#321: Dave Feldman & Alan Flanagan – Debating LDL Causality & the “Lipid Triad”

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Dave Feldman

Dave Feldman is a software engineer and runs the Cholesterol Code website. In 2015 Dave adopted a low-carb high-fat diet, which improved his overall health. However, upon seeing his LDL-cholesterol skyrocket, he set out learn all he could about blood lipids and health.

Dave has gained prominence as a “LDL-skeptic” and promoter of his “lipid triad” hypothesis. This lipid triad relates to a situation where one sees high LDL-C, high HDL-C and low triglycerides. Dave hypothesises that in such a context, the high LDL-C does not confer high risk of cardiovascular disease. This is counter to the current consensus position of the lipid hypothesis, where LDL plays a causal role in atherosclerosis development.

Alan Flanagan

Alan is the Research Communication Officer here at Sigma Nutrition. Alan is currently pursuing his PhD in nutrition at the University of Surrey, UK, with a research focus in chrononutrition. Alan previuosly completed a Masters in Nutritional Medicine at the same institution.

Originally a lawyer by background in Dublin, Ireland, Alan combines an investigative and logical approach to nutrition together with advocacy skills to communicate the often complicated world of nutrition science, and is dedicated to guiding healthcare professionals and the lay public in science-based nutrition.

• Dave’s Lipid Triad (High LDL, High HDL, Low TG) hypothesis
• Lipid hypothesis and supporting evidence for LDL’s causal role in atherosclerosis
• Independent risk factors vs. correlated measures
• Lifetime exposure of LDL
• All-cause mortality
• The enigma of HDL

• Cholesterol, Lipoproteins & Lipids: Understanding CVD Risk (Sigma Statement)
• Podcast #317: Understanding Diet & Heart Disease Risk (Alan & Danny reference the “lipid triad” phenotype at 20:34)
• Cholesterol Code
• Dave’s Twitter: @DaveKeto
• Alan’s Instagram: @thenutritional_advocate
• Danny’s Twitter: @NutritionDanny
• Danny’s Instagram: @dannylennon_sigma
• Boren et al., 2020 – Low-density lipoproteins cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: pathophysiological, genetic, and therapeutic insights: a consensus statement from the European Atherosclerosis Society Consensus Panel
• Bartlett et al., 2016 – Is Isolated Low High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol a Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor? New Insights From the Framingham Offspring Study
• Jeppesen et al., 2001 – Low triglycerides-high high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and risk of ischemic heart disease
• Get Podcast Transcripts

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