Taught by a Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacist: Cholesterol isn't just caused by meat. The surprising connection to sweets.

Introduction

I received this question during a TikTok live stream.

"Does eating sweets raise cholesterol? I have the impression that meat and alcohol are what cause high cholesterol."

It is true that when people think of cholesterol, they strongly associate it with "meat, fried foods, and alcohol." But in reality, sweets are just as much a cause of rising cholesterol. Today, I will explain the mechanism behind this and share a medicinal recipe rich in dietary fiber.

Conclusion

If you eat too many sweets, your cholesterol will rise.

Cholesterol is the body's "nutrient stock." When you eat too many sweets (carbohydrates), the portion that isn't used up is converted into cholesterol and stored in the body.

Reason

Why does the body store nutrients?

The human body has evolved to survive even in states of starvation. Even in disasters or harsh environments where food is unavailable, the body can survive for several days on water alone by using the fat stored within it as energy.

This is a mechanism for protecting life that the body has acquired over a long history.

The mechanism by which sweets turn into "stock"

When you eat carbohydrates (sweets, rice, bread, etc.), the body uses them as energy. However, the excess amount from overeating is not discarded, but rather repacked into "cholesterol" packages and stored in the body.

Lipids from meat and fried foods are also converted into cholesterol packages in the same way.

It is easy to understand if you compare it to a warehouse. Since items of irregular shapes are difficult to stack, they are repacked into identical cardboard boxes for efficient storage. The body does the same thing; it converts both carbohydrates and lipids into the same form—cholesterol—to store them.

From a Western medical perspective, excessive intake of carbohydrates increases neutral fats and promotes cholesterol synthesis in the liver. It is not just that "sweets make you fat"; they also directly affect the condition of your blood.

Things to know about cholesterol medication

Cholesterol medication blocks the pathway that converts dietary fat into cholesterol. Because the values are masked while taking the medication, cholesterol levels drop, but the raw fat remains. Therefore, if you stop taking the medication, your levels will immediately return to their original values. It is important to also pay attention to overeating sweets.

Medicinal Recipe

May Medicinal Recipe: Mushrooms, Wakame Seaweed, and New Onion with Ponzu Dressing

This is a dish that helps clean the intestines by combining ingredients rich in dietary fiber. It works to slow the absorption of carbohydrates and fats.

Ingredients (for 2 servings)

• Mushrooms (shimeji, enoki, etc.) 150g

• Wakame seaweed (dried) 5g

• New onion 1/2 piece

• Ponzu sauce 2 tablespoons

• Sesame oil 1 teaspoon

• Ground white sesame seeds, a little

Instructions

1. Remove the stems from the mushrooms and break them into bite-sized pieces. Briefly blanch in boiling water and drain well.

2. Rehydrate the wakame in water and cut into bite-sized pieces.

3. Thinly slice the new onion, soak in water for 5 minutes, and drain well.

4. Place all ingredients in a bowl, add the ponzu and sesame oil, and toss to combine.

5. Serve in a dish and sprinkle with ground white sesame seeds.

Medicinal Food Points

• Mushrooms: Rich in dietary fiber, they work to suppress the absorption of excess cholesterol and carbohydrates. They are excellent ingredients for cleaning the gastrointestinal tract.

• Wakame: Water-soluble dietary fiber slows the absorption of carbohydrates and fats. It helps keep the blood flowing smoothly.

• New onion: In season in May. It regulates blood flow and works to expel excess substances from the body. Its pungent components support blood circulation.

Summary

• The cause of high cholesterol is not just meat and fats. Eating too many sweets has just as much of an impact.

• Excess carbohydrates are converted into packages called cholesterol and stored in the body

• It is important to incorporate high-fiber foods into your daily life to slow down the absorption of carbohydrates and fats

Medicine is not magic. A cold body cannot break down fat. Adjusting your diet, exercise, and bathing habits is the shortcut to fundamentally improving cholesterol.

Course Information

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Medicinal Cooking Introductory Course 6-month program will start on the second Monday of September 2026.

This is an introductory course that even beginners can learn with peace of mind. You will spend 6 months thoroughly learning the basics of medicinal cooking that are easy to incorporate into your daily meals.

• Format: Zoom and archive viewing

• Time: 20:00–21:00

• Tuition: 54,000 yen

Click here for details and registration
https://kawamoto.my.canva.site/yakuzen-kawamoto

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