And it is greatly affected by diet.

In her seminal book, The Apo E Gene Diet: A Breakthrough in Changing, Cholesterol, Weight, Heart and Alzheimer's Using the Body's Own Genes (Elite, Hardcover, $27.95, November 1, 2007), Pamela McDonald, RNFA, FNP, an integrative healthcare professional for 28 years, has developed specific diets that support an individual's Apo E genotype.

The Apo E Gene Diet accomplishes what one-size-fits-all diets like Atkins and South Beach can never do: it prescribes the optimal combination of proteins, carbohydrates and fates for specific genotypes. The six Apo E genotypes -- Apo E 2/2, 2/3, 3/3, 4/2, 4/3, 4/4 -- responds differently to these big three macronutrients.

Apo E type 2/2: high risk for heart disease and vascular dementia Apo E type 2/3: high risk for heart disease and vascular dementia Apo E type 3/3 (the most common genotype): high risk for metabolic disease and 20% chance of Alzheimer's Apo E type 4/2: greater risk for high cholesterol and 50% chance of Alzheimer's Apo E type 4/3: increased risk for high cholesterol and 60% chance of Alzheimer's Apo E type 4/4: 92% chance of Alzheimer's

As Larry Dossey, MD, bestselling author of The Extraordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things, writes, "This book represents the future of medicine -- an individualized, personalized approach that honors our genetic uniqueness."

McDonald supports her diet with scientific research and decades of advanced specialty training in areas including women's health, family practice, nutrition, exercise sports medicine and heart disease prevention. A leading integrative medicine practitioner with a practice in Danville, CA, McDonald is a faculty member with the Nutrition and Health Conference -- State of the Science and Clinical Application and a graduate of the University of Arizona's Program of Integrative Medicine.

A simple blood test determines your Apo E genotype; for those not interested in knowing their genotype, Pamela McDonald provides dietary information that benefits the gene, plus suggestions for a gene supportive environment including appropriate exercise, physical environments, mental and emotional experiences, and spiritual beliefs.

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