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What Standard Cholesterol Testing Isn't Telling You

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December 04, 2023

TLDR: Drs. Elizabeth Boham, Ronald Krauss, and Aseem Malhotra discuss how updated research on cholesterol shows that standard testing is outdated and focusing solely on LDL cholesterol can cause uncomfortable side effects from statins without addressing the root problem.

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  • Understanding Cholesterol and Cardiovascular RiskCholesterol levels alone are not the sole indicator of cardiovascular disease risk. Other factors, like pre-diabetes or diabetes, can be more significant. Consider additional information beyond traditional cholesterol tests for informed decisions.

    Cholesterol levels alone do not determine your risk of cardiovascular disease. While elevated cholesterol is common, not all individuals need to be concerned or take medication to lower it. Cholesterol is just one factor that influences your risk, and for many people, it may not be the most important factor. Other health factors, such as pre-diabetes or diabetes, can be more significant in predicting heart attacks. Additionally, the traditional cholesterol test you receive at the doctor's office may not provide enough information to make informed decisions. It is important to consider factors like the number and size of cholesterol particles in your body, as these can have a greater impact on your cardiovascular health.

  • The importance of particle size in cholesterol testingCholesterol tests that only measure total cholesterol levels may not accurately assess heart disease risk, as the size and number of cholesterol particles vary among individuals. Newer tests, like particle size testing, provide more accurate information. Diet and lifestyle also play a significant role in determining particle size and overall heart health.

    Standard cholesterol tests may not provide a complete picture of your heart disease risk. The number of cholesterol particles and their size can vary significantly among individuals, and this has a significant impact on your overall risk. Regular cholesterol tests cannot differentiate between large, light, fluffy particles that are less harmful and small, dense particles that can cause plaque buildup and lead to heart attacks. Newer tests, such as particle size testing, can provide more accurate information about your cholesterol markers. Lifestyle factors, particularly diet, play a crucial role in determining the size of your LDL particles. The standard American diet, high in carbohydrates, sugar, and processed foods, can lead to smaller, more dangerous particles. Optimal levels of HDL and triglycerides are also important indicators of heart health.

  • The Role of Inflammation and Cholesterol in Heart DiseaseMetabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and inflammation are important factors in heart disease. Simply focusing on total cholesterol levels is not enough; a holistic approach that considers multiple factors is necessary.

    Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance are major contributors to heart disease. Simply relying on total cholesterol levels is not enough to determine risk, as particle size and inflammation also play key roles. Belly fat, particularly around the waist, is highly inflammatory and produces harmful molecules that contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress. Oxidized LDL cholesterol, caused by excessive free radicals and insufficient antioxidants, is the real problem that leads to plaque buildup and heart disease. Although statin drugs have shown anti-inflammatory effects, there are other effective ways to reduce inflammation, such as improving diet and lifestyle choices. Therefore, in assessing and addressing a patient's cholesterol, a functional medicine perspective considers multiple factors, including metabolic health and inflammation.

  • The Importance of Consideration and Deep Analysis in Determining Medication vs. Lifestyle Change for HealthUnderstanding a person's detailed history and considering biomarkers like oxidative stress can provide a personalized strategy for addressing health risks, going beyond just looking at numbers.

    When it comes to determining whether someone needs medication or a lifestyle change, it's not just about looking at numbers. It requires a detailed history and consideration of other factors like oxidative stress. These biomarkers, such as oxidized LDL and lipid peroxides, can give insight into a person's risk. However, these tests are often not available through regular doctors. Functional medicine takes a deeper dive into the root causes and diagnostic tests, providing a personalized strategy. Factors like diet, inflammation, microbiome, and toxins can contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation. Understanding these different pieces of the puzzle is crucial in addressing an individual's risk. Additionally, cholesterol levels alone don't provide a complete picture of risk. Other properties of lipoprotein particles, such as their size and oxidative state, are more important indicators.

  • Looking beyond cholesterol: A comprehensive approach to heart healthCholesterol levels alone may not accurately predict heart health. A comprehensive lipid profile, including triglycerides and HDL levels, is essential. Low-carb diets and weight loss can be more beneficial in reducing heart disease risk.

    Cholesterol levels alone may not provide the full picture of heart health. Many people admitted to the hospital with heart attacks had normal cholesterol levels, but other factors like triglycerides and HDL levels can be more telling. It's important for doctors to look beyond just LDL levels and consider the overall lipid profile to determine the true risk. Additionally, the traditional advice of low-fat, high-carb diets for heart health may not be effective for everyone. Studies have shown that such diets can actually increase levels of small LDL particles, which are more closely associated with heart disease. A focus on reducing small LDL particles through low-carb diets and weight loss can be more beneficial. The role of saturated fat in heart health is also complex, as it primarily affects larger LDL particles rather than the smaller, more harmful ones. These findings challenge long-standing nutritional guidelines and highlight the need for a more comprehensive approach to heart disease prevention and treatment.

  • Understanding the Complexity of Saturated FatInstead of solely focusing on saturated fat, it is important to consider the overall effects of the foods we consume as some foods high in saturated fat can still have health benefits, while other factors can influence the impact of saturated fat on our health.

    The concept of saturated fat is not as straightforward as it seems. Saturated fat is a category consisting of many different types of fat, and not all of them have the same effects on our health. Rather than focusing solely on saturated fat, we should consider the overall effects of the foods we consume. Foods like whole fat dairy, certain fermented foods, and tropical oils can have health benefits that are not solely attributed to their saturated fat content. On the other hand, meats, both red and white, may have mixed effects on our health due to their saturated fat and other factors. Additionally, larger LDL particles are generally less harmful than smaller ones, but increasing their size should not be a primary goal.

  • The complex impact of meat on healthCorrelation between meat consumption and health risks does not imply causation. Lifestyle factors like poor diet quality and lack of exercise also play a significant role in disease risk. Comparing meat-eaters and vegetarians with better overall diet quality shows a reduced risk of death.

    There is controversy surrounding the effects of meat consumption on health. While observational studies indicate a potential increase in the risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes and cancer, it is important to note that correlation does not imply causation. Many meat-eaters in these studies also had other detrimental lifestyle habits, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet quality, and lack of exercise. On the other hand, when comparing meat-eaters and vegetarians who shopped at health food stores, where overall diet quality was better, both groups had a reduced risk of death, regardless of meat consumption. This highlights the complexity of evaluating the impact of meat on health.

  • The limitations of traditional cholesterol tests and the importance of considering additional factors in heart disease risk assessmentTraditional cholesterol tests may not provide a complete assessment of heart disease risk, and measuring factors such as LDL particle size and number can help healthcare professionals make better treatment decisions.

    Traditional cholesterol tests, which measure total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and HDL, may not give a complete picture of heart disease risk. There are other important factors to consider, such as the size and number of LDL particles, size of HDL particles, and levels of VLDL particles. These factors are part of a condition called atherogenic dyslipidemia, which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Tests that measure these factors, like the nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) test, can provide a more accurate assessment of heart disease risk. Understanding these factors can help healthcare professionals make better treatment decisions, as not all patients with high cholesterol levels may have the same level of risk. This challenges the notion that lowering LDL cholesterol is the sole solution to preventing and treating heart disease.

  • Debunking the Overhyped Role of Statins in Cholesterol ManagementPatients should be aware that statins may not be the most effective or safest way to prevent heart disease, and lifestyle changes should be prioritized for better overall health.

    The conversation around statins and cholesterol has been greatly exaggerated and manipulated. The fear of cholesterol's role in heart disease has led to a widespread belief that statins are the primary way to prevent heart disease. However, the effectiveness of statins is questionable, and they come with inherent risks and side effects. The massive push to prescribe statins to almost everyone with high cholesterol has been driven by vested interests and the lucrative pharmaceutical industry. It's important for patients to be informed about the evidence and have a say in their treatment decisions. Investing in lifestyle changes, which have positive side effects like better sleep, weight loss, and overall well-being, may be more impactful in preventing heart disease. The focus should be on improving individual and population health rather than solely relying on cholesterol-lowering drugs.

  • Factors that have contributed to the reduction in death rates from heart disease.The reduction in smoking prevalence and the development of coronary care units have significantly contributed to decreasing death rates from heart disease. However, the benefits of statins may be overstated, and critical evaluation of medical research is crucial.

    The reduction in smoking prevalence has had the biggest impact in reducing death rates from heart disease. This accounts for about 50% of the reduction. Other factors, such as emergency care and treatment of heart attacks, have also played a significant role in saving lives. The development of coronary care units and the use of defibrillators have improved survival rates for those who suffer cardiac arrest. Additionally, the reduction of trans fats in the food supply may have contributed to the decline in heart disease. However, when it comes to statins, the data shows that their benefits may be overstated. Industry-sponsored studies may exaggerate the benefits and minimize the harms of statins. Furthermore, many patients stop taking statins within a few years, which may explain why they have not had a significant impact on reducing death rates from heart disease. It is important to critically evaluate the data and understand the biases that may be present in medical research.

  • The Limited Benefits of Statin Medication for Heart Attack PreventionStatin medication may have limited benefits in preventing future heart attacks and prolonging life, particularly for individuals who have not had heart disease or are not at high risk. It is important to fully inform patients about the potential benefits and side effects.

    The benefits of statin medications for preventing future heart attacks and prolonging life may be smaller than commonly believed. For individuals who have already had a heart attack or are at high risk, taking a statin religiously for five years may prevent one out of 39 patients from having another heart attack and one out of 83 from delaying death. However, it is important to note that 75% of statin prescriptions are actually for primary prevention, meaning people who have not had heart disease or are not at high risk. In this case, the benefit is even smaller, with approximately one in every hundred individuals experiencing a non-fatal heart attack or stroke prevented over five years, but with no mortality benefit. Considering these figures and potential side effects, many patients would choose not to take the medication if fully informed.

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