Leqvio

(Germaine M Schweibinz) #1

Since my stroke, the cardiologist wants me to go on Leqvio. I can’t tolerate any statins or pcsk9 inhibitors. Does anyone know if this is any different?

(Jenna Ericson) #2

Obviously I’m not qualified to give medical advance, but your question made me interested in finding out more. It looks like technically, Leqvio is a PCSK9 inhibitor, but it has a different mechanism of action than other PCSK9 inhibitors and may have inherent advantages as compared to others. Leqvio is a siRNA drug as apposed to other PCSK9 inhibitors, which seem to be monoclonal antibodies. I got this from google: “siRNA drugs silence gene expression by targeting mRNA, while monoclonal antibodies bind to specific proteins, often on cell surfaces, to trigger various effects like blocking cell growth or triggering an immune response.” I think siRNA is more efficient.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend statins when on a ketogenic diet because they decrease production of cholesterol, which is necessary for fatty acid transport (obviously important when you are eating mostly fat). However, PCSK9 inhibitors have a different function, which could be beneficial to someone on a keto diet. PCSK9 is a protein that degrades LDL receptors on the liver. When you block PCSK9 with an inhibitor there is less receptor degradation, meaning more receptors. These receptors take up cholesterol from the blood for recycling by the liver, meaning they LDL levels. Even though high LDL is generally seen as safe as long as you’re on a keto diet, there is still reason, at times to want to lower it, so I can see that Leqvio seems like one of the better options for doing that!

#3

PCSK9 Inhibitors manipulate PCSK9 to make less LDL. Leqvio stops your body from producing PCSK9 enzyme in the first place, not completely though. Wouldn’t compare Leqvio to either a Statin or a standard PCSK9 Inhibitor.

That said, have you had a CAC done or did they identify plaque? What’s your LDL look like, and did they do an NMR or guess with an outdated panel?

If you’re 100% against them, look into Citrus Bergamont, actually noticeably helps, It’s a favorite among meathead that take oral steroids that demolish cholesterol.

Or you can import Red Yeast Rice, can’t buy it in the US, not the real thing at least.

(Germaine M Schweibinz) #4

I lowered my CAC score from 320 to 92, my LDL is currently 271. What brand of Citrus Bergamont do you use?

#5

Most of the time Nutricost. Some stuff I’ll go with high end brands, really not needed for that though.