FEBRUARY 22: CHOLESTEROL LEVELS – AGE & HEREDITY?

29 Days to a Healthier Heart

Elevations of blood cholesterol and/or triglycerides can be due to genetic factors. These conditions are referred to as familial hypercholesterolemia, one of the most common inherited diseases as they affect about one in every 500 people. People affected with this condition will show high level readings early in life and have a family history of hypercholesterolemia. Taking steps to manage healthy levels is exceedingly important in the case of familial hypercholesterolemia.

The basic problem in familial hypercholesterolemia is a defect in the receptor for LDL cholesterol (or ‘bad’ levels) in the liver. Under normal situations the LDL receptor is responsible for removing it from the blood. When the LDL cholesterol is bound to the receptor, the liver cell takes up the LDL and then signals the liver cell to stop making it. In familial hypercholesterolemia the defect in the LDL receptor results in the liver not receiving the message to stop making cholesterol.

Damage to the LDL receptor also occurs with normal aging and with several diseases such as diabetes, resulting in the rise of levels as we get older or become diabetic. In addition, a diet high in saturated fat and it decreases the number of LDL receptors, thereby reducing the feedback mechanism which tells the liver cells that no more is needed.

Fortunately, lifestyle and dietary changes can have a tremendous impact on healthy levels. For more information please see our other blogs on heart health!

-Dr Karen Hack, BHSc, ND