#1080: Show- Understanding Cholesterol and Other Bio Markers

Show Topic: Understanding Cholesterol and Other Bio Markers

Co-Hosts:  Judy Gaman, Mark Anderson, Walter Gaman

Guest: None

Segment 1:

Today we are talking about lipids: Cholesterol, triglycerides, and other biomarkers that are important.

• What is cholesterol and where does it come from? Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the body. It is essential for good health and forms part of the lining (membrane) of every cell. It plays a part in the production of hormones (estrogen and testosterone), production of bile for digestion, and is necessary for production of Vitamin D
• While cholesterol is made in small quantities throughout the body, the majority of cholesterol your body makes is made in the liver
• Cholesterol can also be taken in from outside sources like meat, dairy, and saturated vegetable oils like coconut and palm oils.
• Good Cholesterol – HDL –High density lipoprotein. These have a higher amount of protein than fat. The “job” of HDL is to clear cholesterol from the body by picking up cholesterol from cells and carrying it back to the liver for disposal. Too low of HDL puts you at risk for heart disease and high levels have an extra protective effect.
• Bad Cholesterol – LDL – Low-density lipoprotein. These have more fat than protein and make up the bulk of the cholesterol. LDL carries cholesterol from the liver to other parts of the body. Here it works on cell repair. High LDL increases risk for heart disease because it deposits its cholesterol part onto artery walls. It also causes inflammation because it deposits into other body tissues too, like as tendons.
• Preference Guidelines – Total cholesterol >200 HDL >60   LDL <100

DOC SHOCK

A new study out of Duke may pave the way to a new blood test that will let doctors know if arteries are narrowed or blocked. In their pilot study they looked at 40 participants who came through the emergency room and underwent a stress test that proved they had blockage. These participants showed that they all had the same 5 fatty acid or amino acid metabolite changes. Changes that are not seen in non-cardiac patients. As they work to narrow down the exact marker and do further studies, we may be adding to our cardiac labs panels in the near future.

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Segment 2:

Today’s topic is understanding cholesterol, triglycerides, and other bio-marks for heart disease. We’re going to continue our discussion on Cholesterol before moving on to triglycerides.

Immortal Minute

• Cholesterol Ratio – this is where we look to see what amount of the total number is made up of “bad” cholesterol. This is done by taking the total number of cholesterol and subtracting the good cholesterol. This number, ideally, would be 130 or less.
• VLDL – Very-low density lipoprotein. This is the worst kind of cholesterol. It is associated with the highest risk for heart disease and stroke.
• Triglycerides – The main form of fat within the body. While some trigycerides are necessary, too much can lead to heart disease and stroke. Smoking, alcohol, diabetes, and some medications, like beta blockers, birth control, and diuretics, can contribute to high triglyceride levels. When LDL and triglycerides are both high – plaque forms in the arteries causing blockages.
• Familial hypercholesterolemia - a genetic disorder in which there is a defect on chromosome 19. The defect makes the body unable to remove low density lipoprotein (LDL, or bad) cholesterol from the blood.
• Bio-markers – Cardio CRP – what inflammation means.

Segment 3:

Today we’re talking about lipid panels and other bio-markers for heart disease. Sometimes medications are necessary, but they come with side effects. While we’ll talk about these medications, we also want to give you guidelines for correcting your numbers naturally through diet.

• Common medications for lipids and their side effects – an open discussion.
• How and why diet is effective
• Exercise – another necessary component for raising HDL
• Personal experience
• Patient success stories

Segment 4:

Medical Mania Trivia  - Katie

1. Name two benefits of bio-identical testosterone replacement (lean muscle mass, libido, improved cognition, etc.)
2. Which vitamin has been proven to help with seasonal effective disorder, a condition that is most prevalent during winter months? (D)
3. Can anti-biotics cure the flu? (No – it’s a virus)
4. If someone has blepharoplasty, what part of their body was operated on? (Eye lids)
5. Leukemia is a cancer of the _____ (Blood)

DEMENTIA DEFENDER

LAST WEEKS RIDDLE WAS: 

Four people arrive at a river with a narrow bridge that can only hold two people at a time. It's nighttime and they have one torch that has to be used when crossing the bridge. Person A can cross the bridge in one minute, B in two minutes, C in five minutes, and D in eight minutes. When two people cross the bridge together, they must move at the slower person's pace. Can they all get across the bridge in 15 minutes or less? If so – how long will it take them?   A. 15 minutes exactly.  

This week: I have cities, but no houses. I have mountains, but no trees, I have water, but no fish. What am I?

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