Join Dr. Ralph Esposito as he breaks down the complexities of the lipid panel and explains what your cholesterol testing results really mean. In this informative talk, you’ll learn how to interpret your HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, understand the significance of total cholesterol, and gain insights into improving heart health through a better grasp of lipid panel interpretation. Whether you’re looking to manage your cholesterol or simply understand your lipid test results, this discussion is essential for anyone focused on cardiovascular wellness.

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Timestamps:

• 00:01:23 – Let’s start with this, is such a thing as good or bad cholesterol?
• 00:03:00 – What is cholesterol? What is LDL cholesterol? HDL cholesterol? HDL and LDL? What are the differences between all these terms?
• 00:05:35 – When you usually go to a doctor, he uses cholesterol as a predictive marker of heart disease, so are you saying this is not the case?
• 00:08:36 – What is the role of triglycerides in the lipid panel?  
• 00:11:20 – When you’re looking at a traditional lipid panel, do you have ratios that you like to look at? Is there anything you can share with us about specific ratios that should be under certain values? Within a certain range?
• 00:15:20 – Are there any symptoms or signs that could be visible or felt by the person to be aware of that may be related to what you’re seeing in the lipid panel?
• 00:17:30 – Is it true that as we age, the higher the cholesterol levels, the more protective is it?
• 00:19:30 – If Dr. Ralph could design the ideal lipid panel, what would you like to see on it? What should be on that panel?
• 00:22:14 – What’s specifically is Apo B? Why is it measured on an advanced lipid panel?
• 00:27:20 – What is LP little a (LP(a))? What does it mean when it’s elevated? And how often should you measure it?
• 00:30:35 – If you’re eating healthy, and exercising, you don’t smoke and drink. What could cause cholesterol to elevate? 
• 00:35:49 – What do you think of Statins and lowering cholesterol? And what about the side effects?
• 00:40:08 – Are people who are on a carnivore diet, or a low-carb/high-fat diet, and they are more at risk, should they be concerned?
• 00:42:55 – In terms of lifestyle, how do smoking and alcohol play a role in the lipid panel?
• 00:45:12 – How does adrenal fatigue affect cholesterol?
• 00:47:27 – What is soft plaque vs hard plaque?
• 00:49:50 – Is there a functional test that you know is available by a specific lab where members could just order it themselves?

Resources:

• Dr. Ralph Instagram
• Dr. Ralph Website
• Example of an advanced Lipid Panel by LabCorp called the NMR LipoProfile Test (requires phlebotomy) / And here is an interpretative guide.