Episode Details

Is cholesterol really the problem, or have we been focusing on the wrong culprit all along?

In this episode of The GoodLife in Health and Wellness, Dr. Kate Duncan breaks down why cholesterol is not the true driver of heart disease and why inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and hormone imbalance matter far more. As part of our Heart and Hormone Health series, this conversation explores what actually causes plaque formation and cardiovascular risk, especially for women navigating perimenopause and menopause.

You will learn why standard cholesterol panels often miss the full picture and which markers truly matter, including LDL particle size, triglycerides, ApoB, and hs-CRP. Dr. Duncan explains how blood sugar imbalance, chronic stress, gut health, and hormonal shifts change the behavior of cholesterol and increase inflammation inside the arteries.

This episode also connects the dots between heart health, insulin resistance, cortisol, estrogen, and lifestyle factors that quietly drive cardiovascular risk long before symptoms appear. If you have ever been told your cholesterol is "high" without understanding why, or if your labs look normal but you still do not feel well, this episode will give you clarity and a new perspective.