The Diet That Lowers Cholesterol Like a Statin | Dr Andrea Glenn

In this in-depth episode of *The Proof with Simon Hill*, host Simon Hill sits down with Dr. Andrea Glenn, a leading nutrition scientist from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, to unpack the science behind the portfolio diet and its potential to lower cholesterol as effectively as statins. Glenn, a registered dietitian and epidemiologist, explains how her research—spanning large cohort studies like the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study—reveals that a higher plant-to-animal protein ratio is linked to significantly reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, especially coronary heart disease. She also discusses the portfolio diet, a dietary pattern combining plant protein, nuts, viscous fiber, plant sterols, and monounsaturated fats, which has shown up to a 28% reduction in LDL cholesterol in clinical trials. The episode dives into the robustness of nutrition epidemiology, addressing common criticisms about food frequency questionnaires and 'healthy user bias,' while emphasizing how statistical adjustments and sensitivity analyses strengthen findings. Glenn also highlights recent studies showing plant-based oils reduce mortality risk, while butter increases it, and that plant-derived monounsaturated fats lower type 2 diabetes risk—contrary to the idea that all fats are equal. She underscores the importance of food quality over macronutrient labels, advocating for dietary patterns over isolated nutrients. The conversation closes with anticipation for the ongoing CHEAP Trial, a long-term study testing whether the portfolio diet can reduce major cardiovascular events in high-risk individuals already on statins.