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By
Jim Ehmke, NC
Lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), consists of an LDL particle covalently
attached to apolipoprotein (a). In numerous studies elevated plasma
levels of Lp(a) are positively associated with increased risk of
atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and stroke. There are some
experts who believe Lp(a) may be the single most important lipid
in assessing one’s true risk of developing these conditions.
Dr. Mercola has written about Lp(a) on his site and has emphasized
the importance of this test. Some researchers have established a
genetic link to Lp(a) levels. It is synthesized in the liver.
I have been testing Lp(a) levels in clients for at least the past
six years. During this time I have observed repeatedly that statin
drugs, especially Lipitor, raise Lp(a) above the medical reference
range.
My first anecdotal experience in this regard occurred when I was
testing my mother's lipids. At the time she was not taking statins
and had recently been diagnosed with atherosclerosis. Her initial
Lp(a) was 26 with a reference range of 0 to 30. Although technically
within range, I knew via Dr. Mercola and others that anything over
10 should be scrutinized. Against my wishes my mother, being of
the old school, went along with her doctor and decided to take Lipitor.
Six months later I retested her Lp(a) and it was 76! Needless to
say I was shocked and perplexed. After expressing my reservations
to her physician I was not surprised to learn that the doctor knew
nothing about Lp(a).
After this experience I began to check Lp(a) on as many clients
as possible. I was especially interested to test Lp(a) levels before
and after statin use. To my amazement after three months on Lipitor
a very high percentage of clients who had normal levels of Lp(a)
before taking Lipitor had elevations above the reference range.
I kept scratching my head thinking, "Could it be that Lipitor
actually worsens heart and artery disease? That the very thing touted
to reduce such risks could actually increase them? Is information
on this huge moneymaker being withheld?"
Obviously, this is not proof of anything, just an interesting observation.
Dr. Mercola has offered to post this information to see if other
clinicians are interested to study this with their patients. Perhaps
some have already observed something similar--or not. If this is
a valid anecdote, as my experience suggests, the grass roots efforts
of practitioners in the field could conceivably lead to the funding
of a larger study to prove or disprove the possibility that Lipitor
raises Lp(a). If the tens of millions of Americans who take Lipitor
every day are actually harming themselves it would be a worthy public
service to reveal this fact.
If you are interested to report your findings please distinguish
the type of statin drug that is being used. Most of those that I've
tested were taking Lipitor. I think there may be the possibility
that Zocor and Mevacor are less likely to raise Lp(a).
Lastly, in discussing this with various lipid specialists, including
the head of a lipid department at a major university, I learned
that a pharmaceutical version of niacin, Niaspan, is very effective
at reducing Lp(a). So in those cases where it is necessary to lower
Lp(a) there is the option of using Niaspan. This is what my mother
ended up doing. Plus, because Niaspan cannot be patented it costs
a fraction of what statin drugs cost. No wonder it's not marketed
aggressively.
Jim
Ehmke, NC had been practicing clinical nutrition since 1976.
His interest in nutrition began in 1972 when he worked for the
nutritional pioneer, VE Irons. This 10 year relationship led to
studies with associates of VE Irons including the herbalist John
Christopher and the iridologist, Bernard Jensen, DC.
In 1976 Jim and his wife, Karen Walker Ehmke, MS, RD, opened Complete
Health Services in the Milwaukee suburbs. Shortly thereafter the
Ehmke's studied with Dr. Wm. Donald Kelley and received certification
to Dr. Kelley's Nutritional Academy. This led to additional training
with Dr. Jeffrey Bland, Dr. Kenneth Brockman, Dr. Versendaal and
numerous other practitioners of the healing arts, including certification
with NINE/American Health Science University.
With
the employment of MD's and DO's Complete Health Services expanded
upon its base of natural therapies and grew into an integrated
clinic offering a range of IV, injectable and chelation services.
For the past 3 years the Ehmke's have lived in Hawaii and Jim
now practices exclusively by phone, fax and email. Their clinic
remains in the hands of two outstanding associates, Jason Siczkowycz,
ND and Marc Siczkowycz, ND.
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