Measuring LDL, HDL and Triglycerides isn’t enough, and statins aren’t the only cure.

Men and women (especially women) haven’t been getting the straight skinny on cholesterol since big pharma discovered statins as a means to lower LDL (the “bad” cholesterol) decades ago. A typical lipid profile containes these three markers and arbitrary ranges that indicate whether you are a candidate for the drugs and dietary changes that skew to reducing saturated fats (another myth) and getting more exercise.

For many, that’s a lot of assumptive doctoring. And statins are BIG business with the United States, Canada, Norway, Great Britain, Denmark, Greece and Australia leading the consumption with levels of +/- 250 DDD (defined daily dosages) per 1,000 population¹. This equates to roughly $15.36 billion annually with forecasts ranging to $22.21 billion in 2030².

The problem with this system, is that it’s not actually curing the causes of higher cholesterol, and these simplistic tests aren’t identifying the other culprits likely present in your blood health, like measuring Apolipoproteins like ApoB and ApoE let alone one of the real bad guys, Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. These smaller, more dense particles.

And to add to the intrigue, researchers in an in-depth, 15-year studies of employees of Banco Santander in Madrid found a deeper cause of atherosclerosis: some gut bacteria can produce a molecule called imidazole propionate that enters the blood and interacts with white blood cells, triggering inflammation in the arteries that promoted the build up of fatty plaques. This study reported in the journal Nature³ explain why even people with “healthy” cholesterol profiles still show signs of the disease, demonstrating it’s not only the fat, but may well be an inflammatory and autoimmune component at work.

At the end of this post we will link to a VERY informative podcast where Dr. Elizabeth Yurth of the Boulder Longevity Institute speaks in detail about what to look for and why.

Suffice it to day, if you are concerned about any form of heart disease, and go in to visit your doctor, you should request a more thorough lipid panel so you can identify more carefully what is going on and how you can begin taking measures to heal your body.

Here is a sample Lipid panel we view as a minimum for getting the facts:

Including these additional lipid profiles can offer a more detailed and nuanced understanding of an individual’s lipid metabolism, cardiovascular risk, and potential longevity.

So, there’s more to learn, and more you can do instead of just accepting your choesterol is too high and filling a statin script. For more (and it gets much deeper) devote some of your time to hear Dr. Yurth explain the intricacies of this process and then go to your doc (or perhaps a functional medicine doctor – find one here) and ask for more in your diagnosis and testing to arm yourself with more of the facts.

Come back to the TML Insights Blog for updates on this and other )mental and physical) health issues each week in your search for Weekly Clarity. As promised here’s the link to Dr. Yurth’s interview on HackMyHealth (click on the image).

Medical Disclaimer: This information provided is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.

Sources: 1. OurWorld in Data 2020. 2. DataBridge Market Research 3. Nature, Imidazole propionate is a driver and therapeutic target in atherosclerosis