How to prevent heart disease, according to science | Prof. Eric Rimm

[@johnmusgrove9295]

My cholesterol was 6.8 & I had a stroke, I came out of hospital & changed to a plant based diet, did HIIT workouts 3 times a week. I lost 4st, now have a bmi of 21, cholesterol is down to 3.9. It took me around 15 mths but now feel a different person.

[@anaecb2597]

Very impressive!

[@GlennMarshallnz]

Brilliant effort. Well done. 👍

[@marynoonan6111]

Good for you - 🙌

[@janemackechnie9791]

That’s amazing! Well done!

[@DessicatedCadaver]

Congrats! What I wish people who post in health related comments did, is to indicate their age and the age at which their issues occured. After all, a heart attack at 25 is very different than at 75, so it's a highly relevant and crucial piece of information without which the post has a dramatically lower informative value for the readers. It's astonishing that more people don't realize that, lol!

[@andrewpaulhart]

I find that one of the most valuable things about this channel is the quality of the questions asked by the interviewer. Well done.

[@jamo98]

I love these podcast. Following the advice in these podcast along with intermittent fasting, I’ve lost approximately 7kg in around 5 months. I have a healthy BMI for the first time in a long time. I’ve lost inches off my waist and the best part is my family are eating good food too. Thank you Zoe for making this information free and accessible.

[@melmo4660]

Same here!! It has helped so much!! It also helps to navigate the complicated and highly political world if nutrition...especially online

[@IISocratesII]

I'm an amateur bodybuilder and even when i was eating 4000+ calories a day for half the year including 800 grams of carbs i had a fasted insulin of 3.6, i'd eat a meal it would go up a little then straight back down in no time to 3.6, muscle mass is huge when it comes to protecting against insulin resistance.

[@stanleysokolow]

I hate the term "healthy diet" because there are so many conflicting version by supposedly experts: low fat, high carb, moderate protein; versus low carb, high fat, moderate protein; versus "plant-based" or vegan or lacto-ovo-vegetarian; versus "Mediterranean Diet (whatever that is); versus carnivore ketogenic diet; and so on. If anyone says "healthy diet", ask them to be specific.

[@dharma__3]

You're right ... my "healthy diet" includes NO sugar (very important) healthy fats, clean food (even meat, as long as it's grass fed/organic). Interestingly no one's mentioning microplastics -- do a google search on "heart disease" and "microplastics" -- which has recently proved to be a MAJOR contributor both heart disease and CANCER.

[@pmw3839]

Exactly. How can anyone stand a chance of following a healthy diet when there is so much contradictory information about what constitutes one.

[@ianlewis2813]

MY FATHER GAVE ME A BIT OF ADVICE, NEVER WALK DOWN STAIRS TAKE THE LIFT .. ONLY WALK UP STAIRS, WHEN YOU GET OLD YOUR BALANCE IS NOT SO GOOD .. FALLING UPSTAIRS WILL NOT KILL YOU , BUT FALLING DOWN STAIRS WILL... KEEP ACTIVE, KEEP ALIVE. 👍

[@kathygann7632]

Most places, if you walk up the stairs, you need to walk back down or you’ll be stuck upstairs for the rest of your life!

[@eddieoconnor8560]

Exactly this. But I still got cvd.

[@lroche2164]

I would love to see more studies into LDL and HDL cholesterol. The data especially around LDL is outdated.

[@RSLtreecare]

This is a very good podcast. I have been following Zoë for a long time, and it's always fascinating. I recently had a heart scan, I was told one of the heart valves is not performing as they should. I am 68, I work both indoors and outdoors. I was walking, cycling 30 plus miles a week. Then three months ago, I was hit by an electric bike whilst cycling to work. I now have a fractured collarbone and it's becoming a real menace...I slept well, 7/8 hours and follow a Mediterranean diet. From 1974 to 1986/87 I worked in the entertainment industry, I worked for hours, also eat a lot of coffee shop food. My life changed in 1987, an accident. A skull fracture with quite long term rehabilitation meant I needed to rethink what I was eating and also to rest a lot more. I relax more when I am out walking, rivers and in the woods.

[@Janehop41]

Really find these discussions useful - they encourage me to take care of my health and also increase my understanding to human physiology. However, our society is aging and it would be helpful if discussions could cover a range of base-line age groups. Rightly, much attention is given to the over 50s as, for some health complaints, it may be possible to lessen health complaints or, even, irradicate them. But there must now be many more over-70s and -80s than in the past (otherwise we would not be living in an "aging population") so I, for one (at 82) would find it really helpful if some of the questioning included this "old" population. We are still "aging" but not nearly as quickly as in the past. So now that we are the new "old" how much can we reverse the ill fx of not only our own habits but poor medical advice (e.g. low fat diet)?

[@javierpachonalvarez5757]

Thank you for pushing on the topic of muscle building for the purpose other than just avoid falling. It is important to know that it can also prevent heart disease

[@betzib8021]

Muscle building does not prevent heart disease. It does help prevent diabetes. Plenty of well muscled people have heart attacks in the gym.

[@javierpachonalvarez5757]

Is that from other products though?

[@javierpachonalvarez5757]

​@@betzib8021is the guest who is saying that muscles prevent heart disease. Is he wrong ?

[@betzib8021]

@@javierpachonalvarez5757 he meant they helped bec they remove excess sugars from the blood and since excess blood sugar damages arteries...they would help with that aspect. But the causes of heart disease are far more than just excess blood sugar. The only person who has shown prevention and actual regression of heart disease through diet alone is dr. Caldwell Esselstyn. I recommend his KZbin videos if you want to learn about it.

[@paulduarte1646]

​@@javierpachonalvarez5757yes, sadly he is.

[@drbob7282]

It was good to see in the video that not all heart disease is being blamed on lifestyle. Indeed, I got the NHS to correct their website on angina to refect that fact, as often these discussions on lifestyle and illness can take on a moralistic and judgmental tone. And heart patients can subsequently experience a degree of unjustjfied stigma. One thing not mentioned was renal disease as a growing and major underlying cause of cardiovascular disease, and the leading cause of death in renal patients; this is often because of renal disease causing severe calcification, no matter what lifestyle choices, thereby leading to heart attack. If there is one area of research that needs more money and input, it is the complex issue of preventing and treating calcification in renal disease. It would save many lives.

[@wellbodisalone]

Heart health is such an important topic.

[@sallymeredith5476]

Ok so I’m getting a bit sad that you keep saying “ even in your 50’s” for making changes. Shall I stop listening? Does this not apply to me ? Cause I am 70 and just been diagnosed with high blood pressure and would really welcome some advice !

[@alicequayle4625]

I got mine down to normal with a combination of meds plus hibiscus tea and ground flax seed.

[@lynlawley8903]

Please explain how hibiscus tea 🎉helps as I've hibiscus flowers and started having tea and had cancer went for test and it had shrunk could this of been a reason I've stoped and it'd got worse

[@lynlawley8903]

I'm going to try again seeif it helps I'm glad I read read that people can help each other without realising

[@alicequayle4625]

@@lynlawley8903 sorry I don't know the answer. But hibiscus tea does seem to be healthy.

[@keithbyrd7566]

@@alicequayle4625I benefited from both also. Losing weight was key.

[@angelawilliamson6765]

A conversation missed information about statins & how they effect other systems in our bodies - a lot of people have issues with them including leg pain, memory issues etc

[@Aquarius2250]

I wanted to hear more on the effects of Statins

[@strathound]

Subscribed and liked. My father is having heart surgery. This topic COULD NOT BE MORE IMPORTANT. Thank you.

[@lynlawley8903]

Best of look for your dad ,food is important and exersize even a little helps

[@lynlawley8903]

Luck ,,predictive text again changes good relaxation too n sun

[@lorrainejambor3258]

Interesting but could he talk more about diet, and also best ways to manage high cholesterol and blood pressure.

[@leroyharder4491]

I have always had a reasonably healthy diet with little junk food. In my 50s my blood pressure was starting to creep up. My brother did low carb and his blood pressure came down. I tried it too with the same result. Apparently a fairly typical result. 150/100 to 125/85 in a couple of weeks. Lost 25 lbs in the process. Dr. Westman has sensible advice how to do. Its ok to experiment. Try after a set of labs, do it, then check labs after. Another thing you could have done is to get a Coronary Calcium Score. (Should have been discussed in this podcast) It will check the level of calcification of your blood vessels. Much better than guessing what your heart health is based on iffy cholesterol labs. A bad score means all hands on deck. Changes need to be made.

[@simonround2439]

To be fair to to Prof Rimm most doctors do not take nutrition as part of their training and he probably does not have that specific expertise.

[@leroyharder4491]

@@simonround2439 I think we are learning that nutrition is foundational. If institutions (in this case the medical establishment) aren't leading the way in terms of innovation, but are rather reactive, and show no curiosity, then the criticism should be pointed. Here in Canada we don't even so baseline nutritional testing. Something bad has to happen first, and by then the damage is done.

[@evakaul1599]

I'm disappointed because you didn't say a word about lowering cholesterol levels without statins. I'm 64, lean and fit, on a healthy diet, still my full cholesterol is 6,83 and my LDL is 4,20. What the heck should I do?

[@lemunbalm3731]

Please do not worry about cholesterol!! It is essential to good health! (Making hormones, the nerve sheaths, the brain, cell membranes, etc!). It’s the triglycerides you don’t want to be high! High cholesterol is NOT linked to heart disease!

[@paulduarte1646]

​@@lemunbalm3731this is simply not true.

[@Hew.Jarsol]

​@@lemunbalm3731Really?

[@stevelanghorn1407]

This is the best podcast I’ve seen here on your ZOE channel. Excellent, intelligent conversation. And very encouraging to hear of all the positive science and attitude changes, also in relation to healthy fats (saturated included) and how to help our cardiovascular health.

[@jacquelinewhittaker4651]

The only time I see someone smoking is when I visit Stepping Hill hospital near Manchester. Nurses and staff are outdoors smoking. The widening of the boundaries of the NO SMOKING area, means the nurses have to walk a little further before lighting their cigarette. Physicians heal thyself first.

[@aprilblossoms4]

I was in the UK for a vacation and saw so many people smoking in London, Oxford, Edinburgh etc. I was shocked that smoking was still a thing in a first world developed country!

[@larsnystrom6698]

I remember people smoking 50 years ago! In some stressful jobs, smoking were the only legitimate reason people had to take a small break. Otherwise they were just shirking their job, just standing about being lazy!

[@DiscoverLadakh]

I found this podcast really interesting and will act upon it. However, Jonathan Wolf constantly interrupted the speaker and seemed to spend more time speaking than the guest. This was a distraction and spoiled it for me.

[@floatingisland544]

Interesting podcast, but even though menopause does get a mention, there's no mention about how HRT can reduce the risk, which is a missed opportunity.....

[@michbel1574]

True as is relaxes the arteries. Dr’s like to get you off it asap due to other perceived risks but as heart disease is the biggest killer of women and breast cancer is not….

[@floatingisland544]

@@michbel1574 Yes, exactly a perceived risk. The risk of breast cancer is very small for most women. Sadly that still hasn't sunk in everywhere. Jonathan should know this though. It's a shame he didn't bring it up.

[@sarapanzarella97]

I’ve heard that HRT is a lot safer than what people have been told because the study people usually reference was majorly flawed, but I haven’t gone and researched that myself yet.

[@katjapalan8219]

great- as we have known for a long time - sedentary life style , smoking and bad diet are bad for you and it’s never too late to change - 😊

[@victoriasmith1897]

Jonathan I really noticed how you have trimmed down or toned up. (Those gym visits must be paying off)! 😊 I am also very impressed at your ability to listen so intently and summarise so well. I LOVE these podcasts! Thank you. I was one of those low fat high carb people from the 70’s & 80’s & ended up 30 kgs heavier by the 2000’s. Thankfully I am now 5kg away from what I was back then on a much healthier & more sustainable diet (sadly ZOEless)

[@tuulavirtanen2920]

I stopped eating bread and sugar . Had more red meat and vegetables . Lost colesterol , high blood pressure, and IBS . Happy and my doctors happy .

[@Hew.Jarsol]

I exceed 14 units of alcohol on the weekends. But my BP is good, skinny 13st , don't smoke, exercise weights and football, and eat healthy ie low sugars/saturated fats. I gave up smoking 10 years ago. I'll probably still have a heart attack. Thanks.

[@JonathanCHyde]

Oh, please stop interrupting him all the time and then repeating what he's just said. Is very irritating...

[@gregdance3976]

Jonathan much as I enjoy these interviews you give I am constantly annoyed by you talking all over highly important answers that your wonderful guests keep trying to give! Please leave them space to answer in the same way that they leave you space to ask your questions. This isn't BBC Today on R4 you know!

[@dopapier]

And his hands always flailing around?

[@alisonburgess345]

Jonathan, have you guys done anything on mouth taping at night (so you breathe through your nose)? This improves your sleep quality significantly. I've been taping for 6 months now, but it's a tricky concept to explain. I believe you guys would have the skills to do an excellent job of it it. Do your viewers a huge favour - it's truly life changing 🎉

[@jasshah3]

Nose breathing is the better way to breathe, elimates snoring too

[@Foxtrottangoabc]

Mouth taping is insane idea , very dangerous

[@alisonburgess345]

@@Foxtrottangoabc See what I mean ☝️

[@usagujju007]

You may die with mouth closed

[@anoodono1841]

I mouth taped and my sleep was much better then i got a night guard for my teeth (top only) -sleep just as good as taping. It seems it aligns jaw and relaxes breathing? No taping now!

[@LouiseLawrence-l1s]

Great, clear concise information. Please keep doing these broadcasts

[@Daniel_Maxin]

so much misleading and confusing information in this area it's not even funny. Based on what I understood from various sources the heart attack does not happen in slow motion as a consequence of narrowing the arteries. It happens when soft plaque bursts and the body makes a clot that obstructs the vessel. Such rupture can and does happen at any location not just the one with severe blockage. That's why stents don't prevent heart attacks (i.e. the darkest most recent and best kept secret in interventional cardiology) which most patients don't realize. People think that if the narrowing is not too bad then they are safe which is not the case.

[@hdw5831]

I had a hard time watching the video until the end. The topic is very important and interesting, but I felt that it brought little new and above all that it was not very structured. It took an hour and so much could have been covered. What I learned from it is that the relationship between heart disease and sleep has not been well researched, but this episode certainly induced sleep. Nevertheless, I really appreciate this video series in general!

[@DessicatedCadaver]

I agree 100%.

[@wendywilliams9893]

Excellent as always

[@charlespaynter8987]

The mental side of being healthier is a critical issue. For many it’s a chicken and egg situation. If you aren’t healthy and live an unhealthy lifestyle, this affects mental health which in turn means that they are less likely to focus on better health. Modern ultra processed food diets play a big role in this process because they draw people into consuming more of them - they have an addictive element. Most people just aren’t aware what they are or just how damaging they can be physically and mentally. The key thing is knowledge- Zoe does great work in this respect. Even if you don’t agree at least you become aware of issues you maybe were previously ignorant of. Second point is being prepared to change your views. Change is good- change is life. Thirdly - it can be tough so don’t try and climb the wall in 1 go. Start with one thing. It is always better to do a something rather than nothing. Be patient, keep focus and hang on to the little wins. It’s the direction of travel that’s important

[@fionawynn4891]

Fantastically interesting podcast based on watching 1,000’s of peoples health over decades, & seeing how their lifestyle choices have effected their health. So useful to see the 4 most impactful habits. (Smoking, healthy diet & weight, & exercise). He talked about scoring 5, but I couldn’t work out what the fifth was ? Thank you for great podcast

[@charlottehodgson5093]

sleep!

[@suechurchill4375]

I think it might be alcohol intake.

[@SusanBaker-o5d]

I find these podcasts always informative and interesting and useful. Just one small gripe on this one...the quickfire questions at the beginning asked whether the symptoms of a heart attack are different between men and women. The answer was "Yes" but this topic was never explored ... so as a woman I am still in the dark as to which symptoms I should be looking out for...

[@PeterBallGoogleBlog]

Great podcast/video but I think Jonathan tends to talk over his guest quite alot. It's a little annoying

[@stevenanthony578]

The science against a low-fat diet existed before the USDA guidelines were published. Scientists at the time warned that moving to a low-fat diet (which would mean a high-carb diet) would lead to ever-increasing rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes. This was back in the 1970s...

[@gabrielmills2361]

Most processed food manufacturers are unscrupulous. Anything that can be marketed and pushed as "healthy" (with no scientific evidence) is simply cashing in on uneducated public concern. And even the so-called "health food" industry is guilty of pushing eg margarine instead of butter: an osteopathy student told me in 1985 there was evidence that the hydrogenated "trans" fats in margarine were far more risky than the saturated fats in butter -- if indeed such fats were risky at all. And I used to know a food researcher at the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) at Sussex University in the UK, who has been waging war since the early 1980s against irresponsible food manufacturers in the UK.

[@annettestephens5337]

I understand that cholesterol plaques build up in the arteries......but why? If it is to cover legions that have occurred, then why have the legions occurred. Root cause is the important thing. Solve the root cause and you won’t need a statin. Could it be caused by smoking and high sugar diet?

[@alickburt3299]

A really good podcast for me as I went to my doctor just 2 days ago with chest pain.The only thing I wish you would do in all.podcasts when discussing weight is mention the downside of being someone with low BMI I know everyone sees me as lucky but I do not put weight on so since excersizing ,eating well on zoe recommendations and being otherwise of reasonable Lifestyle health for my age I do wish you would ask your experts do underweight people show up as a statistically poor group.? Not knocking the podcasts at all in any other way they are FANTASTIC!

[@CastEducation]

QiGong, Yoga and Tai chi are beneficial exercises but could certainly not be described as vigorous. Is there any data to determine whether they qualify towards your 3 1/2 hours a week?

[@oliverplunkett8275]

Would really REALLY appreciate a podcast on new borns and baby's, touching on formula milk and starter food etc. I know it may not be linked to your Zoe study due to age but would be invaluable advice. Thanks so much. Love all your content - almost gospel

[@jecookdale6793]

Light touch paper.and stand back. Objectification of women, Equality, Best for baby, Best for mother. Best for planet....

[@paulinefrench7672]

Great conversation. I would have liked to hear about Statins which are being given a hard sell by GPS. I felt at a recent consultation the algorithm used by my GP gave most emphasis to age, with no regard to my healthy diet and weight, exercise routines, good sleep and having broad friendship groups. I am usually. Very compliant. the pressure to take Statins without a good argument for them did not win me over. It felt like policy not care and treatment.

[@mumsie27]

This has been my experience too, I am still trying to make an intelligent decision about the best thing for me.

[@jennyprice2288]

Read Dr robert mckendrick's Great cholesterol con. Heavy going in part but all the evidence is there..

[@DessicatedCadaver]

Isn't it funny? Some people can't tolerate statins, and obviously shouldn't be on them - after all almost any medication has side effects. But according to multiple studies the people who can't tolerate statins are a fairly small minority. Yet, there has been massive disinformation noise on social media that fountain of unreliable opinions that demonises statins without the benefit of well conducted studies, it's all based on "authority", some guru, doctor, or another. Folks, nobody's opinion means squat unless backed up by solid studies - are you sure your opinion, for or against statins is based on studies you have verified yourself? For 99% of people, they have strong but uninformed opinions. Are you absolutely sure you know what your opinions are based upon and can cite well designed studies all day long? Again, it's regardless of whether you are for or against statins. Btw. the vast majority of PCs and cardiologists have a very superficial understanding of statins, so don't ever just accept what they're pushing ("take statins", or saying "statins bad" - equally) - never take ANYONE'S word for it, ANY "authority" - always, always, always do your own research, it's your health. Personally, I'm with those who believe that statins are a miracle medication (if you can tolerate them), based on my extensive reading and self education. Statins have not only a very positive impact on CVD, but on so many other heath aspects, with relatively few negatives (some negatives - increased odds of diabetes, cataracts etc.). I marvel at how people reject this fabulous medication, based on utter misinformation, but hey, that's on you, and your choice, you have that absolute right. I'm at the other end of the spectrum, I wish I was on statins decades earlier (they weren't yet discovered!) and believe you would benefit from statins (again, IF you can tolerate them) regardless of your cholesterol levels. I wish I could convince my physician to prescribe MORE statins for me, because I know more about them than my PC or cardiologist who have not done a deep dive on the topic. Regardless, to each their own, do as you wish - I only ask again, are you sure YOU have done the research and YOU have read the studies and not relied on hearsay, some "authority's" interpretation, claims or assurances. Because unless you have, you are simply repeating misinformation - but hey, it's your health, your personal responsibility and your choice. This is true whether you are in favor of statins like me (do your OWN research, don't take my word for it, I'm a stranger on the internet), or are against statins. And again, you may be one of those unfortunates who can't take statins due to genuine problems like muscle pain or worse, tendon issues, liver issues etc. - these people exist without a doubt and should avoid statins, it's sad and I feel sorry for them.

[@simonround2439]

I have had the same conversation with my GP. I have high cholesterol but no other risk factors. However their risk algorithms are heavily weighted towards cholesterol and downplay other risk factors. There is still much discussion about how much if at all high LDL cholesterol is a factor in heart disease in people who are fit and metabolically healthy.

[@michelles2299]

My mum had high blood pressure for years even on meds she died at 74 from congestive heart failure her autopsy showed a very enlarged heart

[@cchg4864]

Could we stop treating science as a 100% accurate? What we know today is not what will be discovered tomorrow and yet every time science gets presented as this completely accurate thing!

[@SueCrerar]

😢 please find Zoe partners in Australia! I so want to join!

[@evanhadkins5532]

A show about visceral fat would be valuable.

[@aliciab4236]

The professor mentioned 5 points but gave 4 factors (smoking, diet, exercise and BMI). Was the 5th sleep, alcohol consumption or something else? Thank you.

[@thebkeanes]

Sleep?

[@fifinoir]

I came looking for this comment. I’m trying to figure out if it was mentioned quickly. Cant seem to see. Alcohol maybe? I’m assuming all 5 are stuff in your control. Like hopefully the 5th isn’t genetics or something.

[@dengphungprakhon8139]

More than halfway and no wizer yet ! ! !

[@evanhadkins5532]

We need a podcast (or series) on how to personalise - for those of us who aren't researchers. Do people do ok on carnivore diet? It looks like it. Do some people do ok on vegan? It looks like it. Is it just no ultra-processed? What to do?

[@annettestephens5337]

I believe people can choose any kind of food so long as NONE of it is ultra processed. The problem is that the food companies fund the nutrition studies and will never vilify their own profit making products.

[@paulduarte1646]

​@@annettestephens5337that's a good beginning but unfortunately there's more to it than that. Cutting out saturated fats, meats and introducing beans and many other plant foods is also essential.

[@lynlawley8903]

That' s what i need as I've done veg mainly then have bcancer and doing meat and green veg as have to not do sugar ie carb and fruits so hope to do veg again later but what balance is it possible to balance both ,, but what to eat ? Where can we get real help you hear one thing from one another from elsewhere

[@lynlawley8903]

Chemo gave me a leaky valve so how yo help my self

[@laurajones6263]

Great podcast, thanks! The exercise conversation ties in brilliantly with the work of Dr Doug McGuff, and like-minded strength training experts. The very slow-moving strength-training protocols developed by Ken Hutchins and colleagues can have profound positive impacts on cardiovascular health. Laura

[@kunverjihirani276]

Hmmmm not much detail on diet 😢

[@celiad6012]

When your home plumbing system starts to fur up due to hard water, there are ways to soften the water to slow down the process. What works to reduce plaque formation in our arteries, in addition to diet and not smoking? Magnesium? Vitamin D?

[@gruber1650]

Many doctors suggest nattokinase to stop clots forming, I take 6,000 FUs a day.

[@celiad6012]

@@gruber1650 Did they mention it? I skimmed through but could not find many specific suggestions

[@gruber1650]

Not seen it all yet but probably not, there's plenty of information on KZbin.

[@HuongBui-cy5rg]

Eats natto.

[@gabrielmills2361]

Pomegranates clear plaque from the arteries

[@carolinesykes3636]

Much better reporting! Well done😊

[@javllanos]

I had a triple bypass performed which was a surprise to me. After that, I became obsessed with becoming a nutritarian, vegetarian, and microbiome-dedicated. I have no cholesterol now, can I stop taking statins?

[@helenali4938]

I'm not a doctor but I wouldn't take statins if I had no cholesterol. Our body need some chol.. after all.

[@pierpaolomucelli]

Great podcast! Just wondering why so little was said about alcohol consumption and its correlation with heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascolare diseases? It seems to be at least as damaging (probably more) as smoking

[@RC-db4dd]

Never heard of alcohol consumption being more damaging than smoking. Not sure where you are getting that information from

[@pierpaolomucelli]

@@RC-db4ddSmoking is really bad, but smoking mostly affects the lungs, alcohol affects the entire body and the cognitive process too. For example, life expectancy in Souther Europe (Italy, Spain, Portugal), where smoking rates are the highest is higher than Northern Europe (higher alcohol consumption and binge drinking)

[@pierpaolomucelli]

@@RC-db4dd Moreover high alcohol consumption is associated with higher depression, suicide rates, higher incident rates (cars accidents etc), violence behaviour etc, so indirect cause of poor health issues, but this is another matter compared to this video/topic

[@VTVT1306]

Western people don’t want to hear of the dangers of drinking alcohol because it’s inserted into their social lives so deeply

[@MsAngelicdemoness]

@@pierpaolomucelli people in southern Europe also have more sunshine.

[@annettestephens5337]

I think there is ‘one answer for everybody’ and that is.....don’t eat ultra processed foods. Job done

[@carolinesykes3636]

If it is never too late, does that mean the cholesterol plaques in the arteries can dissolve ?

[@scienceislove2014]

It can be put remission.. sometimes reversing the damage..but what we're really looking for is stopping it from growing even further..

[@LetThoseOatsRoll]

So interesting, thank you

[@michaeljohnson1006]

Having too much fish oil can cause a stroke the bleeding type.

[@christineford5379]

Really useful and informative podcast. Thank you.

[@joanhall3718]

Don’t always ask, if you are in your 50’s just because you are. Ask if you’re in your 60’s or 70’s etc.

[@carolynwestwood6258]

Not smoking is incredibly difficult for someone who is highly addicted. (I'm a lifelong non-smoker btw, but have worked with a lot of smokers to try to help them stop).

[@michelles2299]

Wasting your time tbh

[@sarapanzarella97]

Yes it is - I think there is a genetic component that gets people addicted to “something”. My mom’s dad died from lung cancer when I was 2, she didn’t stop, she watched her sister who was her best friend battle lung cancer for 4 years, didn’t stop. Then she herself had open heart surgery 3 years ago. She finally stopped smoking but has replaced it with vaping. My brothers also smoke. I think understanding the genetics involved and finding additional nutrition support can help but I think too most people addicted to smoking are going to have to find a replacement habit.

[@DonHerbison-Evans]

Presumably Quorn products are highly processed foods, so should we absolutely avoid eating them?

[@helencrossan1064]

What about if you are diabetic & sleep in short bursts because of having to get up many times in a night to go to the toilet? What hope is there for them?

[@peachtan9534]

Exercise in the early morning when the sun out and do some weight lifting 🏋️ and you will sleep better,and at night not drinking too much before bed 🛌,i hope will help 😊

[@anoodono1841]

​@@peachtan9534Thanks for that

[@lindathompson3109]

Great helpful podcast!

[@evanhadkins5532]

The problem with studying normal people is that it edits out the unusual. Latest example, it looks like lots of fruit helps with recovery from exercise. These kinds of studies wouldn't find this because they aren't significant numbers eating lots of fruit. This is a strength and limitation.

[@AnHourOfWolves]

I thought the alcohol link had been disproven (the French were just eating more vegetables), and since there is no safe amount of alcohol based on cognitive health, I'm surprised it was recommended.

[@gabrielmills2361]

The link is resveratrol from grapeskins of red grapes. But driking wine isn't the only way to get it. Can be got without the alcohol: eg from grape juice.

[@AnHourOfWolves]

@@gabrielmills2361 I thought it turned out that resveratrol prevented cancer with red wine, however it didn't prevent the damages that happen in the brain due to alcohol; there's no amount of alcohol that doesn't increase the risk of cognitive decline. I get it, the cancer concern is real, however, given the brain risk, why would anyone recommend it?

[@gabrielmills2361]

​@@AnHourOfWolvesI don't know why anyone would recommend alcohol! The only thing I can think of is perhaps (in small quantities) as a social lubricant that reduces anxiety... But everything comes at a price.

[@AnHourOfWolves]

@@gabrielmills2361 Rim recommends it in the video at 23:57. Also, people reading this, don't make any decisions on treating social anxiety with alcohol until you speak to a mental health care provider, as there are ways to treat social anxiety that don't involve addictive carcinogenic neurotoxins.

[@vickiblack5427]

What about those of us who came to Zoe in our late 60s? Is it too late for us?

[@luvurab]

As a health and wellness coach I can tell you that it is NEVER too late to start making positive changes to your lifestyle. 😊

[@marccarlton2163]

It's never too late! I took up running aged 64, and now 5 years later I do half marathons. I have never felt fitter.

[@rolitiwari0909]

I reduced my triglycerides from 130 to 65 in 8 months by switching to a low carbohydrate diet

[@kathygann7632]

Statins make me hurt so much I don’t want to get out of bed. I also have really low ldl which statins have significant risks for diabetes and strokes, but cardiologists only want to talk about changing the brand of statins. Research says if you take a statin religiously, the statin will increase your life by half a day. Five years of pain for half a day isn’t worth it.

[@robyn3349]

The negative side effects were not worth it for me, either.

[@laurelmartone73]

Additionally, a recently published 35-year study of 65+ year olds showed that those with the highest total cholesterol were most likely to live to 100, and least likely to have heart disease.

[@juliejennings5956]

Stop taking them and start living your life; do some research about what your diet should look like including eating fats - your brain needs fats to function. There’s a book that explains this and the toll that statins have on your body. Big Pharma strikes again! What’s the point of living in agony ? Find ways to take care of yourself, I wish you well.

[@Shad0wBl0wer]

@@laurelmartone73 Can you please provide a link to the paper?

[@gabrielmills2361]

But that would be high density lipoproteins (HDL) which is protective in ageing. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is what forms plaque in arties and is dangerous. Statements about cholesterol are meaningless unless LDL or HDL is specified.

[@kerrybyers257]

1-5 score…Exercise, diet, smoking, BMI…..that’s 4 elements. What is the 5th? Prior history of ♥️ disease/Cv event?

[@kerrybyers257]

Sleep?

[@chrisduffill5248]

Love this , interesting how doing something on exercise both aero and weights are so important… giving a good score it is never too late and I now have the strength of most younger people now and 68 years young …. Do the weights twice a week and aero 3 /4 times a week too Thanks to all too

[@leroyharder4491]

I'm a bit surprised that diabetes, prediabetes and metabolic dysfunction wasn't emphasised more in this discussion. With reading I've discovered it is a major risk factor, up there with smoking. Because it is so prevalent (in my neighbourhood we seem to have an epidemic of amputees as a result of uncontrolled diabetes), we could reduce heart disease (and a bunch of other problems), by switching diet. Keto, low fat, whole plant food diets seem to have a positive effect. Getting rid of ultra processed food is a good first step. Also getting a Coronary Calcium Score is very helpful. Get one relatively early in mid life to get a baseline, then every few years to see how things are progressing. A bad score means action needs to be taken. On the other hand a zero score may mean the high LDL reading may not be so important. Finally getting labs early to establish baselines is important. Here in Canada we don't really do them till we are in our 50's and the damage is already done for many. Some need to take action in their 30's and 40's

[@sarapanzarella97]

I forgot about getting a calcium score - I have heard that. Thank you for the reminder.

[@manymoms920]

I wish I could hear the name of the physical exercise expert that was quoted as being one of the worlds leading authorities... Lindley ? Can someone at @Zoe please reference their name

[@bryanc.5463]

How important is LDL-C if you’re metabolically healthy and have low VLDL, triglycerides, and good HDL?

[@BEASTIES50]

Ldl-c gives no indication of heart risk, it’s outdated. A measure of how damaged your LDL is would give you a guide. Oxidised LDL is the problem, but also glycated LDL. What causes these? Industrial seed oils and sugar/refined carbs (starch), so the things that we are advised by the "experts" to eat.

[@onlijnatfreeler]

Prof. Rimm, inform yourself about trauma, please. NOBODY becomes overwheith by CHOICE. Food addiction, as any other addiction is caused by (many times pre verbal) trauma. Which is healable, but not without compassion and knowledge about trauma and how to heal that.

[@fionamortimore1704]

Thank you Professor Rimm and Zoe, though I would have liked a more detailed interview about, say, one risk factor. Specifically for me, the increased risk of heart disease following menopause, and the pros and cons of HRT. I shall investigate further, plus the possible benefits of coffee to some people (I hope me!😊). My one major comment is, though, WE HAVE TO DIE OF SOMETHING! It's like science is chasing the end of the rainbow 🌈. The end point always seems to be extending life, but having reached the age of 60, I watch friends and family becoming older, succumb to illness and disease, and truly become miserable and depressed. Someone once said, 'We are not living longer, we are just taking longer to die'. Never a truer word spoken. So yes, it's great that people investigate the causes of disease and how to prevent them, but PLEASE, take the emphasis from living longer, to living a happier life where you are able to enjoy doing the things you want to.

[@kathygann7632]

My mom was in bed for 3 1/2 years. The hospice nurse said she had less than a week to live at the end of February so I rushed back into the state to be with her. She died on Halloween. She took a really long time to die with lousy quality of life.

[@bb2021]

To me, much of this seems dated? I kept imagining Tim shaking his head! Disappointing really to hear it on Zoe which is more cutting edge normally? To me, in my 60s, struggling to find my path through the enormous mass of nutrioional info, and getting away from old, ingrained, wrong ideas, this felt like a blast from the past? 🤔

[@robertstrauss5218]

What about your 70s!

[@markwilson4535]

TLDR: don't smoke, exercise regularly, good diet (it would be good to know a bit more about this - is it just low saturated fats and not over-eating?), manage weight. Would be good for time crunched viewers to have a summary - Way too much information than needed in an hour. Thanks!

[@vthomas375]

@user-kc7mu4jp4p What exactly do you mean by 'wholesome.' Can you be specific pls?

[@shavanerad9038]

I am a stroke survivor. Is there any more general guidance that Zoe can provide -- other than the podcasts which I enjoy! -- as a guide for someone who has Behcet's and a history of stroke (damage to the hypothalamus so I need all the help I can find)? I'm fascinated with microbiome health, not least because as a person with a compromised immune system, I end up on microbiome flushing (literally) antibiotics once a year or more. I understand that you don't have a critical mass of Behcet's/stroke survivors to study, lol. But a more concise set of recommendations for your salon des refuse folks would be grand.

[@slayyystuff]

I am deaf. Is there any chance of sub titles plse

[@stephenfidler1005]

KZbin often has subtitles built in as an option . On my phone of I click on the video and then the cc button it switches subtitles on. This video has them available

[@ian4iPad2]

I’m seeing this on a tablet but I think it’s the same for desktop. There’s a CC subtitle button in the top right of the video screen. It appears when I touch the middle of video area.

[@johnyewdall398]

They are there. Turn on subtitles/closed captions.

[@stevenanthony578]

Note, the CC text is auto-generated and sometimes comes up with crazy interpretations in technical discussions. So if you see some weird CC text--words that don't fit the context of the sentence, for example--it's likely due to that.

[@alicequayle4625]

Glad you mentioned women not being taken seriously by medics. Its still happening. Gaslighting and dismissal. Eg they often seem to assume that women's symptoms are caused by anxiety.

[@tariqmalhi9851]

People with machnical heart valves, provide some guidance

[@suechurchill4375]

Great podcast and a really informative discussion. Thank you. Unfortunately it is, as you rightly point out, a complex subject. Some of us can score 5 ( daily exercise, good BMI, don’t smoke, hardly drink and have a good whole food plant based diet…and sleep well) but still have inherited CAD and suffer a heart attack. What is the answer? Just keep taking the pills? Is there anything else we can do? I’d happily be a guinea pig!

[@ianstern7128]

Read the book, 'The Clot Thickens'. It may provide some answers for you.

[@suechurchill4375]

I will check it out. Thank you

[@feline319]

What if you're 75 years old. Is it too late?

[@wowwowwow185]

i'm going in for by pass 64 slim never smoked ride a bike every day all ways exercised weights running martial arts drank a little did low carb diet for years cholesterol 6

[@anoodono1841]

I wish you the best and thank you for sharing -stress? Know someone who wld blame this over everything. Not mentioned on podcast

[@charleedell92]

I think people who are naturally thin have more risk in a way because they don't have the same impetus to work out or eat healthily. I've always struggled to keep my weight down but it has resulted in me reaching midlife really fit, vo2 max in top decile, albeit heavier than id like. I have skinny friends who have never seen the inside of a gym & wouldn't know what to do with a carrot.

[@heathersmith4224]

How about people in their 70s. Can they still improve their heart health?

[@randolphpinkle4482]

The guests are always great, but the host is losing his lustre. Just stop repeating the guest ad nauseam, dude. Find a way to question the guest with greater accuracy so you don't end up dumbing it down again and again and again.

[@arifaahamed7239]

Low carb healthy diet is the best way to live longer

[@michbel1574]

Heart disease is the biggest killer of women. Can you discuss the role of HRT as a protector?

[@michbel1574]

Also osteoporosis the 2nd and HRT protects against this

[@lisab9734]

Plant based diet family here. All low cholesterol without even trying

[@auntylainey5569]

Does anyone know if eating a ton of roasted salted peanuts is awful for health please?

[@markjames3583]

You'd die if you ate a ton, obviously.

[@auntylainey5569]

@@markjames3583 🤣 best keep consumption to under 1016.0 kg then ! lol ,cheers!

[@darkpatches]

Didn't hurt Dizzy Gillespie.

[@prunes794]

It is rich in oxalate, so can give u kidney stones if you have acidic body or high uric acid content..once in a while is fine But too much in the long term can also push ldl up

[@auntylainey5569]

Many thanks! ..dark choci is off the list of treats (due to high lead content in some choci bars......I know!) ,and now peanuts ,except once in a while .@@prunes794 🤣

[@stevenanthony578]

Note--observational research (epidemiolgy research), regardless of sample size, cannot determine causation. Observational research is the weakest research design. It's the best that can be done when looking at life-long issues like CVD, but it is still a weak design. Having 200,000 subjects doesn't change the fact it's a weak design.

[@susanking8326]

What about people in their 60s, 70s, and 80s? You always ask about possibility of change in your 50s. This isn't helpful to older people.

[@kathygann7632]

Doctors always say “A healthy body weight” like it is the easiest choice in the world. A doctor prescribed medication in my early 40s that caused me to gain 70 pounds in 7 months. Every time I went off it, he yelled at me. I tried every diet, and couldn’t lose more than 10 pounds which I gained back within a week. The Medifast diet is all packaged soy which counteracted my thyroid meds and I almost fell asleep WHILE teaching, then nodded off WHILE DRIVING on Hiway 101 in Southern California. It wasn’t until I was in my 70s that I found Keto and OMAD that works, but it’s hard to maintain.

[@kathygann7632]

Can you tell I’ve watched this more than once and comment each time?

[@250txc]

50K is a lot of people ... How do you track 50K people lives?

[@laurelmartone73]

I was on-board until he talked about the “healthier proteins”’(code for plant based), and when he recommended eating whole grains (which are not much better than refined grains).

[@gruber1650]

Agree, I think he's just woke up from a comma that he lapsed into in the 70s😮

[@Shad0wBl0wer]

Can you provide links to the papers you've learned this information from?

[@Maquinasdesobrevivencia]

What. Is the evidence?

[@skippy6462]

Best decision we made going plant based.

[@robinwright531]

Looking at the research cited meat is indeed associated with greater risk of heart disease. What research are you citing?

[@quentinbush]

Not answering the question how to avoid heart disease, but wittering about things which is common knowledge but NOT hitting the point..

[@stevenanthony578]

The issue is that with observational research (typically the studies you see where they follow tens of thousands of people over a long period of time) simply can't determine causal connections between behaviors (including what one eats) and health outcomes. The data collected for these studies is incredibly weak. The guest tried to make his research sound better because they collect data every 2 years instead of every 20. But the questionnaire is like 100 pages long and asks things like "How many apples did you eat over the past 6 months?" "How many blueberries"... It's so unreliable it's hard to consider it data. It's likely impossible to do higher-quality research designs over large populations and long time spans--so this weak research is the best we'll get.