Discussion Board

Hi Jeff,

My Lp(a) is quite high (>225 nmol/L), recommended level is < 75 nmol/L.

homocysteine is also high ( 17), normal (<14), I believe homocysteine could be brought under normal range by B12 supplement.

Lp(a) is an independent cardiac risk. From the reading I have done so far, it seems like diet and exercise and lifestyle doesn't lower Lp(a).

I was wondering if you knew of any ways either by lifestyle changes or dietary changes whether you could bring down Lp(a) and homocysteine.

If the total cholesterol is (116) and LDL(62) is low, is high Lp(a) still a risk factor?

If you had any information on this could you please post it. Thanks!

Jeff,

Is there a way to reduce homocystein and Lipoprotein(a), either through diet, exercise, nutrition or combination of them?

Yes, there is. The same dietary and lifestyle recommendations we have been discussing here would be recommended.

Homocysteine levels can be elevated if someone's diet is deficient in folic acid, B6, and/or B12. A healthy diet would provide these in adequate amounts and if you someone choose to follow a 100% vegan diet which included no foods fortified with B12, then they could easily include a B12 supplement.

If you look at a typical American diet, it is often very low in folate (which is found in "foliage" like grean leafies). Folate has been added to the food supply and one of the nutrients added in the enrichment process. However, a healthy plant based diet easily supplies 2x or more the needed amounts.

While it is often said that diet will not effect lp(a), this same diet can lower your levels. However, in the first case scenario you presented, total cholesterol is (116) and LDL (62), i would not worry about lp(a).

In Health
Jeff

Jeff,

Thanks for the reply. I have been following vegetarian diet and diet that is recommended here. I'm not sure if the amount of vegetables that I have been eating is not enough. I eat lettuce, cucumber, carrot, broccoli salad and 2-3 servings of fruits everyday. Haven't developed the taste for tulip and collard.

I have been taking sub lingual 500 mcg B12 twice a week for last months.

I'm not sure if there is any error in the Lp(a) measurement as > 225 nmol/L will be some where like 90 mg/DL which is more than my LDL cholesterol.

It's good to know that when LDL Cholesterol is low, Lp(a) doesn't matter much.

I don't care much for the bitter taste of the greens, but I love them over brown rice with a good coating of balsamic vinegar and pomegranate seeds.

Hi Jeff,

I have done some more reading on your website on homocysteine(HC). You had suggested to increase the intake of folate through plant based food. My HC readings are high and I had already been eating beans legumes, rice, whole wheat etc except in last couple of months have eliminated oil and other fried food and do have 1/2 cup of skim milk everyday, eat salad on regular basis and vitamin B12 .

Does it require more time to return to normal? Sometimes some things do require a period of time to see a change.

What should be I doing differently? How big of a concern is HC level of 17?

Some numbers drop quickly, and some can take some time and there is always variance amongst people.

One should never over react to any one number on any one test. What matters is trends and patterns.

Stay the course and follow your numbers over time.

In Health
Jeff