The PLAC Test

For others curious . . LpPLA2 test listed at personalabs.com is $190.

http://www.personalabs.com/194-Test-Detail-LpPLA2-Lipoprotein-associated-Phospholipase-A2.aspx

I think one thing we have to ask ourselves before getting an expensive test is, "What will I do differently if my results are bad?"

If you're currently living on pizza and beer and you find you have a high risk of heart attack, then getting a warning that you're at high risk might be the kick in the butt you need to change your lifestyle.

But it's my understanding that Lp(a) is primarily genetic, and there's not too much we can do about it except try to make sure our other lab test results are good. If they're already good, like David's, and if we already get a lot of exercise, like David, then what more can we do?

In the future, I'm sure they'll be able to draw up a personal prescription on the basis of genetic predispositions and responses to different drugs. But now we're mostly in the dark.

For example, some people claim you should avoid saturated fat. Other people claim that saturated fat is healthy. I suspect the real answer depends on both your personal chemistry and how much fat you're eating.

For example, if you're not eating much fat, perhaps a little more sat fat would be beneficial. But thinking "saturated fat is good for me" and slurping down huge piles of lamb fat with every meal might do just the opposite.

I read one study that showed that the monounsaturated fat in olive oil is beneficial, but there was also a comment saying that the beneficial effect was lost if you ate too much of it. Most people won't notice that caveat. They'll think, "Olive oil is good for you" and they'll eat too much.

So, David, if your calcium scores are bad, or, more likely, slightly above normal for your age, what will you do differently?