Issue #447: A Brand New Study on LDL Cholesterol
Good morning. It’s Friday, April 18th.
In today’s email:
Learn: What Does High LDL Really Mean?
Try: Don’t Eat Before Bed
Listen: Dhru Purohit Takes on LDL
In the News: Hobbies are Not a Luxury
Explore: 50 Adventures
Brain Games: Kyudoku
Stat of the Day
The number of Americans on a statin drug in 2019. That’s 35% of the total population and an increase from 31 million (12% of population) in 2009. (CDC)
Learn
What Does High LDL Really Mean?
Judging by the increase in statins in the last 15 years (see Stat of the Day) - you’d think we’re winning the battle against heart disease.
In 2009 - 6.2% of Americans reported heart disease. 10 years later that number dropped all the way to…5.5%.
So nearly a quarter of the population is now taking one of these drugs and the annual percentage change in heart disease is (0.1%).
Maybe there’s more to the risk of heart disease than just LDL cholesterol.
A new study just came out that looked at “healthy” people with high LDL. These were participants with normal blood pressure and metabolic biomarkers (e.g., fasting blood glucose and HbA1c), and no diagnosed disease.
In addition, they were eating a keto diet.
There’s actually a correlation between the keto diet and high cholesterol.
It’s true - when you go keto, by definition you’re eating more fat and fewer carbs. Just like oil doesn’t mix with water, fat can’t be transported in our blood without a carrier - that’s cholesterol and lipoproteins like Apo B.
So the more fat we consume - the more cholesterol.
But because these participants were using fat as their primary source of fuel (again - no carbs), the cholesterol was efficiently delivering the fat to cells and many of these cholesterol carriers (think boats in the water) were empty.
So even though the average measure of LDL cholesterol was high, the average measure of triglycerides (fat) was low.
The study had these participants take a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) scan at the start and end of the study (12 months apart). The CAC scan measures calcified plaque in our blood vessels.
The results showed that if the participants started with a low CAC score, then this number didn’t change much one year later - regardless of the increased exposure to high LDL or Apo B.
But the participants with higher CAC scores at the beginning of the study did increase in the same timeframe.
So the conclusions of the study:
Existing plaque leads to more plaque, and…
High LDL/Apo B doesn’t necessarily lead to more plaque.
Now before you think we’re going 100% against Dr. Peter Attia - this study only ran for 12 months and only included 100 people. But it’s interesting to see studies on “healthy” participants.
And it’s worth noting that it just might be more than LDL/Apo B to consider.
So what should we think if our lab tests come back with high LDL or Apo B?
First - we’re all different and you can’t really make an accurate self-diagnosis from just this study.
It’s important to check for other factors - most importantly:
Blood Pressure (potentially compromised artery walls - the endothelium)
Metabolic Markers (Fasting Insulin, Triglycerides, HbA1c)
Then the next step is to get a CAC. Because you really want to know if you have plaque starting to build up or not.
Don’t take one study as gospel - but it’s good to see evolving research really get to what is causing heart disease, not just correlation.
Thrive25 Partner Spotlight
Caraway is transforming how we cook—creating sleek, well-designed kitchenware that makes your life easier and healthier.
Every time Max uses Zero Acre Farms (use code Thrive25) cultured oil in his Caraway sauté pan, he knows he’s making a healthier choice and reducing his carbon footprint.
Why Choose Caraway?
Functional Design: Naturally non-stick surfaces and convenient storage racks make cooking and cleanup a breeze.
Healthier Living: Cook with non-toxic materials designed for real life, so you can enjoy meals without the chemicals.
Make cooking easier, healthier, and more enjoyable - grab your Caraway products today and experience the difference.
By purchasing Caraway’s products, you’re not only enhancing your cooking experience - you’re also supporting Thrive25 in our mission to make health and longevity approachable.
Try
Don’t Eat Before Bed
One of the best ways to lower insulin and protect your immune system - which is responsible to fix artery walls before plaque builds up -
Don’t eat 3 hours before bed.
This is the prime time when our body is able to recover and that recovery is essential for our heart.
If you’re intermittent fasting - try to skip a late dinner instead of an early breakfast.
And if you’re super hungry at night and struggle with low glucose at 3am (like me) you can cheat with a spoonful of organic, raw honey.
Bonus: Get your CAC scan
If you get a 0 reading - then you probably can wait 3-5 years before another scan. But if you’re in the 1-99 range, then probably best to go more frequently (2-3 years) and talk to your cardiologist for the best protocols to prevent cardiovascular problems.
Listen
Dhru Purohit Takes on LDL
Get more details from the lead sponsor of the above mentioned study, Dave Feldman.
Don’t let the headline fool you - he’s authentic in that he’s constantly challenging his own beliefs, admitting when he doesn’t know the answer and genuinely trying to help us all figure out what’s best for our health.
Explore
50 Adventures
Check out this bucket list from Outside. From bioluminescent paddles in Puerto Rico to hut-to-hut hikes in New Hampshire, these 50 adventures aren’t just trips - they’re transformation.
These journeys move more than just your muscles - they ignite your sense of connection. Ride horses with Navajo guides in Arizona’s Canyon de Chelly. Build a sweat and friendship tumbling with fellow adults in an after-dark gymnastics gym. Cook and laugh around campfires. Dance barefoot at Red Rocks. Paddle through silence. Sit still in awe.
It’s not about being extreme - it’s about being alive. You don’t need to summit the highest peak or conquer Class V rapids (though you could 😉). You just need to show up. And move.
This is the kind of escape that leaves your heart full, your legs sore, and your mind crystal clear. It’s the kind of break that fills you up rather than drains you down.
Ready to feel alive? The wild is waiting.
H&L in the News
Hobbies Are Not a Luxury: We were promised a golden age of leisure - but endless work, screens, and side hustles stole our time. Reclaiming a hobby might be the most radical thing you do this year. (Washington Post)
Life…on a Hycean World?: Astronomers have detected a molecule linked to life - dimethyl sulfide - in the atmosphere of K2-18b, a distant (only 120 light-years!) ocean-covered exoplanet. It’s not proof of aliens, but it’s the strongest clue of life outside of Earth. (NYTimes)
Memory’s Secret Spark Revealed: A 50-year journey from a rabbit experiment to the heart of memory itself - scientists are finally unlocking how the brain learns, stores, and sometimes misfires in pain, fear, and disease. (Knowable)
Brain Games
Kyudoku
This one is a 4/5 on the difficulty scale, so block a few minutes for this puzzle!
Kyudoku is a 6x6 grid where you need to use logic to find nine unique numbers (1 to 9) so that each row and column has a sum of 9 or less. The 6 highlighted in yellow is given.
Here’s a little help to get started. Because we know 6 is given, we can’t use 6 again (gray boxes) and we can also eliminate any numbers that would make the sum of the row or column with the given number more than 9 (blue boxes). Again, this is a little tougher - good luck!
Credit: Brainzilla
**For answer, scroll to the bottom of the post
Product Recs
Please consider the following brands - when you purchase products we’ve tried and trust, you’re not just investing in your health - you’re also supporting Thrive25’s mission to make health & longevity accessible for everyone (we do earn a commission).
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Thanks for another great week!
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** Brain Games Answer **
Why Thrive25
We’re 40-something dads that felt our bodies and minds start to slow down and we’re not ready for that. We found too much information on every subject. So we started Thrive25 to transform what we’ve learned into something useful for the rest of us to spend just 3-5 min a day to optimize our health & longevity.
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To health!
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The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25, Inc. does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.