Episode #47: Lean Mass Hyper-Responders

Episode #47: Lean Mass Hyper-Responders

From Influenced to Death by Hannah Wright & Victoria LaFont

November 2, 2025 · 1h 13m

About this episode

The episode discusses lean mass hyper-responders and the implications of high LDL cholesterol in the context of low-carb and high-fat diets.

In this episode, Victoria & guest co-host Amanda Jones get to speak with John O’Connor, founder of Gene Food , Integrative Health Coach, and all-around excellent thinker. Today’s primary topic is lean mass hyper-responders (LMHR), a subset of lean people who, when they eat a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet (LCHF), experience a massive increase in LDL cholesterol. Even though this group is relatively small, the concepts discussed apply to anyone interested in using a ketogenic or low-carb/high-fat diet, or any therapeutic diet (such as Carnivore, vegan, AIP, etc.), in a way that considers both the benefits and the risks. They cover: * Who are the lean mass hyper-responders and why you should care * Is unlimited saturated fat beneficial? Harmless? For everyone? * The KETO-CTA study * You can find critiques of the study on John’s website here and also a more technical but really excellent write-up from Alex Leaf here. * Saturated Fats and Health: A Reassessment and Proposal for Food-Based Recommendations: JACC State-of-the-Art Review * Why some people in the keto/low-carb community might be pushing so hard against the risk of elevated LDL cholesterol, and continue promoting and…

People in this episode

Host: Victoria LaFont

Guests: Amanda Jones, John O’Connor

Topics covered

  • lean mass hyper-responders
  • low-carbohydrate diet
  • high-fat diet
  • LDL cholesterol
  • saturated fat
  • keto diet
  • health risks

Keywords

  • lean mass hyper-responders
  • LDL cholesterol
  • low-carb diet
  • high-fat diet
  • keto
  • saturated fat
  • health risks
  • dietary guidelines

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Gene Food

Books & works: Saturated Fats and Health: A Reassessment and Proposal for Food-Based Recommendations: JACC State-of-the-Art Review, KETO-CTA study

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