Cholesterol, Villain or Vital? Part 2

In Part 2 of Cholesterol, Villain or Vital?, Dr. Jennifer Hopkins builds on the foundation from Episode 1 and moves into the more complex side of the cholesterol conversation. Once you understand that cholesterol is not the enemy, the next question becomes, what now?

Dr. Hopkins explores when cholesterol medications may be appropriate, when they may not, and why lowering LDL alone does not automatically resolve inflammation, insulin resistance, or metabolic dysfunction. She explains how advanced lipid testing, including ApoB and Lipoprotein(a), can provide deeper insight into cardiovascular risk, and why genetics, menopause, stress, and metabolic health all influence how cholesterol behaves in the body.

This episode focuses on individualized care, informed decision making, and understanding risk through context rather than fear.

00:00 From Reframing Cholesterol to Making Decisions

02:00 Why Risk Is Individualized, Not One Size Fits All

04:00 Cholesterol Medications: When They Help and What They Don’t Fix

07:00 How Statins Work and Why Context Matters

11:00 Advanced Testing: Looking Beyond Standard Lipid Panels

14:00 Lipoprotein(a), Genetics, and Inherited Risk

18:00 Supplements That Support Cholesterol and Reduce Inflammation

23:00 Inflammation and Insulin Resistance, Why They Still Matter

31:00 Menopause, Hormones, and Age Related Cholesterol Shifts

33:00 Stress, Cortisol, and Metabolic Impact

41:00 How Often to Check Cholesterol and Understanding Trends

44:00 Personalized Care and Empowered Decision Making