|
Why Your Cholesterol Number Isn't Enough
February is Heart Health Month, and a significant component of cardiovascular health is cholesterol. So, we felt it was only fitting to shed some light on a major breakthrough in cholesterol discussion. This news is making headlines and challenging tradition in routine testing.
Cholesterol isn't always harmful.
By now, most people know that there's "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and there's "good" cholesterol (HDL). Some drugs actually exist to raise certain components of cholesterol. But most doctors still just prescribe a basic lipid panel for routine testing and base their treatment on total cholesterol numbers. The real problem may not be solved, however, with just these numbers and prescription care.
What has now been shown, is that the size and density of your cholesterol particles (their fraction patterns) are actually one of the most important aspects to look at when determining treatment...and basic testing doesn't address this part of the story.
An unhealthy cholesterol reading is one that contains a dominant pattern of dense, small cholesterol particles, which are the most inflammatory and dangerous. Ideally, your particles should be large and "fluffy". Actually, dense HDL particles can be even more harmful than light LDL particles! Another surprise is that although statins are typically the go-to drug for high cholesterol, they may not affect certain cholesterol components and risk factors, while specific natural supplements and lifestyle changes may be more advisable. There are also a number of "biomarkers and risk factors" for cardiovascular disease that aren't able to be seen with typical lipid panels.
The test that we prescribe, when appropriate, is a widely-respected, comprehensive, and diagnostic look at cholesterol (including fraction patterns and risk factors) called Lipoprotein Particle (LPP) Testing - a simple blood draw, offered here at Wellness Concepts, and typically covered by insurance.
What does LPP testing tell us?
Basic Components of a Lipid Panel
Small Dense LDL (Two Types) - three times more likely than buoyant LDL to initiate/increase the deposition of lipids and calcium inside arteries; causes swelling of arterial walls
Large, Buoyant HDL - indicator of functional reverse cholesterol transport (removal of excess lipids)
Remnant Lipoprotein - becomes a major component of plaque
Lp(a) - small dense LDLs that help form blood clots and are highly associated with CVD.
Metabolic Syndrome Traits
C-Reactive Protein - Marker of inflammation tied to CVD risk
Insulin - High insulin increases risk of CVD/metabolic syndrome
Homocysteine - increased numbers may indicate higher risk of CVD, stroke, Alzheimers and osteoporosis
Want more information? Click here to learn more about LPP testing.
Your Drugs (even ones for CVD) May Be Causing Deficiencies that Put Your Heart at Risk
There is compelling evidence that certain deficiencies in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are a major contributing factor to CVD and its symptoms. Similarly (and ironically), the use of many drugs in treating heart disease often leads to various nutrient deficiencies.
Cardiovascular Drugs (such as antihypertensives, ACE inhibitors and beta blockers) may cause the following deficiencies: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), Vitamins B6 and B1, and Zinc. CoQ10 deficiencies are particularly common in statin users, and particularly troublesome, because this nutrient is required in large amounts by cardiac tissue to function properly.
The following Deficiencies may cause the listed CV-related issues (among other things):
CoQ10, Magnesium, Copper: various cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure (which may result in physical damage to the walls of blood vessels)
Vitamin B6, B12, Folic Acid: increased risk of CVD
Chromium: Elevated blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides
Potassium: irregular heartbeat
Calcium and Vitamin D: heart and blood pressure irregularities
For a more comprehensive list of various deficiences caused by different classes of drugs, and possible resultant symptoms, click here.
.
Conversely, several nutrients may aid in CV health. For example:
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin) lowers fats in the blood, inhibits oxidation of LDL, and is currently the most effective "drug" available for raising heart-protective, good HDL cholesterol.
- CoenzymeQ10 has been shown in several studies to significantly lower blood pressure
- Vitamins C and E (antioxidants) help blood vessels maintain their flexibility, allowing them to easily dilate and contract. Antioxidants are also anti-inflammatory, which is helpful because heart disease is now understood to be an inflammatory condition within the blood vessels.
- Vitamins B6, B12, Folate, Serine and Choline all help properly metabolize homocysteine, reducing the risk of arterial scarring.
- Vitamin K, Oleic Acid - slow progression of plaque in major arteries
Wellness Concepts is proud to offer Intracellular Micronutrient Testing, which allows a look inside your body's cells, to see what is actually being absorbed, and is usable to the body. This is an excellent way to tell if you have enough of all these heart-helper nutrients, and ensure your body is functioning as well as it can in the fight to keep your CV system healthy!
For more information on Intracellular Micronutrient Testing, click here.
| 
