In this episode of The Phi Life Podcast, John Barban sits down with longtime friend and co-host Brad Pilon to share the results of his one-year follow-up carotid artery scan—a test that revealed something many doctors say is impossible: a reduction in arterial plaque.
Over a year ago, John discovered he had a significant amount of soft plaque buildup in his carotid arteries—a major marker for cardiovascular disease risk. Despite being fit, active, and health-conscious, his genetic profile (with LP(a) in the 99th percentile) put him at higher risk than most. This episode dives deep into what happened next.
John walks us through exactly what interventions he tried, what changes he didn’t make, and why that was intentional. No crash diets, no extreme workout protocols. Just targeted supplementation, consistent lifestyle habits, and a lot of research. From high-dose niacin and baby aspirin to statins and vitamin K2, this is a transparent, no-hype breakdown of what worked—and what might have made the difference.
You’ll also learn:
What a carotid ultrasound can tell you that a calcium score can’t
Why soft plaque is more dangerous than calcified plaque
The role of LP(a) in cardiovascular risk—and why it’s so misunderstood
How John structured his supplement stack and titrated medication carefully
Why some interventions don’t come with immediate “feel-it” benefits—and why that’s okay
The real cost of prevention and whether it’s worth it
Why measuring biomarkers is more important than guessing how healthy you are
Brad and John also tackle some of the big-picture issues: the misunderstanding of cholesterol tests, the growing anti-statin movement, and how personal physiology and genetics should inform our approach to health—not just trends or ideology.
Whether you’re a biohacker, a fitness professional, or just someone looking to make smarter decisions about your long-term health, this episode is a must-listen. It’s rare to hear this level of detail, honesty, and follow-through on real health outcomes.
Is plaque reduction possible? Is it measurable? Is it worth it?
John puts those questions to the test—and shares the data that followed.
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WEBSITES
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https://johnbarban.com
https://bradpilon.com
https://www.totaltclinic.com/podcast-contact/
https://eatstopeat.com
https://www.ultalabtests.com