Modern Functional Medicine Center is headed up by Dr. Bronwen Martin and Dr. Andy Martin, a pair of doctors who can provide multiple types of high-quality care. For example, they deeply understand high cholesterol treatment in Houston, TX, and feel comfortable providing the help that you need. It’s important to understand this process to ensure that you’re healthy.
Diagnosis: Not All Cholesterol is Made Equal
Our team will do an in-depth cholesterol test to make sure that your levels are healthy and normal. Remember: not all types of cholesterol are bad. You want some types of healthy cholesterol to ensure that you’re safe! During our tests, we’ll examine a variety of different factors to ensure that you walk away safe and healthy. These include:
- Total cholesterol levels, which you want to be below 200 mg/dL to stay healthy
- LDL or bad cholesterol, should be below 70 mg/dL for the safest results
- HDL or good cholesterol, which you want at least 40–60 mg/dL to stay healthy
Understanding a patient’s cholesterol levels and overall lipid burden is an important component of health interventions for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, metabolic disorders, and CVD. We order advanced lipid testing to further assess a patient’s lipid burden, to better define their atherosclerosis risk, and to monitor any cholesterol-lowering treatments. This testing measures laboratory analytes such as lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB), as well as the number of LDL particles (LDL-P), LDL and HDL particle size, and pertinent inflammatory biomarkers like high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).
Among some patients, elevated levels of Lp(a) have been found to be associated with increased risk for atherosclerotic CVD, and plasma ApoB has been associated with risk of major adverse cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and CVD mortality. Reports indicate that small and dense LDL-P is a significant predictor of cardiovascular risk and may be more accurate in this prediction than the standard LDL cholesterol measurements. Of note, the level of plasma ApoB is determined by levels of LDL-P; therefore, ApoB may also offer a more precise measurement of heart health compared to LDL cholesterol levels for some patients.
Cholesterol is far more advanced than most people realize. That’s why Dr. Bronwen and Dr. Andy at Modern Functional Medicine Center focus so heavily on educating the population. By understanding the nature of high cholesterol treatment in Houston, TX, you can reduce your risks and walk away with a healthier body. Thankfully, our team can treat this problem ASAP.
Treatment: Diverse and Effective
Our team understands the multiple types of cholesterol treatment tools on the market. Based on your numbers, we’ll pick a therapy that suits your needs, one that will lower your LDL cholesterol while increasing your healthy types. In this way, you can have a stronger and healthier heart and can avoid serious cardiac risks. Our plans are designed for the following individuals:
- Those at risk for heart disease, also called cardiovascular disease (CVD)
- Those at risk for metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, or both
- Those with CVD (e.g., high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and elevated
blood fats)
- Those with metabolic syndrome (e.g., elevated blood sugar, increased
waist size) - Those with type 2 diabetes
While they may seem to be different types of conditions, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases share similar causes, including inflammation, insulin resistance, and stress. Our treatment plans are “cardiometabolic” because it addresses both disease states. It allows people to use food to treat the common underlying causes of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Lifestyle-based treatments such as dietary and exercise prescriptions are foundational in the functional medicine approach to optimal cardiometabolic health. In addition, more precise labs such as advanced lipid testing may also be appropriate for some patients to fully inform a personalized heart health intervention toward the prevention or reversal of dyslipidemias and atherosclerosis. At Modern Functional Medicine your unique biomarkers are evaluated to personalize a treatment approach.
Modifiable lifestyle factors such as stress management, nutritious diet, and physical activity all have well-documented associations with heart health. Recent research emphasizes the benefit of lifestyle-based approaches specific to cholesterol-related CVD risks such as significant reduction in LDL-P and decreased levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, ApoB, and Lp(a).
Modern Functional Medicine’s approach to Cardiometabolic dysfunction
-Address inflammation and oxidative stress
-Address metabolic dysfunction
-Address LDL burden an HDL function
-Address toxic burden
We’re Here to Help You
At Modern Functional Medicine Center, Dr. Bronwen and Dr. Andy have years of experience providing high cholesterol treatment in Houston, TX, and feel comfortable working with people from all walks of life. We love what we do and will provide the hands-on support that makes the most sense for you. Call us at (281) 849-4611 to learn more about the powerful ways we can help.