Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), has long been considered a “genetically determined” cardiovascular risk factor that remains stable throughout a person’s life. However, a striking new $n=1$ study published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health suggests we might have more control than we thought.

The Experiment:

A 55-year-old physician with a history of very high Lp(a) (peaking at 108 mg/dL) switched to a very-low-carb ketogenic diet (VLCKD).

The Results:

On Keto: His Lp(a) levels dropped significantly to 65–70 mg/dL.

The Reversal:

When he switched back to a high-carb diet for 2 weeks, his Lp(a) spiked back up to 101 mg/dL.

The Return:

After returning to the ketogenic diet for 3 weeks, his levels dropped again to 74 mg/dL.

Why it matters:

High Lp(a) affects roughly 20-30% of the population and is a major risk factor for heart disease. While this is a single-case study, it opens the door to further research on how dietary carbohydrate intake might influence this “unchangeable” genetic marker.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7841845

#HeartHealth #KetoDiet #Lpa #Cardiology #MedicalResearch #NutritionScience