The Plant Free MD with Dr Anthony Chaffee Episode 293: Cholesterol Does NOT Cause Heart Disease
Jul 23, 2025
In this conversation, Dr. Anthony Chaffee, a medical doctor and former professional rugby player, challenges conventional views on cholesterol and heart disease. He discusses how fasting affects cholesterol levels and debunks myths surrounding saturated fats, highlighting sugar's role in heart issues. Chaffee also explores the impact of ketogenic and carnivore diets on thyroid health. With groundbreaking studies and a critical reevaluation of dietary guidelines, he encourages listeners to rethink what a 'healthy' diet truly means.
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Cholesterol Changes In Fasting
- LDL and HDL cholesterol rise during fasting or carb restriction, while triglycerides fall.
- This reflects a natural metabolic shift to fat metabolism, not dietary cholesterol intake.
LDL and HDL Transport Fat
- LDL and HDL are transport molecules for fat because fat isn't water soluble.
- Increasing these lipoproteins indicates improved fat metabolism and energy availability.
Oreo Cookie Cholesterol Experiment
- Dr. Nick Norwitz added 12 Oreo cookies daily to his nearly carnivore diet, causing his LDL cholesterol to drop 74%.
- This demonstrated carbohydrate intake changes cholesterol levels through metabolic state shifts.