Why we measure ApoB

What is ApoB?

With 25% of deaths being attributed to cardiovascular health in the US, and 80% of heart health issues being preventable, it's critical to take a closer look at this artery-clogging, plaque-building protein.

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ApoB (apolipoprotein B) comes in two forms, one produced in the intestines, the other in the liver. Both have a negative impact on our arteries. ApoB is found in our LDL (low-density lipoprotein), which accounts for most of the "bad kind" of cholesterol. (You'll also find it in other non-HDL lipoproteins, VLDL and IDL).

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Why measure it?

With that in mind, research has shown that ApoB can actually be a better predictor of cardiovascular health than LDL cholesterol (which makes sense, because you're going straight to the source).

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Though not yet widely standardized, at The Lanby, we include an ApoB test in a large portion of our lab panels. We optimally like to see an ApoB level of <90 mg/dL.

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How can you lower it?

You guessed it: better diet, better lifestyle habits. Dietary action items to improve heart health include: 

• Eat fewer trans and saturated fats
• Swap animal proteins for vegetable proteins (i.e., organic soy)
• Increase intake of fiber-rich foods
• Reduce intake of refined sugars (particularly fructose) and grains