Dr. Esselstyn: “Mediterranean Diet (and Olive Oil) creates Heart Disease!”
Physionic
Aug 26, 2024
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Reevaluate olive oil's impact on endothelial health
A prominent physician argues that olive oil injures the endothelial cells that line your arteries, based on studies showing it inhibits blood vessel dilation after a meal.
Differentiate fats to protect artery function
The negative short-term effect on artery function seems specific to certain fats like olive oil, as canola oil and fish do not show the same significant impact.
Prioritize clinical outcomes over mechanistic data
We should focus on high-quality human data showing clinical outcomes, like fewer heart attacks, rather than getting misled by mechanistic data, like temporary changes in artery dilation.
Evaluate diet studies by comparing to control groups
Observing heart attacks in a diet study doesn't mean the diet is harmful; it's crucial to compare it to a control group, especially when participants are already at high risk.
Question Mediterranean diet's role in heart disease risk
Dr. Esselstyn claims a major study shows the Mediterranean diet creates heart disease because participants still had cardiac events, despite the diet showing a protective effect compared to a control group.
Balance short-term effects with long-term benefits of olive oil for artery health
While olive oil may inhibit artery function immediately after a meal, long-term randomized trials show it actually improves artery function over weeks and months.
Challenge olive oil criticism by recognizing exercise's similar effects on arteries
The argument that olive oil is harmful because it acutely worsens artery dilation is weak, as exercise has the same short-term effect yet is beneficial long-term.
More from
Physionic
You also might be interested in
Male vs. Female Brain Differences & How They Arise From Genes & Hormones | Dr. Nirao Shah
Peter’s takeaways on navigating HRT, rejuvenating the face, understanding the biology of aging, optimizing fertility, and learning to live well from the dying | Quarterly Podcast Summary #6
Boost Brain Power by 25% WITHOUT a Pill (Brain Optimization Secrets)
The Biohacking Tool That Will Change the World (Mitochondrial Transfusions)
Why Big Pharma Hates Nitric Oxide (And How to Use It Anyway)
