Dr. Aseem Malhotra on the JRE

[Joshua Swashbuckle]

Good Day BBM,


recently said Dr. was a Guest at the JRE and he claimed that saturated fat is no problem and cholesterol is a topic which is not really worth worrying about and we should basicly drink butter ... At least that is what I took from him.
I often tended to just believe things that would suite me but since I started listen to your website I immediately googled him and found some very critical articles concerning Dr. Malhotra.

So do you have an opinion on him and in a more general way... what should be my approach to claims on the Media. I do not have the time to read all studies and even if I had it is questionable that I would be able to really know what to make of them.
It would probably be a good first step to just be highly critical the more grandiose a claim is?!

Thanks for you time.

[Jordan Feigenbaum]

Joshua,

To your question regarding "what should be my approach to claims on the media?" I assume you mean how can you determine if a particular source is offering accurate information. I don't have a great answer for you, as I don't really think it's possible. I think some external signs of legitimacy may help your cause, e.g. formal training in the topic being discussed, recognition by colleagues as an expert, high-quality supporting evidence of claims, articulation of ways they could be potentially wrong, etc.

Meanwhile, a good rule of thumb for identifying idiots in the space is their association with other known idiots, fantastical claims (without evidence), imprecise language, lack of training, recognition by colleagues as a quack, and use of common grifter tropes, e.g. "THEY don't want you to know about...", for example.

For this particular case, I would assume Dr. Malhotra is going to spew nonsense simply because he's on JRE. The vast majority of JRE science-related guests are not actual experts, but are controversial. Further, a quick peek at Malhotra's socials show he routinely gets highlighted by actual experts (researchers, clinicians, etc.) in the space for spreading incorrect information.

With respect to the relationship between blood cholesterol levels, dietary saturated fat intake, and cardiovascular risk, we have covered this thoroughly:

• https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog...sterol-part-i/
• https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog...terol-part-ii/
• https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog...isconceptions/
• https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog...at-and-health/
• https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas...=1000578751108
• https://podcasts.apple.com/ee/podcas...=1000549065658

I think the best first step is stop listening to Rogan and seek out higher quality information, though identifying that does require additional leg work.

-Jordan

[Hieu]

Jordan,

I wonder if this is the same Dr. Malholtra that you guys talked about in Episode #76: Red Meat Recommendations ft. Alan Flanagan. If so, it seems like this person has gained notoriety for trying to dismantle the relationship between dietary saturated fat intake and cardiovascular risk.

Forgive me or knowing/inquiring about this. Recently I've been on a binge of your content about cholesterol as I know that it's a risk factor for me, so when that name came up again on JRE I couldn't help but notice. Good news is, thanks to you and Dr. Baraki, I went to my doctor and started taking statins at the beginning of this year. My LDL cholesterol dropped 60% in 2 months!

I think the best first step is stop listening to Rogan and seek out higher quality information, though identifying that does require additional leg work.

I would recommend this podcast called "Barbell Medicine". Those guys do some great work

[Jordan Feigenbaum]

Yep, same guy. I think we need to be more controversial on our takes to try and gain some clout, lol.

Thanks for the kind words!

[DorianStarbuck]

I think we need to be more controversial on our takes to try and gain some clout, lol.

Lol... Please don't do this.

[Bumby]

Can you add some nuance to the claim that statins only increase lifespan outcomes by something like a few days?

[Jordan Feigenbaum]

Can you add some nuance to the claim that statins only increase lifespan outcomes by something like a few days?

A generalized statement like that should trigger your BS detector. If not an outright lie, you can assume it's meaningless because it is not specific. People familiar with the literature do not speak like this, especially when addressing the public.

In populations of all age groups (where data exists), long term reduction in atherogenic load increase life- and health-span in a dose dependent relationship. That is to say, the greater the reduction and the longer it has taken place for, the greater the effect

(sorry I accidentally edited your post. didn't have my coffee yet)

[Austin Baraki]

Can you add some nuance to the claim that statins only increase lifespan outcomes by something like a few days?

I would add that even independent of any absolute average lifespan considerations, most people would prefer not to have a preventable/avoidable/potentially fatal heart attack, heart failure, stroke, or complication of peripheral vascular disease -- the risks of which can all be reduced through statin (and/or other lipid lowering) therapy.