General measures
- Adjustment of existing underlying diseases to optimal levels
- Aim for normal weight! Determination of BMI (Body Mass Index, body mass index) or body composition by means of electrical impedance analysis and, if necessary, participation in a medically supervised weight loss program.
- Nicotine restriction (refrain from tobacco use).
- Limited alcohol consumption (men: max. 25 g alcohol per day; women: max. 12 g alcohol per day).
- Review of permanent medication due topossible effect on the existing disease.
Conventional non-surgical therapy methods
- Lipid apheresis (extracorporeal LDL cholesterol apheresis; LDL apheresis; heparin-induced extracorporeal LDL precipitation (HELP); lipoprotein apheresis) for:
- Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (hoFH).
- In hypercholesterolemia, when the target LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) level cannot be adequately lowered with diet and maximal pharmacotherapy documented for 12 months
- With isolated Lp(a) elevation > 60 mg/dl (ie, with normal LDL-C) but progressive cardiovascular disease (documented clinically and by imaging)
Implementation of therapy is usually weekly; in about two to four hours, there is a 60-75% reduction in Lp(a).
Nutritional medicine
- Nutritional counseling based on nutritional analysis
- Observance of the following specific nutritional recommendations:
- Reduce intake of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol.
- Fresh sea fish once or twice a week, i.e. fatty marine fish (omega-3 fatty acids) such as salmon, herring, mackerel.
- Plant stanol and plant sterol esters – mainly available in spreadable fats – lower LDL cholesterol levels by circa 10-15%.
- Strongly limit consumption of foods with monosaccharides (single sugars) and disaccharides (double sugars).
- Daily total of 5 servings of fresh vegetables and fruits (≥ 400 g; 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruits).
- High-fiber diet (whole grains), preferably soluble fiber, contained in oat products, legumes, pectin-rich fruits such as apples, pears and berries.
- Selection of appropriate foods based on the nutritional analysis
- See also under “Therapy with micronutrients (vital substances)” – if necessary, taking a suitable dietary supplement.
- Detailed information on nutritional medicine you will receive from us.
Sports Medicine
- Endurance training (cardio training) and strength training (muscle training) → physical activity can sustainably reduce elevated fat levels in hyperlipoproteinemia
- Preparation of a fitness or training plan with suitable sports disciplines based on a medical check (health check or athlete check).
- Detailed information on sports medicine you will receive from us.
