Why High Cholesterol May Be a Repair Signal, Not the Enemy

Why High Cholesterol May Be a Repair Signal, Not the Enemy

Author: Dr. Jack Wolfson July 3, 2026 Duration: 38:59

Cardiologists spend their careers talking about cholesterol. On this episode, I wanted to go one level deeper, down to the cell membrane, because that's where heart health is really decided. Justine Stenger has spent years studying phospholipids like phosphatidylcholine, the fats that build the membranes wrapping every one of your cells and your mitochondria.

We talk about why the membrane, not the nucleus, acts as the brain of the cell, and how cholesterol fits into that picture as a helper rather than a villain. Justine walks through how a phospholipid shortage may push the liver to make more cholesterol to repair membrane damage, why our modern toxic load makes that shortage so common, and what food, oral, and clinical approaches she looks at to support cellular repair. We also cover the lab markers you can track over time, from cholesterol and triglycerides to homocysteine, so this stays practical, not just theoretical.

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About the Guest:

Justine Stenger is a cellular-health educator and the Lead Educator at BodyBio, where she teaches practitioners and patients about phospholipids, fatty acids, and mitochondrial health. She earned her degree from the University of Alberta, trained in holistic nutrition through Bauman College, and completed her Functional Medicine training through the Institute for Functional Medicine, where she is a certified Functional Medicine Health Coach. She is also Bredesen (ReCODE) trained.

With more than a decade supporting people with complex, chronic illness, Justine focuses on cell membrane medicine: giving cells the raw materials they need to repair, recharge, and do the work they were built to do.

Website: justinestenger.com


A special thank you to our presentation sponsor, BodyBio! Support your brain, gut, and cellular health with their science-backed, premium nutrients.

Shop the cellular health lineup here: https://bodybio.com/

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Jack Wolfson, DO, FACC

Websites: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drjackwolfson.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://naturalheartdoctor.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjackwolfson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


Ready to move past the confusion and fear of typical heart health approaches? 

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠naturalheartdoctor.com/discovery⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to schedule your free discovery call and start your journey toward a 100-year heart with real, evidence-based answers.

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Dr. Jack Wolfson hosts The Natural Heart Doctor Show, a conversation about moving beyond conventional cardiology's standard toolkit. While pharmaceuticals and surgeries dominate mainstream treatment for heart attacks, strokes, and atrial fibrillation, this podcast explores a different path focused on the body's innate capacity for healing. Each episode digs into practical, alternative strategies aimed at building genuine cardiac longevity-the kind that supports a vibrant life for decades. You'll hear specific discussions on nutrition, fitness tailored to heart health, and lifestyle adjustments that address root causes rather than just managing symptoms. The goal here isn't just to avoid the next procedure; it's about cultivating a resilient heart that thrives. Tune in for straightforward talk that redefines what true prevention and recovery can look like, all through the lens of natural medicine. This is where the aim for a hundred healthy years meets actionable, daily steps, making the journey toward a stronger heart an informed and natural one.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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