The Dr. Hyman Show Rethinking Cholesterol, Keto, and Cardiovascular Risk with Nick Norowitz
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Apr 30, 2025 
Nick Norowitz, a PhD from Oxford and Harvard medical student, shares his bold experiences with nutrition and metabolic health. He details his health crisis that led him to a ketogenic diet and the surprising spike in his LDL cholesterol. His infamous Oreo experiment brings a humorous twist to the conversation, challenging traditional views on cholesterol. The discussion dives into the nuances of diet, addressing misconceptions about meat and veganism, while highlighting the importance of personalized nutrition and metabolic awareness.
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Why LDL Rises on Keto in Lean
- Lean individuals on ketogenic diets often experience a significant LDL increase, unlike overweight people.
- This happens due to metabolic shifts involving fat burning and lipoprotein turnover, explaining differing cholesterol responses.
Oreos Lowered LDL Dramatically
- Nick Norowitz ate a sleeve of Oreos daily alongside his keto diet to test its effects on LDL cholesterol.
- His LDL dropped 71% in 16 days, outperforming a high dose statin which reduced it by 32.5%.
Beyond LDL: The Bigger Risk Picture
- LDL cholesterol is not the most important cardiovascular risk biomarker; insulin resistance and other markers are far more predictive.
- The medical focus on LDL is partly because it's easy to measure and treat with medication, not because it's the best risk indicator.