Home »  The Game Plan (Treatment & Mechanism) : Cholesterol Series Part 4 of 4 

 The Game Plan (Treatment & Mechanism) : Cholesterol Series Part 4 of 4 

by | Dec 21, 2025 | Articles

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“At Gateway Natural Medicine, I believe healthcare should be personal, root-cause focused, and natural. Too often, patients are given quick fixes that overlook the underlying issue — my mission is to change that. If you’re seeking a natural, patient-centered approach to healthcare that focuses on long-term healing rather than temporary relief — you’ve come to the right place. Let’s begin your journey toward balance, restoration, and lasting health.”

So, you’ve got your labs back, and the numbers are doing things you don’t like. Before we jump into the “magic pills,” remember: we aren’t just chasing numbers; we’re fixing the environment. 

Treatment starts by addressing the “Why.” Whether it’s insulin resistance (your body’s “broken sugar thermostat”), chronic inflammation (internal “smoldering fires”), hypothyroidism, wonky cortisol, hormonal shifts, or fatty liver, we have to fix the root cause. 

If you’re ready to upgrade your blood chemistry from “standard of care” to “gold standard,” here is the script for improving your lipid profile. 

The “Heart-Health” Protocol

⚠️ Important note: This protocol is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your regimen.

Annatto-E 300 (Tocotrienols)

  • The Dose: 1 softgel daily (300mg) 
  • The Science: Think of this as the “Volume Knob” for your liver. It contains tocotrienols (a fancy form of Vitamin E) that tell your liver’s cholesterol factory (the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme) to settle down. 
  • Why it matters: It doesn’t just lower the numbers; it’s an antioxidant bodyguard. It protects your LDL particles from getting “oxidized” (which is the biological equivalent of getting rusty and sticky), making them much less likely to cause trouble in your arteries. 

Cardio Lipid (The Multi-Tasker)

  • The Dose: 2 capsules AM, 2 capsules PM 
  • The Science: This is the Swiss Army Knife of supplements. Plant Sterols: These are “cholesterol look-alikes” that cut in line at the “absorption door” in your gut, meaning less cholesterol actually makes it into your blood. 
  • Garlic: Acts like a gentle, natural version of a statin to slow down production. 
  • Berberine: This is a rockstar for your liver. It increases the number of “trash trucks” (LDL receptors) on your liver cells to pull more LDL out of circulation. 
  • Red Yeast Rice: Contains monacolin K. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it’s chemically the same as Lovastatin. It’s the heavy hitter for slowing down the factory production line. 

Niacin CRT (The HDL Bodybuilder)

  • The Dose: 1 tablet (500mg) Bedtime 
  • The Science: Niacin (Vitamin B3) is legendary for its “flush” (yes, you might feel like you’re standing too close to a bonfire for 20 minutes, but it’s worth it). : We use the Controlled Release (CRT) version specifically to avoid the “Niacin Flush”—that famous sensation where you look and feel like a ripened tomato. To play it safe, take this at bedtime. This allows you to sleep through any minor “internal warming” that might occur. Pro-tip: Take it with a slice of apple and avoid hot showers or alcohol right before bed, unless you want to experience what a human microwave feels like. 
  • Why it matters: It tells your liver to stop pumping out VLDL (the “pre-trash” that becomes LDL) and prevents your “good” HDL from being broken down too fast. It’s like giving your HDL a longer lifespan so it can do more cleaning. 

EssentiaGreens & Reds Powder

  • The Dose: 1 scoop daily 
  • The Science: This is basically a “Sponge and Broom” for your digestive tract. 
  • Why it matters: The soluble fiber in these powders binds to bile and cholesterol in your gut and… well, it helps you escort them out of the building via the “porcelain throne.” If you don’t have enough fiber, your body just recycles that old cholesterol. In this case don’t be a recycler. 

Phosphatidylcholine (The “Soap” for your Gallbladder)

  • The Dose: 1 softgel daily (420mg) 
  • The Science: This is a phospholipid that helps keep your bile liquid and slippery. 
  • Why it matters: Without enough “PC,” your bile can get thick and sludgy (like old engine oil). This supplement keeps the bile flowing, which helps your liver dump excess cholesterol into your gut so the Greens & Reds can sweep it away. 

Biomega-1000: Omega-3 Fish Oil (The Anti-Soot)

Why it matters: They primarily target triglycerides (the floating fats in your blood) by telling the liver to stop overproducing them. They also help turn small, “angry” LDL particles into large, “fluffy” ones that are much less likely to get stuck in your artery walls. p) 

The Dose: 2 softgels (1-2g total DHA, DPA, EPA) 

The Science: Omega-3s are the ultimate “anti-inflammation” oil. 

References

  1. Calder, P. C. (2020). Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: Anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertriglyceridemia mechanisms in cardiovascular disease. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, 23(2), 103–108. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33179122/ 
  2. Cicero, A. F. G., Colletti, A., Bajraktari, G., Descamps, O., Djuric, D. M., Ezhov, M., Fras, Z., Katsiki, N., Langlois, M., Latkovskis, G., Mikhailidis, D. P., Moriarty, P. M., Rizzo, M., Sahebkar, A., Serban, M. C., Sperling, L., & Banach, M. (2017). Role of nutraceuticals in hypolipidemic therapy. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 69(11), 137–155. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26664894/ 
  3. DiNicolantonio, J. J., Meier, P., & O’Keefe, J. H. (2025). Functional foods and nutraceuticals for dyslipidemia management. Nutrients, 17(16), 2648. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/16/2648 
  4. Ganji, S. H., & Kamanna, V. S. (2003). Mechanisms of niacin-induced HDL elevation and LDL reduction. American Journal of Cardiology, 92(4A), 23J–28J. https://go.drugbank.com/articles/A19558 
  5. Guyton, J. R., & Bays, H. E. (2007). Niacin and cholesterol: Role in cardiovascular disease. Journal of Clinical Lipidology, 1(3), 230–240. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12873710/ 
  6. Hayes, K. C., Pronczuk, A., & Perlman, D. (2015). Clinical trial supports cardiovascular benefits of annatto tocotrienols. NutraIngredients. 
  7. Küllenberg de Gaudry, D., & Obeid, R. (2012). Dietary phospholipids and cholesterol metabolism. Nutrition Research Reviews, 25(1), 1–12. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3257636/ 
  8. Markowiak, P., & Śliżewska, K. (2018). Dietary fibers, prebiotics, and exopolysaccharides produced by lactic acid bacteria: Potential health benefits with special regard to cholesterol-lowering effects. Journal of Functional Foods, 44, 170–185. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29790546/ 
  9. Mozaffarian, D., & Wu, J. H. Y. (2011). The fats of life: The role of omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of coronary heart disease. JAMA Internal Medicine, 171(7), 652–659. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/649196 
  10. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2020). Garlic. NIH Clinical Digest. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK133572/ 
  11. Qureshi, A. A., Bradlow, B. A., Brace, L., Manganello, J., Peterson, D. M., Pearce, B. C., Wright, J. J., & Gapor, A. (1993). Tocotrienols regulate cholesterol production in mammalian cells by post-transcriptional suppression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase. Journal of Nutrition, 123(9), 1460–1467. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8388388/ 
  12. Wang, Y., Chuang, Y. C., Hsu, Y. L., Hsieh, S. C., Wang, C. J., & Hsu, J. D. (2002). A mixed green vegetable and fruit beverage decreased the serum level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic patients. Nutrition Research, 22(3), 373–381. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12010009/ 

Jackson McKeehan

Jackson McKeehan DC

Dr. Jackson McKeehan believes healthcare should be personal, root-cause focused, and natural, helping patients move beyond quick fixes.

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