The Tangier disease is another recessive genetic condition that makes certain people more prone to high cholesterol levels and experience more difficulty to lower cholesterol than others. Tangier disease also referred to as (TD) or Alpha High Density Lipoprotein Deficiency, Alphalipoproteinemia, Analphalipoproteinemia, Familial Alpha-Lipoprotein Deficiency, and Familial High-Density Lipoprotein Deficiency, is a genetic disorder characterized by problems with cholesterol transport. This genetic condition was first exposed as a 5 year old boy from the Island of Tangier, located in proximity to the coast of Virginia, who had significantly lower levels of the good HDL cholesterol in his blood, and enlarged liver and spleen.

It seems that people who have this rare genetic condition, will find it very hard to lower cholesterol since they have very low levels of HDL (high density lipoprotein) also referred to as the good cholesterol due to its ability to cleanse the arteries from excess of LDL, the bad cholesterol which promotes atherosclerosis.

The Tangier disease and its symptoms of low levels of HDL cholesterol are caused by mutations in the ABC1 (ATP-binding cassette) gene responsible to helping the cells remove and expel cholesterol. This condition makes is difficult for people with TD, to properly expel cholesterol in the cells, leading to HDL cholesterol build up in cells, arteries and other organs of the body such as the liver, spleen and tonsils which are orange shaped among people with the Tangier Disease. Blood circulation problems and other blood disorder problems are also part of the Tangier Disease variety of symptoms.

People with Tangier disease can reduce cholesterol by taking prescription drugs, also called statin drugs, which are aimed at lowering the LDL cholesterol levels, and increasing the good HDL cholesterol levels, above 40mg/dl. Although statin drugs can be very effective in lowering cholesterol even among people with the ABCA1 gene disorder; they do carry some serious side effects.

Lowering overall cholesterol, reducing the LDL cholesterol while raising the HDL cholesterol can be achieved using the natural alternative, through dietary changes, regular exercise, correct supplementation and daily relaxation practice.