Why you should care about your ApoB levels
Why you should care about your ApoB levels
The ability to predict your future risk of disease and age-related decline simply by measuring the compounds in your blood is a dream of clinicians, researchers and longevity enthusiasts alike. Good progress has been made towards this aim in recent decades. For example, hsCRP levels can accurately determine your levels of inflammation and your risk of chronic disease, and measuring circulating HbA1c provides insight into how well your glucose metabolism is functioning and how likely you are to develop type 2 diabetes.
Now, research suggests that a compound called apolipoprotein B (ApoB) may be the most powerful biomarker available to us for assessing the risk of heart disease, stroke and numerous other age-related diseases.
What is ApoB?
ApoB is a lipoprotein (a compound composed of protein and fat) found in the blood, like cholesterol. In fact, ApoB is found in various types of cholesterol, including LDL, IDL, VLDL and Lp(a). When lipoproteins containing ApoB build up over a long period of time they cause arteries to harden. This actually occurs naturally as we age but elevated levels of ApoB greatly accelerate the process and eventually cause a disease called atherosclerosis, in which plaques form in the side of the blood vessels and restrict blood flow [1]. So by keeping your ApoB levels low, you can slow the age-related hardening of arteries and minimise your risk of developing atherosclerosis.
What do high levels of ApoB mean?
High levels of ApoB are strongly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality [2], so knowing the amount of ApoB in your blood is a great way to assess your future health and longevity. Cholesterol levels - particularly total cholesterol, HDL or LDL - have long been used as the primary measures of cardiovascular health but recent evidence suggests that ApoB may be a more accurate marker, particularly for younger, healthier people [3, 4].
This association is largely due to ApoB-containing lipoproteins causing atherosclerosis and, subsequently, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). ASCVD occurs when blood flow is restricted to the point that it causes heart attacks, strokes and other severe diseases that significantly worsen aging, such as dementia, chronic kidney disease and sexual dysfunction [5]. ASCVD is estimated to be the most common cause of death in the developed world, in part because the harmful plaques that build up are difficult to detect until they are large enough to cause disease. Keeping track of your ApoB levels can therefore help you to determine if you are at risk of ASCVD well in advance of any problems developing.
How to lower ApoB levels
ApoB levels are most commonly lowered through statins or other medications, but lifestyle modifications can also have a similar effect. Integrating more fibre and less fat into your diet has been shown to decrease ApoB levels, as has aerobic exercise and taking omega-3 supplements [6, 7]. Regular sauna use also helps arteries maintain their elasticity and can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke [8, 9], however its effect on ApoB levels has yet to be studied in depth.
How to measure ApoB levels
The Zest longevity panel enables you to find out your levels of ApoB, as well as a range of the most important longevity-related blood biomarkers. For each biomarker we will tell you whether your levels are unhealthily high/low, borderline or optimal, and give advice on what steps you can take to ensure that your results are optimal across the board.
