Cholesterol: The Good, the Bad and What to Do About It

It's hard to keep up with all of the headlines about what to eat, what supplements to take, and when medication should be considered to keep your heart healthy. Your cells need cholesterol to function, but too much and you're at risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Where do you even start?

Luckily, Eric J. Brandt, M.D., a cardiologist and lipidologist, joined us recently to share his approach to managing cholesterol.

"What we focus on are treating diseases that are genetic or lifestyle mediated," says Brandt. "We bring a very specific lenses and toolkit to trying to use specific medications to manage those disorders."

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In a recent Facebook live video, featured above, Brandt explains it all: from good and bad cholesterol to the health risks of high cholesterol and advice on ways to lower it, to lifestyle changes, medications and alternative treatments that can be used.

Don't have time to watch the whole video? Jump to sections you're most interested in learning more about:

• What is cholesterol and why is it important to pay attention to?
• "Good" cholesterol and "bad" cholesterol - what are each type and what should your cholesterol levels be?
• What should our cholesterol levels be, and how low is too low for cholesterol?
• What can cause cholesterol to be too high? Is it inherited?
• What health risks come from high cholesterol?
• What age should you start thinking about your cholesterol?
• What lifestyle interventions might work to manage your cholesterol?
• What is the best diet for cholesterol? (Plant based? Keto? Mediterranean? Intermittent fasting?)
• Which foods make cholesterol better or worse?
• Do fish oil supplements help cholesterol?
• Are statins safe and effective? What are the side effects?
• If you are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol, how does that change your options for interventions?
• How often do you need to get your cholesterol levels checked?
• Is there a connection between high cholesterol and high blood pressure?
• What innovations are coming in cholesterol management or what's new?