On: Part II of V: Lipid metrics, lipid measurements, and cholesterol regulation.

Episode: 21

Date: July 2018

Key Subjects:

• Lipid basics.
  • Lipoproteins are needed to carry lipids around the bloodstream.
  • The lipids carried primarily include triglycerides, cholesterol, phospholipids.
• Various types of lipoproteins.
  • Based on density (protein to lipid ratio).
  • Types of protein attached to the lipoprotein molecule (apoB, apoA, apoC – subsets of those, etc.).
• apoB lipoproteins (= LDL)
  • The ones that get trapped in artery walls.
  • 95% of apoB is attached to LDL lipoproteins (one-to-one).
  • The higher the LDL particle count, the higher the risk of particles getting trapped.
• Knowing LDL particle count is #1 risk indicator to check.
• Would also be good to have an insight into cholesterol flow mechanics: the synthesis, influx and efflux of cholesterol.
  • But there are no good markers for flux.
  • Absorption: test for plant sterol absorption (weak marker).
  • Synthesis: test for cholesterol precursors such as desmasterol (decent marker).

Key Takeaways:

• Test for apoB or LDL particle number.

• Test for cholesterol absorption and synthesis markers (if needed).

Worth Listening:

• 8/10