Yup - he did and it came back in the normal range.
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Amgen made a documentary about the dangers of high LDL. You can watch it on their site:
Here’s an article about it:
We need bold action’: Amgen enlists NFL star to tackle dangers of LDL cholesterol in 1st documentary film
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O3:
1. Tidied-up transcript
(Filler words, sponsor spots, repeated phrases and time-stamps removed; section headings added for clarity.)
Intro & Motivation
Simon Hill (nutrition-science M.Sc.) opens by asking cardiologist Dr Thomas Dayspring for his first reaction to Hill’s coronary CT angiogram; Dayspring says he “can’t say I was shocked.” Hill explains he has eaten a whole-food plant-based diet for 10 years, has “perfect” annual blood tests, but wanted to know his true arterial status given a powerful family history (father and grandfather suffered MIs in their 40s).
Background & Definitions
Hill reviews atherosclerosis (plaque in the artery wall) and why apolipoprotein-B (ApoB) is now preferred over LDL-C as a particle count.
Why he ordered imaging
Approaching 40—the age his father’s first MI struck—Hill underwent:
- Coronary CT angiography (CTA) to quantify soft (non-calcified) plaque.
- Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring to see calcified plaque.
Imaging results
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CTA: 61 mm³ total soft plaque, described by Dr Matt Budoff as “minimal non-obstructive.”
- 46 mm³ in the left anterior descending (LAD), 6.8 mm³ in the RCA, 8.1 mm³ in the LCx; all other branches clear.
- Percent atheroma volume (PAV) = 1.8 %.
-
CAC: Agatston score = 4 (≈50th percentile for men age 39).
Blood tests (Function Health panel)
Glucose 87 mg/dL, HbA1c 5.3 %, insulin 4 µIU/mL, triglycerides 75 mg/dL, hs-CRP < 0.2 mg/L.
However, LDL-C rose from 77 → 103 mg/dL and ApoB from 69 → 89 mg/dL after adding two daily servings of coconut-based yoghurt during marathon training.
Expert commentary (Dr Dayspring & Dr Dan Soffer)
- Plaque likely accumulated mainly before age 30 when Hill’s LDL-C ran 120-130 mg/dL.
- To halt or even reverse plaque, most data suggest LDL-C < 60 mg/dL (ApoB < 55–60 mg/dL), and “lower for longer is better.” (AHA Journals)
- Dayspring would “make you hypo-β”—i.e., push ApoB toward ≈ 40 mg/dL using drugs if needed.
Lifetime-LDL exposure concept
Hill plots Ference’s 5 000 mg·year LDL burden threshold:
- 29 y × 125 mg/dL = 3 625
- +10 y × 80 mg/dL = 800
- ➔ 4 425 mg·years—approaching symptomatic zone.
Pharmacologic options discussed
Statins as foundation (largest outcome-trial base), with ezetimibe, bempedoic acid, PCSK9 mAbs or siRNA as add-ons for potency/tolerability.
Safety of very-low cholesterol
Dayspring reviews endogenous cholesterol synthesis: peripheral and brain cells do not rely on LDL delivery; thus, plasma LDL < 30 mg/dL is not harmful to membranes, hormones or cognition.
Decision point
Hill sees two paths:
- Re-scan in 9 months to measure progression unmedicated.
- Start lipid-lowering therapy now to “slam the brakes” and stabilise plaque.
He is leaning to immediate therapy but has not decided; radiation dose of a second CTA is a remaining concern (modern CTA ≈ 1–4 mSv vs background 2.4 mSv/y). (PMC)
Closing
Hill pledges follow-up episodes on imaging, medications, nutraceuticals, and reversal evidence, and invites viewer feedback.
2. Concise summary
- Findings: Minimal soft plaque (61 mm³, PAV 1.8 %) and trace calcium (CAC 4) still place Hill at about the median for men his age despite a decade of “ideal” lifestyle.
- Interpretation: Plaque probably accumulated before dietary change; current ApoB 89 mg/dL may still allow slow progression.
- Goal: Experts recommend ApoB ≤ 55 mg/dL (ideally ≈ 40) to arrest/regress plaque.
- Next steps debated: Wait 9 months for a second scan vs. begin drug therapy now.
- Take-home for viewers: Normal labs do not exclude sub-clinical atherosclerosis; early lifetime LDL lowering (diet ± medication) gives compounding benefit; individualised imaging can refine risk management. (YouTube)
3. Critique
| Aspect | Strengths | Limitations / Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | Hill publicly shares raw imaging data and blood panels, rare among influencers; invites expert critique. | Single baseline scan means no personal progression rate yet; conclusions about past vs. current plaque are inferential. |
| Use of evidence | Correctly emphasises ApoB and lifetime exposure, in line with 2023 AHA/ACC guidance to target ApoB < 60 mg/dL in very-high risk. (AHA Journals) | The 5 000 mg·year “cliff” is illustrative but not a rigid threshold; real risk curves are probabilistic and modulated by blood pressure, smoking, etc. |
| Expert selection | Invites respected lipidologists (Dayspring, Soffer) and imaging authority (Budoff); discussion reflects mainstream preventive-cardiology consensus. | All guests are lipid-centric; absent are dissenting voices on CAC utility or on dietary strategies beyond low-SFA plant-based. |
| Dietary analysis | Admits coconut yoghurt raised his LDL—good illustration of saturated-fat sensitivity. | Underplays variability: some individuals may see minimal LDL change with coconut; viewers could misinterpret as universally “bad.” |
| Medical advice framing | Reiterates that decision is personal, encourages viewers to test and consult clinicians. | Nevertheless, episodes double as promotion for Hill’s supplement affiliates (Imate, Momentous, Bragg). Potential COI is disclosed but the interleaved ads may blur lines between education and marketing. |
| Radiation risk portrayal | Acknowledges follow-up CTA carries radiation and plans to investigate. Modern low-dose protocols ~2–4 mSv (≈1–2 years background) are indeed modest. (PMC) | Could quantify cumulative lifetime cancer risk (~0.01 %) to give viewers context. |
| Comparison with ketogenic CTA study | Notes keto group added ~31 mm³ plaque in 12 mo vs his 61 mm³ lifetime—useful but fair. | Study populations and LDL levels differed; mentioning confidence intervals and small sample caveats would guard against over-interpretation. |
| Physiology section | Dayspring’s explanation that LDL is a return-to-liver carrier, not essential delivery, is accurate and pedagogic. | Segment risks oversimplifying: endocrine tissues can up-regulate LDL-R under stress; nuance lost for lay audience. |
| Overall balance | Episode is an excellent case study of “lifetime risk” thinking and how lifestyle + meds are complementary (Medicine 3.0). | Heavy episode length (56 min) with mid-roll ads may fatigue viewers; a shorter companion video or infographic would broaden reach. |
Bottom line: The video is a well-crafted, evidence-aligned n-of-1 exploration that models proactive cardiovascular prevention. Its main message—that blood tests alone are not enough and “lower ApoB earlier” pays dividends—is strongly supported by current guidelines. Viewers should, however, recognise the single-person context, the promotional segments, and the probabilistic (not deterministic) nature of risk when applying these insights to their own care.
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I think it’s unlikely anyone on the internet will be persuaded by Amgen to control their LDL-C nor might they not want to.
I think expert lipidologists who’ve researched the topic for 50+ yrs like Allan Sniderman, Braunwald, etc, would be more helpful.
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While developing Afib?
Only if you take too much. If you read the research, you’d know that the key is dosing levels. 1 g of Omega 3s with high EPA seems to be the sweet spot.
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Based on the VITAL trial that detected no effect on CVD? What are you taking it for?
VITAL used EPA + DHA. For EPA only, association studies, RCTs and Mendelian randomization studies all point towards some cardiovascular benefits (not huge but still).
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I think the RCT’s for EPA might’ve been used in those with high triglycerides (and @DeStrider said high EPA, not EPA only). If that’s the case then someone is taking EPA not Omega-3’s (which also can be alpha-linolenic acid, or DHA).
EPA/DHA combo is useless at best and possibly harmful for CVD, it’s so bad the STRENGTH trial had to be stopped early as they were throwing money down the drain.
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You’re preaching to the choir. I spent a lot of time debunking the omega-3 myth here.
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I know (I had a name change from AnUser).
I’m just tired of the Omega-3 psuedoscience, the most overhyped supplement ever. EPA for high triglyceride CVD prevention okay, but these people never discuss it. I haven’t seen physionic’s video but he’s probably grabbing the 
from the algorithm from people who don’t understand CVD prevention and think omega-3 cures everything.
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This should be forbidden haha. But anyway, all good, we’re on the same page!
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Amen to that, plus add resveratrol and calcium to the list of overhyped sups.
Simon Hill has posted a followup video to the one above, this time doing a deep dive into his full blood test results including biological age. Not everyone who’s a health influencer is this transparent and I appreciate him doing this.
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O3:
1. Tidied transcript (edited for readability, filler words and ad‑breaks removed)
Intro (0 – 2 min)
I’m starting to wonder if I’m oversharing. You already have my blood tests, sperm results, CT‑angiogram… and now you’re getting my biological‑age report. I just received a panel of 100‑plus biomarkers from Function Health and a few things jumped out, including one blind‑spot even I’d missed. I’m sharing the full results because data and transparency help us all—whether that means lifestyle tweaks, supplements, or a chat with your doctor.
What we’ll cover
- Hormones (testosterone, oestrogen, FSH, LH)
- Nutrient status (with one surprise deficiency)
- Thyroid health
- Cardio‑metabolic markers (Apo B, glucose) & environmental toxins
- My biological age (using Dr Morgan Levine’s PhenoAge clock)
Hormones & fertility (2 – 8 min)
- Estradiol‑2: 22 pg/mL—well inside the male range (10‑40). Soy doesn’t “feminise” men; meta‑analysis of 38 RCTs confirms no effect on testosterone or oestrogen.
- Total T: 618 ng/dL, free T: 108 pg/mL—both healthy. No need for testosterone‑replacement therapy (TRT) when levels and energy are good.
- HRT shuts down endogenous T and sperm production, risking infertility. My FSH (6.9 IU/L) and LH (4 IU/L) are normal, matching last year’s favourable semen analysis.
- Clip with urologist Dr Ramy Ghayda: exogenous testosterone often drives sperm count to zero; 15–20 % of men never recover testicular volume.
Prostate & DHT (8 – 14 min)
- PSA panel all normal.
- DHT low‑normal—expected, because I started 1 mg finasteride for hair‑loss. Side‑effect (reduced libido) hasn’t appeared; if DHT drops too much I’ll halve the dose.
Nutrient panel surprises (14 – 22 min)
- B‑12 (via MMA & homocysteine) and vitamin D (57 ng/mL) solid.
- Omega‑3 “omega‑check” 7.5 % (EPA 2.5 %, DHA 3.3 %, DPA 1.6 %).
- Iron: Hb 15.7 g/dL; ferritin 39 ng/mL (low‑normal) but saturation 44 %.
- Zinc good (96 µg/dL) but copper low (61 µg/dL). Likely linked to zinc supplementation competing for absorption; I’ve switched to a multi with 1 mg copper.
- Magnesium, iodine, selenium all fine.
Thyroid & cardio‑metabolic (22 – 25 min)
- TSH, free T3/T4 and antibodies normal.
- Glucose, insulin, HbA1c perfect; CRP very low.
- Weak spot: LDL‑C and Apo B up ~20–30 %—probably the coconut‑yoghurt phase while marathon‑training. I’m sensitive to lauric‑acid saturated fat.
Environmental toxins (25 – 27 min)
Aluminium, arsenic, BPA, lead, mercury all minimal; BPA undetectable.
Biological age (27 – 29 min)
DNAm‑PhenoAge estimate: 25.6 y— ≈13 y younger than my calendar age. Encouraging, but not a free pass; my CT‑angiogram shows early plaque, so LDL/Apo B remain priorities.
Take‑home messages (29 – 33 min)
- Annual labs + regular blood‑pressure checks catch issues early.
- Health is dynamic; address weak links before they snowball.
- Grateful for the privilege of access—aim is to normalise preventive care.
(Full 33‑minute verbatim PDF is in Simon Hill’s show‑notes.)
### 2. Executive summary
- Overall the host, Simon Hill, reports broadly favourable bloodwork: robust sex‑hormone profile, strong nutrient status, excellent glycaemic control and inflammation, minimal toxin exposure, and a “younger” biological‑age score.
- Red flags: slightly elevated LDL‑C and Apo B—likely diet‑induced—and an unexpected copper deficit (possibly from excess zinc).
- Key interventions he plans: reduce coconut‑derived saturated fat, tweak omega‑3 dosing, add 1 mg copper, continue strength/endurance training, monitor labs and blood pressure.
- Educational points: clarifies myths around soy and hormones, cautions against indiscriminate TRT, highlights finasteride’s pros/cons, and stresses routine screening for silent risks like hypertension.
### 3. Critique
| Aspect | Strengths | Caveats / Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency & structure | Shares raw PDF, walks viewers marker‑by‑marker, explains physiology clearly. | Partnership with Function Health is disclosed but still a marketing tie‑in; viewers may conflate educational content with an ad. |
| Hormone discussion | Correctly notes that normal testosterone + good symptoms ≠ need for TRT; highlights fertility suppression with exogenous T—consistent with clinical reviews. (PMC) | Omits mention of alternative treatments (e.g., clomiphene, hCG) for symptomatic men who want fertility. |
| Finasteride segment | Gives real‑world DHT data; quotes sexual‑side‑effect prevalence (≈1.5–4 %). (PMC) | Underplays “post‑finasteride syndrome” reports; incidence is low but consequences can be severe and longer‑lasting in some cases. |
| Nutrient insights | Makes a useful point about zinc competing with copper and immediately adjusts supplementation. (Medsafe) | Copper measured once; without ceruloplasmin or repeat testing it’s hard to know if this is chronic or transient. |
| LDL/Apo B rise explanation | Correct that lauric acid (coconut fat) can raise LDL. (The Nutrition Source) | The claim that his spike is “20–30 % from coconut yogurt” is plausible but unverified without a controlled diet or repeat lipid panel. Other factors (training stress, weight change) not explored. |
| Biological‑age reporting | Uses Dr Levine’s DNAm PhenoAge clock and clarifies it’s research‑grade. (PMC) | PhenoAge is validated for population risk, not individual diagnosis; a 13‑year “bonus” can fluctuate several years between draws. May give false reassurance. |
| Take‑home advice | Emphasises affordable, high‑impact checks (blood pressure) and lifestyle before meds; balanced. | Cost of 160‑marker panels (~US $499/year) may be prohibitive; benefits over a standard evidence‑based panel are not discussed. |
Bottom line
Simon Hill delivers an engaging, largely evidence‑aligned walkthrough of his labs and uses them to illustrate practical preventive‑health principles. The episode shines in demystifying biomarkers and cautioning against trendy but unjustified interventions (e.g., elective TRT). Viewers should, however, remember:
- One lab snapshot is not destiny—repeat testing and clinical context matter.
- Biological‑age “clocks” are promising but still experimental; track trends, not single numbers.
- Comprehensive panels and devices marketed direct‑to‑consumer can be helpful if you understand their limits, but the essentials (blood pressure, lipids, HbA1c, kidney/liver panel) remain the highest‑yield for most people.
As always, interpret any abnormal result with a qualified clinician—not just a colourful dashboard.
Sources
(theproof.com, PMC, PMC, The Nutrition Source, PMC, Medsafe)
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TL:DR from Kimi, a free Chinese AI agent
In one sentence: Simon’s numbers are solid, but LDL/Apo-B and copper need quick, cheap fixes; the flashy “biological age” is fun but not yet actionable medicine.
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I had a CT Angiogram done in November 2024 which found 70% stenosis in my D2 Artery (all soft plaque, zero calcium score). Since then I have been following a protocol to try to stabilise and regress my plaque. At the end of this month I will be having a second CT Angiogram to see if there’s been any change.
Regardless of the outcome, I would like to have both scans reviewed by Cleerly AI (www.clearlyhealth.com). There aren’t any Cleerly providers in New Zealand, so I am hoping to get the raw CTA files from my Radiologist and send them to a Cleerly provider in the USA for analysis.
Two questions:
- Does this sound like something that can be done?
- If yes, are you able to recommend a Cleerly provider I should contact?
Many thanks!!
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My understanding is that it’s always done that way. I was told my angio would be local and the CD could be mailed to them. They do a video call or something. I would use the one in Kansas City.
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To feed the trolls a bit: Low apolipoprotein B and LDL-cholesterol are associated with the risk of cardiovascular and allcause mortality: a prospective cohort 2025
The study cohort had a median (IQR) age of 46.0 (32.0, 60.0) years, with 7949 (51.8%) males. During a median follow-up of 101.0 months (IQR: 67–137), 1771 (8.8%) all-cause mortality events were observed; 443 (2.1%) deaths were attributed to cardiovascular diseases, while 109 (0.5%) resulted from cerebrovascular diseases. Low apoB and LDL-cholesterol levels were independently linked to an elevated risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Compared with participants having apoB <90 mg/ dL and LDL-cholesterol levels between 100–129 mg/dL, those with LDL-cholesterol <70 mg/dL (HR, 1.81; 95%CI: 1.39–2.36) and 70–99 mg/dL (HR, 1.28; 95%CI: 1.01–1.62) demonstrated a higher risk of all-cause mortality. Additionally, reduced apoB levels contributed to an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality among individuals with low LDL-cholesterol levels.
It’s a Chinese paper from a random Chinese institution (People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region), so low quality.
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