The Dr. Hyman Show

What Standard Cholesterol Testing Isn't Telling You

13 snips
Dec 4, 2023
Join Dr. Elizabeth Boham, a Functional Medicine physician, Dr. Ronald Krauss, a leading researcher on cardiovascular disease, and Dr. Aseem Malhotra, a pioneer in lifestyle medicine, as they unpack the misconceptions around cholesterol. They discuss the inadequacy of standard cholesterol tests and the crucial role of cholesterol particle size. The conversation delves into the significance of belly fat, gut health, and the potential downsides of statins. With a focus on personalized health strategies, they emphasize lifestyle changes over medication in heart disease prevention.
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INSIGHT

Cholesterol's Role

  • High cholesterol is a factor influencing cardiovascular disease risk, but not the sole factor.
  • Many with elevated cholesterol need not worry, while others with moderate levels might face significant risk.
ADVICE

Advanced Cholesterol Testing

  • Standard cholesterol tests are outdated and insufficient.
  • Request advanced tests like NMR (LabCorp) or Cardio IQ (Quest) for comprehensive insights.
INSIGHT

Particle Size Matters

  • Cholesterol levels alone don't fully determine heart disease risk; particle size and number matter significantly.
  • Small, dense LDL particles are more dangerous than larger, fluffy ones, analogous to golf balls versus beach balls.
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