Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn

This week, Dr. Kahn discusses his long-standing interest in the amino acid glycine and its potential health benefits. Sleep is a key focus, highlighted by a new report on the widespread difficulty adults face in getting a full night's rest. Glycine may also offer favorable cardiovascular support. Additional topics include coffee and aging, methamphetamines and heart attacks, Lipoprotein(a) and cardiovascular risk, yoga and overall health, a tribute to Eugene Braunwald, MD, TMAO and atherosclerosis, and a new study on the benefits of adopting heart-healthy habits early in life. Thanks to the Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club and the special discount offer at getfreshdrkahn.com

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 and berberine supplementation, how to approach both low-carb and low-fat diets in a healthy way, and concerns about long-term proton pump inhibitor use. Additional discussion covers EECP therapy and strategies to improve coronary blood flow, along with the potential benefits of ezetimibe for cholesterol reduction and brain health. Thank you to this week's sponsor, Igennus. Visit igennus.com and use code DRKAHN for a special discount.

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 role of genetics in longevity, plant-based diets for kidney health, and red light therapy for brain illness and trauma. Thanks to getfreshDRKAHN.com for the $1 offer on a bottle of fresh-pressed olive oil from some of the finest estates. EXTENDED SHOWNOTES: Dr. Kahn also touched on several additional topics during the episode. He discussed olive oil tasting and shipping, encouraging listeners to sign up before the current shipment from Italy ends and explaining how tasting fresh olive oil helps assess quality. Red light therapy came up in the context of brain injury, including a study showing potential benefits from nasal exposure in college athletes with repeated head trauma. He also mentioned advocacy efforts to promote routine coronary calcium scoring starting at age 45. Several studies on diet and longevity were reviewed, including research showing that plant-forward diets are associated with better kidney health and that genetics may account for up to 50% of longevity—though lifestyle choices still matter greatly. Dr. Kahn also covered caffeine and heart rhythm, noting research where coffee consumption was linked to fewer episodes of atrial fibrillation, while diet soda was associated with a higher risk of dementia. Finally, he discussed sleep patterns, citing data suggesting that night owls face higher cardiovascular risks than early risers.

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 vascular benefits of extra-virgin olive oil, and the cholesterol-lowering power of oats. Thanks to the Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club, you can sample a bottle of high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for just $1 at getfreshDRKAHN.com. Registration is now open for Dr. Kahn's lecture on January 29, 2026 at 7:00 PM EST. Sign up HERE.

This week, Dr. Kahn breaks down the newly released USDA 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines and the surprising upside-down food pyramid they present. He explains how the final report differs from last year's Advisory Committee recommendations, including changes in committee membership and the influence of advisors with financial ties to the meat and dairy industries. Looking back at the original 1980 dietary guidelines, Dr. Kahn asks an important question: how much has really changed? His takeaway remains refreshingly simple—eat food, mostly plants, not too much. Short topics this week include urinary measurements of protein intake, optimal timing for surgery in dilated aortic roots, the cardiovascular risk of lipoprotein(a), and whether the science behind the Blue Zones truly holds up. You can order a bottle of olive oil for just $1 at getfreshDRKAHN.com. To join the next group ProLon fast, order your kit as soon as possible at prolonlife.com/DRKAHN. If you want it a touch shorter or more punchy for Apple Podcasts specifically, I can trim it another 10–15%.

Tim Kaufman's journey is nothing short of remarkable. Diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome—an inherited condition affecting collagen that impacts the heart, joints, and tendons—Tim found himself in a dark place by 2011, struggling with food, alcohol, and painkiller addiction, compounded by morbid obesity. His inspiring recovery through a plant-based diet led him to complete the Lake Placid Ironman in 2024 while sustaining an incredible 200 lb weight loss. Tim shares his transformative story in his book Escape. Learn more about his journey at fatmanrants.com.

This 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.

This week, Dr. Kahn breaks down new research on erectile dysfunction (ED) as an early warning sign—a "canary in the coal mine"—for heart disease and cardiovascular events, including mortality. He also discusses the emerging role of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and highlights new findings suggesting that ED medications like Viagra and Cialis may reduce all-cause mortality and potentially lower the risk of dementia. Additional topics include the connection between sleep apnea and Parkinson's disease, how skipping breakfast may raise cholesterol levels, the impact of high-polyphenol diets on resting heart rate, tai chi for improving sleep, alternate-day fasting, updates on the Watchman device, and new approaches to treating carotid artery disease. This week, Dr. Kahn also highlights the Echo Flask—an elegant way to make hydrogen-rich water. You can order one at echowater.com for a discount.