This information presents the perspective of Dr. Eric Berg, a chiropractor specializing in healthy ketosis and intermittent fasting, concerning cholesterol management. Dr. Berg is not a medical doctor and focuses on health education. This content is for educational purposes only; readers must consult a licensed physician before making significant dietary or lifestyle changes, especially if they are taking medication.
The Berg Perspective: Addressing Underlying Causes
The approach suggests that high cholesterol is often a symptom rather than the primary disease, contrasting with the standard focus on lowering cholesterol numbers directly. This perspective posits that the root cause of elevated cholesterol and cardiovascular risk lies in underlying metabolic dysfunction, particularly insulin resistance and fat accumulation in the liver. High insulin levels, resulting from a diet rich in refined carbohydrates and frequent eating, signal the body to store fat and can lead to a fatty liver.
The liver produces the majority of the body’s cholesterol. When the liver becomes fatty or its function is compromised by insulin resistance, its ability to process and eliminate cholesterol is impaired. Cholesterol is primarily removed from the body through bile, which the liver produces and the gallbladder stores.
A sluggish or fatty liver can lead to poor bile flow, hindering the main pathway for excess cholesterol removal. Simply blocking cholesterol production with medication does not address the underlying issue of why the body retains or overproduces cholesterol. The goal is to improve liver function and insulin sensitivity, allowing the body to naturally regulate cholesterol levels and excrete the excess through healthy bile production.
Primary Dietary Strategy: Healthy Ketogenic Diet and Intermittent Fasting
The core strategy involves a two-pronged dietary approach: a Healthy Ketogenic Diet combined with Intermittent Fasting. This combination is designed to stabilize insulin levels, which is key to reversing insulin resistance and clearing fat from the liver. Healthy Keto emphasizes consuming high-quality fats, moderate protein, and a large volume of low-starch vegetables.
Reducing carbohydrate intake forces the body to switch its primary fuel source from glucose to fat, a metabolic state known as ketosis. Keeping carbohydrate intake low, typically under 50 grams daily, significantly reduces the body’s need to produce high levels of insulin. This sustained low-insulin state helps mobilize fat stores, including accumulated fat in the liver, which improves cholesterol profiles.
Intermittent Fasting (IF) works synergistically with the Healthy Ketogenic Diet by extending the periods between meals, further lowering insulin spikes. Common IF schedules include eating within a restricted window, such as 18 hours of fasting followed by a 6-hour eating window, or eating only One Meal A Day (OMAD). The prolonged fasting periods enhance the body’s fat-burning capability, accelerating the clearance of liver fat and promoting metabolic health.
This combined strategy is thought to improve the ratio of beneficial High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and reduce triglycerides. While a temporary increase in total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol can sometimes occur as fat is mobilized from cells, this is viewed as a transient effect that resolves as the body adapts to burning fat. The long-term aim is a more favorable lipid profile driven by improved metabolic function.
Targeted Lifestyle and Nutritional Support
Beyond the core diet, the method advocates for specific complementary actions to optimize liver and gallbladder function. Supporting bile flow is a primary focus, as bile is the vehicle for excreting excess cholesterol. One recommendation for stimulating bile release is consuming diluted apple cider vinegar before meals, which promotes healthy stomach acid levels that signal the gallbladder to contract.
In cases of sluggish bile production, purified bile salts, often derived from ox bile, may be recommended as a supplement to assist directly in fat digestion and cholesterol removal. Certain nutrients are also highlighted for their role in liver health and fat metabolism. Choline, a B-vitamin, is emphasized for its ability to help remove fat from the liver, which is relevant for individuals with a fatty liver.
High-potency niacin (Vitamin B3) is often suggested for its role in supporting heart health and maintaining balanced cholesterol levels. Lifestyle factors are also incorporated, with stress management and adequate sleep recognized for their impact on hormones like cortisol and insulin, which influence fat storage and metabolic health. Ensuring sufficient intake of minerals like potassium, often achieved through large quantities of non-starchy vegetables, is also considered important for supporting insulin sensitivity.