Apolipoprotein B (ApoB): ApoB is the single most important marker for predicting heart disease risk. Aim to keep this number under 80 mg/dL.
LDL Particle Number (LDL-P): LDL-P shows how many LDL particles are circulating in your blood. More particles can mean more risk, so it’s best to stay below 1,000 nmol/L.
Lipoprotein(a): Lipoprotein is a genetic marker that can triple your risk for heart disease. Ideally, this number should be below 30 mg/dL.
Oxidized LDL: Oxidized LDL reflects how damaged your cholesterol is by inflammation. The goal is to keep this under 100–110 to reduce arterial damage.
High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP): Hs-CRP is a key inflammation marker. It should be below 1.0 mg/L, but ideally closer to 0.5.
Homocysteine: Homocysteine is a marker of inflammation in your blood vessels and poor methylation. Try to keep it in the range of 6.5 to 8.5 µmol/L.
Fasting Insulin: Fasting Insulin measures how well your body manages blood sugar. Optimal levels are between 2 and 6 µIU/mL.
Triglycerides: Triglycerides are fats in your blood, and high levels can increase heart risk. A healthy range is between 50 and 75 mg/dL.
HDL Cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol): HDL helps protect your heart. Aim to keep it above 59 mg/dL.
Cholesterol to HDL Ratio: This ratio is calculated by dividing total cholesterol by HDL. A ratio of 3:1 or lower is ideal.
Triglyceride to HDL Ratio: This ratio shows your metabolic health. It should be below 2:1, but a 1:1 ratio is even better.
VLDL (Very Low-Density Lipoprotein): VLDL is a harmful form of cholesterol. Lower levels are better because it contributes to plaque buildup.
Small Dense LDL Particles: Small LDL particles can easily penetrate artery walls and cause inflammation. Fewer and larger LDL particles are less risky.
HDL Particle Number (HDL-P): HDL-P tells you how many HDL particles you have, not just how much HDL cholesterol. Higher particle numbers offer more heart protection.
VLDL Particle Number (VLDL-P): VLDL-P measures how many dangerous VLDL particles are in your blood. Keeping this number low helps reduce inflammation and triglyceride-related risk.
