Cracking the Cholesterol Code with Dave Feldman

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In this episode, Tristan Haggard sits down with Dave Feldman, the mind behind The Cholesterol Code, to unpack why cholesterol can shift so much, especially for people cutting carbs. Dave shares the framework he’s known for, the Lipid Energy Model, which aims to explain why LDL can rise as the body moves fat around for fuel.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you should change your diet, retest, dig deeper with additional markers, or ask for imaging, this conversation helps you slow down and get practical. The point is not to ignore risk or obsess over a single lab value. The point is to ask better questions, understand patterns, and make decisions that fit your real life.

Listen to the Episode Now

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Meet the Guest

Dave Feldman is the founder of The Cholesterol Code and the Citizen Science Foundation. He’s known for digging into lipid data, building hypotheses that can be tested, and helping everyday people make sense of confusing lab results. His work has helped popularize the “lean mass hyper-responder” pattern, where LDL-C rises sharply alongside high HDL and low triglycerides in some people on carb-restricted diets.

Connect with Dave Feldman on X and YouTube, or visit The Cholesterol Code and the Citizen Science Foundation website for more.

Episode Highlights

This episode focuses on practical clarity. Tristan and Dave talk about why cholesterol is not a single-variable story, and why context changes the conversation. They dig into patterns like triglycerides and HDL, what insulin sensitivity can do to lipid transport, and why some people see big LDL swings with diet changes. The thread running through it all is decision-making. Understand what your markers might be signaling, then choose the next step with a cool head instead of fear.

In this episode:

• Why LDL can climb fast for some people after cutting carbs, even when other markers improve
• What the Lipid Energy Model is trying to explain about fuel transport and LDL changes
• The lean mass hyper-responder pattern, and why it shows up most often in lean, active, insulin-sensitive people
• How to think beyond one lab value and look at patterns that add context
• What questions to bring to your doctor so the conversation stays productive

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Meet Our Sponsor

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Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The contents of this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. The content presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or dietary changes. Reliance on any information provided by this article is solely at your own risk.