Lipoprotein (a), another item of our Initial Anti-Aging Screening Test Panel, is a small cholesterol particle that causes inflammation and can clog blood vessels.  Research* shows that people with high lipoprotein (a) have a 70% higher risk of developing heart disease over 10 years.

Statin drug (which depletes CoQ10, the latter is often supplemented) may cause lipoprotein (a) to increase, which should be monitored for patients on statin drugs.

How to lower Lipoprotein (a)?

• BHRT
• Vit C (2-4 gm)
• CoQ-10 (120 mg)
• L-carnitine (1-2 gm)
• DHA (1-2 gm)
• Niacin (1-2 gm) (most effective, however it may increase LFT)
• L-lysine (500 -1000 mg)
• L-proline (500-1000 mg)
• Flax seed
• Policosanol
• When all above fail, Vit C 2gm/day +Nanokinase bid to prevent blood clots.  However, the combo doesn’t lower lipoprotein (a).

*Danesh J, et al., “Lipoprotein (a) and Coronary artery disease, ” Circulation 2000;102:1082-1085.

Fibrinogen is a clotting factor that increases as estrogen decreases and also with smokers.  Elevated levels of fibrinogen can cause heart attack.  Fibrinogen is part of our Initial Anti-Aging Screening Panel.

What to do with elevated fibrinogen?  You can use the following anti-inflammatory foods and supplements.

• Estrogen replacement for women (BHRT)
• Garlic
• Coldwater fish
• Vit E
• Gingko
• Bromelain
• EPA/DHA
• Ginger
• Green tea

C-Reactive Protein (CRP-hs) is part of our Initial Anti-Aging Screening Test Panel. The normal range from a regular lab may be > 5 or even >10.  However, research shows hsCRP > 1 starts to be correlated with ever increasing cardiovascular events and all cause mortality.   

• Elevated due to previous infection
• Chlamydia, herpes, CMV can cause inflammation and plaque formation.
• Is an anti-body like substance.
• Predictive of future MI even if cholesterol is normal.
• Elevated CRP-hs (high sensitivity) was found to be the strongest of 12 markers for heart attach, in a study involving 28,263 female patients.*
• Periodontal disease causes heart attack (elevates CRP).

How to lower CRP?

• Exercise
• Baby ASA, 81 mg, daily
• Essential fatty acids
• Quercetin as a supplement
• CoQ-10
• Natural Cox-2 inhibitors
  • Grapeseed extract (100 – 200 mg)
  • Curcumin (300 – 600 mg)
  • Green tea (3 cups or 3 caps/day)
• Rosemary
• Statin drugs
• ACE inhibitors
• Beta-blockers

*Ridker, ., et al., “C-reactive protein and other markers of inflammation in the production of cardiovascular disease in women,” NEJM 2000;342:836-843.

Other references (PMID numbers): 29699031, 29137033, 28834887, 28693795, 28462626, 28327451,  29137033, 28834887, 28462626, 28327451. 

Homocysteine (part of our Initial Anti-Aging Screening Test Panel)  is a major risk factor heart disease and stroke.  It’s also a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, osteoporosis, neuropsychiatric disorders, etc.  Homocysteine is toxic to the blood vessel walls in the heart and the brain, causing endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress/free radicals, neuronal DNA damage, cerebral microangiopathy, apoptosis of neural cells and mitochondrial membrane damage.

Factors that may cause homocysteine level to increase: toxins, medications, age, smoking,  hypothyroidism, renal failure or hereditary. The ideal level of homocysteine is 7-10 umol/L (6-8 is the optimal level).  

If too high:

• Folic acid 800 mcg
• Vit B6 40 mg
• Vit B12 200 mcg daily
• Betaine HCL (Trimethylglycine) 500 – 1000 mg
• MTHF (active form of folic acid)
• Garlic 1000 mg
• SAMe 400 mg
• Beets, broccoli

Too low: too low a level is usually associated with over methylation.

Patients with pre-diabetes often show blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not yet diagnostic of diabetes.  These patients are insulin resistance and often have high blood insulin levels (hyperinsulinemia).  These patients, when untreated, usually go on to develop full blown Type 2 diabetes, infertility, weight gain, bloating, abnormal blood lipids and hormonal imbalances.  Hyperinsulinemia may also be associated with: Alopecia (especially in women); Hirsutism (excess facial and body hair); Skin disorders (skin tags, acanthosis nigricans, and adult acne); Yeast infections; Sleep disturbances.

Pre-diabetes/insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia is a real health danger.  These patients usually eat excessive carbohydrates, fats and calories which put a high demand on the pancreas beta cells to produce more insulin to metabolize these calories, ultimately resulting in beta cell failure.

Treatment: 

1. Lifestyle changes to include Low carb, low fat, high fiber diet and exercise.
2. Supplements/Rx:
   1. Metformin 500 mg, bid to tid.
   2. Diaxinol 2 qd;
   3. CM Core, 3 qd.