For the past 60 years the medical community has obsessively focused on lowering LDL-cholesterol levels… Research shows these five preventable health conditions make LDL-Cholesterol more likely to cause artery plaque build-up, even if your LDL-Cholesterol levels are low. Sponsored: Crush your Workouts and stay hydrated this summer with the Electrolyte + Creatine Combo by MYOXCIENCE: https://bit.ly/electrolyte-stix *Save with code podcast at checkout Link to Video and Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3WfpI5R Research Mentioned: Zanoni, P., Velagapudi, S., Yalcinkaya, M., Rohrer, L. & Eckardstein, A. von. Endocytosis of lipoproteins. Atherosclerosis 275, 273–295 (2018). Ference, B. A., Braunwald, E. & Catapano, A. L. The LDL cumulative exposure hypothesis: evidence and practical applications. Nat. Rev. Cardiol. 1–16 (2024) doi:10.1038/s41569-024-01039-5. Time Stamps: 00:45 LDL's link with atherosclerosis is nuanced.  02:30 Initial damage to the arterial wall makes LDL levels problematic. 03:45 Increases risk of arterial wall damage: elevated blood pressure, insulin resistance/diabetes, smoking/vaping, obesity, elevated blood viscosity, consuming oxidizableoils. 08:40 High LDL and high triglycerides suggest insulin resistance and increased cardiovascular risk. 09:50 Start with diet and exercise together. 11:20 Statins have concerning side effects. 13:15 Plaque formation begins early in life. 13:50 High LDL is found in centenarians. 14:44 Centenarians are metabolically healthy. 15:40 Your liver makes LDL cholesterol. 16:10 Every cell in your body requires cholesterol. 18:00  Diets high in seed oils make your LDL more likely to be oxidized. 20:55 30-50% of people who have heart attacks have optimal serum cholesterol.