Dr Sten Ekberg gets fact-checked by MD PhD Doctor

Dr. Sten Ekberg´s video "Your doctor is wrong about cholesterol" analyzed and commented. Dr. Ekberg´s claims compared to the available scientific evidence. Do Dr. Sten Ekberg´s ideas stand up to scrutiny?

Connect with me:

original video:

References:
(SEE REFERENCES 51-89 IN PINNED COMMENT)

Disclaimer: Content for informational purposes only, not meant as medical advice. Never disregard medical advice.

#NutritionMadeSimple #GilCarvalho

0:00 Intro
1:19 Cholesterol
4:03 COIs
4:25 Statins
5:02 Statins & heart disease
6:56 Cholesterol & mortality
10:35 Why are statins prescribed
12:38 Funding
15:24 Relative & Absolute risk
19:10 Correlation vs causation
24:08 The basics of Heart Disease
28:07 Inflammation
29:00 Insulin Resistance
30:25 Oxidative Stress
36:48 HDL-C
37:54 Ratios
40:19 Cholesterol in blood vs whole body
42:16 oxLDL clearance
46:17 Artery damage & retention
52:28 LDL number & size
59:44 Statins & LDL
1:03:53 Statin side effects
1:04:48 Cardiomegaly
1:08:05 Statins & muscle
1:11:29 Liver
1:11:52 Brain
1:15:11 Statins & diabetes
1:17:35 Sugar & diet
1:19:11 Final remarks

[regather]

Amazing that you can find the time to do such a thorough fact-checking, while remaining encouraging. I also find Sten Ekberg's style pleasant, and he helped me focus on quitting sugar, so I'm grateful even if he makes basic mistakes.

[zenamatthews]

I think Dr. Eckberg is a great resource so I really appreciate your polite tone. I've listened to too many of his videos without realizing the things you pointed out. I appreciate your "only science" approach.

[kathystaats]

I am so grateful for finding you on YouTube . I admire your way of being civil and graciously giving documentation and studies to give us guidance .

[jonass.]

Great video, I'm subscribed. Can't believe I wasn't more critical toward the analysed video when I initially watched it. Glad I did a further search and found yours, although it would be great if YouTube's algo could actually recommend this sort of quality content.

[J.QNobody]

I have never had high cholesterol. I went on Keto and i had an elevated cholesterol, my provider (nurse practitioner) insisted I go on them because I had slightly elevated levels.. I flat out refused. I just went off Keto. I continued my diet and reached my weight goal. I don't eat tons of fat.. I am watching my carbs.. I am 51 and have a lean physique.. no history of events. I will be finding a new provider.. thank you for this info, and for fact checking Dr. Sten Ekberg, as I have been watching his videos for the past couple of years.

[i_never_asked_for_an_alias]

Love to see this effort in a very respectful way. Thats how the language of science should be.

[MAHACoach]

Lots of doctors giving statins at low LDL levels. My doc tried putting me on statins even before recommending and diet or behavior changes. I said no and made changes myself.

[MemoryAmethyst]

Whenever I find a “doctor “ on YouTube, I google their name followed by the word scam. Some turn up as legit, some turn up a s scammy. I appreciate that you are showing both the good and the bad of what is being put out there as expert advice.

[neilnewinger]

I liked this video, because I learned a lot. Obviously the whole story about cholesterol is very complex and getting even more complex every time I watch a new video. When it comes to statins everybody has to decide for himself. I have already decided long time ago, that I will not take statins. One thing is that it is an artificial chemical compound nobody really knows what exactly it can cause on the top of alleged benefits and if the reason for high LDL is your lifestyle and diet, it is much better to change the real cause rather than taking magic pill. I had super high LDL and was recommended statins, but I declined and substituted the consumption of animal based saturated fats with olive and coconut oil. My LDL plummeted to normal levels, so why would I take statins before trying first the natural "remedy" tested for many thousands of years?

[johnfritz]

I would be interested to hear your perspective on the efficacy of extended fasting to induce autophagy, in order to reverse the buildup of arterial plaques. Does it work, is it safe, possible drawbacks etc.?

[garrick]

This was very interesting thank you. My overall takeaway is that Dr Ekberg oversimplified in some areas and did not fully explain all the details. Given that this video is over 50% longer than his, it is obvious that this is a very complex subject. What I did not hear is anything specifically stating that Dr Ekberg is providing bad advice when he suggests cutting down on sugar and lowering insulin resistance. His argument that high cholesterol is not necessarily bad is weaker because the subject is complex. It seems fair to say that a Doctor will prescribe statins because that is a reliable way of addressing high cholesterol, but at the same time attempting to make lifestyle changes is also effective. Obviously, given his field of expertise, Dr Ekberg is trying to help people make changes that do not want to take prescription drugs, and while his view of statins may be overly harsh, his lifestyle methods were not refuted.

[glenyst]

I have very high cholesterol numbers for years. Told my Dr I didn't want statins or any drugs. He quietly suggested we take strong omega 3 fish oils. 2gm/day. A month later my levels dropped over 30%.

[RC-tmjo]

I don't think statins and their affect on coenzyme Q10 levels were mentioned in the video. Do statins always significantly lower coenzyme Q10 levels and should all patients taking statins supplement with coenzyme Q10?

[dionnash]

What role do you think calcium plays in plaque formation? Do you believe K2 could be used to lessen the risk of arterial blockage?

[fitfrog]

I've talked to a number of statin users who experience things like depression, muscle soreness and irritability. Isn't it just as effective to eat right and exercise, without those side effects?

[younutre]

Hi Gil, I'm Leonardo, Nutritionist, PhD, (I don't know how it is where you live, but in Brazil the only regulated profession to prescribe a diet is a Nutritionist, so your channel is simply an incredible source of knowledge). You're doing an amazing job on social media and it's refreshing to know that there is someone doing such great work in the midst of all the misinformation we see on the internet. Um abraço do Brasil!

[donnasowers]

Would be interested in looking at Dr. Pradip Jamnadas (cardiologist)

[Mimulus]

Not only comprehensively evidence based; but polite, respectful and engaging! Kudos.

[MedlifeCrisis]

Super stuff Gil. An absolute masterclass of good will, civil disagreement 👏 I would probably be less charitable with my assessment

[dianehall]

New to your channel. Excellent video. I had emergency gall bladder surgery last October. Tests revealed an inflamed liver from my statin. Further investigation revealed I was only borderline and should not have been prescribed the statin. I had argued at the time to go over my lifestyle and sit down with a dietitian. That did not happen. Now I finally get the hospital dietitian because I was so ill after gall bladder surgery. Acute pancreatitis thrown in. I am now on post gallbladder diet and feeling so much better. I am tuned in to improving my liver and pancreas health profile. Eating clean.