What is cholesterol? Is it beneficial or is it harmful to our body? How is it related to insulin resistance (and what the heck is insulin resistance in the first place)?   Looking back over the past few decades, the benefits and dangers of cholesterol have been constantly shifting – triggering a war on fat and popularizing both high and low-fat diets. It’s confusing, frustrating, and even more overwhelming. So what’s the truth?     In this episode of the Align Podcast, author of The Great Cholesterol Myth, Jonny Bowden, gives us the answers. Jonny explains why we have demonized cholesterol and why HDL cholesterol isn’t what we should be looking at as a predetermining factor for heart disease. And, he breaks down what the heck is cholesterol in the first place, the values of it in our body, blood, and brain, and how it actually gets produced in our body.   Plus, he dives into the close relationship between cholesterol and insulin resistance, which is one of the most leading factors of inflammation and heart disease. Essentially, if we are insulin resistance, our hormones and metabolism are all out of whack. But don’t worry, the good news is that it can be treated, prevented, and reversed by diet alone.   Jonny Bowden, PhD, C.N.S. is a nationally known expert on weight loss and nutrition and author of twelve books, including multiple best-sellers. Johny offers inspiring advice on weight, health and nutrition have been read by millions and he has contributed material to over 50 national magazines and newspapers.   What we discuss:   6:29: Why cholesterol was the wrong target for measuring the risk of heart disease 9:33: What it means to be insulin resistant 13:15: Issues associated with high blood sugar 17:53: Where did the low-fat diet evolve from? 20:54: Cholesterol’s role in the body 23:16: Why should we be monitoring our lipoprotein levels? 24:27: How do LDL and HDL relate to each other? 29:06:Effects of our attitudes, sleep, and relationships on our stress hormones 32:30: Stress and imbalanced cholesterol resistance 34:03: Non-nutritional factors impacting the mechanisms of cholesterol 40:19: Preparing ourselves to face viruses more effectively 46:04: Best and worse dietary oils to consume 49:15: Navigating through confusing and conflicting information   Find more from Jonny:   Website: jonnybowden.com Book: The Great Cholesterol Myth Instagram: @jonnybowden Twitter: @jonnybowden   Be sure to check out the Align Collection, including Align bands, pants, shorts, and more! Shop now here.