LCCP033: Siobhan Huggins — Reverse Engineering Cholesterol Misconceptions

This week’s guest, Siobhan Huggins, is a stellar citizen scientist who has a passion for dissecting complex topics, and understanding how misbeliefs lead us astray. She has a remarkable gift of analyzing complex topics and reframing them from a systems and engineering point of view. Plus, her own personal journey through the low-carb keto lifestyle prompted her deeper dive into lipids, inflammation, insulin resistance and more. She understands that cholesterol is not inherently evil. Rather, it actually serves a purpose to help us. It’s our lifestyle that alters it into something potentially harmful.   Most exciting of all, she has recently joined forces full-time with Dave Feldman at CholesterolCode.com, so we will be hearing much more exciting research and perspective shifts from Siobhan in the near future.   Key Takeaways:   [6:03] A keto diet has given Chivon improved health and changed her personality. [8:58] Research and reading has qualified Chivon to write for Cloresteralcode.com [12:07] Understanding inflammation and the chronic oxidation of LDL. [17:07] Scavenger receptors and small, dense LDL. [28:42] The human body wasn’t designed to take on a constant barrage of insulin damage. [35:32] What causes vascular calcification? [43:32] The differentiator in familial hypercholesterolemia is the level of insulin resistance. [47:13] Lipoprotein(a): What is it used for?   Mentioned in This Episode: Low Carb Cardiologist Website Dr. Scher on Twitter Dr. Scher on Facebook Cholesterol Code   This Episode is Sponsored by LowCarbCardiologist.com and Your Best Health Ever! The Cardiologist’s Surprisingly Simple Guide to What Really Works, by Bret Scher, M.D., FACC