Optimal Health Daily - Fitness and Nutrition 3317: Yes, Even Athletes Get Heart Disease by Nancy Clark on Heart Health in Athletes
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Mar 7, 2026 Nancy Clark, registered dietitian and sports nutrition expert, gives concise, evidence-based advice for athletes concerned about heart health. She discusses why even lean athletes can develop heart disease. Short takes cover energy balance, whole grains, plant proteins, healthy oils, limiting ultra-processed foods and added sugar, and practical tips for sodium and alcohol.
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Athlete Eating Pastry Believes ‘Skinny Means Safe’
- Nancy Clark recounts an athlete eating a huge sugar-covered pastry claiming 'I'm skinny, I can eat this.'
- She uses that story to show skinny appearance can mask fatal heart disease risk.
Processed Meats Pose Higher Heart Risk
- Processed meats show a stronger link to cardiovascular disease than lean red meats.
- Nancy Clark cites factors like saturated fat, heme iron, gut microbiome changes, and TMAO as potential mechanisms.
Egg Risk Depends On Accompanying Foods
- Dietary cholesterol no longer has a specific limit in guidelines, so eggs alone may be less concerning.
- Nancy Clark questions whether accompanying bacon/sausage often confounds egg-related risk.