Cardiologist Alok Chopra recently argued that cholesterol has been unfairly demonised over the years. Speaking on Eisha Chopra’s podcast, he said, “Cholesterol has become a swear word…everybody thinks it’s evil. The moment the cholesterol goes around 200, everybody gets a pill. You must understand that cholesterol is essential for life… Where does cholesterol come from? I ask most of my patients, and they say it comes from food. I said (reply) not at all. 85% of cholesterol is made by our body. If something is made in our body, how can it be bad? Cholesterol is deeply linked to our immunity; it does a damn good job for that. Deactivating bacteria, controlling infections, protecting against damage, reducing the chances of AIDS, Alzheimers, recovery from illness, all that is done by cholesterol. So cholesterol varies over time, with levels increasing in winter and decreasing in summer. It increases after infections, after surgery, dental treatment, and even stress.…