Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn Episode 476: The Upside-Down Pyramid of the USDA Guidelines
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Jan 13, 2026 The latest USDA dietary guidelines shockingly feature an upside-down food pyramid, prioritizing meat and dairy. Dr. Kahn critiques the influence of industry ties on the advisory committee and questions the guidelines' emphasis on legumes. He highlights critical findings on lipoprotein(a) increasing long-term cardiovascular risk and validates Blue Zone lifestyles for longevity. Urinary albumin is discussed as a marker for endothelial dysfunction, and there's a drive to reduce saturated fat for better health outcomes. The core advice remains: eat real food, mostly plants, not too much.
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Index Aortic Size To Body Dimensions
- If you have an enlarged ascending aorta, ask your doctor to index the diameter to your body size, especially height.
- Smaller people may need surgery at smaller absolute aortic diameters compared with taller individuals.
Use Urine Protein As A Vascular Test
- Routinely measure urine albumin-creatinine ratio (MACR) to screen for endothelial dysfunction.
- Address positive results with smoking cessation, exercise, diet changes, and reducing saturated fat.
Lipoprotein(a) Strongly Predicts Risk
- High lipoprotein(a) in women predicts up to double the 30-year risk of stroke and coronary disease.
- Current treatments are inadequate and new drugs are urgently needed.
