The Top 10 Genes in a DNA Lipid Profile — And How Food, Nutrients & Peptides Can Support Them

The Top 10 Genes in a DNA Lipid Profile — And How Food, Nutrients & Peptides Can Support Them

By Dr D. Michael Elliott MSc, D.C., CFMP Able Bodied Healthcare & Chiropractic | Functional & Lifestyle Medicine

Why Your DNA Matters for Lipid Metabolism

Cholesterol balance, triglyceride regulation, LDL particle size, and inflammation are not determined by diet alone. Your DNA plays a major role in deciding how your body handles fats, clears lipids from the bloodstream, and responds to lifestyle and environmental triggers.

A DNA lipid profile helps reveal:

• Why some people respond well to low-fat diets and others don’t

• Why triglycerides spike in certain individuals

• Why some people do poorly with saturated fats

• Why statins work for some but not for others

• Why inflammation and cardiovascular risk can vary dramatically

Below we review the 10 most commonly tested lipid-related genes and provide targeted suggestions—including foods, nutrients, nutraceuticals, and peptides—to help support each pathway.

1. APOE (E2/E3/E4)

Role: Cholesterol transport, brain lipid metabolism Issue: E4 raises LDL, inflammation, and cardiovascular risk

Foods

• Walnuts (improve APOE-related lipid clearance)

• Wild blueberries (reduce oxidative stress affecting APOE)

Nutraceuticals

• Omega-3 EPA/DHA

• Phosphatidylserine

Peptides

• GHK-Cu (improves lipid oxidation and tissue repair)

• BPC-157 (reduces vascular inflammation)

2. APOA5

Role: Triglyceride metabolism Issue: Variants → high triglycerides even with good diet

Foods

• Fatty fish (EPA is especially beneficial)

• Oats & barley (beta-glucans for TG reduction)

Nutraceuticals

• Niacinamide or flush niacin

• Fish oil (high EPA)

Peptides

• Tesamorelin (reduces visceral fat and triglycerides)

• CJC-1295/Ipamorelin (supports metabolic repair)

3. LDLR

Role: LDL receptor function Issue: Poor LDL clearance; higher LDL-C and LDL-P

Foods

• Avocados

• Psyllium husk

Nutraceuticals

• Berberine (upregulates LDL receptors)

• Red yeast rice (natural lovastatin-like effect)

Peptides

• Thymosin Beta-4 (modulates inflammation affecting LDL receptor activity)

• MOTs-C (supports mitochondrial fat oxidation)

4. PCSK9

Role: Controls LDL receptor degradation Issue: High PCSK9 → high LDL; low PCSK9 → low LDL

Foods

• Green tea

• Extra virgin olive oil (polyphenols reduce PCSK9 expression)

Nutraceuticals

• Berberine (PCSK9 inhibitor properties)

• Quercetin

Peptides

• GHK-Cu (gene-modulating reduces PCSK9 expression)

• AOD-9604 (supports lipid breakdown)

5. LPL (Lipoprotein Lipase)

Role: Breaks down triglycerides Issue: Variants = high TGs, low HDL, metabolic dysfunction

Foods

• Almonds

• Salmon

Nutraceuticals

• L-carnitine (fat oxidation)

• Fish oil

Peptides

• Tesamorelin (TG reduction)

• 5-Amino-1MQ (increases lipolysis)

6. CETP

Role: HDL cholesterol transfer Issue: Variants → low HDL or dysfunctional HDL

Foods

• Dark chocolate (70% cacao+)

• Olive oil

Nutraceuticals

• Niacin

• Resveratrol

Peptides

• Epitalon (supports metabolic and aging pathways affecting HDL)

• GHK-Cu (improves lipid oxidation and vessel repair)

7. LCAT

Role: Converts free cholesterol → cholesteryl esters (HDL function)Issue: Variants → dysfunctional HDL, impaired cholesterol transport

Foods

• Fatty fish

• Leafy greens

Nutraceuticals

• Curcumin

• Omega-3 DHA

Peptides

• BPC-157 (supports vascular endothelium and lipid metabolism)

8. PPAR-α

Role: Fat oxidation, liver lipid metabolism Issue: Variants → poor fat burning, higher triglycerides

Foods

• Sardines

• Flaxseed

Nutraceuticals

• ALA or EPA/DHA

• Berberine

Peptides

• MOTs-C (mitochondrial fat oxidation)

• AOD-9604 (fat metabolism)

9. PPAR-γ

Role: Glucose regulation, adipocyte function Issue: Risk for insulin resistance & dyslipidaemia

Foods

• Sweet potatoes (slow carbs)

• Cinnamon

Nutraceuticals

• Berberine

• Inositol (myo & D-chiro blend)

Peptides

• BPC-157 (insulin sensitizing tendencies)

• GLP-1 mimetics (peptide-based, metabolic)

10. HMGCR

Role: Cholesterol synthesis (statin target) Issue: Certain variants reduce statin effectiveness or increase side-effect risk

Foods

• Garlic

• Green leafy vegetables

Nutraceuticals

• CoQ10 (statin-sensitive gene often needs extra mitochondrial support)

• Berberine (alternative lipid-lowering pathway)

Peptides

• GHK-Cu (anti-inflammatory and metabolic regulatory)

• Thymosin Alpha-1 (supports immune-metabolic balance)

Why DNA Matters in Lipid Health

A DNA lipid profile allows you to personalise your approach instead of guessing.

Your genes don’t determine your destiny—but they absolutely determine how efficiently your body responds to diet, nutrients, exercise, and metabolic therapies.

By combining:

• targeted foods

• precision nutraceuticals

• advanced peptide signalling

• functional medicine interpretation

…you can create a personalised blueprint for managing triglycerides, LDL, HDL, and overall cardiovascular risk.

If you’d like your own DNA Lipid Review + Personalised Treatment Map, contact Able Bodied Healthcare & Chiropractic.