Apolipoprotein A, also known as ApoA1, is a protein inside the "good" cholesterol HDL that transports fats from different parts of the body to the liver to be broken down. By helping to "capture" excess and stored forms of fat in various tissues, ApoA1 helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
High levels of ApoA1 indicate better cardiovascular health and a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Measuring ApoA1 along with levels of other blood lipid markers can give you information about your cardiovascular health and estimated risk of developing cardiovascular disease. By measuring ApoA1, you can both get help in identifying potential needs for behavioral change and follow the effect of implemented changes over time.
Elevated levels of Apo A1 indicate that you have high levels of the transporter protein that transports cholesterol back to the liver from different parts of the body to be broken down.
This usually in turn means a lower risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
High levels of Apo A1 can be a result of various factors such as genetics, regular physical activity, healthy diet and weight loss.
Reduced levels of Apo A1 mean you have low amounts of transport proteins that transport cholesterol back from tissues to the liver for breakdown. This leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
When excess cholesterol is not transported back to the liver at the same rate as it is transported out of the liver, the risk of cholesterol accumulating in blood vessels and forming plaques increases.
Low levels of Apo A1 can be seen in association with unhealthy lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, lack of physical activity and energy-rich diets high in saturated fats and trans fats, but also in certain medical conditions such as liver disease and when being treated with beta-blockers, thiazide diuretics and anabolic steroids steroids.