
✅ Managing blood sugar and insulin is the key to long-term health.
✅ Eating real, whole foods like meat, eggs, and dairy is the best way to stay healthy and strong.
✅ Statins and low-fat diets aren’t the answer—they might actually do more harm than good.
So, next time someone tells you high cholesterol is dangerous, ask them:
“If high cholesterol is so bad, why do people with the highest cholesterol live the longest?”
That’s the Maverick way—think for yourself, question the science, and take ownership of your health.
Stay strong, stay sharp, and keep leading the way.
🔥 Want to take your health to the next level?
Join the Midlife Mavericks Membership where we break down the real truth about health, longevity, and performance. No fluff, just facts that help you live your best life.
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