Study says Oreos lower cholesterol better than statin medication! But what’s the catch?

His groundbreaking experiment aimed to test the Lipid Energy Model, a potentially revolutionary theory that could reshape our understanding of human metabolism, particularly in fat or “lipid” metabolism.

The experiment focused on observing the diverse effects of Oreo cookies and statins on cholesterol levels in a unique group known as “Lean Mass Hyper-Responders” (LMHR). These individuals typically exhibit elevated LDL cholesterol levels when following a low-carbohydrate diet.

The study revolved around a single subject adhering to a ketogenic diet — high in fats but low in carbohydrates — leading to increased LDL cholesterol levels in LMHR individuals. The study introduced an unconventional method to address this issue: incorporating 12 Oreo cookies daily into the participant’s diet, adding an extra 100 grams of carbohydrates, for 16 days.

Remarkably, this led to a dramatic reduction in LDL cholesterol, surpassing the results of a subsequent six-week course of high-intensity statin therapy, a common cholesterol-lowering medication.

At the study’s onset, the subject’s LDL cholesterol was a concerning 384 mg/dL. Post-Oreo consumption, it plummeted to 111 mg/dL, marking a 71 percent reduction. Following a three-month return to the standard ketogenic diet without Oreos, the cholesterol level bounced back to 421 mg/dL. Interestingly, when the subject then received rosuvastatin (a statin medication), the LDL cholesterol only reduced to 284 mg/dL, a 32.5 percent reduction.

These findings, aligned with the “Lipid Energy Model”, suggest that in specific dietary conditions like those of LMHR individuals, the body might respond more favourably to dietary adjustments involving carbohydrates than conventional medication. The model posits that in the setting of low carbohydrate intake and low body fat, the body increases fat particle (LDL) production for energy, which can be moderated by reintroducing carbohydrates.

Also Read: Here’s how you can increase the good cholesterol in your body

Lead author’s confession

What adds intrigue to the study is Norwitz’s post on X explaining why he chose Oreos and emphasising that the study was a metabolic demonstration, a “do not do this at home” experiment — making no health claims about cookies or cholesterol. The post received not only appreciation for his work but also quirky comments on the experiment and its methodology.

He clarified that the experiment wasn’t endorsing Oreos as a health food or cholesterol treatment. Instead, it aimed to test a specific scientific prediction based on the Lipid Energy Model (LEM).

🚨#OreoVsStatin – PUBLISHED!🚨https://t.co/ENI1woPG2l@Oreo cookies were 💥2X as potent💥 at lowering my LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) compared to high-intensity statin therapy!

What you NEED to know…

👉This was a metabolic demonstration, a ‘do not do this at home’ experiment… pic.twitter.com/f993FiF384

— Nick Norwitz (@nicknorwitz) January 22, 2024

He emphasised that the choice of Oreos wasn’t random; it was meant to be provocatively eye-catching.

Explaining this study, he wrote on X, “Research on cholesterol on Keto diets and the LEM and LMHR phenotype has so much to teach people about human lipid metabolism.”

“But how do I (we) communicate the scientific ‘awe’ that we feel to the greatest number of people (as well as force a conversation about LMHR and LEM that needs to happen?)… A dramatic demonstration designed to turn heads might work!” he said and added that it is not “just click bait… it’s legit-bait”.

While doctors, researchers, and health coaches caution that the study’s results are based on a single subject and shouldn’t be a blanket recommendation for cookie consumption as a health strategy, social media is abuzz with discussions on Oreo vs Statin.

Nick Norwitz’s post explaining this saw over 500 retweets and more than 50 comments from researchers, doctors, and even the general public. One post from Claus Carlsen said, “Thank you Nick!! Love this type of experiments — great for developing ideas and communicating the message! Well done as usual!”

Thank you Nick!!
Love this type of experiments – great for developing ideas and communicating the message!! Well done as usual !

— Claus Carlsen (@ClausCarlsen1) January 22, 2024

Meanwhile, another post said, “I think Oreo cookies sound like a more enjoyable treatment for high LDL than taking a statin. I will definitely be telling my father of findings of this study.”

While appreciation came flooding in from all across the globe for this experiment, there were reactions from India too.

Metabolic health coach Shashikant Iyengar posted a video taken in India where an Oreo cookie is being deep-fried in refined seed oil to make “Oreo Pakodas” and said, “The latest study shows that Oreo biscuits lower LDL better than statin. Indians already knew how to make it more powerful. We deep fry it as a pakoda in refined seed oil, which also lowers “cholesterol”. Hey @nicknorwitz..try this next time,” he said.

To this, people commented about how kachoris can give protein and biscuits can lower cholesterol.

Also Read: How can monitoring BP, diabetes help in preventing stroke?

Serious explanation on the study

While Oreos aren’t the new cholesterol-lowering miracle, the research behind this finding opens the door to exciting possibilities in understanding human lipid metabolism.

Speaking to South First, Shashikant Iyengar said that this experiment cannot be generalised to the population level. “Also, this raises the question of the effect of ultra-processed junk food. Sugary refined flour crashes LDL, while a high good-fats ketogenic diet raises LDL in such phenotypes? This raises question of the LDL concept itself.”

While this study doesn’t provide clarity on whether ultra-processed junk food lowering LDL is beneficial or if the cholesterol raising by good fats is bad, it does open up the discussion about the concept of whether LDL is bad, good, or neutral. “Science progresses with discussion and debates on the existing paradigm rather than saying that it’s settled,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Sudhir Kumar, renowned neurologist and popular on Twitter for his health advice, told South First, “This was an experimental study done only on one person. Also, a specific population only. The findings cannot be applied to the general population.”

This needs further research and more experiments are required, and there should be randomised control trials before it can be offered as general health advice, he further opined.

Listen to the lead author: