September is Cholesterol Awareness Month

Let’s dispel some of the myths surrounding cholesterol:

Your total cholesterol number is a POOR and outdated indicator of your risk for cardiovascular disease, and yet it is still used as a guideline for prescribing cholesterol-lowering medications.  Your ratio of “bad” (LDL) cholesterol to “good” (HDL) cholesterol is a slightly better indicator, yet it is still too simplistic a view. The American Heart Association recommends the ratio be 5:1 or less.  It is possible for your cholesterol to be too low. Cholesterol keeps your cell membranes fluid, and is a precursor to Vitamin D and many hormones. 

We use more precise and relevant cholesterol testing, which  includes:

• Lipid, lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein tests: direct HDL-C, apoA-I, apoA-I in HDL subclasses, LDL-C, small dense LDL-C, apoB and Lp(a)
• Metabolic tests: hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glucose, insulin, adiponectin and glycated serum protein (GSP)
• Inflammation tests: myeloperoxidase (MPO), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), lipoprotein associated-phospholipase A2(LpPLA2) and fibrinogens
• Genetic tests: Statin Induced Myopathy (SLCO1B1), ApoE, Factor V Leiden, Prothrombin (Factor II) and Clopidogrel Response (CYP2C19)

Should your cholesterol profile show that you do have increased risk factors for heart disease, there are many natural interventions you can try before resorting to pharmaceuticals. 

• Red Yeast Rice
• Fish Oil
• Diet, weight loss and exercise
• Liver supporting herbs
• Niacin
• CoQ 10
• Fiber

Diet

• Increase foods high in omega-3 fatty acids: olive and avocado oil, raw nuts/seeds
• Avoid all trans-fats and hydrogenated oils such as margarine or any fats solid at room temperature, fast foods, packaged foods, etc. 
• Eat your veggies! You need a minimum of 5 servings/day. One serving equals 1 cup raw veggies, ½ cup cooked. 

• Losing weight can help lower your total cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride levels and raise your HDL.
  

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