This episode of the Plant-Free MD podcast features Dr. Anthony Chaffee interviewing Daniel Trevor, author of the book “Unholy Trinity”. Trevor explains that his motivation for writing the book stemmed from experiencing a heart attack five years prior, despite believing he was healthy. This life-threatening event prompted him to dive into medical science and nutrition research to understand how it could happen to him. He became shocked and infuriated upon discovering that dietary advice promoted for decades, such as “heart-healthy whole grains,” had, in his view, been detrimental to health. He immersed himself in studies and connected with “medical geniuses” and “cutting edge” experts in low-carb and metabolic health.
Trevor details his rigorous research process, including undergoing numerous lab tests advised by experts like Dr. Ford Brewer, a specialist in advanced testing. He wanted these tests to establish a benchmark for measuring his health progress. His book is presented as a guide on how he reversed four comorbidities, an expose on aspects of “big food, big pharma, and big medicine” that he views as ethically questionable, and an analysis of data. He highlights that his book contains 1,227 scientific citations, far more than many other health books, stressing that the information is based on science, not his opinion. The book achieved bestseller status on Amazon shortly after its release.
The central concept of the book and discussion is “the unholy trinity”: industrially refined and processed grains (like those in bread, pasta, cereal), sugar (including candy, soda, and fruit juice), and specific oils (like vegetable oils). Trevor correlates the introduction of these elements in high amounts and concentrations in the 20th century with a dramatic rise in US obesity rates from 1% to nearly 50% and chronic illness rates from 7.5% to over 60% in less than 100 years. He discusses how these substances can be addictive. Specifically, gleadin from modern semi-dwarf wheat is highlighted for attaching to the brain’s opiate receptors, making people crave more wheat-based products. Industrial seed oils are described as “poisonous,” containing harmful chemicals like TBHQ and HNE, being pro-inflammatory, linked to heart disease, and creating trans fats when heated.
Trevor and Dr. Chaffee discuss how the unholy trinity causes harm at a physiological level. Refined grains and sugars are stated to destroy the glycoalix, a protective layer on artery walls, potentially more effectively than smoking, leaving arteries vulnerable. This damage contributes to small dense LDL particles (derived from eating these foods) invading artery walls and forming dangerous soft plaque. The discussion strongly links cardiovascular disease to underlying “diabetic physiology” (insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia), stating that heart disease cannot exist without some degree of it. Trevor shares his personal experience of being a slim type 2 diabetic with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), despite not drinking, attributing it to a diet high in carbs and sugar, including high fructose corn syrup. Key tests are recommended beyond standard A1C and fasting glucose, such as the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) with insulin to detect hidden type 2 diabetes, and the GGT liver enzyme test, which is a strong predictor of mortality identified by life insurance companies. They also touch upon changing diagnostic thresholds for conditions like high cholesterol and blood pressure, suggesting these changes may be driven by the desire to qualify more people for medication.
A significant theme is the critique of systemic issues within medicine, food industries, and pharmaceuticals. It’s argued that these industries prioritise financial gain over patient health. Doctors, Trevor and Dr. Chaffee suggest, often lack adequate nutrition education, being influenced by information from pharmaceutical companies. Industry funding is also linked to potentially biased research and the formulation of national dietary guidelines that promote harmful foods. Trevor mentions large studies (like the ISCHEMIA trial) showing that expensive invasive cardiac procedures often fail to prevent heart attacks and strokes, yet are still performed frequently for prevention, suggesting financial motivation. The speakers liken the profit-driven approach to health, particularly the push for lifelong treatments over cures and the sale of addictive, harmful food products, to a “legal drug cartel” or “ghoulish” behaviour. They conclude by stressing the importance of public awareness, challenging misinformation, and movements aimed at improving metabolic health by advocating for changes to official guidelines.