Sunday, March 24, 2024
HomeNewsWhat Is Ldl Cholesterol Calcium

What Is Ldl Cholesterol Calcium

How The Body Gets Rid Of Toxins

High LDL has low risk of coronary calcium

One of the ways the body gets rid of toxins is through a process called conjugation. During conjugation, toxins are packaged into water soluble compounds called glucuronides. Being water-soluble, glucuronides can be eliminated through the feces or the urine. However, high levels of an enzyme called beta-glucuronide can inhibit this process. This enzyme separates toxins from their conjugate bond and allows them to be reabsorbed. This allows toxins to keep circulating in the body where they make you feel, in a word, blech.

Calcium-d-glucarate prevents beta-glucuronide from disturbing this process. It keeps the toxins bound inside a glucuronide which is then removed from the body. Toxins are most damaging in their free form, which is why you want them to be bound and released from the body. Calcium-d-glucarate inhibits beta-glucuronidase which allows toxins to be removed.

What Does It Do

It is the main protein that delivers cholesterol to where it is needed around the body. At the right level, its role is essential for healthy cell growth. However, when there is excess LDL it can cause clogging of the arteries hence its bad reputation.

Cholesterol isnt entirely bad for you. In fact, your body uses it to make a few essential hormones, including:

sex hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone in women, and testosterone in men, help the sex organs develop and are involved in reproduction

cortisol, which helps your body respond to stress

aldosterone, which balances the number of minerals in your body

vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium to strengthen your bones

Ways To Decrease Inflammation

While theres still more work to do, it seems pretty clear that chronic inflammation from poor diet, obesity, smoking, lack of exercise, and mental stress is not good for you no matter how you feel about cholesterol. Here are five ways to help you decrease inflammation, protect your heart, and perform at your best:

More Diet Tips From Bulletproof

Also Check: Is Shrimp Bad For Your Cholesterol

Ldl Cholesterol Reduction In Patients With Esrd

Patients with ESRD that requires dialysis are the highest risk states for incident and accelerated cardiovascular disease . Previous studies have shown that vascular calcification is enhanced in ESRD, and recent data using EBCT has shown a modest relationship between calcium scores and calcium-phosphorus ion product . In contrast, when it has been evaluated, vascular calcification has been related consistently to the dyslipidemia of ESRD, including a modestly elevated LDL cholesterol, depressed HDL cholesterol, and elevated triglycerides .

In the Treat to Goal trial by Chertow et al. , 200 patients were randomly assigned to sevelamer versus calcium carbonate or calcium acetate and had EBCT scans done at baseline and at 52 wk. Investigators were not blinded to the measures of Ca-PO4 balance and were allowed to adjust phosphate binders and dialysate calcium or use vitamin D analogues. The baseline and final CPP values were 71 and 48 and 69 and 49 for the sevelamer and calcium groups, respectively. However, there was a large difference in the final LDL cholesterol levels between the sevelamer and the calcium groups, 65 versus 103 mg/dl, respectively . This is consistent with the known bile-acid sequestrant properties of sevelamer. Accordingly, there was attenuation of progression of CAC with sevelamer with no differences in CPP or PTH, suggesting that the change in CAC was more related to lipid lowering as has been demonstrated in other studies .

What Is Vitamin D

Cholesterol Ldl

Vitamin D serves many purposes within the body, and you can get it from several different sources. The main function of vitamin D is to promote calcium absorption in your body.

You can get vitamin D through your diet and by getting out in the sun, as long as you dont have sunscreen on. Sunscreens block the skins absorption of the vitamin.

In both cases, the vitamin undergoes several changes within the body before its put to use. From there, vitamin D can help:

  • keep your bones healthy

Cholesterol is another necessary substance in the human body. But too much of it can be a bad thing.

There are two main types of cholesterol: LDL, which we mentioned previously, and high-density lipoprotein .

HDL is commonly referred to as good cholesterol, and you want to keep HDL levels above 60 milligrams/dL.

LDL, on the other hand, is known as bad cholesterol, which is the type of cholesterol that can clot your arteries and increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. You should keep your LDL levels below 100 milligrams/dL.

Recommended Reading: Are Oysters High In Cholesterol

Magnesium Consumption And Heart Palpitations

Adults typically need to consume between 310 and 420 milligrams of magnesium each day. This nutrient can be found in a variety of fiber-rich, plant-based products. These include foods like legumes, beans, nuts and seeds. You can obtain large amounts of magnesium from foods like seaweed, hemp seeds, flax seeds, Brazil nuts and peanut products.

According to the National Institutes of Health, insufficient amounts of magnesium can result in cardiac problems like abnormal heart rhythms and coronary spasms. Magnesium deficiency also has the potential to cause hypokalemia or hypocalcemia .

Like potassium, large amounts of magnesium can also produce cardiac side effects. Excessive magnesium in your body can result in gastrointestinal issues, low blood pressure, palpitations and even heart attacks. Magnesium toxicity is rare, but when it occurs, it can result in death. Youre more likely to experience magnesium toxicity if youve taken magnesium-containing laxatives or antacids.

What Drugs Are Used To Treat High Cholesterol

Cholesterol-lowering drugs include:

Cholesterol-lowering medicine is most effective when combined with a healthy diet and exercise program.

Statins Statins block the production of cholesterol in the liver itself. They lower LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, and triglycerides and have a mild effect in raising HDL, the “good” cholesterol. These drugs are the first line of treatment for most people with high cholesterol.

Statins carry warnings that memory loss, mental confusion, muscle aches, neuropathy, liver issues, high blood sugar, and type 2 diabetes are possible side effects. It’s important to remember that statins may also interact with other medications you take.

Examples of statins include:

Advicor and Simcor are both combinations of a statin and niacin .

Caduet is a combination of a statin and a blood pressure-lowering drug called Norvasc. Vytorin is a combination of a statin and a cholesterol absorption inhibitor .

Selective cholesterol absorption inhibitorsEzetimibe works to lower LDL by inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. Vytorin is a newer drug that is a combination of ezetimibe and a statin , and can decrease total and LDL cholesterol and raise HDL levels. There is not sufficient medical evidence to show that ezetimibe prevents heart attacks.

PCSK9 Inhibitors

Examples:

Don’t Miss: Are Mussels High In Cholesterol

What Is The Meaning Of High Ldl Cholesterol

Related Articles

Your body naturally produces all the cholesterol that it needs. This substance is essential to producing vitamin D, hormones and substances that aid digestion. However, high levels of one type, called LDL cholesterol, can lead to cardiovascular health problems. If your blood test results show “High LDL Cholesterol ,” you should try to reduce your cholesterol levels with medication and/or lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, exercising more and increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables.

How Can A High Ldl Level Raise My Risk Of Coronary Artery Disease And Other Diseases

Carnivore Diet Coronary Artery Calcium Score Results = 0, With LDL over 500?!

If you have a high LDL level, this means that you have too much LDL cholesterol in your blood. This extra LDL, along with other substances, forms plaque. The plaque builds up in your arteries this is a condition called atherosclerosis.

Coronary artery disease happens when the plaque buildup is in the arteries of your heart. It causes the arteries to become hardened and narrowed, which slows down or blocks the blood flow to your heart. Since your blood carries oxygen to your heart, this means that your heart may not be able to get enough oxygen. This can cause angina , or if the blood flow is completely blocked, a heart attack.

You May Like: Does Shrimp Give You High Cholesterol

The Study Was Published Just Ahead Of The Upcoming Cholesterol Guidelines With Experts Wondering If Cac Testing Will Finally Be Given A Seat At The Table

Statin therapy for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease fails to have an impact on clinical outcomes in patients without evidence of coronary plaque, a new study shows. These results suggest that an assessment of coronary calcification could be used to identify patients most likely to benefit from the lipid-lowering therapy, particularly those in whom physicians might be on the fence about treating, say investigators.

Coronary artery calcium screening has been proposed as a means to better improve risk prediction in patients, but no studies have looked directly at the impact of treatment, lead investigator Joshua Mitchell, MD , told TCTMD. We dont have information, or we dont truly know how the screening test best fits in with management decisions. At what point in time do you decide to use a statin in a patient versus not using one?

In an analysis comparing patients positive or negative for coronary calcium , patients with detectable CAC prescribed a statin had a 24% lower relative risk of MI, stroke, or cardiovascular death when compared with those with evidence of CAC not treated with a statin . In contrast, among patients with no evidence of calcification , there was no difference in the risk of major cardiovascular events among those treated with a statin compared with those not treated with a statin.

Shaking Up Risk Assessments

Prior Studies, New Guidelines

Mitchell said he believes its time for the guidelines incorporate coronary calcium.

Family History And Genetics

Family members usually have similar cholesterol levels. This suggests that your genes can raise your risk of having unhealthy cholesterol levels.

In addition, your genes may raise your risk for another type of bad cholesterol. High levels of lipoprotein-a, also called Lp, may mean you are at high risk of heart or blood vessel diseases, even if your other cholesterol levels are healthy. Genes determine how much Lp you have. Your Lp level is unlikely to change much from childhood to old age.

Lp is not usually part of a routine lipid panel. Your doctor may order an Lp test if you have a family history of early heart or blood vessel disease, such as heart attack, or do not know your family medical history. If you have a high Lp level, your doctor may prescribe a statin to prevent heart and blood vessel disease, even if your other cholesterol levels are in the healthy range.

Recommended Reading: Can Dehydration Skew A Cholesterol Test

Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring

Coronary artery calcium scoring, also called a coronary calcium scan, is a test that measures the amount of calcium in the walls of the hearts arteries.

Most of the calcium in our body is found in our bones and teeth. It helps keep them strong and healthy. But calcium in the arteries that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients can spell trouble for our heart health.

Thats because deposits of calcium in the coronary arteries are a sign that there may also be a buildup of plaquea waxy substance that can harden over time and narrow or block the arteries . When this happens, it makes a heart attack or stroke more likely.

So a coronary calcium scan is one way to estimate someones risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack or stroke.

How To Calculate Your Ldl

Heart Disease Cholesterol Triglycerides

Here is another nifty remembering tool!When looking to calculate your LDL level, think L = Low.You want to have low LDL levels as this means theres less chance of your arteries being blocked.

Ideally LDL levels should be less than 3mmol/L for healthy adults and less than 2mmol/L in those who are at higher risk.Here is what tracking it looks like. You can immediately see the power in knowing how your cholesterol levels are over time.

And remember, for LDL, the lower the number the better.

Don’t Miss: Is Shrimp Bad For Your Cholesterol

Does Vitamin D Lower Cholesterol

Theres conflicting information when it comes to the link between cholesterol and vitamin D.

Population studies show that people with lower vitamin D levels are more likely to have high cholesterol, although this doesnt prove a cause and effect relationship.

One 2012 study found that vitamin D supplements have no cholesterol-lowering effects, at least in the short term. In fact, the researchers found that the supplements were actually associated with an increase in LDL.

However, found that taking calcium and vitamin D supplements together improved cholesterol levels in postmenopausal, overweight, or obese women.

The verdict, according to the National Institutes of Health , is that theres insufficient evidence to determine any relationship between your vitamin D intake and your cholesterol levels.

But with the host of benefits that vitamin D provides to those that use it, theres still no deterrent in using vitamin D as part of your healthy lifestyle.

According to the Mayo Clinic, daily vitamin D use is safe in doses up to 4,000 IU .

Supplements Are Okayfor Now

A decision to stop taking calcium supplements should not be made on this study, says Dr. Deepak Bhatt, a cardiologist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Womens Hospital.

The study did not provide iron-clad evidence of a connection between calcium supplements and heart attack. Although its not the first report suggesting this connection, no study has definitely proven that excessive calcium intake contributes to plaque formation and heart disease, Dr. Bhatt told me.

He questions the researchers explanation that excess calcium is deposited in the arteries, because the bones have limited ability to absorb calcium given in larger doses than found in foods. We know that calcium in plaque is a response to injury, an effort to wall off an area of the artery that has been damaged by cholesterol or smoking, for example. It can happen in people whose calcium levels are in the normal range, he says.

Dietary calcium is important, as it helps to build strong bones and keep them healthy. Thats why Dr. Bhatt would support people who, on their doctors advice, get some of the recommended 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day through supplements because they cant get that amount from food.

Its perfectly reasonable to stick with these recommendations regarding calcium intake for now, he says.

Also Check: Does Shrimp Have High Cholesterol

Supplements Are Just That

Dr. David Slovik, an osteoporosis specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital, agrees with Dr. Bhatt that the research connecting calcium supplements with heart attack does not provide enough clarity to challenge current recommendations.

He suggests people not rely on supplements as their primary source of calcium.

I tell my patients to try to get as much calcium from food as possible. They should also exercise and take vitamin D to help maximize and maintain their bone strength, he says.

References For The Various Risks Of High Blood Calcium Due To Primary Hyperparathyroidism:

Managing Patients with High LDL Cholesterol or Familial Hypercholesterolemia
  • Endocr Relat Cancer. 2007 Mar 14:135-40. The association between primary hyperparathyroidism and malignancy: nationwide cohort analysis on cancer incidence after parathyroidectomy.
  • Clin Epidemiol. 2011 Mar 25 3:103-6. Breast cancer associated with primary hyperparathyroidism: a nested case control study.
  • Cancer Causes Control. 2010 Feb 21:251-7. Serum calcium levels are elevated among women with untreated postmenopausal breast cancer.
  • J Cancer Res Ther. 2009 Jan-Mar 5:46-8. Hypercalcemia and treated breast cancers: the diagnostic dilemma.

Don’t Miss: How Much Cholesterol In Pork Chops

How Do I Know What My Ldl Level Is

A blood test can measure your cholesterol levels, including LDL. When and how often you should get this test depends on your age, risk factors, and family history. The general recommendations are:

For people who are age 19 or younger:

  • The first test should be between ages 9 to 11
  • Children should have the test again every 5 years
  • Some children may have this test starting at age 2 if there is a family history of high blood cholesterol, heart attack, or stroke

For people who are age 20 or older:

  • Younger adults should have the test every 5 years
  • Men ages 45 to 65 and women ages 55 to 65 should have it every 1 to 2 years

Hidden Calcium Cholesterol Connection

University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry
Summary:
It’s well known that calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth, but new research shows it also plays a key role in moderating another important aspect of health — cholesterol. Scientists have discovered a direct link between calcium and cholesterol, a discovery that could pave the way for new ways of treating high blood cholesterol.

It’s well known that calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth, but new research shows it also plays a key role in moderating another important aspect of health — cholesterol.

Scientists at the University of Alberta and McGill University have discovered a direct link between calcium and cholesterol, a discovery that could pave the way for new ways of treating high blood cholesterol.

The researchers began the work after having their curiosity piqued while studying the role of a calcium-binding protein. They noticed an extreme rise of blood cholesterol concentration in mice when the protein was not present. To follow up on this observation, Marek Michalak with graduate student Wen-An Wang and Luis Agellon teamed up with geneticist Joohong Ahnn and discovered that the physiological link between calcium and cholesterol is also preserved in worms.

Story Source:

Also Check: Does Black Coffee Affect Cholesterol Levels

How Can I Lower My Ldl Level

There are two main ways to lower your LDL cholesterol:

  • Therapeutic lifestyle changes . TLC includes three parts:
    • Heart-healthy eating. A heart-healthy eating plan limits the amount of saturated and trans fats that you eat. Examples of eating plans that can lower your cholesterol include the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes diet and the DASH eating plan.
    • Weight Management. If you are overweight, losing weight can help lower your LDL cholesterol.
    • Physical Activity. Everyone should get regular physical activity .
  • Drug Treatment. If lifestyle changes alone do not lower your cholesterol enough, you may also need to take medicines. There are several types of cholesterol-lowering drugs available, including statins. The medicines work in different ways and can have different side effects. Talk to your health care provider about which one is right for you. While you are taking medicines to lower your cholesterol, you still should continue with the lifestyle changes.

Some people with familial hypercholesterolemia may receive a treatment called lipoprotein apheresis. This treatment uses a filtering machine to remove LDL cholesterol from the blood. Then the machine returns the rest of the blood back to the person.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular