What if your cholesterol isn't the problem — but the message?

In this episode of The Heal Deal Podcast, Dr. Leona Allen breaks down the truth behind cholesterol guidelines and exposes why so many people are being pushed toward lifelong statin medication… even when their body is simply communicating metabolic stress.

You'll learn how these guidelines changed, why the targets keep dropping, the conflicts of interest behind the statin trials, and why the real danger isn't your cholesterol number — it's the inflammation and metabolic dysfunction underneath it.

If you've ever felt confused, dismissed, or powerless after being handed a statin prescription, this episode will give you clarity and confidence. This is your roadmap to understanding what your cholesterol actually does, what markers truly predict cardiovascular risk, and how to address the root causes instead of just suppressing a number.

✅ How cholesterol guidelines have shifted over the past 30+ years — and who benefits ✅ Why cholesterol targets keep dropping (and what that means for you) ✅ The statin trials everyone references — and the conflicts of interest behind them ✅ Why the JUPITER trial expanded statin use to millions more people (and the controversy around it) ✅ What cholesterol actually does in your body — hormones, brain function, cell membranes, vitamin D ✅ Why "good" vs "bad" cholesterol is an oversimplification that misses the real story ✅ The markers your doctor ISN'T checking: ApoB, Lp(a), hs-CRP, fasting insulin, oxidized LDL ✅ Why cardiovascular disease is fundamentally an inflammatory disease — not a cholesterol disease ✅ How insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, stress, sleep, and gut health drive your cholesterol pattern ✅ What statins actually do to your body (CoQ10 depletion, mitochondrial impact, side effects) ✅ Questions to ask your doctor BEFORE committing to lifelong medication ✅ Actionable, realistic steps you can take NOW to address root causes and support your body's healing ✅ When medication is a tool — and when root-cause metabolic healing is the long-term solution

▶️ Take the Metabolic Reset Quiz: TheMetabolicResetQuiz.com

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I'm making a deal with you to help you remove the physical, chemical, and emotional barriers holding you back from healing. All I need from you is to feel, deal, and heal. Those are the terms—that is The Heal Deal.

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Thank you for listening! Until next time, go out there and achieve more freedom in your health and your life. Take care.

— Dr. Leona Allen Host, The Heal Deal Podcast Founder, Freedom Health Systems Author: A Journey to Healing | Freedom in Chains | Shop & Savor

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen—especially if you are taking medication or managing a chronic condition