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How ABCG8 and rs6544713 Affect Cholesterol and Heart Health

Cholesterol is a fat like substance that your body needs to build cells, produce hormones, and make vitamin D. Too much low density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol, often called the bad cholesterol, can raise your risk for heart disease. The ABCG8 gene helps control how much cholesterol is absorbed from food in the intestines and how much is expelled in bile from the liver. Variations in this gene, including the rs6544713 change, can influence how efficiently this system works and therefore influence LDL cholesterol levels.

Why this matters

Genetic differences are one piece of the cholesterol picture. Lifestyle, diet, weight, physical activity, and other health conditions also play major roles. Knowing your genotype at rs6544713 can help you and your healthcare provider make targeted choices for diet, supplements, and monitoring to support healthy cholesterol levels.

Genetic Interpretations

Two effect alleles: TT (higher impact)

If your genotype is TT, you carry two copies of the effect allele for rs6544713 in the ABCG8 gene. This pattern may reduce the efficiency of the cholesterol pump that limits dietary cholesterol absorption and promotes excretion. The expected result is increased absorption of dietary cholesterol and less excretion into bile, which can contribute to higher LDL cholesterol and increased cardiovascular risk.

What to consider

  • Follow a heart healthy diet that emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and lean protein.
  • Limit foods high in saturated fat and avoid trans fat. Reduce intake of fatty red meats, full fat dairy, and processed foods.
  • Focus on cholesterol lowering fats such as extra virgin olive oil, fatty fish, avocados, and nuts.
  • Add foods with soluble fiber like oats, barley, beans, apples, and psyllium to help lower LDL.
  • Consider plant sterol enriched foods or supplements, which can help block intestinal cholesterol absorption.
  • Discuss with your clinician the possible role of supplements such as omega 3 fatty acids for triglyceride control and a soluble fiber supplement when diet alone is insufficient.
  • Maintain a healthy weight and aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week plus resistance training.
  • Avoid smoking and limit alcohol to recommended guidelines.
  • Work with your healthcare provider to monitor fasting lipid panels and to decide if medication is appropriate given overall risk.
One effect allele: CT (moderate impact)

If your genotype is CT, you carry one copy of the effect allele for rs6544713. This may mildly reduce the efficiency of intestinal cholesterol transport, allowing a slightly greater proportion of dietary cholesterol into the bloodstream. The impact on LDL is usually smaller than with two effect alleles but still relevant when combined with other risk factors.

What to consider

  • Adopt a heart healthy eating pattern with plenty of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and lean proteins.
  • Choose healthy fats such as olive oil, avocados, seeds, and nuts in place of saturated fats.
  • Include soluble fiber rich foods daily to support LDL lowering.
  • Consider plant sterols or stanols as part of a broader dietary approach if LDL remains elevated.
  • Keep active, control weight, and avoid tobacco exposure.
  • Regularly check lipid panels and discuss risk with your healthcare provider to determine whether lifestyle alone is sufficient or if additional interventions are needed.
No effect alleles: CC (lower impact)

If your genotype is CC, you carry two copies of the non effect allele and your ABCG8 function is expected to be typical for cholesterol transport and excretion. Your genetic background is favorable for limiting intestinal cholesterol absorption and promoting excretion into bile, which supports normal LDL regulation.

What to consider

  • Continue heart healthy lifestyle habits to maintain your favorable genetic profile.
  • Maintain a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats.
  • Stay active, preserve lean body mass, and avoid weight gain that can raise LDL and other risk factors.
  • Periodic lipid screening remains important because lifestyle, age, and other health conditions can change risk over time.

Diet and Food Strategies

General dietary choices have a strong influence on LDL levels, regardless of genotype. Emphasize a plant forward eating pattern with:

  • Plenty of vegetables and fruit for fiber, antioxidants, and beneficial plant compounds.
  • Whole grains such as oats and barley that are high in soluble fiber.
  • Legumes like beans, lentils, and chickpeas for fiber and plant protein.
  • Healthy fats from olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocados, and fatty fish.
  • Limited red and processed meats, reduced full fat dairy, and minimal processed snack foods that contain trans fats.
  • Foods naturally containing plant bioactives such as citrus peel compounds that may support healthy lipid metabolism.

Supplements and Nutrients to Discuss with Your Provider

  • Plant sterols or stanols: Can reduce intestinal cholesterol absorption when used at recommended doses.
  • Soluble fiber supplements such as psyllium: Effective for LDL lowering when added to the diet.
  • Omega 3 fatty acids: Useful for triglyceride lowering and part of an overall heart healthy strategy.
  • Monounsaturated fats such as olive oil and an emphasis on whole food sources of micronutrients.

Lifestyle and Monitoring

  • Physical activity: Aim for a mix of aerobic and resistance training. Regular exercise improves lipid profiles and overall cardiovascular health.
  • Weight management: Even modest weight loss can lower LDL and improve other risk factors.
  • Smoking cessation: Quitting smoking rapidly reduces cardiovascular risk.
  • Alcohol moderation: Follow recommended limits as excess alcohol can worsen lipid and metabolic profiles.
  • Regular testing: Work with your healthcare provider to measure fasting lipid panels at intervals appropriate to your age, risk factors, and genotype.
  • Medication: If lifestyle and supplements are not enough, lipid lowering medication may be indicated based on overall cardiovascular risk. Discuss benefits and risks with your clinician.

Next Steps

Use your genotype information as one input when planning how to manage cholesterol. Combine genetic insight with lifestyle changes and professional care to reduce risk. Consider tracking diet, activity, and labs over time to see how interventions affect your lipid levels.

PlexusDx does not provide medical advice and the reader should always consult with their healthcare provider before making changes to diet, supplements, or medications. Your healthcare provider can interpret this genetic information in the context of your full medical history and current health status.