For years, the medical community has debated whether daily low-dose aspirin is a “life-saver” or a “risk factor” for primary prevention of heart disease. While it can prevent heart attacks, it also carries a significant risk of serious internal bleeding.

At DeSimone Functional Medicine, we don’t believe in “one-size-fits-all” medicine. A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology suggests that the answer to the aspirin question may be found in your DNA—specifically the LP(a) gene.

The Precision Medicine Advantage:

• The Genetic Marker: A specific variant (rs3798220) in the LP(a) gene can increase your baseline risk of heart disease by more than two-fold.
• The Discovery: For those who carry this variant, daily low-dose aspirin is highly effective, reducing their elevated risk back to the level of a person without the variant.
• The “NNT” Difference: In patients with this gene, the “Number Needed to Treat” (NNT) to prevent one major event is as low as 34—making it as effective as many high-powered cholesterol-lowering medications.
• The Decision: For those without the gene, the benefits are much smaller, and the risk of bleeding may outweigh the potential reward.

One Test, One Lifetime. This simple genetic test costs roughly $25–$50 and needs to be performed only once in your life to provide lifelong clarity. It is an essential tool for identifying root-cause risks and moving beyond reactive care.

Are you taking aspirin? Let’s make sure it’s actually working for you.

#FunctionalMedicine #PrecisionMedicine #HeartHealth #Lp(a) #Genetics #DeSimoneFunctionalMedicine #AspirinConundrum

A groundbreaking 2025 Scientific Statement from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) has just changed the way we think about heart health. For decades, we’ve focused on “bad” cholesterol (LDL), but we now know that’s only half the story.

The new culprit taking center stage? Chronic, low-grade inflammation.

The Big Discovery

Research now shows that even if your cholesterol is perfectly normal, you could still be at high risk for a heart attack or stroke if your inflammation levels are high.

In fact, for people already taking statins, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)—the primary marker for inflammation—is often a stronger predictor of future heart events than cholesterol levels.

The study recommends universal screening of hsCRP alongside your regular cholesterol panel.

Lower Risk: hsCRP < 1 mg/L.

Average Risk: hsCRP 1 to 3 mg/L.

Higher Risk: hsCRP > 3 mg/L.

3 Ways to Fight Back:

The good news? Inflammation is “actionable.” You can lower your risk through these proven steps:

1. Anti-Inflammatory Diet: Switch to the Mediterranean or DASH diet. Focus on fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, and fatty fish (such as salmon), which are high in Omega-3s.

2. Move Your Body: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. This helps clear inflammatory markers from your system.

3. Medical Breakthroughs: For those with stable heart disease, the FDA has approved low-dose colchicine (an inexpensive anti-inflammatory) to help prevent recurrent events.

The Bottom line:

The time for taking action has now arrived”. Don’t just ask your doctor about your cholesterol—ask about your hsCRP levels too.

https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2025.08.047

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09637214251380214

Interesting paper:

Is your stress actually “draining your batteries” at a cellular level?

We all know from high school biology: “Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell.” But a fascinating new study in Current Directions in Psychological Science shows they are so much more than just tiny engines—they might be the missing link between our mental health and our physical bodies.

When we experience chronic stress, trauma, or even loneliness, our mitochondria can become less efficient. This “cellular exhaustion” is likely why mental burnout feels so physically draining.

The brain is an energy hog. It uses a massive amount of the body’s energy. When our mitochondria aren’t firing on all cylinders, it can lead to brain fog, fatigue, and even higher risks for anxiety and depression.

The good news is that you can recharge/repair your brain’s mitochondria: endurance exercise, mindfulness, and strong social support don’t just make us feel better, they help repair and optimize our cellular machinery.

• Brain aging is a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s, with an aged brain carrying a risk similar to the APOE4 gene, while a youthful brain offers protection like APOE2.
• Multiple aged organs (5-7 or 8+) significantly increase mortality risk (HR 4.5 and 8.3, respectively).
• Youthful brains and immune systems are key to longevity, reducing mortality risk by up to 56% when both are healthy.
• Lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol, and diet impact organ aging, suggesting modifiable ways to boost healthspan.

This opens doors to monitoring organ health and targeting interventions for a longer, healthier life! Read more: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-03798-1

Only 12% of Americans meet this criteria:

-waist circumference less than 40/35in men/women

-fasting blood glucose <100mg/dL

-HgbA1c <100

-BP < 120/80mmHg

-triglycerides <150mg/dL

– HDL-C > 40/50mg/dL men/women

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/epub/10.1089/met.2018.0105

Did you know your mouth bacteria could be key to better heart health as you age?

A fascinating study in Free Radical Biology and Medicine (2025) examined the impact of dietary nitrate from beetroot juice on the oral microbiome, nitric oxide levels, and blood pressure in young adults (18-30 years old) compared to older adults (67-79 years old).

In this double-blind trial with 75 participants, folks drank nitrate-rich beetroot juice, a placebo, or used antiseptic mouthwash for 2 weeks each. Key findings:

Older adults experienced a greater drop in blood pressure (up to 4 mmHg) from the nitrate juice, attributed to higher nitric oxide bioavailability.

It worked by suppressing “bad” bacteria like Prevotella (tied to inflammation and diseases like hypertension).

Young people had microbiome changes too, but less impact on BP—though mouthwash slightly reduced their vascular function.

Bottom line: Nitrate-rich foods (such as beets and spinach) may supercharge heart health in later years by modifying your mouth’s ecosystem. Who knew your tongue held such power?

I do take a powdered organic beetroot every day.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0891584925008068

A recent large-scale analysis of U.S. adults from NHANES III data (1988–1994) has shown that usual intake of both animal and plant proteins is not associated with higher risk of death from all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), or cancer.
🔍 Key points from the study:
• No significant increase in all-cause or CVD mortality with higher consumption of animal or plant proteins.
• A slight protective effect of animal protein was observed against cancer-related mortality.
• Circulating levels of IGF-1 (a hormone thought linked to cancer risk) showed no association with mortality.
• The findings remain consistent across different age groups, including adults 50-65 years old, contradicting some previous reports warning against high protein intake.
This suggests that moderate to high protein intake from either animal or plant sources, within typical diet ranges, is generally safe and may even offer some benefits — especially regarding cancer mortality and animal protein.
Bottom line: Don’t stress about protein source when it comes to long-term mortality risk. A balanced diet that includes adequate protein can support health without added risk.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2023-0594

Scientists are learning that women are almost twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as men—and it’s not just because women live longer! Key differences come down to biology: women’s two X chromosomes affect brain and immune function, and menopause brings significant hormonal changes as estrogen drops. Recent research shows that late-life hormone therapy may even increase Alzheimer’s risk. Understanding these differences can help pave the way for treatments and prevention strategies that work for both women and men.

Alzheimers #BrainHealth #Women #Hormones #MedicalResearch

A recent study from NIH scientists found that middle-aged adults who eat lower-quality, pro-inflammatory diets may actually age faster—at the DNA level! The research followed African American and White adults in Baltimore for 5 years and used DNA methylation tests (the DunedinPACE clock) to measure their biological aging. Results? Those with healthier diets aged more slowly, while a poor diet accelerated aging—regardless of race, sex, or income. The message is clear: Eating a more nutritious, less inflammatory diet can help slow the pace of aging and support a longer, healthier life!

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11357-025-01835-y.pdf

HealthyAging #Nutrition #DNA #Longevity #ScienceNews

https://news.byu.edu/intellect/rethinking-sugar-byu-study-shows-food-source-is-key-to-understanding-diabetes-risk

Drinking a sugar-sweetened drink (like sodas and energy drinks) is much more problematic than eating something with sugar in it.

Here is what the study says:

• Every 12 oz sugar‑sweetened drink (like sodas or energy drinks) you drink daily = 25% higher risk for type 2 diabetes .

• Each 8 oz serving of fruit juice = 5% increased risk .

• BUT sugar from whole fruits, dairy, or grains? Surprisingly, it’s either not bad or even slightly protective.

Essentially, when you drink a sugar‑sweetened drink (Fructose), the liver takes up the fructose directly from the duodenum. Fructose is primarily metabolized in the liver, and a lot of times, it cannot handle the fructose load. The liver converts the extra fructose to uric acid.

The health impacts of high uric acid are: Gout, Hypertension, Insulin Resistance, Fatty Liver Disease, and Chronic Kidney Disease.