Podcast

Superagers, statins, the latest cholesterol pill and the truth about heart disease risk | Dr Terry Simpson

Listen Now

Dr Terry Simpson is back, and this time we cover a lot of ground. He is a surgeon with a background in molecular biology, critical care, and nutrition who has become one of the clearest voices online for separating good science from confident nonsense. In this conversation we move from the new generation of cholesterol-lowering drugs to gene editing, from the MIND diet and cognitive ageing to the reasons colorectal cancer is rising in young adults.

So much of the health conversation right now rewards certainty over evidence. A documentary or a viral clip can make a bold claim in ninety seconds, while the careful answer takes a lot longer and comes with caveats. Terry and I wanted to slow that down, look at what the data actually shows, and be honest about where the science is still uncertain. We spend real time on the lean mass hyperresponder debate and the re-analysis of the Keto-CTA plaque data, because it is a good example of how easy it is to talk yourself into the result you were hoping for.

What We Cover

  • Why the healthiest brains in their eighties owe more to blood pressure, lipids, and exercise than to lucky genes
  • How PCSK9 inhibitors work, and why Terry thinks of plaque as geology rather than plumbing
  • The Paul Saladino “why don’t veins get plaque?” argument, and what the biology actually says
  • Gene editing for cholesterol, and functional cures for type 1 diabetes using stem cells and CRISPR
  • The lean mass hyperresponder debate and what the Keto-CTA re-analysis really shows about plaque progression
  • Why “reversing” type 2 diabetes is better described as remission
  • The rise of colorectal cancer in younger adults, and why screening and fibre matter
  • The 2026 dyslipidemia guidelines, and why you should test your Lp(a) at least once

This is a long conversation, but it is the kind of grounded, evidence-first discussion I wish was more common. If you care about protecting your heart and brain for the long run, and you want the science without the hype, I think you will get a lot from it.

To connect with Dr Terry Simpson, visit terrysimpson.com, where you will find his bio, recipes, and plenty more. You can also follow him on Instagram, X, and TikTok, and read his writing on Substack.

  • Terry Returns to Debunk Health Misinformation (00:00)
  • How to Follow the MIND Diet (03:58)
  • New PCSK9 Inhibitors and the Plaque Volcano Model (07:08)
  • How to Choose Your PCSK9 Option (11:52)
  • Why CT Angiogram Plaque Scores Mislead (17:44)
  • Why Plaque Levels Vary So Much (27:34)
  • Gene Editing and the Type 1 Diabetes Cure (34:32)
  • When Stem Cells Meet CRISPR (40:09)
  • The Rhonda Patrick Banana Smoothie Debate (44:25)
  • The Protein and Sarcopenia Myth (48:38)
  • Reviewing The Cholesterol Code Documentary (52:19)
  • What Lean Mass Hyperresponders Get Wrong (55:57)
  • Walking Through the Plaque Volume Data (1:00:13)
  • What PAV and Rapid Progression Mean (1:05:35)
  • Outliers, Genetics, and Misleading Documentaries (1:11:32)
  • Why Plaque Regression Claims Mislead You (1:16:23)
  • Diet Hype, Public Health, and Food Safety (1:19:59)
  • Why Colorectal Cancer Hits Young Adults (1:26:59)
  • New 2026 Dyslipidemia Guidelines (1:33:53)
  • Why You Should Test Lp(a) Once (1:39:01)
  • When to Rescan and Treat Plaque Early (1:46:50)
  • The Biggest Takeaway on Heart Disease (1:52:29)

Subscribe and stay connected:

Subscribe to The Proof on YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify to ensure you never miss an episode. And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and X for more insights and updates.

This episode is brought to you by:

38TERA

Consider 38TERA’s DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout.

38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.

Momentous

My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com.

Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations.

Eight Sleep

Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF at eightsleep.com/theproof for up to $350 off. You get 30 days to try it at home and return it if you don’t love it.

Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland.

Function Health

Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States.

Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico.

LMNT

Stay hydrated with LMNT. Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavours with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/SIMON Find your favourite LMNT flavour, or share with a friend. And if you don’t like it? Full refund, no questions asked.

LMNT ships to the U.S. and Canada, with sparkling flavors available only in the contiguous U.S.

WHOOP

Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon.

Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia.

More about Dr Terry Simpson

Dr Terry Simpson is a surgeon with a background that spans molecular biology, critical care, and nutrition. He began his career as a research scientist working in molecular biology, manipulating viral DNA, before deciding to pursue medicine. He trained at the University of Chicago and completed his residency at Virginia Mason in Seattle, where he developed a strong interest in surgery.

His surgical career has included trauma and vascular work in the ICU, later transitioning into weight loss surgery. While working with bariatric patients, he became increasingly interested in the role of nutrition, particularly the lack of a standardised dietary approach following surgery. This led him to become certified in Culinary Medicine at Tulane, and to focus more deeply on nutrition and dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean and DASH diets.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, his early background in virology became relevant again as he returned to ICU work and began speaking publicly about virology on social media.

He is also a GLP-1 patient, having lost 50 pounds and maintained that weight loss over the past 18 months while continuing to follow a Mediterranean-style diet. Today, much of his work involves debunking myths, educating people about nutrition, and sharing practical cooking content.

Outside of his professional life, he is a father to a 15-year-old.

Search 'The Proof' in your favourite podcast streaming app

Listen Now

Spotify Apple Youtube

If you listen on Apple Podcasts be sure to hit ‘subscribe’ or ‘follow’ on Spotify so you are instantly notified when I release new episodes each week.

the proof is in the plants

Haven't purchased
The Proof is in the Plants?

Order now

Some other episodes you might like

See All

Search The Proof

From the author of The Proof is in the Plants and creator of the Proof Podcast, Simon Hill

2-Week Meal Plan

Plant curious? Experience the benefits of eating more plants with this 2-week plant-based meal plan! Not only will eating this way reduce your risk of chronic disease in the long-term, it will leave you feeling better today, too.