The Homeovitality Lo-LDLr product has been developed to help lower the level of LDL in the blood by targeting the LDL receptor gene, LDLR.
What does LDLR do?
There are two basic types of cholesterol related molecules in the blood. High density lipoproteins (HDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL).
It is well recognised that the amount of LDL in the blood, compared to HDL, plays an important role in development of coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis and other heart problems as well as stroke, especially when it is in the oxidised form [1-4]. Oxidised LDL is a potent mediator of inflammation, particularly when it is deposited on the inner surface of blood vessels of the heart.
Lower levels of LDL in the blood protect against development of heart disease and stroke. Fortunately, the body has an in-built mechanism for removing LDL from the blood. This is done via the LDL receptor which is encoded by the LDLR gene.
The LDL receptor is located on the outer surface of many cell types. Its function is to pick up LDL circulating in the bloodstream and transport it into the cell. Once inside the cell, the LDL is then broken down.
The LDL receptor is particularly abundant on the surface of liver cells. The liver is also the organ responsible for removing excess cholesterol from the body. The number of LDL receptors on the surface of liver cells determines how quickly LDL is removed from the blood. The greater the number of receptors on the surface of liver cells, the more efficient is the removal of LDL from the blood. Therefore the LDLR gene targeting product has been developed to help increase the number of LDL receptors on the surface of liver cells, and other cells, so that LDL is kept at the lowest level possible in the blood, minimising the likelihood of development of heart disease and stroke.
References
- Kannel WB. New perspectives on cardiovascular risk factors. Am Heart J.1987;114:213.
- Law MR et al., By how much and how quickly does reduction in serum cholesterol concentration lower risk of ischaemic heart disease? BMJ.1994;308:367.
- Mitra S. Et al., Oxidized LDL, LOX-1 and atherosclerosis. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2011;25:419.