Ancient Transporters: HDL and LDL Lipoproteins Carry Precious Cargo

The NCEP/ATP III Cholesterol Guidelines Bogus: 'Cholesterol Limits Lose Their Lustre'

Conventional medicine at this time uses Big Pharma-funded assessment and treatment guidelines which promote the use of statins as first line in order to 'treat' the LDL (goal less than 70, 100, or 130 mg/dl) to targets based on risk stratification, e.g. age, prior family history coronary events, low HDL, smoking and presence of hypertension.

What are the true root causes of these 'risk factors' in light of evolution (if you believe in evo)? Is LDL really 'bad'?

Indeed.

Hormonal havoc and energy balance dysregulation caused by neolithic excess of refined n-6 vegetable oils, high fructose GMO-corn syrup, intestinal permeability, refined carbohydrates, sugar, mercury/arsenic/lead/cadmium, gut dysbiosis, failures of vitamin/mineral absorption by the action of phytates and lectins, and endocrine-disrupting consequences of pesticides and other environmental persistent-organic toxins are more likely factors.

And they have nothing to do with LDL. Half of heart attacks occur in individuals where the LDL is already less than 70 mg/dl.

The old cholesterol guidelines NCEP/ATP-III  that were first put out over a decade ago are now being revamped.  Nature has a new article on the future NCEP/ATP-IV.

'Since 2002, when ATP III called on doctors to push LDL levels below set targets, the concept of low cholesterol has become synonymous with heart health. Patients brag about their cholesterol scores, physicians joke about adding statins to drinking water, and some hospitals reward doctors when patients hit cholesterol targets.'

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LDL Affected by Apo E Alleles

Amount of LDL-C and LDL-P Determined by ApoE

We each individually and uniquely have widely varied lipoprotein patterns (LDL, TG, HDL) determined by our genetics, the microniche our ancestors evolved and survived in, and our apolipoprotein E. Apo E is mainly found in HDL and LDL particles but also free form in the circulation as well. It aids lipoprotein particles in docking up to cell membranes to unload contents into a destination cell or the liver.

Apo E determines the LDL-quantity. Three alleles for apoE exist and we each have 2 copies from a mix from our parents - E2, E3 or E4. ApoE to me is like a special key to unlock troubled doors. Those with E4 alleles have lipoproteins with the least apoE (perhaps true H-G, more cholesterol hung out longer in circulation).  Geographically the incidence of E4 rises toward a northern distribution in Europe, away from the equator.  Those with E2, more apoE (perhaps more agarian adapted).  Energy flux patterns and metabolism are mildly different: E4, more carbohydrate sensitive; E2, less.  

Many 'cardiac' rat models use apoE-deficient mice because these animals inevitably develop horrific plaque and atherosclerotic disease and blocked arteries, on high carb rat chow.

The lower the apo E alleles, the lower the total cholesterol [ref 2]. The researchers (above) demonstrate the LDL and HDL trend in parallel with total cholesterol and the higher the E.  Conversely, triglycerides grow higher, the lower the apo E.

It seems finally that the medical community be viewing the true science and questioning the BS.  If LDL is genetically determined by the apoE type and is a false coronary risk factor, then what is the true cause of coronary events, MIs, angina and plaque destabilization? 

Naturally if one is apoE 4/4 (rare), then one is likely to have the highest LDL amongst friends and aquaintances. Is it harmful? Depends. ApoE 4/4 are more likely to be HIGHLY insulin resistant, inflamed and carbohydrate sensitive. In the modern industrial environment where whole food, ancestrally-inclined meals are endangered species... perhaps.  

Are apoE 4/4 the true survivors of Earth? They are less likely to suffer from infections or starvation which were the major reasons for mortality outside of predation prior to neolithic times. Add to that vascular protection from Lp(a) from vitamin C-deficiency hemolysis and one has a winning combination for longevity given the right circumstances when inflammation is well regulated and gene-protein expression optimal. 

The higher the LDL, the higher the Lp(a), the better survival?



Size of LDL Determined by Diet and Lifestyles: Microecological Niche

Environment dictates the LDL-particle-size. Exercise, high saturated fat, cholesterol-intake, low carb, low fructose, low omega-6/omega-3 ratio and antioxidants/flavonoids are factors that high influence and create more large, buoyant, resistant-to-oxidation LDL-particle-sizes, despite apoE status.



LDL Less Than 70 mg/dL is Dangerous

So why are cardiac 'experts' prescribing a one-size-fits-all LDL goal of less than 70 mg/dl and statins for all individuals with heart disease, diabetes, aneurysms, chronic kidney disease, and other atherosclerotic equivalents?

Does this take into account apoE status and genetically-predetermined LDL amounts?

An LDL less than 70 mg/dl is not magic.  At TYP, very rarely did I observe CAC Agatson coronary artery calcification reversal.  Members were on potent statins or suppressed their LDL to (unnatural) goals of 60 mg/dl. 

Seth Roberts did achieve reversal, by consuming cholesterol (butter). No pharmaceuticals.

I have noticed countless, sad times where statins do nothing to regress or stop the progression plaque. In fact, they are associated with progression in 12 out 14 published coronary calcification studies.

Many studies show that statins are also highly associated with cancer, increased incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF), accidents, violent death, depression/suicide, and all-cause mortality.

Low cholesterol and low LDL, independently, additionally are significantly correlated to cancer, increased incidence of chronic heart failure and all-cause mortality.

Let's probe this... because statins lost their allure years ago for me.




Overview of Transporters

Every vital vitamin, hormone and steroid exists both 'free' and available in the blood circulatory system and bound to degrees to a transporter-protein. Some vitamins, hormones and steroids interact directly with receptors on cell membranes and other cases the transporter-protein interacts with receptors on cell membranes to translocate the vitamin, hormone or steroid into the cell. From the gut to the liver, food gets processed into free fatty acids, triglycerides (3 fatty acids attached to one sugar backbone) and bundled into particles with antioxidants for circulation and storage in peripheral tissues like the muscles, adipose, gonads, and adrenals.



Cholesterol

Every cell membrane is composed of cholesterol -- this is the asphalt and infracture of our communication highways. Another way to appreciate these conductors of electronic charge is to recognize that cholesterol in our cellular membranes is analogous to the DSL or Comcast cables of our high-speed computers, our brain and nervous systems.

How do 'dropped signals' feel? Perhaps your cholesterol is impaired?

Roles of cholesterol:
a) formation of cellular walls
b) formation of aldosterone (important for blood pressure regulation)
c) formation of the sex hormones
d) formation of Vitamin D
e) formation of bile to eliminate and recycle wasted and precious fat-soluble molecules
f)  formation of corticosteroids which are involved with glucose regulation and suppressing inflammation
g) formation of steroidal derivatives including the vital and potent antioxidant Ubiquinol/ CoenzymeQ10
h) antioxidant with scavenger functions for harmful microbial endotoxins

Without cholesterol, humans cannot survive, brain and organ function deteriorate, and eventually cancer and other inflammatory conditions are triggered. Without sufficient cholesterol, cortisol, testosterone, progesterone, estrogens and other potent steroidal hormones cannot be made.



Statins Lower Testosterone

As one would expect, statin pharmaceuticals which block the rate-limiting enzyme for cholesterol production in the liver and all extrahepatic sites (e.g. BRAIN, ADRENALS, TESTICLES, etc), HMG-CoA reductase, are highly associated in reduction of total testosterone and subsequent low testosterone signs and symptoms [ref 3-9].

Low testosterone is also considered a risk factor for heart disease due to the inflammatory state that occurs including obesity, metabolic syndrome, hyperinsulinemia, poor immunity and diabetes[ref 7]. I question the prudence in the strategy behind initiating a statin and potentially lowering testosterone further, thereby inducing yet another cardiac risk factor.  Would you like to be a eunuch?

Diabetic eunuch?  Chuckle with Peter at Hyperlipid: 
Sta'ins, CoQ, diabetes and Dr Andreas Eenfeldt's link



Ancient Transporters

Our lymphatics and blood vessels form the highways that transport nutrition, oxygen and necessary constituents for organ maintenance and rebuilding. They also remove wastes, CO2 and recycled cellular parts and spent steroid hormones for elimination via the gut or 'recycling' via enterohepatic recirculation.

How are antioxidants, pro-vitamins, vitamins, pro-hormones and hormones from our food and endocrine glands/tissues carried to the peripheral sites? Ancient tranports have evolved (if you believe in evolution) in all living systems for the role of carrying these items to the appropriate target tissues.

Vitamin A (retinol): free and bound to RBP (retinol-binding protein)
Vitamin D (cholecalciferol): free and bound to VDBP (vitamin D binding protein, aka Gc globulin)
Estrogen (E1 E2 E3): free and bound to SHBG (sex-hormone binding globulin) and EBP (estrogen-binding protein)
Testosterone, DHT: free and bound to SHBG and ABP (androgen-binding protein)
Progesterone: free and bound to SHBG and PBP (progesterone-binding protein)
DHEA: free and bound in HDL particles
Cortisol: free and bound to CBP (cortisol binding protein)

Ubiquinol/CoQ10:  bound in HDL and LDL
Menaquinones (MK4 to 9; vitamin K2):  bound in HDL and LDL
Retinoids (vitamin A):  bound in HDL and LDL
Carotenoids (vitamin A): bound in HDL and LDL
Tocopherols, tocotrienols (vitamin E): bound in HDL and LDL
Minerals - iodine zinc selenium copper: Free form and bound in HDL and LDL
Cholesterol: Free form and bound as Esters in HDL and LDL


See prior animal pharm: LDL, HDL Transporters



Purpose of LDL and HDL Transporters: Evo Perspective

Lipid transport and delivery systems existed in the earliest animals including insects. Our lipoprotein systems are not that dissimilar [ref 1]. Fat-soluble nutrients like cholesterol, carotenoids, vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 would form a two-layered oil-vinegar like concoction in our blood circulatory system if it were not for specialized transporters for fat-like substances.

HDLs are much more compact and smaller in size than LDL. They fit between the gap and communication junctions in the endothelium (lining of blood vessels). Whereas, LDL particles are larger and barely fit between normal gap junctions of endothelium. If the LDL particles however are 'small' their purpose is different. They are more oxidizable and denser. This tighter conformation allows movement into damaged endothelium and traumatized and inflammed tissues to provide ammunitions for macrophages to do their work and relinquish the waste and end products for disposal. I don't read French (see below if you do).

Once HDL and LDL are done, they can re-enter the blood stream, return to the liver for future processing.







Ubiquinol Protects Against Failure of the Heart and All Organs

Ubiquinol is lowered by statins since ubiquinol and its derivatives are cholesterol structures [ref 19]. Unfortunately ubiquinol is necessary in all cells and mitochondria where it serves a role as mandatory antioxidant and a recycling nazi [16-18]. Low ubiquinol in the blood is associated with faster progression of heart failure [ref 17].

Statins lower the LDL contents of ubiquinol and all fat-soluble nutrients, vitamin E and carotenoids. Does this have consequences?

Prior animal pharm: Role of Ubiquinol



Higher the Cholesterol, Higher the CHF Survivorship


Our understanding of survival and the evolution of insulin resistance provides the foundation to understand the causes of all diseases of modern civilizations including CHF. The studies bear this out in which the higher glucose and higher insulin resistance, the higher the association to mortality in CHF [ref 12-16]. Interestingly several studies demonstrate the lower the cholesterol, the higher the CHF mortality. Some clinicians raised the potential risks of statins in light of these adverse outcomes in individuals with CHF [ref 31].

In patients with progressive CHF, their LDL are all small packages which can barely hold vital antioxidants like ubiquinol. Add a statin which deplete the crucial functioning ubiquinol for pumping heart muscles, spelling catastrophe.




Low Cholesterol Associated With Increased Cancer Incidence: 17-Year Basel Study 

The prospective 17-year Basel study showed a 2-7 fold increase in cancer mortality in males at various cancer sites with low serum cholesterol. This study confirms what some of the other cancer epidemiology studies have already shown. Researchers tested blood from 2974 participants stored from 1971-1973. Co-founders such as vitamin blood levels were adjusted for in the analysis.

Quality will always trump quantity of LDL.


Prior animal pharm: Cardio Controversies -- Tale of 2 LDLs




Carcinogenicity of Statins: The Lower the Final LDL, the Higher Cancer Rate


Finally the statin and lipid-lowering drug trials themselves have demonstrated that the lower the cholesterol, the higher mortality from cancer in a meta-analysis in JACC, 2007 by Alsheikh-Ali et al [ref 27]. Plotting final LDL with cancer, the graph depicts a firm association between the lower the LDL and increased cancer incidences.





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