My LDL Went Up On Keto. Should I Stop? Cardiologist Explains

What do you do when keto is genuinely changing your life, but your LDL goes up?

That's exactly the question Dr. Bret Scher sits down to answer in this conversation with podcast producer Erica Gerard.

Erica started ketogenic therapy for two reasons: to support her taper off long-term antidepressants, and to address symptoms of complex PTSD. Six months in, the results were remarkable. A smoother taper, less anxiety, fewer flashbacks, and a greater sense of calm than she'd ever experienced.

Then she got her labs back. Her LDL had jumped from 94 to 150.

In this episode, Dr. Scher walks through one way to think about a rising LDL in the context of ketogenic therapy, and why the answer is almost never "stop doing what's working."

You'll hear:

• Why total cholesterol is the least useful number to focus on
• Why LDL is not the disease, vascular disease is
• What advanced imaging options exist for a more complete picture of heart health
• Why an initial LDL rise on keto may resolve on its own within a year
• How to have a productive conversation with your doctor about this

This conversation sits at the heart of a bigger question, one that The Cholesterol Code documentary explores in depth.

Featuring individuals whose lives were transformed by ketogenic therapy, only to see their LDL rise dramatically, the film asks an important question. Is abandoning a life-changing intervention really the right answer based on one biomarker alone? Is there a better way to assess heart health?

🎬 The Cholesterol Code is now streaming on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0GS8ZFCYN/

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Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

• Baszucki Group Medical Director
• https://x.com/bschermd

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:

Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.