Lipoprotein(a) Awareness Day

The Family Heart Foundation established Lipoprotein(a) Awareness Day to raise awareness worldwide of elevated Lipoprotein(a), also known as Lp(a).

This is something I am super passionate about, ask any of my patients. My mother had this genetic trait and following Covid in 2020 we found out my husband, Jason Ross has it also.

What is Lipoprotein(a)?

You’ll often see Lipoprotein(a) referred to as Lp(a), pronounced “L-P-little-A.”

It is an important genetic factor that increases the risk for both heart disease and stroke. Much like low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, Lp(a) carries cholesterol in the blood.

What does it mean to have high Lp(a)?

The first thing to know is that Lp(a) levels are genetically determined. You inherited your Lp(a) levels, and they are completely unrelated to diet and lifestyle choices.

You can find out your Lp(a) levels with a simple blood test.

If your Lp(a) level is greater than 18, you are positive for this genetic trait.

If you have high Lp(a), this is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. High levels of Lp(a) collect in your arteries, gradually narrowing them and limiting blood supply to the heart, brain, kidney, and legs.

The amount of Lp(a) in your body is determined by the genes you received at birth from your parents.

Lp(a) reaches its adult level by around age 5 and remains stable thereafter — except during acute illness and menopause, which can both cause Lp(a) to increase. Lp(a) levels are completely unrelated to your lifestyle.

Most of your General practitioners and Cardiologists do not pull this biomarker because usually insurance does not cover it and there isn’t any medications on the market, they are still doing trail runs.

Lp(a) is underrated

While most people know that low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-C, or "bad" cholesterol, can cause heart disease, relatively few people know about the potential risk posed by lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a). Yet it's estimated that up to 20% of people worldwide have high levels of Lp(a), which is associated with a person's risk of experiencing a heart attack or other serious cardiac event.1 Also referred to as "LP little a," this type of lipoprotein is comprised of an extra protein, called apolipoprotein(a) or apo(a), that is stickier than other types of LDL, so it may be more likely to cause blockages and blood clots in your arteries.5 As a result, high levels of Lp(a) may mean you are at a higher risk for heart disease, stroke, and other serious conditions related to blockages in your arteries.

The dangerous thing about Lp(a) is that it’s constantly producing soft plaque and soft plaque is unstable, which puts you at a dangerously high risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Jason and I flew out to San Diego to visit with the #1 Cardiologist/Lipidologist in the US, Dr. Tsimikas, MD, back in 2021 and I had already started Jason on a protocol to reduce his number. It all has to do with inflammation. So we began working on gut health, insulin resistance to reduce overall inflammation in his body. By the time we got to Dr. Tsimikas, 4 months after making our appt, I was able to reduce Jason’s Lp(a) from 270 to 110. Diet and lifestyle factors greatly regulate your risk factors for a heart attack or stroke.

Things you can do: 

• Know your numbers, get your bloodwork done. 
• Start an anti-inflammatory diet
• Cut out processed and fried foods
• Reduce alcohol intake
• Start a supplement protocol supporting your deficiencies

As always if you have any questions or if you are ready to get started call my office 251-949-2220

Email cindy@drcindyross.com or visit my website www.lifewellnessforever.com

Keep Your Brain Healthy As You Age

What’s the key to keeping your mind sharp and your brain healthy as you grow older? Online puzzles? Nutritional supplements? Mall walking? Pickle-ball tournaments?

The truth is, there’s no single “miracle cure” for memory problems or other brain changes that come with aging. But there is cause for optimism. Science points to a combination of social factors and healthy habits that—taken together—can help you build, preserve, and protect your brain’s function over time.

Preventing memory loss

Experts used to think brain development peaked in late adolescence and it was all downhill from there. They believed if a person lost brain cells due to problems like a head injury, stroke, or substance abuse, nothing could be done to restore memory and brain function. Now, thanks to discoveries in neuroscience, we know that the brain can grow new cells and form new neural connections. Like our muscles and other body parts, the brain can rebuild itself through repeated use and exercise.

This is great news for people who intend to live a long time. It means we can prevent memory loss by focusing on mental, physical, and social activities that promote healthy brain development. Even people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can benefit from a healthy lifestyle.

It may help to think about your brain as a reservoir, gathering rainfall for use over time. The process starts before birth as the brain begins to develop, collecting “reserves” to spend later on. The exchange continues throughout life, as your brain responds to your experiences and environment.

How to maintain brain health

Here are some tips for filling—and not draining—your reservoir of brain power:

1. Exercise regularly.

Daily physical exercise has been shown to prevent or postpone your risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. As little as 15 to 30 minutes a day can make a difference.

2. If you smoke, quit.

Tobacco use can harm all your organs, including your brain. But stopping now improves your chances for healthier brain function in the future, even if you’ve smoked for many years.

3. Take care of your heart.

A healthy brain requires a good cardiovascular system. If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or atrial fibrillation, follow your doctor’s advice.

3. Avoid a high-sugar diet.

High blood sugar can increase your risk for dementia, even without diabetes. So avoid highly sweetened foods like sodas and candy.

4. Keep your mind stimulated.

Games and puzzles are great. But also consider volunteer and social activities that keep you independent and engaged with friends and family. For example, learn new computer skills; participate on a board, in a book club, or dance group; or try gardening, crafts, or cooking.

5. Avoid certain drugs.

Talk to your doctor about your medication—both prescription and nonprescription. For brain health, you want to avoid dangerous interactions or being over-medicated.

6. Moderate or avoid alcohol.

Drinking has a stronger effect on our bodies as we age. Experts advise a limit of two drinks per day for women and three drinks per day for men.

7. Prevent falls.

Falls can cause a head injury, broken bones, or other harm that triggers gradual or sudden loss of function. To avoid falling, practice balance and strength exercises. Beware that drinking and drugs can affect balance. And be careful: watch for uneven walking surfaces and cords that can trip you. Wear shoes or slippers with good soles. Avoid going barefoot or walking in stocking feet. If you bike or ski, wear a helmet.

8. Minimize stress.

Hormones secreted when you’re under stress have a stronger effect on older brains, challenging your ability to recover from emotional upset. So take change slowly and learn ways to cope with anxiety or tension.

9. Sleep well.

Inadequate sleep is linked to slower thinking and risk of dementia. Seven to nine hours a night is best. But be wary of sleep medications that can make cognitive problems worse. Instead, talk to your doctor about “sleep hygiene”—that is, habits to help your body settle down at bedtime.

Sources-

Dr. Eric B. Larson is the executive director of Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, where he leads research on healthy aging, including the Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) study.

Fat to Fit Motivational Monday

I haven't actually blogged in the past couple of weeks, tons of things happening....

First of all the NEW Bodies By Cindy Health & Fitness Center is NOW Open!

It has been a crazy 16 weeks and I think everyone is settling in well and I see smiling faces :)

We are now a full functioning gym with 8,000 sq ft of space to better serve our clients!

I finally launched the Fat to Fit Online Fitness Platform

After two years of working on my online fitness platform, it is finally done! 
No matter where you are in the world, you can train with me online. I have all the tools you need for you to achieve your fitness goals!

My new cooking and fitness shows started on Fox10 on Tuesdays @ 9am on Studio 10.
Love this crew, they are amazing and so organized! 

In the Kitchen with Bodies By Cindy

Get Fit with Bodies By Cindy

I have been on a few National Radio Interviews

Starting tomorrow I will be a regular on America's Morning News every Tuesday @ 6:45am Central

I always like getting the positive out first, now for the bad... last Saturday night my father which is a Type 1 Diabetec was at the Casinos and he went into Cardiac Arrest and died for 4 minutes. After they revived him it led to life support and a coma. Being in Biloxi Regional for 36 hours, they told us dad would be a vegetable and have heart damage. I got my father transferred back to Mobile into Providence Hospital. Dad came off life support and woke up, had a heart cath on Tuesday and a triple bypass with a stint on Tuesday. A wonderful group of doctors working on him, big shout out to Citrin, Rhiner, and Gupta. Dad has been in CCU since Monday and yesterday morning his blood pressure crashed to 56/32 and we found out he has a blood clot in the lungs. After everything he has been through, his attitude is wonderful and he is happy he is alive. He will remain in CCU for another week and we all hope he continues to recover.

This is a picture of a will to live and having a purpose on this earth! I love this man! My dad is stable in CCU at providence and all doctors say he is a very lucky man!

He is definitely my Motivational Monday!

I hope everyone had a fabulous Monday! 

xoxo,
Cindy Lane Ross