Our esteemed panel of doctors/scientists will explain common questions about cholesterol. What is cholesterol, and what is its role in the body? Why is it important? What are the various types of cholesterol? How do you interpret your test results? How have recommended levels changed over the years, and why? How do cholesterol-lowering medications work? Are they safe long-term? How does food affect cholesterol levels? These questions and more will be explained in this important program.
About the Speakers
Dr. Joshua Knowles is a physician-scientist at Stanford. He earned his M.D.–Ph.D. at UNC with Nobuyo Maeda and Nobel Laureate Oliver Smithies, and his internal medicine residency and fellowship at Stanford University primarily.
Robert H. Lustig, M.D., M.S.L., is emeritus professor of pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology, and member of the Institute for Health Policy Studies at UCSF. Dr. Lustig is a neuroendocrinologist, with expertise in obesity, diabetes, metabolism, and nutrition.
Dr. Ethan Weiss is a cardiologist whose special interests include preventive cardiology, the genetics of coronary disease, risk assessment for heart conditions and heart disease in the young.
A Nutrition, Food & Wellness Member-led Forum program. Forums at the Club are organized and run by volunteer programmers who are members of The Commonwealth Club, and they cover a diverse range of topics. Learn more about our Forums.

Dr. Joshua Knowles
Physician-scientist, Stanford

Dr. Robert H. Lustig
M.D., M.S.L., Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology, University of California, San Francisco

Dr. Ethan Weiss
Cardiologist

Patty James
Chief Innovation Officer, Foogal; Co-chair, Nutrition, Food & Wellness Member-led Forum, Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California—Moderator