Why Your Cholesterol Is High—and How to Start Fixing It in 10 Days

3 Heart Experts Reveal What Really Prevents Heart Disease

As part of our summer series, we're revisiting some of the most important conversations we've had on the topics that matter most to our health. And few are more important than heart disease. Heart disease remains the number one cause of death worldwide. Yet despite decades of research, millions of prescriptions, and billions of dollars spent on treatment, many people are still confused about what actually causes it—and what we can do to prevent it. For years, the conversation around heart disease has focused almost entirely on cholesterol. But what if that's only part of the story? In this special compilation episode, you'll hear from Dr. Cindy Geyer of The UltraWellness Center [https://www.ultrawellnesscenter.com/], Dr. Eric Topol, and Dr. Aseem Malhotra as they explore a different perspective on heart disease—one that goes beyond cholesterol and looks at the deeper drivers of cardiovascular risk, including inflammation, insulin resistance, metabolic dysfunction, lifestyle, and early detection. You'll hear why many experts now believe heart disease often begins decades before symptoms appear, why traditional testing can miss important warning signs, and how emerging science is giving us new tools to identify risk earlier than ever before. Most importantly, you'll hear a message that is both practical and hopeful: that many of the factors driving heart disease are within our control, and that prevention remains one of the most powerful tools we have. Let's dive in. View Show Notes From This Episode [https://drhyman.com/blogs/content/podcast-ep1155]Sign up for Dr. Hyman’s Brainshaping Academy to learn how to nourish the biological systems that support your mental, emotional, and cognitive health [https://drhyman.com/products/brainshaping?utm_source=dr_hyman_show&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=may_27&utm_content=link] https://drhyman.com/products/brainshaping?utm_source=dr_hyman_show&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=may_27&utm_content=link [https://drhyman.com/products/brainshaping?utm_source=dr_hyman_show&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=may_27&utm_content=link] Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman [https://drhyman.com/picks/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=shownotes] https://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast [https://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast] Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journal [https://drhyman.com/longevity/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=shownotes] https://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast [https://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast] Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Health [https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox] https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox [https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox] Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Results [https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive] https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive [https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive] This episode is brought to you by BON CHARGE, BIOptimizers, Rho, Made In, Seatopia, and Cozy Earth. Explore red light products at boncharge.com/hyman [http://boncharge.com/hyman] and enjoy 15% off with code HYMAN. Go to bioptimizers.com/hyman [http://bioptimizers.com/hyman] and use code HYMAN to save 15% off your order, plus get a free gift.  Explore science-backed products at rhonutrition.com [http://rhonutrition.com/] and use code HYMAN for 20% off the entire site. Upgrade your cookware at madeincookware.com [http://madeincookware.com/] and save 10% off your first order with code HYMAN-HIVE. Find a cleaner source of seafood. Check out seatopia.fish/hyman [http://seatopia.fish/hyman] and receive free shipping on your first order. Head to cozyearth.com [http://cozyearth.com/] to save 20% and upgrade all of your daily essentials today. (0:00) The persistence of heart disease and the low-fat diet hypothesis (0:32) Preventing heart disease through diet, lifestyle, and simple behaviors (2:19) Revisiting key conversations on heart disease (3:44) Beyond cholesterol: deeper drivers and risk factors (7:18) Typical workup, treatments, and advances in cholesterol testing (17:48) Metabolic health, hormonal, and inflammatory factors in heart disease (29:37) Advances in cardiovascular diagnostics and AI (31:31) Impact of lifestyle and new pharmacological treatments (36:55) Statins, side effects, and lipoprotein fractionation (40:13) The role of AI, new diagnostics, and Dr. Topol's journey (43:19) Rethinking treatment: diet, industry influence, and the low-fat craze (45:28) Saturated fat, cholesterol, and revisiting the evidence (48:00) Cholesterol in heart disease risk and systematic drug review (52:31) Insulin resistance, cholesterol’s role, and mortality (58:31) Challenges in changing medical dogma (1:00:31) Closing remarks and call to action

Encore: Why Normal Cholesterol Doesn't Always Mean Low Heart Disease Risk

High cholesterol has been treated as the main cause of heart disease for decades. But over the years, I've changed my mind. Today, I believe cholesterol is only part of the story, and that inflammation, insulin resistance, and metabolic health are often the real drivers of cardiovascular disease. In this encore episode, I'm revisiting one of my most talked-about Office Hours conversations to share how my thinking has evolved and why understanding the root cause of heart disease can completely change the way you approach prevention. In today's episode, I discuss: * Why cholesterol alone is a poor predictor of heart disease—and the biomarkers I believe matter even more, including ApoB, lipoprotein(a), inflammation, and insulin resistance * The surprising role sugar, refined carbohydrates, and metabolic dysfunction play in driving cardiovascular disease * Why two people with the same cholesterol can have dramatically different heart disease risk—and how a personalized approach changes the conversation * The nutrition, lifestyle, and testing strategies I use to help reduce inflammation, improve metabolic health, and lower cardiovascular risk at its source Heart disease isn't simply a cholesterol problem—it's often a metabolic and inflammatory problem. When you understand what's really driving your risk, you can stop chasing a single number and start addressing the underlying biology that supports lifelong cardiovascular health. Track your metabolic and cardiovascular health biomarkers: functionhealth.com/mark [http://functionhealth.com/mark] for 160+ lab tests at just $365/year. Use code MARK2026 for $50 off. Have a question you'd love answered on Office Hours? Submit it here' [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNF2y4lFWEOMLlzVNlFDpJ4xl7oOpH9NlImMoHr5mHggL_Ww/viewform?usp=header] (0:00) The cholesterol and heart disease paradox; introduction and overview of cholesterol, inflammation, and metabolic health (1:11) Sponsor: Function Health (1:41) Traditional views vs. new science on cholesterol, inflammation, and heart disease (4:52) Inflammation and sugar as key factors in heart disease (8:41) Advanced markers: ApoB, lipoprotein fractionation, and comprehensive testing (13:57) Causes of inflammation and holistic heart disease prevention (19:35) Metabolic health risks, new technologies, and personalized interventions (22:35) Diet, exercise, lifestyle, and supplements for heart and metabolic health (25:03) Understanding heart disease beyond cholesterol (25:37) Sponsor: Brain Shaping Academy (26:33) Community engagement, sharing, and final thoughts (28:07) Sponsor acknowledgments and closing remarks

Why Reproductive Health May Be the Most Important Biomarker for Women's Longevity | Dr. Natalie Crawford

Most health issues don't appear overnight. Long before a diagnosis is made, the body often provides subtle clues that something needs closer attention. On this episode of The Dr. Hyman Show, I talk with double board-certified fertility physician Dr. Natalie Crawford about her new book, The Fertility Formula [https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book], and why fertility and hormone health can reveal far more about your health than many people realize. We discuss: * Why the menstrual cycle may be one of the clearest indicators of overall health * How sleep, stress, and insulin resistance may be affecting your hormones * The overlooked symptoms that may signal deeper dysfunction * What many women get wrong about PCOS and hormone health * Practical strategies to support fertility, reduce inflammation, and improve long-term health Health challenges don't begin when symptoms become impossible to ignore. They often start years earlier. Being able to recognize those signals is one of the most effective ways to take a proactive approach to your health. Looking for a place to start? My 10-Day Detox [https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox?utm_source=dr_hyman_show&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=2026-06-24&utm_content=textlink] is designed to help reduce inflammation, reset your metabolism, and build a stronger foundation for long-term health. View Show Notes From This Episode [https://drhyman.com/blogs/content/podcast-ep1153] Sign up for Dr. Hyman’s Brainshaping Academy to learn how to nourish the biological systems that support your mental, emotional, and cognitive health [https://drhyman.com/products/brainshaping?utm_source=dr_hyman_show&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=may_27&utm_content=link] - https://drhyman.com/products/brainshaping?utm_source=dr_hyman_show&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=may_27&utm_content=link [https://drhyman.com/products/brainshaping?utm_source=dr_hyman_show&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=may_27&utm_content=link] Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman [https://drhyman.com/picks/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=shownotes] https://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast [https://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast] Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journal [https://drhyman.com/longevity/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=shownotes] https://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast [https://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast] Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Health [https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox] https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox [https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox] Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Results [https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive] https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive [https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive] This episode is brought to you by BIOptimizers, Paleovalley, Perfect Amino, Rho, Sunlighten, and Pique. Head to bioptimizers.com/hyman [http://bioptimizers.com/hyman] and use promo code HYMAN at checkout to save 15%. Head to paleovalley.com/hyman [http://paleovalley.com/hyman] to save 15% off your first order today. Go to bodyhealth.com [http://bodyhealth.com/] and use code HYMAN20 to get 20% off your first order. Head over to rhonutrition.com [http://rhonutrition.com/] and use code HYMAN to get 20% off their entire product line. Visit sunlighten.com [http://sunlighten.com/] and use code HYMAN to save up to $1600 today. Secure 20% off your order plus a free starter kit at piquelife.com/hyman [http://piquelife.com/hyman] (0:00) Infertility and fertility as indicators of overall health (3:10) Welcome Natalie Crawford and reframing fertility as health optimization (5:21) Access to fertility data, proactive health, and reproductive well-being (7:25) Menstrual cycle, hormonal communication, and ovulatory dysfunction (14:39) Inflammation's role in reproductive health (19:11) Reproductive health relevance beyond fertility and early warning signs (21:13) Medical training, coping mechanisms, and personal journey with celiac disease (23:48) Self-advocacy and higher infertility rates among female physicians (25:03) Personal experience with recurrent pregnancy loss (27:09) Inflammation, genetics, family history, and patient-centric care (35:38) Reducing inflammation, mitochondrial health, and top health recommendations (38:28) Sleep, stress, and their effects on fertility (47:25) Insulin resistance, diet optimization, and fertility (55:37) Environmental toxins, plastics, and hormone health (1:00:09) Unscented vs. fragrance-free products and toxin reduction (1:01:18) Fertility, aging, ovarian health, and AMH testing (1:07:38) Male fertility, sperm health, and testosterone (1:09:10) Resources for reproductive health and personalized care (1:10:16) Outro and sponsor acknowledgment

The Perfect Gut Healing Protocol: What to Eat, Avoid, and Do Every Day

Bloating, brain fog, fatigue, skin issues, food sensitivities, autoimmune symptoms—most people treat these as separate problems. But often, they can all trace back to the same place: the gut. And the surprising part is that you don't need digestive symptoms to have gut dysfunction. Because your gut isn't just responsible for digestion—it's deeply connected to your immune system, hormones, metabolism, brain health, and inflammation throughout the body. In today's episode, I dive into: * Why gut dysfunction can show up as fatigue, brain fog, skin issues, hormone imbalances, anxiety, and autoimmune symptoms—not just digestive problems * The biggest modern-day gut disruptors * The Functional Medicine 5R Framework for healing the gut * The simple daily habits that help build a healthier microbiome, reduce inflammation, strengthen digestion, and support long-term resilience Healing your gut isn't about perfection, restrictive diets, or endless supplements. It's about creating the conditions your body needs to repair itself. When you support your gut, you're often supporting your immune system, your brain, your hormones, your energy, and your overall health at the same time. Resources Mentioned: * Learn more about the 10-Day Detox: https://bit.ly/3PIUoxf [https://bit.ly/3PIUoxf] * Track your metabolic and cardiovascular health biomarkers: functionhealth.com/mark [http://functionhealth.com/mark] for 160+ lab tests at just $365/year. Use code MARK2026 for $50 off. Have a question you'd love answered on Office Hours? Submit it here [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNF2y4lFWEOMLlzVNlFDpJ4xl7oOpH9NlImMoHr5mHggL_Ww/viewform?usp=header] (0:11) Introduction and overview of gut health (2:10) Understanding, healing, and factors disrupting gut health (7:45) Modern lifestyle's impact and the five r's of gut healing (17:06) Dietary diversity, mindful eating, sleep, and stress reduction (20:53) Supplements and Q&A on probiotics, diet, and leaky gut (23:06) Empowering listeners through functional medicine and community engagement (24:23) Dr. Hyman's platforms, disclaimer, and gratitude to sponsors

Could Diet Reverse the Course of MS? Dr. Terry Wahls' Remarkable Recovery

We’ve been taught to treat chronic diseases as isolated problems to be diagnosed and managed. But these conditions may have more in common than conventional medicine has traditionally recognized. On this episode of The Dr. Hyman Show, I’m joined by physician and researcher Dr. Terry Wahls, who transformed her understanding of disease after developing progressive multiple sclerosis. We discuss the emerging science behind mitochondria, inflammation, nutrition, the microbiome, and why creating health may be just as important as treating disease itself. We explore: * What Dr. Wahls discovered about cellular health while searching for answers beyond conventional treatment * Why mitochondria may play a central role in conditions like MS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, depression, and chronic fatigue * How food, sleep, movement, and stress directly influence inflammation, energy production, and brain health * Why focusing only on symptom suppression may overlook the deeper biological dysfunction driving chronic disease * What “creating health” actually looks like in practice—and how small daily habits can influence how you feel and function over time What makes this conversation so compelling is that Dr. Wahls’ story challenges many of the assumptions we have about chronic disease and recovery. For me, it really highlights how profoundly nutrition, sleep, movement, and stress can shape the body’s ability to adapt and recover over time. View Show Notes From This Episode [https://drhyman.com/blogs/content/podcast-ep1151] Sign up for Dr. Hyman’s Brainshaping Academy to learn how to nourish the biological systems that support your mental, emotional, and cognitive health [https://drhyman.com/products/brainshaping?utm_source=dr_hyman_show&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=may_27&utm_content=link] https://drhyman.com/products/brainshaping?utm_source=dr_hyman_show&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=may_27&utm_content=link [https://drhyman.com/products/brainshaping?utm_source=dr_hyman_show&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=may_27&utm_content=link] Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman [https://drhyman.com/picks/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=shownotes] https://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast [https://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast] Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journal [https://drhyman.com/longevity/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=shownotes] https://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast [https://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast] Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Health [https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox]https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox [https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox] Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Results [https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive]https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive [https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive] This episode is brought to you by fatty15, Big Bold Health, Timeline, BON CHARGE, BIOptimizers, and Made In. Head to fatty15.com/HYMAN [http://fatty15.com/HYMAN] today and use code HYMAN for 15% off your 90-day subscription Starter Kit. Go to bigboldhealth.com/drhyman [http://bigboldhealth.com/drhyman] and use code HYMAN15 to save 15% on your first order. Visit timeline.com/drhyman [http://timeline.com/drhyman] for 20% off a subscription on top of the new starting price of $79. Head to boncharge.com/hyman [http://boncharge.com/hyman] and use code HYMAN for 15% off. Head to bioptimizers.com/hyman [http://bioptimizers.com/hyman] and use promo code HYMAN at checkout to save 15%. Visit madeincookware.com [http://madeincookware.com/] and use code HYMAN10 for 10% off your order. (0:00) Dr. Terry Wahls’ illness journey, Dr. Mark Hyman’s intro, and sponsor mentions (2:54) Dr. Wahls and Dr. Hyman discuss their medical histories (4:00) Dr. Wahls’ experience with multiple sclerosis (7:08) Dietary changes and physical improvements (9:09) Environmental factors in autoimmune diseases (11:17) Resistance in the medical system to new approaches (12:26) Integrating basic science into clinical practice (15:32) Mitochondrial support supplements (20:24) Mitochondria’s role in energy-intensive tissues (22:11) Functional medicine and Dr. Wahls’ continued health journey (23:49) Nutrient-focused dietary approach and recovery (26:13) Development and application of the Wahls diet (27:35) Nutrient-rich food categories and health benefits (30:11) NIH funding and functional medicine research potential (34:00) Success stories from the therapeutic lifestyle clinic (39:28) Creating health versus treating disease (44:10) Expanding research to other chronic illnesses (45:40) Latest clinical trials and future research directions (47:49) Advances in chronic disease treatment science (49:05) Predicting diet effectiveness: microbiome and genetics (50:00) Microbiome research and multiple sclerosis (51:18) A new theory of human biology in medicine (53:01) Creating health through lifestyle changes (55:13) Need for multimodal interventions in research (58:20) Funding challenges and philanthropy’s role (59:08) Comprehensive approaches to complex diseases (1:01:05) Potential to reverse genetic diseases with lifestyle changes (1:07:24) Strategies for creating a healthy human (1:08:01) Upcoming research and initiatives by Dr. Wahls