This Blood Test Predicts Heart Attacks Better Than Cholesterol

While your doctor obsesses over your cholesterol numbers, a metabolic disaster is brewing silently in 93% of Americans. After three decades in clinical practice, we've witnessed a disturbing pattern: physicians focusing on cholesterol panels while ignoring powerful predictors of heart disease.

The truth? Fasting insulin predicts heart attacks 6.7 times better than cholesterol ever could.

Yet most physicians never order this simple $30 test.

The Metabolic Health Crisis Nobody's Talking About

Metabolic dysfunction—not high cholesterol—drives our epidemic of chronic disease. Heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and even many cancers share a common root: insulin resistance.

The medical system profits from keeping you sick with medications that mask symptoms rather than addressing causes. The average physician receives just 2.5 hours of nutrition training throughout medical school. They're taught to prescribe statins rather than address the dietary factors destroying metabolic health.

This isn't conspiracy. It's economics.

Three Critical Numbers That Matter More Than LDL

Forget obsessing over LDL cholesterol. These markers tell a more complete story about your cardiovascular risk:

1. Your Metabolic Score

Fasting blood glucose should range between 70-100 mg/dL. Blood pressure should remain under 120/80. And waist circumference—a simple but powerful indicator of visceral fat—should measure less than 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women.

These three measurements alone provide more insight into your health trajectory than any cholesterol panel.

2. Hidden Inflammation Markers

Triglycerides should stay below 150 mg/dL while HDL should exceed 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women. The ratio between these two numbers often reveals metabolic dysfunction before other tests.

Most critically, fasting insulin should remain under 10 μIU/mL. Elevated insulin drives arterial inflammation years before glucose levels become abnormal.

3. Real Risk Factors

Blood pressure impacts cardiovascular risk twice as much as LDL. Excess abdominal fat indicates organ damage and systemic inflammation. And insulin resistance predicts heart disease better than any other single marker.

Yet conventional medicine remains fixated on cholesterol.

Low-Carb Approaches Target Root Causes

We've observed remarkable transformations when patients adopt ketogenic or carnivore diets. These approaches directly address the underlying metabolic dysfunction conventional medicine ignores.

Ultra-processed foods, industrial seed oils, and excessive carbohydrates drive insulin resistance. By eliminating these modern dietary toxins, we see rapid improvements in metabolic markers.

The science is straightforward: lower carbohydrate intake reduces insulin production. When insulin levels fall, inflammation subsides. The body begins to heal.

Robert, a 62-year-old patient with decades of metabolic syndrome, eliminated 15 medications within six months after adopting a carnivore approach. His fasting insulin dropped from 26 to 8, and his triglycerides fell from 320 to 72. His cardiologist was stunned.

The Metabolic Health Solution

Animal-based nutrition provides the nutrients needed for cellular repair while naturally restricting carbohydrates. This dietary pattern:

• Rapidly reduces fasting insulin

• Improves triglyceride-to-HDL ratio

• Decreases inflammatory markers

• Normalizes blood pressure without medication

• Reduces visceral fat accumulation

Unlike conventional approaches that treat symptoms, addressing the root causes through proper nutrition creates sustainable health improvements.

Take Control of Your Metabolic Health

The medical establishment resists this paradigm shift because it threatens the prescription-centered model of care. We must become our own advocates.

Request fasting insulin testing at your next appointment. Track your triglyceride-to-HDL ratio. Measure your waist circumference regularly.

Consider eliminating the dietary toxins driving metabolic dysfunction: processed foods, vegetable oils, and excess carbohydrates. Replace them with nutrient-dense animal proteins and fats that support cellular health.

Your metabolic health determines your future far more than your cholesterol numbers. Don't wait for conventional medicine to catch up to what the research clearly shows.

The metabolic health revolution begins with understanding these markers and taking action to optimize them. Your life may depend on it.

Stay Well,

Marc

P.S. Don't hesitate to reach out if you’re curious about how these insights apply to your situation. I’m here to support you on your journey to optimal health. For personalized guidance, consider joining my Coaching Program for only $4.95 monthly at https://optimalhumandiet.com.

Join my free newsletter: https://metabolichealth.beehiiv.com

Let Marc Bates Guide You to Metabolic Health Success!

Whether you’re exploring a low-carb, high-fat lifestyle for the first time or are already on the path and looking to refine your approach, this program is designed to prepare you for success.

Join a supportive community of individuals transforming their health—from beginners to those who’ve already experienced incredible results. You’ll receive clear, actionable information that’s easy to implement, and you’ll have the unique opportunity to connect with Marc Bates during weekly live Q&A sessions to get personalized guidance.

Eliminate the guesswork and take the next step toward lasting health and vitality with Marc by your side!

Here’s What is Included:

#1 Join Marc Bates for the Weekly Metabolic Health Q&A Call! This is your opportunity to ask questions, share updates about your health journey, and gain insights from others transforming their lives. Can’t join live? Don’t worry—you’ll receive access to the full recording!

#2 Access to Our Exclusive Member's Portal

Unlock everything you need to succeed on your journey to metabolic health with Marc Bates, Metabolic Health Coach. Our membership website offers an easy-to-navigate portal featuring over 30 in-depth learning modules, with new content added every week!

Stay informed and empowered with

Weekly updates to learning modules

Short, focused videos on essential health topics

Downloadable eBooks to deepen your understanding

This growing resource is your one-stop hub for reliable, actionable guidance on achieving lasting health and vitality.

#3 Support From Marc Bates & a Like-Minded Community

Connect directly with Marc Bates and a supportive community committed to transforming their metabolic health. We use a private Facebook Group to facilitate easy communication, creating a dynamic, interactive space for support and learning.

Ask questions, share your experiences, and receive real-time guidance while building connections with others who share your goals. Together, we’ll help you stay informed, motivated, and on track to achieving lasting health and vitality.

Disclaimer:

Not Medical or Dietary Advice The content on the newsletter is not to be considered medical advice, and nothing herein is intended to provide or act as a substitute for physical or mental health treatment, or provide you with a medical diagnosis, treatment, or any other relevant services. For more information, please visit: Disclaimer - Optimal Human Diet and Lifestyle