APO E Gene Diet Program™: A Heart Healthy Anti-inflammatory Diet & Lifestyle

What is the APO E Gene?

We all have the APO E Gene; we inherit one from each parent that creates our own unique APO E genotype. There are six variations of this paired genotype. One of its main jobs is to transport blood fat and cholesterol in our body. It actually directs the body how to metabolize fat, carbohydrates and protein.

How can finding out your specific pair of the APO E gene help you or someone you love?

If a person is eating an inflammatory diet with excess animal protein, and consuming refined and processed foods, this is a recipe for cellular inflammation, a process that leads to chronic illness. When under stress and eating unhealthy, certain APO E genotypes predispose us to developing heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease or chronic pain conditions, while others predispose us to insulin resistance and diabetes. Still other APO E genotypes may predispose us to certain neurological conditions or extremely high triglycerides. You can be proactive and prevent your biology from catching up with you by eating the optimal percentage of good carbohydrates, fats and protein for your specific genetic make-up that is heart healthy!

What can the APOE Gene Diet™ program do for you?

This program provides specific dietary education to improve and even reverse some risk factors related to heart disease and other chronic illnesses when dietary and lifestyle changes are made. You can have as much support as you need to achieve your goals. It is truly a holistic lifestyle and nutrition program that promotes health and may be the missing link for your health concern. The APOE Gene Diet™ is part of a larger HeartHealth Watchers™ program.

• Weight loss is a common benefit when we eat the right fuel at the right time. You can even track your body composition with a sophisticated body composition scale.
• Significant reduction or elimination of aggravating pain and/or anxiety symptoms is common.
• Most people feel more energy eating this way.
• Recommendations with menu plans for optimal balance of good carbohydrates, fats and protein for your specific APO E genotype. This may include botanical and supplement recommendations.
• Educational handouts
• Recommendations for the right balance of aerobic and anaerobic exercise for your APO E genotype
• A professional to guide you through the process and help you create positive lifestyle choices to reduce stress.

How do I go about getting tested?

Currently a professional from a mobile phlebotomy service comes to InnerWorks to draw blood for this APO E genetic test and a comprehensive advanced cardiovascular lipid profile can also be drawn. Typically at least 48-72 hours notice is needed to allow for the prep for the blood draw, if the advanced lipid panel, is being drawn. The steps necessary prior to having your blood drawn include:

• Meet with Barbara Denison APRN, AHN-BC for a Holistic Health Consultation so she can get to know you, determine significant cardiovascular health history and complete a “mini” assessment that includes listening to your heart and lungs. Your height, weight with body composition, blood pressure and heart rate will be taken. Be sure to be well hydrated for the body composition. An APO E Cardiovascular Health History form is available if the Holistic Nurse Consultation Assessment form does not fit your needs. Bring current labs if possible.
• Consider attending one of Barbara’s free APO E talks, watch this website for the monthly listing, or get and read The Perfect Gene Diet book (2010) by Pamela McDonald (available in Barbara’s office).
• Sign the informed consent for the APO E genetic testing.
• Sign the waiver for Berkeley Heartlab to contact your PPO insurance company if you plan to have the advanced cardiovascular lipid profile (ACVLP) done.
• Provide a copy of your PPO insurance if you want the ACVLP testing, this allows an estimate of out-of-pocket expenses to be determined in advance (typically $89 or less).
• Results are available within two weeks, a minimum of two additional appointments with Barbara are needed to get the instruction to begin successful implementation. This includes an appointment for your lab results and general plan with APOE Gene Diet™ program handouts/packet and another to show how to build your own menu plan.
• Regular appointments to monitor body composition, provide support and guidance and problem solve how to implement your changes are recommended.

What is the Advanced Cardiovascular Lipid Profile (ACVLP)?

This is a customized group of tests specifically designed to predict those at risk for developing cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke). It is a more accurate way to determine individual risk factors for heart disease than the standard lipid profile that only measures total cholesterol, triglycerides and the total good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol. It includes these values in addition to measuring the number, size and density of the 7 subcategories of LDL and 5 subcategories of HDL, giving a more complete picture of your state of health. The ACVLP measures seven other independent inflammatory markers for a comprehensive cardiovascular disease risk assessment. The research laboratory uses standardized, gold standard methods for these tests.

What are benefits of including ACVLP with APO E genetic test?

A more comprehensive assessment is achieved that allows for an individualized plan to reduce cardiovascular (CV) disease risk. Research has shown improved outcomes using such CV disease risk reduction programs. Some APO E genotypes respond very quickly to dietary changes. It is possible to convert an unhealthy pattern B LDL (small, dense bad cholesterol) to a healthier pattern A LDL (light, fluffy bad cholesterol) and dramatically decrease total and bad LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels through diet, thereby reducing CV disease risk. Additional screening may be requested, if indicated by the ACVLP results or high risk diagnosis, such as carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT) portable sonogram that is available monthly in the office. This painless non-invasive 15 minute scan provides baseline information whether an individual has preclinical cardiovascular disease based on early plaque formation in the carotid arteries or whether this plaque is advanced. This measurement is a specific way to identify risk for heart attacks. It also measures the thickness of the inside lining of this artery to determine vascular age compared to biological age in order to determine if a person is at risk for stroke. This screening study can also help guide treatment and it is possible to stabilize or reverse the cardiovascular disease. It is possible for insurance to reimburse for this procedure with the appropriate diagnostic code and a superbill may be provided upon request for you to submit to your insurance company. However payment is required at the time of service, inquire about the cash pay cost.

For more information call InnerWorks at (316) 946-0990 or Contact Us online.