Is LDL the cause of cardiovascular disease?
The "this not that" arguments surrounding the cause or causes of cardiovascular disease continue all over social media. A diagram like this gives a perfect example of why I think such arguments are a waste of time.
This disease kills more than any other.
Clearly, it's complicated, especially bc you could add about 1000 more things to that list on the top.
Would it help to limit as many of those things as possible?
Of course.
Does LDL lowering one way or another help?
OF COURSE.
What can worsen multiple contributing factors? Again, about a 1000 things.
What helps control inflammation? You guessed it- about 1000 things.
My efforts in my work with clients from here and there and everywhere is to try and help them best identify what factors are contributing most in THEIR BODIES, and how best to control/modify those specific things, along with the biggest general contributors, ideally utilizing an approach that is simultaneously effective and respectful of their personal preferences and health sovereignty.
A lot of my work also involves something you might say is even more important- WATCHING FOR CHANGE. In other words, whatever we determine, to the best of our abilities, is "causal" for them, and however much we try and do about it, we then need to look and see if its working.
Otherwise, what's the point?
Debating about how much of an effect LDL has, or what type of LDL has the biggest effect, or whether or not LDL matters when blood sugar and inflammation, etc are doing well might be fun around a dinner table. However, when someone just had their 2nd heart attack and doesn't want a 3rd any time soon, no matter what they need to do, or another person really, really wants to avoid taking a medication, or another medication, again, I consider this type of debate a waste of time.
At the very least, I would never, ever just suggest working on one thing but not many others anyways, unless my goal was to be less helpful than I could be.
Seems straightforward when you think about it that way doesn't it?
If you know anyone who wants to sift through the arguments and just put a safe, logical, thorough plan into action to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and/or dementia, please send them my way. I'm here to help, not to argue.
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(source for graphic: https://academic.oup.com/.../article/41/24/2313/5735221... )