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Renewal Institute
What is lipoprotein a?
Lipoprotein A, commonly called Lp(a), is a major independent genetic risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and atherosclerosis. It is a relative of LDL or bad cholesterol. The difference between Lp(a) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is apolipoprotein apo(a), a glycoprotein structurally similar to plasminogen, the precursor of plasmin, the fibrinolytic enzyme. The optimum laboratory level should be under 20 mg/dl and preferably under 14 mg/dl.
Read MoreHow does lipoprotein a promote atherosclerosis?
Lp(a) is manufactured in the liver in response to ageing vascular system and "micro-fissures" in the endothelial vascular wall. The body, in its attempt to patch up these fissures, produces cholesterol and its relative Lp(a). Unfortunately for patients with a raised lipoprotein a, both cholesterol and Lp(a) are sticky, and this ACCELERATES the "patching up" of the micro fissures and promotes atherosclerosis and plaque. Lp(a) is many times more potent than cholesterol in its patching ability and has a tendency to attract other Lp(a) particles. The aggregation of Lp(a) forms a plaque that leads to vascular occlusion.
There is also some experimental data suggesting that Lp(a) MAY PROMOTE CLOT FORMATION in arteries burdened by atherosclerotic plaque. This may be one of the mechanisms behind the involvement of Lp(a) in heart attack and stroke. Lp(a) has the capacity to bind fibrin and membrane proteins of endothelial cells and monocytes. It also stops plasminogen binding and plasmin generation. The inhibition of plasmin generation and the accumulation of Lp(a) on the surface of fibrin and cell membranes FAVOURS fibrin and cholesterol deposition at sites of vascular injury.
When does one lower lipoprotein a?
Consistent with treatment guidelines, reduction of elevated Lp(a) levels should be a secondary treatment priority, after maximal lowering of LDL-C.
In which patients should lipoprotein a be measured?
The EAS Consensus panel recommends that Lp(a) should be measured in high-risk individuals such as those with premature CVD, familial hypercholesterolemia, family history of premature CVD and/or elevated Lp(a), and individuals with recurrent CVD despite statin therapy.
How do we reduce lipoprotein a at Health Renewal?
At Health Renewal you will have a prolonged consultation with one of our experienced functional medicine doctors. After a thorough history taking and evaluation, specialised blood investigations will be requested to evaluate your cardiovascular risk factors. At your 2 weeks follow up the results will be discussed with you and lipoprotein reducing supplements together with other vessel protective supplements.
What other blood parameters have been associated with cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis?
Although LDL cholesterol is still the major target for therapy, it is likely that in future, other lipid/lipoprotein and nonlipid parameters will also become targets for specific therapeutic interventions. Other significant lipid/lipoprotein parameters that have been associated with CHD include elevated triglyceride, oxidised LDL cholesterol and Lp(a) levels, elevated C-Reactive Protein, elevated homocysteine, and low HDL levels.
How does one treat Lipoprotein a?
Currently, there are no prescription medications or drugs that can effectively lower your Lp(a).
A high Lp(a) is genetically linked. Fortunately, there is a non-toxic alternative to lower lipoprotein a which consists of large doses of vitamin C, L-lysine, and L-proline.
How does Vitamin C, L-Lysine and L-proline work?
Vitamin C, L-Lysine and L-proline are the basic building blocks of collagen. When these vitamins enter our bodies, they form collagen in large amounts. This is necessary, as collagen must be replenished in blood vessels to remain healthy and plaque free over periods of time.
This mega vitamin cocktail therapy will increase blood concentrations of important substances and focuses on:
What other supplements does one need to help reduce lipo protein a?
In addition to the above triple cocktail (vitamin C, L-lysine, and L-proline), other foundational nutrients are important to enhance vascular wall function which includes:
What benefits does nicotinic acid / niacin have on atherosclerosis blood profile?
Studies using niacin alone or in combination with, for example, statins have shown cardiovascular benefit:
Niacin reduces Lp(a) levels by up to 30–40% in a dose-dependent manner and in addition exerts other potential beneficial effects by reducing LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and remnant cholesterol and by raising HDL cholesterol. In a meta-analysis including 11 randomized controlled trials with 2682 patients in the active group and 3934 in the control group, niacin 1–3 g/day reduced major coronary events by 25%, stroke by 26% and any cardiovascular event by 27%.
Nicotinic acid has been made tolerable with sustained-release formulations and is still considered an excellent choice in elevating HDL cholesterol. It is also potentially effective in reducing lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels. Many conventionally trained physician uses niacin to reduce Lp(a). This does work to a limited extends. Niacin reduces the production of lipoprotein A in the liver and helps to bring down the lipoprotein in the blood. However, this approach has its limitations because until the endothelial wall is optimised and cleared, the lipoprotein A level will not be able to reduce significantly. The effects of niacin usually hit a plateau after 6-9 months of therapy. If you are on niacin, make sure the liver enzyme levels are taken periodically to make sure the liver is able to handle the high dose of the niacin.
How long does it take to see an improvement in Lipoprotein a levels?
Improvements on Lp(a) level can usually be seen within weeks to months for the majority of the people. The higher the starting value, the more significant the reduction will be. Lp(a) can be completely normalised and brought to optimal level of under 14 mg/dl on nutritional therapies alone if treated properly. Unfortunately, not all people show positive signs of reduction. Some people are particularly resistant and may take upwards of 1 year to effect minor change. In a small group or people, no change at all can be expected. All people with high Lp(a) should be started on a nutritional cocktail. Even if repeat blood level do not show any improvement, vascular integrity is enhanced.
What are the additional benefits of nicotine acid supplementation?
In addition to lowering Lp(a), niacin lowers:
Therefore, the favourable effects of niacin on CVD cannot be ascribed solely to Lp(a) reduction. Nevertheless, these studies clearly demonstrate that the use of niacin for reduction, in Lp(a) to the suggested desirable levels is safe and in all likelihood beneficial.
Can Lipoprotein a be reduced with diet and lifestyle intervention ?
Lp(a) is mainly genetically determined and therefore refractory to lifestyle intervention. Dietary changes, exercise and weight loss have not been shown to lower Lp (a). Compared with LDL, Lp(a) is relatively refractory to both lifestyle and drug intervention.
Can Prescription medication will help reduce Lipoprotein a?
The data on the effects of statins (Zocor/ Crestor/ Lipitor) and fibrates on Lp(a) are limited and highly variable. Overall, statins have, however, been shown to consistently and modestly decrease elevated Lp(a) in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia.
What other prescription agents reported to decrease Lp(a) to a minor degree (<10%)?
What other medical options are there for compromised coronary artery disease and raised lipoprotein a?
In young or middle-aged patients with evidence of progressive coronary disease and markedly elevated plasma Lp(a), serious consideration should be given to instituting LDL apheresis which removes Lp(a) efficaciously. This form of treatment is prohibitively expensive and impractical for most patients and most clinical centres.
Lp(a) is manufactured in the liver in response to ageing vascular system and "micro-fissures" in the endothelial vascular wall. The body, in its attempt to patch up these fissures, produces cholesterol and its relative Lp(a). Unfortunately for patients with a raised lipoprotein a, both cholesterol and Lp(a) are sticky, and this ACCELERATES the "patching up" of the micro fissures and promotes atherosclerosis and plaque. Lp(a) is many times more potent than cholesterol in its patching ability and has a tendency to attract other Lp(a) particles. The aggregation of Lp(a) forms a plaque that leads to vascular occlusion.
There is also some experimental data suggesting that Lp(a) MAY PROMOTE CLOT FORMATION in arteries burdened by atherosclerotic plaque. This may be one of the mechanisms behind the involvement of Lp(a) in heart attack and stroke. Lp(a) has the capacity to bind fibrin and membrane proteins of endothelial cells and monocytes. It also stops plasminogen binding and plasmin generation. The inhibition of plasmin generation and the accumulation of Lp(a) on the surface of fibrin and cell membranes FAVOURS fibrin and cholesterol deposition at sites of vascular injury.
Consistent with treatment guidelines, reduction of elevated Lp(a) levels should be a secondary treatment priority, after maximal lowering of LDL-C.
The EAS Consensus panel recommends that Lp(a) should be measured in high-risk individuals such as those with premature CVD, familial hypercholesterolemia, family history of premature CVD and/or elevated Lp(a), and individuals with recurrent CVD despite statin therapy.
At Health Renewal you will have a prolonged consultation with one of our experienced functional medicine doctors. After a thorough history taking and evaluation, specialised blood investigations will be requested to evaluate your cardiovascular risk factors. At your 2 weeks follow up the results will be discussed with you and lipoprotein reducing supplements together with other vessel protective supplements.
Although LDL cholesterol is still the major target for therapy, it is likely that in future, other lipid/lipoprotein and nonlipid parameters will also become targets for specific therapeutic interventions. Other significant lipid/lipoprotein parameters that have been associated with CHD include elevated triglyceride, oxidised LDL cholesterol and Lp(a) levels, elevated C-Reactive Protein, elevated homocysteine, and low HDL levels.
Currently, there are no prescription medications or drugs that can effectively lower your Lp(a).
A high Lp(a) is genetically linked. Fortunately, there is a non-toxic alternative to lower lipoprotein a which consists of large doses of vitamin C, L-lysine, and L-proline.
Vitamin C, L-Lysine and L-proline are the basic building blocks of collagen. When these vitamins enter our bodies, they form collagen in large amounts. This is necessary, as collagen must be replenished in blood vessels to remain healthy and plaque free over periods of time.
This mega vitamin cocktail therapy will increase blood concentrations of important substances and focuses on:
In addition to the above triple cocktail (vitamin C, L-lysine, and L-proline), other foundational nutrients are important to enhance vascular wall function which includes:
Studies using niacin alone or in combination with, for example, statins have shown cardiovascular benefit:
Niacin reduces Lp(a) levels by up to 30–40% in a dose-dependent manner and in addition exerts other potential beneficial effects by reducing LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and remnant cholesterol and by raising HDL cholesterol. In a meta-analysis including 11 randomized controlled trials with 2682 patients in the active group and 3934 in the control group, niacin 1–3 g/day reduced major coronary events by 25%, stroke by 26% and any cardiovascular event by 27%.
Nicotinic acid has been made tolerable with sustained-release formulations and is still considered an excellent choice in elevating HDL cholesterol. It is also potentially effective in reducing lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels. Many conventionally trained physician uses niacin to reduce Lp(a). This does work to a limited extends. Niacin reduces the production of lipoprotein A in the liver and helps to bring down the lipoprotein in the blood. However, this approach has its limitations because until the endothelial wall is optimised and cleared, the lipoprotein A level will not be able to reduce significantly. The effects of niacin usually hit a plateau after 6-9 months of therapy. If you are on niacin, make sure the liver enzyme levels are taken periodically to make sure the liver is able to handle the high dose of the niacin.
Improvements on Lp(a) level can usually be seen within weeks to months for the majority of the people. The higher the starting value, the more significant the reduction will be. Lp(a) can be completely normalised and brought to optimal level of under 14 mg/dl on nutritional therapies alone if treated properly. Unfortunately, not all people show positive signs of reduction. Some people are particularly resistant and may take upwards of 1 year to effect minor change. In a small group or people, no change at all can be expected. All people with high Lp(a) should be started on a nutritional cocktail. Even if repeat blood level do not show any improvement, vascular integrity is enhanced.
In addition to lowering Lp(a), niacin lowers:
Therefore, the favourable effects of niacin on CVD cannot be ascribed solely to Lp(a) reduction. Nevertheless, these studies clearly demonstrate that the use of niacin for reduction, in Lp(a) to the suggested desirable levels is safe and in all likelihood beneficial.
Lp(a) is mainly genetically determined and therefore refractory to lifestyle intervention. Dietary changes, exercise and weight loss have not been shown to lower Lp (a). Compared with LDL, Lp(a) is relatively refractory to both lifestyle and drug intervention.
The data on the effects of statins (Zocor/ Crestor/ Lipitor) and fibrates on Lp(a) are limited and highly variable. Overall, statins have, however, been shown to consistently and modestly decrease elevated Lp(a) in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia.
What other prescription agents reported to decrease Lp(a) to a minor degree (<10%)?
In young or middle-aged patients with evidence of progressive coronary disease and markedly elevated plasma Lp(a), serious consideration should be given to instituting LDL apheresis which removes Lp(a) efficaciously. This form of treatment is prohibitively expensive and impractical for most patients and most clinical centres.
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