Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Heart surgeon Dr. Philip Ovadia joins Judy Cho to discuss what may actually drive heart disease beyond a single focus on LDL cholesterol. Drawing from 25 years in cardiac surgery and more than 3,400 operations, he explains why insulin resistance, inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, diet, and vascular damage deserve more attention in heart disease prevention.
The conversation also examines statins, coronary artery calcium scans, CT angiograms, seed oils, processed carbohydrates, red meat, vegan diets, gut health, and nutrient absorption. Dr. Ovadia shares how becoming obese and prediabetic changed his own understanding of metabolic health, and why he now focuses on helping patients avoid the operating table.
0:00 Introduction
2:43 Dr. Ovadia’s lessons from 3,400 heart surgeries
5:40 Why cholesterol isn't the root cause
7:34 Pharmaceutical and food industry influence
12:17 How diet guidelines failed patients
15:11 Dr. Ovadia's personal health transformation
18:21 Seed oils vs processed carbohydrates
22:19 Early warning signs of heart disease
24:08 Coronary calcium scan and CT angiogram
27:40 What a heart surgeon eats for breakfast
28:28 Dr. Ovadia’s new book
31:28 Can vegans have optimal health?
33:53 When diet alone isn't enough
_____
EPISODE RESOURCES
Nutritionist's Guide to the Carnivore Diet: empowerfunctionalhealth.com/product/nutritionists-guide-to-the-carnivore-diet
Dr. Philip Ovadia's Website: ifixhearts.com
Dr. Philip Ovadia's Instagram: instagram.com/ifixhearts/?hl=en
Stay Off My Kitchen Table Book: amzn.to/4ppGwFm
Stay Off My Operating Table (First Book): amzn.to/4wKVvMD
_____
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
📫 Tips and Weekly Updates: nutritionwithjudy.com/newsletter
JUDY CHO RESOURCES
⛑️Work with Us: empowerfunctionalhealth.com/services
🎙️ Podcast: nutritionwithjudy.buzzsprout.com
📘 Carnivore Cure Book & Elimination Diet: amzn.to/3R4VAXn
📘 Inflammation Fix Book: inflammationfix.co
📚 Articles: nutritionwithjudy.com/articles
🎁 Free Resources: nutritionwithjudy.com/resources
📗 Complete Carnivore Diet for Beginners: amzn.to/3D5lyo5
_____
*DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It should not replace professional medical advice.
#heartdisease #cholesterol #ldlcholesterol #hearthealth #cardiovascularhealth #metabolichealth #insulinresistance #inflammation #statins #coronarycalciumscan #seedoils #redmeat #vegandiet #carnivorediet #lowcarb #nutrition #guthealth #drphilipovadia #judycho #nutritionwithjudy
Heart surgeon Dr. Philip Ovadia joins Judy Cho to discuss what may actually drive heart disease beyond a single focus on LDL cholesterol. Drawing from 25 years in cardiac surgery and more than 3,400 operations, he explains why insulin resistance, inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, diet, and vascular damage deserve more attention in heart disease prevention.
The conversation also examines statins, coronary artery calcium scans, CT angiograms, seed oils, processed carbohydrates, red meat, vegan diets, gut health, and nutrient absorption. Dr. Ovadia shares how becoming obese and prediabetic changed his own understanding of metabolic health, and why he now focuses on helping patients avoid the operating table.
0:00 Introduction
2:43 Dr. Ovadia’s lessons from 3,400 heart surgeries
5:40 Why cholesterol isn't the root cause
7:34 Pharmaceutical and food industry influence
12:17 How diet guidelines failed patients
15:11 Dr. Ovadia's personal health transformation
18:21 Seed oils vs processed carbohydrates
22:19 Early warning signs of heart disease
24:08 Coronary calcium scan and CT angiogram
27:40 What a heart surgeon eats for breakfast
28:28 Dr. Ovadia’s new book
31:28 Can vegans have optimal health?
33:53 When diet alone isn't enough
_____
EPISODE RESOURCES
Nutritionist's Guide to the Carnivore Diet: empowerfunctionalhealth.com/product/nutritionists-guide-to-the-carnivore-diet
Dr. Philip Ovadia's Website: ifixhearts.com
Dr. Philip Ovadia's Instagram: instagram.com/ifixhearts/?hl=en
Stay Off My Kitchen Table Book: amzn.to/4ppGwFm
Stay Off My Operating Table (First Book): amzn.to/4wKVvMD
_____
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
📫 Tips and Weekly Updates: nutritionwithjudy.com/newsletter
JUDY CHO RESOURCES
⛑️Work with Us: empowerfunctionalhealth.com/services
🎙️ Podcast: nutritionwithjudy.buzzsprout.com
📘 Carnivore Cure Book & Elimination Diet: amzn.to/3R4VAXn
📘 Inflammation Fix Book: inflammationfix.co
📚 Articles: nutritionwithjudy.com/articles
🎁 Free Resources: nutritionwithjudy.com/resources
📗 Complete Carnivore Diet for Beginners: amzn.to/3D5lyo5
_____
*DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It should not replace professional medical advice.
#heartdisease #cholesterol #ldlcholesterol #hearthealth #cardiovascularhealth #metabolichealth #insulinresistance #inflammation #statins #coronarycalciumscan #seedoils #redmeat #vegandiet #carnivorediet #lowcarb #nutrition #guthealth #drphilipovadia #judycho #nutritionwithjudy
