Metabolic Mind

The Cholesterol Code documentary is challenging long-held assumptions about LDL cholesterol, ketogenic diets, and what really matters for cardiovascular risk.
In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Eric Westman, internist and low-carb researcher, to discuss the film's impact and what it could mean for the future of clinical practice.
From Dave Feldman's citizen science journey to the growing body of evidence on type 2 diabetes reversal, this discussion explores why the conversation around cholesterol is finally starting to shift.
You'll learn:
What stood out most about The Cholesterol Code documentary
Why elevated LDL on a ketogenic diet may not carry the risk many assume
How citizen science is reshaping nutrition and metabolic health research
Why type 2 diabetes reversal deserves far more clinical attention than it gets
How GLP-1 medications and lifestyle interventions can work together responsibly
Why the future of medicine depends on diet-focused research, not just drug trials

For physicians, patients, and anyone interested in metabolic health, this conversation captures a pivotal moment in how the medical community is beginning to rethink cardiovascular risk, ketogenic therapy, and the power of lifestyle change.
🎥 Watch The Cholesterol Code documentary and join the conversation shaping the future of metabolic health: amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0GS8ZFCYN/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r
🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.
#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine #CholesterolCode

Expert Featured:
Dr. Eric Westman
https://www.youtube.com/adaptyourlife
https://adaptyourlifeacademy.com/
https://www.instagram.com/drericwestman/
https://x.com/drericwestman?lang=en

Free CME Clinician Trainings:
Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein, Dr. Mariela Glandt, Dr. Deanna Kelly, Dr. Julie Milder, Dr. Zoltan Sarnyai, and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon.
Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits: https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.
Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:
Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.
Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Can ketogenic therapy help atrial fibrillation? What should you make of the KETO-CTA study? And do higher ketones always mean better results?
In this Metabolic Mailbag episode, Dr. Bret Scher answers audience questions about cardiovascular health, ketosis, ketone levels, and how to personalize a ketogenic approach based on your goals and metabolic health. From AFib concerns to cholesterol controversies and troubleshooting low ketone readings, this episode tackles some of the most common questions in the keto community.
In this episode, we cover:
Ketogenic therapy and atrial fibrillation (AFib)
The latest update on the KETO-CTA study
LDL cholesterol, plaque, and cardiovascular risk
Why ketone levels don't tell the whole story
Raising ketones without sacrificing energy or muscle
Carbohydrate intake and metabolic flexibility
Fasting, protein, and thyroid considerations
MCT oil, exogenous ketones, and other strategies to increase ketosis

One of the biggest takeaways: context matters. Whether you're evaluating cholesterol, ketone levels, or cardiovascular risk, there is rarely a one-size-fits-all answer. Understanding your goals, metabolic health, and individual response is often more important than chasing a specific number.
🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.
#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #CardiovascularHealth

Expert Featured:
Bret Scher
https://www.metabolicmind.org/team/bret-scher-md/
https://www.instagram.com/drscher858/?hl=en
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-scher-08baaa102/

Experts Mentioned:
Dave Feldman
https://www.instagram.com/realdavefeldman/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-feldman/

Resources Mentioned:
Papers
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40192608/ (REDACTED)

Free CME Clinician Trainings:
Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein, Dr. Mariela Glandt, Dr. Deanna Kelly, Dr. Julie Milder, Dr. Zoltan Sarnyai, and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon.
Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:
https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.
Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:
Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.
Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Are eggs bad for you because they may raise cholesterol?
It's one of the most common nutrition questions in cardiology, and one of the most misunderstood. The reality is that raising cholesterol and harming your health aren't always the same thing, and when it comes to eggs, the data tells a much more nuanced and reassuring story than most people have been led to believe.
In this conversation, Dr. Bret Scher walks through the science of eggs, cholesterol, and cardiovascular risk, cutting through decades of nutritional confusion to help you understand what it actually means for your individual dietary choices.
You'll learn:
Why the original "eggs cause heart disease" logic doesn't hold up under scientific scrutiny
What happens to LDL and HDL when most people eat whole eggs
Who the "egg hyper responders" are and what genetics has to do with it
Why hazard ratios in observational egg studies are often clinically unhelpful
What the American Heart Association now says about eggs and cardiovascular risk
Why eggs are one of the most nutrient dense whole foods available
How to think about egg quality, quantity, and individual response

The takeaway: eggs can be part of a healthy whole foods dietary pattern for most people. Context, metabolic health, and the totality of your diet often matter far more than any single food.
💡 Learn more about markers for heart health (beyond LDL), on our blog: Beyond LDL: Exploring Calcium Scores and CTAs for Better Cardiac Insights
🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.
#MetabolicMind #HeartHealth #KetogenicTherapy

Expert Featured:
Dr. Bret Scher
Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Resources Mentioned:
Dietary Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Risk: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000743

Free CME Clinician Trainings:
Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein, Dr. Mariela Glandt, Dr. Deanna Kelly, Dr. Julie Milder, Dr. Zoltan Sarnyai, and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon.
Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits: https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.
Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:
Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.
Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Can ketogenic therapy challenge mainstream thinking on cholesterol, diabetes, and evidence-based medicine? At the CoSci conference, Dr. Ken Berry shares his reaction to The Cholesterol Code documentary and explains why more clinicians are questioning long-standing assumptions about metabolic health, LDL cholesterol, and the treatment of chronic disease.
In this conversation, Dr. Berry discusses the growing tension between clinical guidelines, pharmaceutical influence, and real-world patient outcomes, while making the case for curiosity, individualized care, and the power of “citizen science” in medicine.
In this episode, we cover:
Dr. Ken Berry’s reaction to The Cholesterol Code documentary
Why ketogenic therapy challenges conventional risk-benefit analysis
The role of anecdotal evidence and N=1 experimentation
Pharmaceutical influence on clinical guidelines
Why many diabetes patients feel stuck despite following standard advice
The launch of the American Diabetes Society
Type 2 diabetes remission and low-carbohydrate nutrition
Why doctors need to stay curious and continue learning

One of the biggest themes throughout this conversation is that medicine works best when clinicians and patients stay open-minded, ask better questions, and focus on addressing root causes as opposed to just managing symptoms or lab numbers.
👉 Interested in watching The Cholesterol Code documentary? Available now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0GS8ZFCYN/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r
#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #AmericanDiabetesSociety

Expert Featured:
Dr. Ken Berry
americandiabetessociety.org
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIma2WOQs1Mz2AuOt6wRSUw
https://www.instagram.com/kendberry.md/?hl=en
https://x.com/KenDBerryMD?lang=en

Dr. Bret Scher
Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Free CME Clinician Trainings:
Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein, Dr. Mariela Glandt, Dr. Deanna Kelly, Dr. Julie Milder, Dr. Zoltan Sarnyai, and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon.
Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits: https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.
Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:
Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.
Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Protein recommendations have changed and not everyone is happy about it. Here's what the new federal protein guidelines actually mean for your health, and why the pushback is missing the point.
A recent PBS article argued that doubling the current protein guidelines would push people toward junk food and processed products. But as a cardiologist, Dr. Bret Scher explains why that concern, while understandable, is misplaced. The real issue isn't the target. It's the message around how to hit it.
In this discussion, you'll learn:
Why the original 0.8g/kg recommendation was never designed for optimal metabolic health
What research shows about protein intake in the range of 1.2 to 1.6g/kg
How higher protein supports satiety, body composition, and glucose control
Why certain groups like teenagers, athletes, and older adults need even more
How plant vs. animal protein sources differ in bioavailability and practicality
Why whole food sources like eggs, fish, meat, and legumes are the answer, not protein bars and packaged products

Getting more protein doesn't mean reaching for a bar or a wrapper. It means eating real food that your body knows how to use. The old 0.8g recommendation was designed to prevent decline, not to support metabolic thriving.
💡 Curious what a well-formulated ketogenic diet looks like? Check out our blog: Understanding the Well-Formulated Ketogenic Diet
🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.
#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine #Protein

Expert Featured:
Dr. Bret Scher
Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Free CME Clinician Trainings:
Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein, Dr. Mariela Glandt, Dr. Deanna Kelly, Dr. Julie Milder, Dr. Zoltan Sarnyai, and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon.
Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits: https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.
Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:
Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.
Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.