Therapy
Weight loss, red wine, exercise and trans fats each shift Lp(a) levels, a review of lifestyle effects on lipoprotein(a) (J Clin Med 2024)
Original title: Lifestyle and Lipoprotein(a) Levels: Does a Specific Counseling Make Sense?
This narrative review examines whether lifestyle counselling can meaningfully change Lp(a), a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, aortic stenosis and atrial fibrillation traditionally considered resistant to lifestyle change. The authors report that substantial body weight loss, a relatively high intake of saturated fatty acids, red wine consumption, and intense physical exercise are each associated with significantly lower plasma Lp(a), while foods rich in trans-unsaturated fatty acids raise it. Among supplements, coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine and flaxseed produced a mild but significant lowering effect. The review argues that targeted lifestyle counselling has a modest but real role alongside emerging Lp(a)-lowering drugs.
Original abstract
Lipoprotein(Lp)(a) is a variant of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), bound to apolipoprotein B100, whose levels are associated with a significant increase in the risk of atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular events, but also to aortic stenosis and atrial fibrillation. Since plasma levels of Lp(a) are commonly considered resistant to lifestyle changes, we critically reviewed the available evidence on the effect of weight loss, dietary supplements, and physical activity on this risk factor. In our review, we observed that relevant body weight loss, a relatively high intake of saturated fatty acids, the consumption of red wine, and intense physical exercise seems to be associated with significantly lower plasma Lp(a) levels. On the contrary, foods rich in trans-unsaturated fatty acids are associated with increased Lp(a) levels. With regard to dietary supplements, coenzyme Q10, L-Carnitine, and flaxseed exert a mild but significant lowering effect on plasma Lp(a).
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.