Your Heart’s #1 Hidden Threat

It’s not cholesterol—it’s what is behind the cholesterol.

By Dr. Paul Bernitt

TriVita Director of Wellness Services and

Board-Certified Doctor of Holistic Health

Here’s a surprising fact: cholesterol is actually your body’s emergency repair patch. It shows up when your artery walls become irritated, inflamed or damaged. So instead of asking, “How do I lower cholesterol?” the real question should be, “”What is damaging the arteries in the first place, and what can I do about it?”

That answer changes everything…

The Real Culprit: Chronic Inflammation

Deep inside your cells, inflammation can slowly build without warning. You don’t see it… You don’t feel it… At least, not at first. However, over time, the silent inflammation irritates the lining of your arteries, causing them to stiffen, weaken and become more susceptible to the formation of plaque.

Once that happens, your body sends cholesterol to “patch” the damaged area. However, if inflammation persists, cholesterol continues to accumulate, leading to plaque buildup. This is why researchers now agree:

Inflammation → Artery Irritation → Stiffness → Cholesterol buildup → Higher cardiovascular risk

Inflammation—not cholesterol—is the spark that starts the fire.

What Does Inflammation Feel Like?

Many people think they would “feel” inflammation if it were that serious. But, here’s the truth:

Pain is one of the most significant clues.

Persistent joint pain, stiffness, backaches, knee pain and shoulder pain are not just “getting older.” These are signs that inflammation is affecting tissues throughout the body.

And, here’s the part most people don’t know:

The same inflammation that causes chronic pain can also damage your arteries and increase cardiovascular risk.

If inflammation is high in your joints, it’s usually high in your blood vessels, too.

CRP: The Silent Marker to Discuss with Your Doctor

One of the strongest indicators of cardiovascular risk is C-reactive protein (CRP)---a blood marker that your body releases when inflammation is high.

Study after study shows that high CRP levels are a stronger predictor of heart risk than cholesterol levels are. In fact, inflammation is the key driver behind artery stiffness, plaque instability and decreased circulation.

The good news?

CRP levels can go down when the inflammation driving them subsides.

A Science-Backed Natural Solution: Nopalea®

Nopalea, derived from the fruit of a Sonoran Desert cactus, has been clinically studied for its potent anti-inflammatory properties—particularly its ability to help the body reduce CRP levels.

Here’s what the science shows:

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study:

• CRP levels dropped in participants who used Nopalea daily.

• Participants experienced an increase in range of motion.

• Participants reported a reduction in the use of pain medication.

This is robust evidence that Nopalea helps calm the chronic inflammation that damages not only muscles and joints, but also irritates vital organs and, yes, arteries.

How Calming Inflammation Supports Your Heart

When inflammation decreases, your cardiovascular system gets the relief it needs to function more efficiently.

Reduced inflammation supports:

• Softer, more flexible arteries

• Healthier circulation

• Reduced stress on the heart

• Better nutrient and oxygen delivery

• Lower CRP levels—a major cardiovascular risk factor

When your arteries stay flexible, blood flows more easily, and your heart doesn’t have to work as hard with every beat.

Pain: A Warning Sign You Should Never Ignore

Pain is not random…

It’s not something you should “just live with…”

And, it’s not simply part of aging…

Pain is your body’s way of saying,

“Inflammation is happening—and it may be harming more than just your joints.”

If you’re feeling…

• Knee pain

• Hip stiffness

• Shoulder aches

• Back pain

• Morning stiffness

• Trouble climbing stairs

…you may also have inflammation affecting the insides of your arteries.

Addressing the inflammation that causes pain can also reduce the inflammation that contributes to cardiovascular risk.

Why Nopalea Stands Out

Nopalea works by providing betalains, potent plant compounds known to support a healthy inflammatory response. These natural nutrients help the body calm the irritation that leads to tissue damage, pain and CRP elevation.

By supporting a healthier inflammatory response:

• Pain becomes more manageable

• Movement becomes easier

• CRP levels can decrease

• And, your cardiovascular system gets the support it desperately needs

This is whole-body inflammation relief.

And, your heart benefits just as much as your joints.

Give Your Heart the Support It Deserves

Chronic inflammation is one of the most dangerous—and most overlooked—threats to your cardiovascular health. Cholesterol is not the enemy…

The real enemies are the irritation and inflammation that attract cholesterol in the first place.

February is Heart Health Month, and I encourage you to take inflammation seriously. Listen to your body. Notice the signals. Consider giving your heart a natural, science-backed way to reduce chronic inflammation, thereby supporting vascular health and finding relief.

Nopalea is more than pain support—it’s inflammation support.

And when inflammation goes down, your heart, joints and overall vitality can rise.

To your health, wellness and a stronger heart,

Dr. Paul Bernitt

TriVita Director of Wellness Services and

Board-Certified Doctor of Holistic Health