Extend Podcast with Darshan Shah, MD

60. Cholesterol Myths You Still Believe (And What to Track Instead)

May 8, 2025
Rethink everything you thought you knew about cholesterol! Discover why focusing solely on LDL and total cholesterol could be misleading. Learn about ApoB, the crucial metric for assessing heart health, and how it better predicts cardiovascular risk. Explore the formation of arterial plaque and the importance of inflammation and metabolic health. Uncover natural methods to lower ApoB and when medications might be necessary. Step into a modern approach to heart health and longevity!
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

ApoB: Crucial Cholesterol Marker

  • ApoB is present in every atherogenic lipoprotein particle, directly indicating particle count.
  • LDL only measures cholesterol content, not particle number, making ApoB a more accurate risk marker.
INSIGHT

ApoB Predicts Heart Risk Better

  • ApoB outperforms LDL-C as a predictor of cardiovascular events in major studies.
  • ApoB also detects LP little a, a highly inflammatory cholesterol particle often missed by standard tests.
ADVICE

ApoB Target Levels Advice

  • Aim to keep ApoB levels under 90 to 100 to generally reduce cardiovascular risk.
  • Lower targets are recommended for individuals with other risk factors or for longevity goals.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app