Podcast Summary: The Dylan Gemelli Podcast

Episode #70 Featuring Dr. Philip Ovadia – "STAY OFF THE OPERATING TABLE! A Masterclass on Heart Health"
Release Date: December 4, 2025
Host: Dylan Gemelli
Guest: Dr. Philip Ovadia, board-certified cardiac surgeon, founder of Ovadia Heart Health, author of Stay Off My Operating Table

Episode Overview

This episode is a deep-dive, no-nonsense masterclass on heart health with Dr. Philip Ovadia, a renowned cardiac surgeon and advocate for metabolic health optimization. Dylan and Dr. Ovadia tackle pervasive myths in cardiology—especially around cholesterol, fats, and heart-healthy diets—shedding light on outdated dogmas, the failings of the conventional medical system, and practical strategies to prevent heart disease. The conversation is personal, practical, evidence-driven, and empowering, focusing on actionable truth and patient empowerment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dr. Ovadia’s Journey and Mission

[07:16]–[09:51]

Dr. Ovadia shares how, despite being a heart surgeon, he struggled with his own health: morbid obesity and prediabetes.
Realizes traditional advice (low-fat, low-cholesterol) was ineffective for himself and patients.
Loses 100 lbs, reverses prediabetes, and is motivated to help others avoid heart surgery through metabolic health.
"No matter how good a surgeon I might be... you’re never as good after you had the heart surgery as you would have been if you didn’t need the surgery in the first place." – Dr. Ovadia [09:51]

2. The Demonization of Dietary Fat

[11:28]–[17:30]

Explains the historical rivalry between "sugar causation" and "fat causation" theories for heart disease.
Low-fat diets took off based on flawed science and political pressure in the 1970s–80s.
Dismantles the myth: Despite 70 years of low-fat advocacy and declining animal fat intake, heart disease worsens.
Animal fats (especially saturated) are essential for human health and evolution.
Notable quote: "Fats are essential, right? And especially animal fats, which have been the most demonized, but are actually the most important component of our diet." – Dr. Ovadia [11:28]

3. The Real Drivers of Heart Disease: Inflammation & Insulin Resistance

[19:49]–[22:11]

Major contributors are NOT cholesterol, but insulin resistance and inflammation.
Primary dietary dangers: Processed carbohydrates and seed oils, not saturated fats.
Recommends focusing on foods that lower inflammation/insulin resistance: animal proteins, animal fats, and (optionally) non-processed carbs/vegetables.
"The real kind of first principles... are to avoid the foods that are causing insulin resistance and inflammation." – Dr. Ovadia [21:49]

4. Essential Foods for Heart Health

[22:11]–[24:35]

Dylan’s essentials: avocados, eggs (whole), grass-fed beef/pork, salmon, grass-fed butter/olive oil.
Dr. Ovadia’s list: Primarily beef, seafood (salmon, tuna), eggs, dairy (butter, cheeses, yogurt), avocados.
"It’s literally the exact opposite of what I was taught in school." – Dr. Ovadia [24:19]

5. Understanding Blood Panels

[25:00]–[26:05]

Standard cholesterol (LDL/HDL/triglycerides) is insufficient; advanced panels (ApoB, LP(a), particle size) reveal the real risk.
Quality of LDL particles is key: large, fluffy particles are benign (and essential); small, oxidized particles are dangerous.
Root cause of harmful particle shift: insulin resistance, inflammation.

6. Particle Size, Statins, and the Cholesterol Controversy

[30:17]–[38:47]

Small LDL particles are "damaged"; more likely to cause arterial plaque.
Statins lower total LDL but disproportionately lower large, benign particles—leaving small, harmful ones behind.
"The patients that are on my table have been on statins for decades, and they still got the heart disease and still ended up on my operating table." – Dr. Ovadia [38:14]

7. Lipoprotein(a) [LP(a)], Plaque Types, and Testing

[32:46]–[41:03]

LP(a) explained: genetically determined, increases clotting risk, not directly treatable with diet/exercise.
Statins do not lower LP(a); focus should be on reducing inflammation and clotting risk (nattokinase, baby aspirin).
Calcium scoring: Best non-invasive test for calcified (hard) plaque; less predictive for soft plaque.
"You can have a couple thousand of calcium [score] spread throughout the blood vessels and no one spot might be problematic." – Dr. Ovadia [40:46]

8. Soft vs. Hard Plaque Dangers

[42:45]–[45:46]

Soft plaque is unstable, prone to rupture and sudden blockages (heart attack).
Calcified (hard) plaque narrows vessels over time—can constrain blood flow but is less rupture-prone.
Statins increase plaque calcification, but the implication for safety is still debated.

9. Reversing Plaque and Hope for Patients

[46:14]–[47:33]

Plaque reversal is possible, though modest (10–20% reductions). Main goal: stop progression.
"The body has an amazing capacity to heal... if you just stop doing the damage and let the body do its thing." – Dr. Ovadia [47:19]

10. Heart Function, Failure, and Ejection Fraction

[50:52]–[57:42]

Echocardiograms evaluate heart muscle and valve function; ejection fraction (EF) of 55–70% is normal.
Heart failure can be due to blockages, drugs (including steroids/chemo), viruses (COVID, flu), toxins, etc.
EF can improve and patients can recover if causes are addressed.
"If we can identify a root cause and we can correct that, we should expect that the heart function will improve." – Dr. Ovadia [58:52]

11. The "Idiopathic" Diagnosis and Underlying Causes

[55:21]–[57:00]

"Idiopathic" heart failure means the doctor doesn’t know the cause—often due to lack of thorough investigation.
Hidden contributors like heavy metals, mold, Lyme disease, chronic toxins can be missed.

12. Mental Health, Stress, and Patient Empowerment

[59:19]–[60:52]

Psychological stress and hopelessness worsen heart health and outcomes through inflammation/oxidative stress.
"If you can say... you can improve yourself... you have the power... it’s much more empowering. And patients react well to that." – Dr. Ovadia [60:17]

13. COVID-19, Spike Proteins, and Heart Risk

[61:05]–[62:36]

COVID infection and (for some) the vaccine’s spike protein can damage hearts.
Discussing these facts openly is essential for patient care and proper risk assessment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the failed "low-fat" experiment:
"Here we are 70 years later, this low-fat experiment has clearly failed, and we can't change our ways... our health has just continued to worsen." – Dr. Ovadia [15:57]
On medical empowerment:
"If you change the way you eat... you can improve yourself. You don't need the medications to do this. You have the power." – Dr. Ovadia [60:16]
On cholesterol particle sizes:
"If you have a lot of large LDL particles, those are not atherogenic, they are not plaque forming, and in fact they play so many vital roles in our bodies." – Dr. Ovadia [26:05]
On statins and heart disease:
"That’s why people are still at risk. That’s why I see it routinely as a heart surgeon, that the patients that are on my table have been on statins for decades, and they still got the heart disease..." – Dr. Ovadia [38:14]

Timestamps for Important Segments

[03:16] – Dr. Ovadia introduction and personal mission
[07:16] – His personal health transformation and paradigm shift
[11:28] – Why fat is essential and its wrongful demonization
[17:30] – Impact of diet (low-fat to high-fat) on Dylan's health
[19:49] – Insulin resistance/inflammation as true heart risks
[22:11] – Top 5 essential foods for heart health (both guest and host)
[25:00] – Blood panel essentials: going beyond basic cholesterol
[30:17] – Particle size, statins, and what doctors miss
[32:46] – LP(a), soft/hard plaque, calcium scoring explained
[42:45] – The real dangers: soft vs. hard plaque
[46:14] – Can you reverse plaque? (Yes, to some degree)
[50:52] – Ejection fraction, echo, and heart failure causes
[55:21] – Idiopathic diagnoses & missing underlying causes
[59:19] – Mindset, stress, and patient empowerment
[61:05] – COVID and heart health discussion

Conclusion & Free Resource

Dr. Ovadia offers listeners a free digital copy of his book Stay Off My Operating Table at ifixhearts.com/dylan [63:24].
Final message: Take charge of understanding and protecting your heart health—knowledge and empowerment are key.

Tone Note: The discussion is candid, compassionate, and straightforward, blending expert insight with personal experience and a drive to cut through medical dogma. Both men are committed to practical solutions and patient autonomy.

Podcast Summary: The Dylan Gemelli Podcast

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dr. Ovadia’s Journey and Mission

[07:16]–[09:51]

Dr. Ovadia shares how, despite being a heart surgeon, he struggled with his own health: morbid obesity and prediabetes.
Realizes traditional advice (low-fat, low-cholesterol) was ineffective for himself and patients.
Loses 100 lbs, reverses prediabetes, and is motivated to help others avoid heart surgery through metabolic health.
"No matter how good a surgeon I might be... you’re never as good after you had the heart surgery as you would have been if you didn’t need the surgery in the first place." – Dr. Ovadia [09:51]

2. The Demonization of Dietary Fat

[11:28]–[17:30]

Explains the historical rivalry between "sugar causation" and "fat causation" theories for heart disease.
Low-fat diets took off based on flawed science and political pressure in the 1970s–80s.
Dismantles the myth: Despite 70 years of low-fat advocacy and declining animal fat intake, heart disease worsens.
Animal fats (especially saturated) are essential for human health and evolution.
Notable quote: "Fats are essential, right? And especially animal fats, which have been the most demonized, but are actually the most important component of our diet." – Dr. Ovadia [11:28]

3. The Real Drivers of Heart Disease: Inflammation & Insulin Resistance

[19:49]–[22:11]

Major contributors are NOT cholesterol, but insulin resistance and inflammation.
Primary dietary dangers: Processed carbohydrates and seed oils, not saturated fats.
Recommends focusing on foods that lower inflammation/insulin resistance: animal proteins, animal fats, and (optionally) non-processed carbs/vegetables.
"The real kind of first principles... are to avoid the foods that are causing insulin resistance and inflammation." – Dr. Ovadia [21:49]

4. Essential Foods for Heart Health

[22:11]–[24:35]

Dylan’s essentials: avocados, eggs (whole), grass-fed beef/pork, salmon, grass-fed butter/olive oil.
Dr. Ovadia’s list: Primarily beef, seafood (salmon, tuna), eggs, dairy (butter, cheeses, yogurt), avocados.
"It’s literally the exact opposite of what I was taught in school." – Dr. Ovadia [24:19]

5. Understanding Blood Panels

[25:00]–[26:05]

Standard cholesterol (LDL/HDL/triglycerides) is insufficient; advanced panels (ApoB, LP(a), particle size) reveal the real risk.
Quality of LDL particles is key: large, fluffy particles are benign (and essential); small, oxidized particles are dangerous.
Root cause of harmful particle shift: insulin resistance, inflammation.

6. Particle Size, Statins, and the Cholesterol Controversy

[30:17]–[38:47]

Small LDL particles are "damaged"; more likely to cause arterial plaque.
Statins lower total LDL but disproportionately lower large, benign particles—leaving small, harmful ones behind.
"The patients that are on my table have been on statins for decades, and they still got the heart disease and still ended up on my operating table." – Dr. Ovadia [38:14]

7. Lipoprotein(a) [LP(a)], Plaque Types, and Testing

[32:46]–[41:03]

LP(a) explained: genetically determined, increases clotting risk, not directly treatable with diet/exercise.
Statins do not lower LP(a); focus should be on reducing inflammation and clotting risk (nattokinase, baby aspirin).
Calcium scoring: Best non-invasive test for calcified (hard) plaque; less predictive for soft plaque.
"You can have a couple thousand of calcium [score] spread throughout the blood vessels and no one spot might be problematic." – Dr. Ovadia [40:46]

8. Soft vs. Hard Plaque Dangers

[42:45]–[45:46]

Soft plaque is unstable, prone to rupture and sudden blockages (heart attack).
Calcified (hard) plaque narrows vessels over time—can constrain blood flow but is less rupture-prone.
Statins increase plaque calcification, but the implication for safety is still debated.

9. Reversing Plaque and Hope for Patients

[46:14]–[47:33]

Plaque reversal is possible, though modest (10–20% reductions). Main goal: stop progression.
"The body has an amazing capacity to heal... if you just stop doing the damage and let the body do its thing." – Dr. Ovadia [47:19]

10. Heart Function, Failure, and Ejection Fraction

[50:52]–[57:42]

Echocardiograms evaluate heart muscle and valve function; ejection fraction (EF) of 55–70% is normal.
Heart failure can be due to blockages, drugs (including steroids/chemo), viruses (COVID, flu), toxins, etc.
EF can improve and patients can recover if causes are addressed.
"If we can identify a root cause and we can correct that, we should expect that the heart function will improve." – Dr. Ovadia [58:52]

11. The "Idiopathic" Diagnosis and Underlying Causes

[55:21]–[57:00]

"Idiopathic" heart failure means the doctor doesn’t know the cause—often due to lack of thorough investigation.
Hidden contributors like heavy metals, mold, Lyme disease, chronic toxins can be missed.

12. Mental Health, Stress, and Patient Empowerment

[59:19]–[60:52]

Psychological stress and hopelessness worsen heart health and outcomes through inflammation/oxidative stress.
"If you can say... you can improve yourself... you have the power... it’s much more empowering. And patients react well to that." – Dr. Ovadia [60:17]

13. COVID-19, Spike Proteins, and Heart Risk

[61:05]–[62:36]

COVID infection and (for some) the vaccine’s spike protein can damage hearts.
Discussing these facts openly is essential for patient care and proper risk assessment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the failed "low-fat" experiment:
"Here we are 70 years later, this low-fat experiment has clearly failed, and we can't change our ways... our health has just continued to worsen." – Dr. Ovadia [15:57]
On medical empowerment:
"If you change the way you eat... you can improve yourself. You don't need the medications to do this. You have the power." – Dr. Ovadia [60:16]
On cholesterol particle sizes:
"If you have a lot of large LDL particles, those are not atherogenic, they are not plaque forming, and in fact they play so many vital roles in our bodies." – Dr. Ovadia [26:05]
On statins and heart disease:
"That’s why people are still at risk. That’s why I see it routinely as a heart surgeon, that the patients that are on my table have been on statins for decades, and they still got the heart disease..." – Dr. Ovadia [38:14]

Timestamps for Important Segments

[03:16] – Dr. Ovadia introduction and personal mission
[07:16] – His personal health transformation and paradigm shift
[11:28] – Why fat is essential and its wrongful demonization
[17:30] – Impact of diet (low-fat to high-fat) on Dylan's health
[19:49] – Insulin resistance/inflammation as true heart risks
[22:11] – Top 5 essential foods for heart health (both guest and host)
[25:00] – Blood panel essentials: going beyond basic cholesterol
[30:17] – Particle size, statins, and what doctors miss
[32:46] – LP(a), soft/hard plaque, calcium scoring explained
[42:45] – The real dangers: soft vs. hard plaque
[46:14] – Can you reverse plaque? (Yes, to some degree)
[50:52] – Ejection fraction, echo, and heart failure causes
[55:21] – Idiopathic diagnoses & missing underlying causes
[59:19] – Mindset, stress, and patient empowerment
[61:05] – COVID and heart health discussion

Conclusion & Free Resource

Dr. Ovadia offers listeners a free digital copy of his book Stay Off My Operating Table at ifixhearts.com/dylan [63:24].
Final message: Take charge of understanding and protecting your heart health—knowledge and empowerment are key.

Episode #70 Featuring Dr. Philip Ovadia! STAY OFF THE OPERATING TABLE! A masterclass on heart health! Overcoming Myths on Cholesterol and Fats, Hearth Healthy Diet, Heart Meds and more!

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Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dylan Gemelli Podcast

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dr. Ovadia’s Journey and Mission

2. The Demonization of Dietary Fat

3. The Real Drivers of Heart Disease: Inflammation & Insulin Resistance

4. Essential Foods for Heart Health

5. Understanding Blood Panels

6. Particle Size, Statins, and the Cholesterol Controversy

7. Lipoprotein(a) [LP(a)], Plaque Types, and Testing

8. Soft vs. Hard Plaque Dangers

9. Reversing Plaque and Hope for Patients

10. Heart Function, Failure, and Ejection Fraction

11. The "Idiopathic" Diagnosis and Underlying Causes

12. Mental Health, Stress, and Patient Empowerment

13. COVID-19, Spike Proteins, and Heart Risk

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Conclusion & Free Resource

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dylan Gemelli Podcast

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dr. Ovadia’s Journey and Mission

2. The Demonization of Dietary Fat

3. The Real Drivers of Heart Disease: Inflammation & Insulin Resistance

4. Essential Foods for Heart Health

5. Understanding Blood Panels

6. Particle Size, Statins, and the Cholesterol Controversy

7. Lipoprotein(a) [LP(a)], Plaque Types, and Testing

8. Soft vs. Hard Plaque Dangers

9. Reversing Plaque and Hope for Patients

10. Heart Function, Failure, and Ejection Fraction

11. The "Idiopathic" Diagnosis and Underlying Causes

12. Mental Health, Stress, and Patient Empowerment

13. COVID-19, Spike Proteins, and Heart Risk

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Conclusion & Free Resource