The Marker That Matters Most:

Why ApoB Beats Cholesterol

When I talk to people (and by people, I mean clients) about their cardiovascular health they only really ever talk about “good” and “bad” cholesterol....but, if I'm honest, that only gives me part of the picture.

Here’s the thing about cholesterol...

Cholesterol needs a ride

Think of cholesterol like oil...it doesn’t dissolve in water. Since your blood is mostly water, your body needs a way to safely carry cholesterol, triglycerides, and other fats through the bloodstream.

So your body has to package it up into little transport vehicles called lipoproteins...

Think of them like tiny shuttle buses....with fatty cargo (cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids) sitting safely on the inside...

The protein “shell” is on the outside, making the whole thing water-soluble so it can travel through your bloodstream.

LDL vs HDL

Now here’s where it gets interesting...

LDL particles: carry more fat and less protein (these are the ones linked to artery-clogging)
HDL particles carry more protein and less fat (these help clear cholesterol away)

....But it’s not just about how much cholesterol is inside the bus.
It’s about how many buses are on the road.

Enter ApoB

And that’s where Apolipoprotein B comes in...(ApoB for short)

Every single LDL particle (remember that's the one that causes problems in arteries) is wrapped in a protein called ApoB.

So if you measure your ApoB, (and here's the punchline) you’re essentially counting how many LDL particles are in circulation....Not just how much cholesterol they’re carrying.

That’s why ApoB is now considered the gold standard marker for heart disease risk....

It tells you the true number of the damaging particles, something a standard cholesterol test can easily miss.

The most important thing to remember

If you want clarity on your cardiovascular risk, don’t just look at cholesterol....look at ApoB.

About the Author

Ben Cooper is a Registered Nutritional Therapist, Functional Medicine Practitioner, founder of Cooper Coaching and ReCooper8 online programmes dedicated to gut health, hormonal balance, and cardiovascular wellness.
With over 15 years in the health industry and a special interest in metabolic and cardiovascular health, Ben helps clients interpret advanced blood markers and use diet and lifestyle strategies to reduce risk and optimise long-term wellbeing.