610 | id == 610
610 | category_id == 96
610 | category_order == 29
610 | category_name == Blood Pressure
610 | category_color == #C47AC0
610 | slug == LSP1-blood-pressure
610 | title == A Link Between White Blood Cells & Blood Pressure (LSP1)
610 | meta_description == The LSP1 gene helps white blood cells stick to surfaces and move around the body. What is its connection to blood pressure?
610 | summary == <p><strong>The <em>LSP1 </em>gene helps white blood cells stick to surfaces and move around the body. What is its connection to blood pressure? Find out here.</strong></p>
610 | overall_score_text == Your Blood Pressure Score (based on LSP1)
610 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/LSP1-Blood-Pressure.jpg
610 | author_id == 1
610 | author_name == Jasmine Foster
610 | author_title == BSc, BEd
610 | author_order == 36
610 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Jasmine.jpg
610 | author_intro == <p><strong>Jasmine received her BS from McGill University and her BEd from Vancouver Island University.</strong></p>    <p>Jasmine loves helping people understand their brains and bodies, a passion that grew out of her dual background in biology and education. From the chem lab to the classroom, everyone has the right to learn and make informed decisions about their health.</p>
610 | reviewer == None
610 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
610 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
610 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
610 | publish_date == 2021
610 | publish_date == 1
610 | publish_date == 20
610 | avg_rating == 5.0
610 | tags_id == 172
610 | tags_name == Blood Pressure
610 | tags_id == 335
610 | tags_name == Hypertension
610 | tags_id == 24
610 | tags_name == Inflammation
610 | tags_id == 1158
610 | tags_name == LSP1 Gene
610 | tags_id == 947
610 | tags_name == White Blood Cells
610 | permissions_favorite == False
610 | permissions_rate == False
610 | content_article == <h2><strong>Summary</strong></h2> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">LSP1 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">encodes </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/lymphocytes/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">lymphocyte</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> specific protein 1. Variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">LSP1</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> may play a role in high blood pressure by increasing white blood cell counts and inflammation. Lifestyle, diet, and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by reducing WBC activity.</span></p> <h2><strong><em>LSP1</em></strong><strong> and Blood Pressure</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/lsp1/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">LSP1</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene encodes lymphocyte specific protein 1. This protein is mainly expressed in white blood cells (</span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/how-to-increase-and-decrease-white-blood-cells/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WBCs</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">) and in the lining of blood vessels. It is believed to help WBCs stick to the surface of other tissues and move around in the body to where they are needed [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/4046"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2213033/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">LSP1 is especially important for white blood cells to move through the lining of blood vessels, out of the blood and into inflamed or damaged tissues [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2213033/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">White blood cell (WBC) count is believed to be linked to high blood pressure. In fact, even among people within the normal range of blood pressure, those with higher WBC count tend to have higher blood pressure. Furthermore, high numbers of circulating WBCs may increase susceptibility to heart disease in people with high blood pressure [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16511508/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17386341/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16437128/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At least one variant in the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">LSP1</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene has been associated with high blood pressure. Researchers currently aren&rsquo;t sure exactly why this association exists; it is possible that LSP1&rsquo;s effect on the movement of WBCs explains the link. Higher WBC count also increases </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/natural-ways-lower-inflammation/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">inflammation</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, which in turn can increase blood pressure [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25826379/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3234370/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2213033/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4418473/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">LSP1</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene helps white blood cells stick to surfaces and move around the body. Higher WBC activity can be inflammatory and lead to increased blood pressure.</span></span></p> <h2><strong>Your </strong><strong><em>LSP1</em></strong><strong> Results for Blood Pressure</strong></h2> <p>*4867358409873072*</p> <p><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/lsp1/"><strong>LSP1</strong></a> <a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs4980379/"><strong>rs4980379</strong></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25826379/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Associated with relatively lower blood pressure</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Associated with relatively higher blood pressure</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;T&rsquo; allele may increase the movement of WBCs and increase inflammation in the blood vessels [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25826379/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3234370/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2213033/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4418473/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> </ul> <p>*8556454080030563*</p> <h2><strong>Recommendations for Reducing Blood Pressure</strong></h2> <p>*3632768890553173*</p> <h3><strong>Avoid Cigarettes</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tobacco smoke is well-known to cause inflammation. It stimulates white blood cells to produce inflammatory signals; long-term exposure to cigarettes produces enough inflammation and </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/oxidative-stress-101/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">oxidative stress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to damage the blood vessels. </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">LSP1</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is among the genes that researchers are investigating as a potential part of this process [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32412791/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7303083/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Smoking causes an immediate but reversible increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure mainly due to </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/28-proven-health-benefits-nicotine-4-potential-risks/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">nicotine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Over time, smoking gradually damages the blood vessels and raises central blood pressure. As a result, it increases the risk of organ damage, especially in people with high baseline blood pressure [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9162447/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20550499/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31391430/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27197683/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Electronic cigarettes may also raise blood pressure, especially if they contain nicotine. However, switching from tobacco smoking to electronic cigarettes may improve blood pressure regulation [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33230755/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30823865/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In children and adolescents, passive exposure to tobacco smoke significantly increases systolic blood pressure [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31113399/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Long-term cigarette smoke exposure increases inflammation and may damage the blood vessels; LSP1 may be a part of this process.</span></p> <h3><strong>Improve Sleep Quality</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Interrupted or poor quality </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/health-benefits-sleep/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sleep</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> can increase the markers of inflammation, including white blood cell count. This effect may be especially dramatic in people predisposed to high WBCs. Make sure to get enough sleep at around the same time each night to help keep inflammation down [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18597046"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17485874"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A poor </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/sleep-neurophysiology/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sleep</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> quality has been associated with higher systolic (by 4.37 mmHg) and diastolic (by 1.25 mmHg) blood pressure. Short sleep duration also increases the risk of hypertension by approximately 50% in both adolescents and adults. Excessive sleeping (over 9 hours) also increased the risk in adults, although to a lower extent [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29457339/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30387692/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23394772/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25902823/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Poor sleep quality may increase white blood cell count and blood pressure.</span></p> <h3><strong>Mediterranean Diet</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The high-carb &ldquo;Western diet&rdquo; has been associated with increased white blood cell (WBC) count and increased inflammation. Reducing carbs in your diet may help bring down elevated WBCs and reduce inflammation [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10567012"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10506632"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5857420/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/51/2/455"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A popular anti-inflammatory alternative to a Western diet is the Mediterranean diet, rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/olive-oil/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">olive oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6466433/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A meta-analysis of 30 clinical trials found that adherence to a Mediterranean diet helps prevent heart disease by lowering systolic (by ~3 mmHg) and diastolic (by ~2 mmHg) blood pressure in people with normal values. In those with hypertension, this diet lowered systolic blood pressure by 1.44 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 0.7 mmHg [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6414510/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26483006/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When compared to other diets, the Mediterranean diet is especially effective at lowering diastolic blood pressure. A meta-analysis found it only effective for this purpose, while another one ranked it 3rd in terms of diastolic pressure-lowering effect (after the DASH and Paleolithic diets) [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26902492/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29718689/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">A high-carbohydrate Western diet may increase white blood cell count; switching to an anti-inflammatory Mediterranean diet may decrease blood pressure.</span></p>
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610 | content_learn_more_8556454080030563_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your LSP1 gene is somewhat associated with higher white blood cell activity. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of high blood pressure; it’s just one gene related to it. Avoiding cigarettes, improving sleep quality, and adopting a Mediterranean diet may help. Keep scrolling to find out more.
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rsIDs = rs4980379
rsStatus = rs4980379,LSP1,chr11,1867384,C,A,T,,17,0,Normal
