Cholesterol Biology: Structure, Turnover, and Function

In this inaugural episode of The Feldman Protocol, Dave Feldman sits down with renowned nurse practitioner and intermittent fasting expert Cynthia Thurlow, whose viral TED talk has garnered over 15 million views. The conversation explores the controversial world of intermittent fasting, metabolic health, and why dietary flexibility matters more than rigid dogma. Cynthia shares her evolution from traditional cardiology practice to functional medicine, revealing how she challenged conventional wisdom about cholesterol and statins before leaving traditional medicine in 2016. Dave and Cynthia dive deep into topics ranging from the cellular impact of seed oils to the psychology of sustainable weight loss, emphasizing the importance of personal experimentation and vulnerability in health discussions. This episode serves as a masterclass in critical thinking about nutrition, encouraging listeners to become "citizen scientists" of their own bodies while navigating the complex landscape of modern wellness advice.

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⏰ CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Introduction & Opening Thoughts

0:46 - Who is Cynthia Thurlow? Nurse Practitioner & Fasting Expert

1:23 - Why Intermittent Fasting is So Controversial

2:35 - Eating Disorders & Fasting: Important Distinctions

3:44 - The Challenge of Diet Tribalism & Finding What Works

5:21 - Ancestral Eating Patterns & Food Scarcity

7:38 - Breaking Free from Nutritional Dogma

8:37 - Personal Experimentation & Individual Responses

10:15 - The Power of Vulnerability in Health Discussions

12:30 - Dave's Personal Health Journey & Family Challenges

16:45 - Moving Beyond Traditional Medicine Paradigms

20:20 - The Importance of Face-to-Face Conversations

24:15 - Cynthia's Evolution: From Fasting Advocate to Flexible Approach

26:02 - Why Dietary Flexibility Matters More Than Perfection

28:30 - The Reality of Long-Term Diet Adherence

30:45 - Dave's Diet Soda Confession & Health Trade-offs

35:20 - Cholesterol, Statins & Clinical Practice Evolution

40:15 - The Problem with Primary Prevention Guidelines

45:30 - Cynthia's Father & the Statin Controversy

50:15 - Inherited Lipid Disorders & Family History

52:35 - The Fear of Malpractice in Modern Medicine

55:14 - Pediatric Cholesterol Screening: A Concerning Trend

59:49 - Dynamic Nature of Lipid Measurements

1:05:30 - Hormone Replacement Therapy & Women's Health

1:12:15 - The Complexity of Menopause & Metabolic Changes

1:18:45 - Strength Training & Muscle Building After 50

1:25:20 - The Role of Protein in Aging & Health

1:32:10 - Sleep, Stress & Recovery in Modern Life

1:38:30 - The Carnivore Diet Phenomenon & Elimination Protocols

1:44:45 - Understanding Food Sensitivities & Inflammatory Responses

1:50:20 - The Business of Nutrition & Supplement Industry

1:56:15 - Evidence-Based Practice vs. Clinical Experience

2:02:30 - The Future of Personalized Medicine

2:08:45 - Biomarker Interpretation & Individual Variation

2:15:20 - The Role of Continuous Glucose Monitors

2:21:30 - Meal Timing & Circadian Rhythm Considerations

2:27:15 - Exercise Timing & Metabolic Optimization

2:33:46 - Seed Oils: Inflammation & Cellular Membrane Impact

2:39:15 - The Cell Membrane & Fatty Acid Incorporation

2:45:30 - Mitochondrial Health & Cellular Energy Production

2:51:45 - Weight Loss Plateaus & Adipocyte Remodeling

2:57:20 - The Psychology of Sustainable Weight Loss

3:03:15 - Celebrating Non-Linear Health Journeys

3:09:30 - The Marathon Approach to Metabolic Health

3:15:45 - Closing Thoughts & Final Reflections

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