Medical research proves your health is your choice.
I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Thomas Seyfried in January of 2024, at a metabolic conference. His book, Cancer as a Metabolic Disease: On the Origin, Management, and Prevention of Cancer, published in 2012, is the first time I had heard the terminology metabolic disease.
His groundbreaking research fueled my determination to better understand my body, and to change the trajectory of cardiovascular health disease that runs in my family.
When I say cardiovascular disease runs in my family, I mean it kills people in my family - or, more accurately, makes their lives very difficult until it kills them.
All on mother's side:
Grandfather - angina, quadruple bypass
Grandmother - hypercholesterolemia, dementia
Mom - hypercholesterolemia, heart incidents (3), quadruple bypass surgery
Uncle 1 - hypercholesterolemia, heart disease
Uncle 2 - hypercholesterolemia, heart disease, cancer
Brother - two heart attacks before the age of 50
Father's side:
Dad - cancer, due to smoking
Me - age 60, no heart disease, no cardiac incidents, no blockage.
Now, this doesn't mean I haven't been advised, for years, by my doc's to go on statins because I had a higher LDL, even though all my other numbers are good...in fact, I wasn't opposed to it, but I wanted to know what LDL particles we were targeting. I wasn't interested in a "shotgun"approach. If I'm going to incorporate a medication that has some serious side effects, I want to know why.
Same answer, even from two cardiologists, it doesn't matter, just have to lower LDL.
I'm no doctor, but this is simply not true. However, after my mom recently underwent quadruple bypass surgery, I made the decision to dive deeper.
In addition to learning about metabolic disease and how it impacts chronic illness (I encourage you to watch the entire episode with Dr. Seyfriend here),
I've followed and learned from Dr. Thomas Dayspring, one of the top lipidologists in the country. He's easy to find online, has been interviewed hundreds of times and is very outspoken about the importance to understanding lipid profiles in order to deliver targeted treatments and not create tertiary damage.
Again, I want to say that I'm not a doctor. But, it really struck me as very wrong that not one or two doc's, but over half a dozen, in as many years, wanted to put me on med's without deeper evaluation.
So, when I returned from taking care of mom after her quadruple bypass surgery last May, I dove in and did all the testing I could, which included:
ApoB
LP(a)
Apo-E
Inflammatory markers
Homocysteine
Stress test
Calcium score
CTA
CCTA* This one is VERY important, A CCTA scan creates detailed images of the heart and coronary arteries to help doctors identify plaque buildup, blockages, or narrowing.
The result? I have high LP(a), and a low calcium score (8). Other than that, NOTHING.
LP(a) is a lipid particle (Google it, lots of info) *Lp(a) levels are largely determined by genetics and vary significantly among different ethnic groups. Hormone replacement therapies and dietary changes can also impact Lp(a) levels.
Now that I had a real answer, I worked with my doc to address the LP(a) and how to further lower my risk outside of the lifestyle (metabolic) factors (nutrition, exercise, sleep, hormone optimization, stress...).
You know what has ZERO impact on lowering LP(a)? Statins. It's a very specific particle that requires a very specific, targeted, medication called a PCSK9 inhibitor.
*Real photo of client meds
Why am I sharing all this? Because I work with clients everyday that are bullied into taking medications they not only don't need, but can cause harm while not addressing the real issue. I was almost bullied into taking medication I didn't need, would have no impact and could have cause unwanted side-effects and damage.
I'm not blaming the doc's. I truly believe most are doing the best they can to keep up.
Your health is your responsibility.
Don't give up and give in because you don't want to do the work! Ask questions. Your genetics do not absolve you or YOUR responsibility to take care of your body.
I'd love to help you return to health. I offer initial complimentary consultations. Book here.
By the way, my LP(a) is now where it should be.
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