Diet Doctor Podcast #86:
A new study scientifically defines the group of people whose LDL cholesterol rises dramatically after starting a low-carb diet - so-called lean mass hyper-responders. But what does this mean if you are in this group, and what does it mean for the broader topic of cholesterol?
Citizen-scientist Dave Feldman coined the term "lean mass hyper-responders (LMHR)" to describe those whose LDL cholesterol dramatically rises after starting a low-carb diet. For years, he has written about his observations and anecdotal experience from others. Now we finally have the first scientific paper describing LMHRs and the association between LDL, body weight, and metabolic health. This first step has potentially profound implications for low-carb science and cholesterol science as a whole.
The paper doesn't address the risk of having elevated LDL. Instead,it highlights many important characteristics of those who experience a sharp LDL rise after going low carb.
A neutral stance toward LMHRs won't stand without some significant pushback. Traditional cardiology teaching is that elevated LDL is harmful. End of discussion. But is it?
In this episode, I interview four of the paper's authors, and as you'll hear, this paper does not reach broad sweeping conclusions but instead starts the discussion of LMHRs, a previously undefined and underexplored population.
Should we cheer this paper as progress in science? Or should we warn against it as a dangerous exploration that may harm people? Take a listen and decide for yourself.
About the video
Virtual podcast recorded in November 2021, published in December 2021.
Host: Dr. Bret Scher
Producer: Hari Dewang
