The Apo E Gene Diet

I recently reading a review from Carrie Hill, Phd, About.Com, November 25, 2008 About.com Health's Disease and Condition whose content is reviewed by a Medical Review Board. See below: In "The ApoE Gene Diet," Pamela McDonald, FA, WHCNP, PNP, FNP, provides valuable information about how the ApoE gene interacts with our diet and environment to affect our risk of developing Alzheimer's and other chronic diseases. Whether or not you decide to undergo ApoE genetic testing, many of her recommendations can help you live a healthier, longer life. Guide Review - The ApoE Gene Diet -- A Handbook for Tailoring our Lifestyle to our Genes McDonald says we have a choice about whether our future health will involve a backpack or a bedpan. In other words, she feels that there's a lot we can do to prevent Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses, even when our genes are working against us. In "The ApoE Gene Diet," McDonald explains that we each carry one of six combinations of the ApoE gene: 2/2, 2/3, 3/3, 4/2, 4/3, or 4/4. Which combination we carry affects how our body processes food and reacts to the environment, she says, creating unique risk profiles for different diseases. Here's what I found most startling in the book: Only 5% of the population has the ApoE 4/4 combination, but those who do have a 90% chance of developing Alzheimer's if they don't engage in a "gene-supportive" lifestyle. Only 20% of us have ApoE 4/3 or 4/2, but those who do have a 49% chance of developing the disease without a gene-supportive lifestyle. A gene-supportive lifestyle is a combination of smart choices about diet, exercise, stress management, and other factors. McDonald points out that there are people with ApoE 4/4 who don't develop Alzheimer's; there are also people with less risky ApoE combinations who do get Alzheimer's. Clearly, both genes and environment are at play. Genetic testing isn't for everyone, and McDonald doesn't try to convince everyone to do it. She provides risk reduction tips that anyone can employ. She also shares specific diets for each ApoE combination for those who do get tested, cautioning that these should only be followed by those who know their ApoE status. I was impressed with this book. It doesn't focus solely on Alzheimer's, but it can't hurt to learn about other ApoE-related diseases. McDonald hits upon what may be a major focus of medicine in the future -- tailoring our lifestyles to our bodies' own genes.

I am a patient of Pamela McDonald and I have first hand experience with the program that is explained in her new book, The AOP E Gene Diet. After 18 months from taking the APO E gene test and starting the program, I lost 45 pounds and had a substantial reduction in my body fat. I have also been able to stop taking blood pressure medication which I had been taking for 15 years and still maintain a normal blood prerssure. My blood work has improved substantially and my LDL and HDL cholesterol are well within normal range, something that had never been the case before starting on the program. It has been over 2 years since I lost the initial weight and have had no problem maintaining a normal weight. For me, the best part of the program has been that this was not a quick fix program but really an integrated program that takes into account your mind, body and spirit so that eventually you become a healthy person with healthy habits and that just becomes who your are- a healthy person doing healthy things without really trying that hard. I learned how to eat properly for my gene type (moderate amount of healthy fat), incorporate an excercise routine into my normal daily life, and view life differently so that the changes I have made and the results I have achieved have become permanent. I highly recommend reading this book. Then you can decide if you agree with the science and are willing to make some changes to improve your health for the rest of your life.

This book is going to revolutionize cardiovascular care. Pamela McDonald shows us that heart disease can not only be prevented but can also be reversed. Her observations are founded on personal experience, cutting edge science and practicality. The book is easy to read and will help you make changes that could literally save your life! This is a must read for anyone that has a history of heart disease in their family. You can learn easily how to eat healthy, exercise and change your attitude and perspective. These are life changing behaviors that will transform your life. Today's health care system is overly focused on disease care instead of prevention and heavily influenced by prescription medications and surgery. Finally here is a book that will help you take responsibility for your own health and well being. There are multiple patient examples in the book based on real life scenarios that help teach you the significance of changing your diet and exercise patterns. With Pamela's direction from this book you will find that you can heal yourself and prevent some of our top killers in the U.S.

The APO E Gene Diet book by Pamela McDonald offers a comprehensive approach to improve your health using gene type, environment, customized diet plans, and exercise approaches. The numerous tools, information, and case histories are practical as proven by my personal health story. I highly recommend the APO E Gene Diet Book to anyone who desires to be proactive about his or her health. Starting in mid-life, I became very uncomfortable when my body shifted into an autopilot mode with cholesterol increases, weight gain, and hypertension. As a medical device engineer in cardiology, I was quite familiar with the negative consequences of these important health markers. Was there a preventative approach available to reverse my health trend, or was I destined to wait for disease to manifest itself? Fortunately, I found the APO E Gene Diet program, which used diagnostic testing and family history to define predisposition to certain diseases. Matching my individual needs to a specific diet and exercise plan, along with medical follow-up, I experienced an accelerated approach to improving my health and preventing disease. Food was used as medicine and an individualized exercise program produced amazing results. Within less than a year on the APO E Gene Diet program, I reduced my cholesterol by 20%, lowered my weight by 15%, dropped my body fat by 10%, and eliminated hypertension. Thanks to the APO E Gene Diet - I have completed a 100% health makeover.

As a 29 year old woman, I knew I was at risk for heart disease because my dad passed away at age 50 and I had always struggled with high cholesterol and getting to an ideal body weight. Implementing key factors from the integrative medicine program including choosing meals based on my APO E gene have been significant in determining my future. Now everyday of my life I am reminded of the connection between my mind, body and spirit and I have learned how to feed my soul. The choices I make with food, exercise and creating a true balance in my life have not only changed my energy level, scale weight and cholesterol numbers it has changed my entire outlook on life and given me the ability to live many more healthy years with my husband and daughter. I am very grateful for the lessons that Pamela McDonald has taught me-she is a very valuable teacher.