Episode 472: Is There Any Role for Niacin Therapy?
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
Release Date: 12/16/2025
487: The Role of Diet, Blood Pressure, and Hormones in Dementia
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
This week, Dr. Kahn breaks down new research on dementia risk, including the roles of high blood pressure and early menopause. He looks at conflicting studies on red meat and ApoE4, which pretty much sums up nutrition science: one study says yes, another says absolutely not. For now, limiting red meat—especially processed—is still the safest move. He also covers the risks of skipping breakfast, calcium CT scoring for elevated lipoprotein(a), tooth loss and heart disease, long-term clopidogrel use after stents, ultraprocessed foods, Repatha and statins, Cleerly AI scans, micro-exercise...
info_outline
Episode 486: Top 10 Takeaways of New Cholesterol Guidelines 2026
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
The replay of the 4th Reversing Heart Disease Summit is going on now. Register here: drtalks.com/summits/reversing-heart-disease This week, Dr. Kahn addresses the newly published 2026 guidelines for the management of hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), which will be studied and used by medical professionals all over the world. The top 10 takeaways are presented and are similar to the approach used at the Kahn Center for over a decade. Other topics include the challenge of staying vegan, the influence of cold temperatures on aortic dissection, the development of clogged arteries after a normal...
info_outline
Episode 485: What’s the Hoopla About Nattokinase?
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
The 4th Reversing Heart Disease Summit began March 7, 2026. There will be a replay available, and the event is free to attend online. Register here: This week, Dr. Kahn addresses the recurring posts on social media about nattokinase supplements as a “powerhouse” for reversing atherosclerosis. Is there new data? Is it powerful? Would mainstream medicine accept it? Should you use it? These questions and more are addressed. Other topics include the risks of sleep apnea with insomnia, sleep duration and glucose control, possible risks of spermidine, and the happy feeling that eating...
info_outline
Episode 484: Red Meat, Cancer Risk, and Why Plants Keep Winning
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
Join Dr. Kahn for the 4th Reversing Heart Disease Summit beginning March 7, 2026. The event is free to attend online. Register here: This week, Dr. Kahn reviews new research examining the connection between red meat consumption and the risk of diabetes, elevated cholesterol, and cancer. He also discusses findings from a large study showing that vegetarian diets are associated with a lower risk of several types of cancer. Additional topics include emerging treatments for Lipoprotein(a), the role of coronary CT angiography in women and in individuals with a family history of heart...
info_outline
Episode 483: Sharing My Personal Heart Journey
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
This week, Dr. Kahn discusses his current health challenge: a leaky mitral valve due to mitral valve prolapse, a condition of unknown cause that is unrelated to lifestyle or diet. He reviews data on mitral valve surgery, comparing repair to replacement, as well as the current availability of robotic surgery and its advantages. He plans to keep the Heart Doc VIP community updated on his status and is feeling great day to day. Short topics this week include wine, olive oil, plant-based diets for breast cancer, Life’s Essential 8, the health of babies raised in vegan families, and new data on...
info_outline
Episode 482: Why the Framingham Heart Study Still Matters
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
This week on Heart Doc VIP, Dr. Joel Kahn takes a deep dive into one of the most influential research projects in cardiovascular history: the Framingham Heart Study. Launched in 1948 and still going strong, this landmark study helped identify many of the risk factors we now take for granted, including smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and physical inactivity. Much of what modern cardiology considers “common knowledge” about prevention started in Framingham. Dr. Kahn also explores practical and emerging topics in heart health, including the role of magnesium...
info_outline
Episode 481: What’s Coming Next for Lipoprotein(a) Treatments
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
This week, Dr. Kahn breaks down a new paper examining the risks and reported side effects of statins—including the surprising finding that placebo alone is linked to many of the same symptoms. He also covers an oral PCSK9 inhibitor currently under study and what it could mean for cholesterol management. The episode then dives into the latest research on emerging therapies designed to lower lipoprotein(a), including a real-world case study that highlights where this rapidly evolving field is headed. Shorter discussions include heart disease at a young age, why so many patients fail to...
info_outline
Episode 480: At What Age Do We Treat High Cholesterol?
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
This week, Dr. Kahn discussed a case study involving a 30-year-old man with newly discovered, very high cholesterol. The implications of heart disease in young adults—backed by a recent paper from the CARDIA study group—suggest that early intervention, beginning with lifestyle changes, should be offered, along with follow-up lab testing. The Portfolio Diet plan would be a strong starting point on the journey toward a more plant-based diet. Other topics covered include the risks of diet soda, the health impacts of being a night owl, coffee consumption for atrial fibrillation patients, the...
info_outline
Bonus Episode: TJ Robinson, the World-Famous Olive Oil Hunter
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
In this bonus episode, Dr. Kahn sits down with his longtime friend TJ Robinson, founder of the Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club and self-described “olive oil hunter.” TJ has made it his life’s mission to track down the freshest, highest-quality extra virgin olive oils in the world — often straight from small producers in Europe and South America — and get them shipped to the U.S. as quickly as possible. The conversation dives into what most people don’t realize about olive oil: how freshness impacts flavor, health benefits, and antioxidant levels, and why the oil sitting on a grocery...
info_outline
Episode 478: Heart Disease in 2026 — Still the #1 Killer
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
This week, Dr. Kahn discusses a new report from the American Heart Association on the causes of heart-related deaths in the U.S., and the sobering reality that cardiovascular disease remains the nation’s leading cause of death. Despite this, prevention and early detection continue to be underemphasized at the national level—meaning much of the responsibility still falls on individuals. Dr. Kahn also covers several shorter topics, including a response to the CSPI food pyramid, water quality on airplanes, Apple Watch detection of atrial fibrillation, why earlier meal timing is better, the...
info_outlineThis week on Heart Doc VIP, Dr. Joel Kahn takes a fresh look at niacin (vitamin B3) therapy and its role in managing cholesterol and Lipoprotein(a). He reviews both classic and recent research, explains why many clinicians have moved away from niacin, and then walks through data that suggest it may still have value when used thoughtfully and selectively. Dr. Kahn also shares a real-world case study highlighting how niacin can be effective when carefully monitored.
In the episode’s shorter segments, Dr. Kahn covers a wide range of timely topics, including the relationship between orange juice and heart disease, the link between uterine fibroids and cardiovascular risk, and why achieving remission from pre-diabetes matters more than ever. He also explores research on polyphenol-rich Tartary buckwheat and its potential connection to slower aging, as well as new findings on statin use and muscle strength.
As always, the episode blends evidence-based medicine with practical insights you can apply to your own heart-health journey.
Sponsor:
Thanks to koyah.com/KAHN10 — check out their excellent product line and save with the code KAHN10.