Man holding paper cut out heart over his chest

Have a Heart; Its Time to Get Heart Healthy; Current Science Around Testing and Tools…

Heart disease is our number one killer. However, cholesterol is hardly predictive. In fact, a recent study said that people that see their doctor once a year do not live longer than others that don’t. The problem is not our doctors, but the lack of predictability of markers. All is not lost. There are markers that are highly predictive, and easily treatable by nutritional interventions. For example, a marker known as oxidized LDL is 17 times more predictive for heart disease than cholesterol, but yet is not done routinely. Meaningful markers also direct meaningful treatment. It’s time to get heart healthy and we will tell you how.

Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) is a marker for cardiovascular disease. It is formed when oxidative stress leads to modification of the apoB subunit on LDL cholesterol (LDL). Conversion of LDL to oxLDL is an important event that initiates foam cell formation during the development of early atherosclerotic lesions, or fatty streaks ¹. Circulating oxidized LDL is a sensitive marker of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its addition to established risk factors may improve cardiovascular risk prediction ².

Precision Point Diagnostics offers an oxidized LDL test, either standalone or with lipids. The Oxidized LDL with Lipids Profile gives oxLDL with total cholesterol, LDL, high density lipoprotein (HDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and triglycerides ⁴. This test can help assess the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular disease.

Some risk factors that appear to increase the levels of oxidized LDL include inflammation, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, high toxin burden in the body, consuming a diet that is high in trans fats and omega 6 fats (oxidized fats), consuming processed foods and refined sugar ¹. Eating commercially fried foods and cigarette smoking are also associated with increased levels of oxidized cholesterol ².

High levels of oxidized LDL can cause inflammation in the arteries. Platelets, which normally help to stop bleeding by producing blood clots, can stick to areas of inflammation within the arteries. When they do, they create sticky, hardened areas inside blood vessels called plaques. Over time, fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of the arteries. This causes the plaques to grow. Plaque buildup can partially or completely block blood flow within an artery. This is referred to as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis increases a person’s risk for coronary heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, stroke and heart attack ¹.

You can prevent or reduce LDL oxidation in your body by adopting healthier dietary habits, increasing exercise levels, and stopping smoking. Fat is important in our diet so choose foods containing healthy fats and eat them in moderation. Keep in touch with your doctor to monitor and manage your LDL cholesterol levels if needed ¹.

Focus on eating healthy fats. Monounsaturated fats are considered anti-inflammatory. Eat saturated fats in moderation. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. Pay attention to nutrition labels, and stay away from hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated foods ².