Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn

This week, Dr. Kahn presents a new scientific statement by the American College of Cardiology on nutrition to prevent heart disease. The emphasis is on plant-based choices while limiting red meat, processed foods, and excess added sugar. Sometimes, hearing the same recommendation over and over can help.

Other topics include statin protection during chemotherapy, retatrutide for weight loss, the MIND diet for brain health, ...

This week, as a bonus, Dr. Kahn interviews a Detroit clothing legend, Phil, who celebrated his 100th birthday recently by buying a new sports car! He is approaching his 78th wedding anniversary with his beautiful wife. He discussed his early days in business and early successes, and his health journey, relying a lot on the education he got by repeatedly visiting the Pritikin Longevity Center.

This is an uplifting session w...

This week, Dr. Kahn brings back the topic of Mankai Duckweed, the smallest edible plant, which provides a complete protein profile, >200 polyphenols, B12, choline, folate, Omega-3s, and other nutrients. Mankai was previously available as a frozen cube but has returned to the market as a user-friendly powder. Mankai is available here: partners.eatmankai.com/AA-DRKAHN

Other topics include a trial of ablation in atrial fib...

This week, Dr. Kahn discusses a large study on the impact of whole-grain consumption on heart health. The review article also addresses the optimal number of daily servings for improving weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. Dr. Kahn offers ideas for incorporating more whole grains into your daily diet.

Other topics include movement span, medications that may lower dementia risk, hot liquids and cancer, weekend warr...

This week, Dr. Kahn discusses two large new studies examining the role of routine coronary artery calcium CT scoring around age 61 and its impact on clinical outcomes. Dr. Kahn favors getting a first calcium CT score at age 45 or younger.

One study found that potentially unnecessary statin use was three times higher when a calcium CT score was not available. Patients were also much more likely to follow their recommended t...

This week, Dr. Kahn discusses the widespread disappointment following Novartis' announcement that its 8,000-patient HORIZON trial of a lipoprotein(a)-lowering drug failed to meet its primary endpoint. The news came as a major surprise and disappointment to patients eagerly awaiting access to this medication. No additional details have been released, and there is not yet a published paper to review. Dr. Kahn discusses the possible r...

Dr. Kahn interviews Anurag Singh, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of Timeline Nutrition, whose research has focused on urolithin A, a compound produced from nutrients found in pomegranates.

Nearly 20 years of research have resulted in more than 500 studies, 25 human clinical trials, and 80 patents related to this unique compound, which is available in powders, capsules, and even gummies. Research suggests that urolithin A m...

This week, Dr. Kahn reviews several important studies presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress. The REACT trial examined how often previously undetected atherosclerosis appears in the coronary, carotid, and femoral arteries. The results are startling and reinforce the importance of the #TestNotGuess approach to cardiovascular health.

Dr. Kahn also discusses encouraging research showing how plant-based diets may redu...

This week, Dr. Kahn returns to one of his passion topics: educating young people about healthy lifestyles beginning in middle school and high school, if not earlier, and setting them up for a healthy future. A new study finds that the risk of heart disease and actual changes in the arteries are both common by age 23. It's a tragic reality.

Other topics include dry cleaning and Parkinson's disease, amino acids and prostate cancer ri...

This week, Dr. Kahn discusses the triglyceride-to-HDL (TG/HDL) ratio and how this simple lab measurement can help predict insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and heart disease. It is also a marker of visceral fat and an easy, readily available way to add valuable risk information to your health journey. Dr. Kahn also discusses how genetics can influence the TG/HDL ratio.

Other topics include tomatoes for the liver, ...

This week, Dr. Kahn discusses new research showing that after just 4 weeks of eating a whole-food, plant-based diet, sophisticated measures of gene activity demonstrate a reversal in aging and a reduction in inflammation. In another study, the calorie advantage of a plant-based diet is discussed, with the equation H=N/C (Health = Nutrition/Calories) proving to be a useful reminder. Finally, athletic performance in college athletes ...

This week, Dr. Kahn discussed new research on advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and cooking methods. High levels of AGEs promote many disease states and can be avoided with water-based cooking methods like steaming, boiling, and pressure cooking.

Other topics include visceral fat loss and brain health, bitter hops extract for weight loss, the Planetary Health Diet, fructose in the diet and cancer growth, a failed study on infl...

This week, Dr. Kahn discusses new data from the amazing Valter Longo, PhD, and his colleagues regarding optimizing diet for both longevity and strong muscles. In a new publication, Dr. Longo used mouse models to show that animals fed a Longevity Diet, as described in his book, lived longer. However, when moderate amounts of methionine, an amino acid, were included in the diet, frailty was avoided.

He then analyzed a dataset of 200,...

In this bonus episode, Dr. Kahn interviews functional medicine specialist Ivan Rusilko about the importance of advanced lab panels. Together, they explore the full spectrum of cardiac lab testing, with a special focus on inflammation, insulin resistance, and how these markers can uncover hidden cardiovascular risk.

If you are a health care practitioner, set up an account at accessmedlab.com. Mention the Heart Doc VIP Podcast when c...

This week, Dr. Kahn discusses the FDA approval of the first oral PCSK9 inhibitor, Lipfendra (enclicitide), taken as a 20 mg daily tablet. In a study of nearly 3,000 patients with elevated LDL cholesterol despite treatment with statins and, in many cases, ezetimibe, LDL-C dropped by more than 50% while Lipoprotein(a) levels fell by 28%, with an excellent safety profile. The medication is expected to retail for approximately $315 per...

This week, Dr. Joel Kahn explores important new research showing how elevated inflammation, measured by Interleukin-6 (IL-6), may dramatically increase cardiovascular risk in people with high Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a). He explains why IL-6 is emerging as an important biomarker and reviews the other inflammation tests he routinely uses at the Kahn Center, including hs-CRP, MPO, Lp-PLA2, NT-proBNP, fibrinogen, ferritin, the sedimentat...

Dr. Joel Kahn explores the latest science on supplements that may help slow or reverse atherosclerosis, building on a recent discussion from Simon Hill's The Proof podcast. He takes a closer look at the evidence behind vitamin K2, niacin, pycnogenol with centella asiatica, beta-cyclodextrin, and bergamot, explaining where the research is strongest and what it could mean for heart health.

Additional topics include new research on nu...

This week, Dr. Kahn reviews important new research showing that the commonly prescribed antidepressant Prozac (fluoxetine) may disrupt cholesterol metabolism, injure the endothelium (the delicate lining of arteries), and potentially increase cardiovascular risk. He also examines growing evidence linking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and several common cancer therapies to endothelial damage, emphasizing that patients should always d...