By Maryanne Demasi, PhD The public health mantra about cholesterol has always been “the lower, the better.” This has been reflected in expert guidelines which have called on doctors to aggressively lower their patient’s ‘bad’ LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) with statin drugs to prevent heart disease.
I think the budget spent on these drugs in the UK is significant. Maybe it would be better used to improve diet by reducing refined carbohydrates and unhealthy seed oils in our diet. A study is needed which uses real end points (like death or stroke) and reports absolute risk reduction. Has this been done?
I totally agree with Demasi’s point on statins. Basically, I think the function of statins are as anti-inflammatory, and there are better safer options in that regard. More info is needed IMO to improve methylization needed to prevent damage by homocysteine. Anyone know of updated info on that? Then, folks who naturally have high cholesterol levels (as in Baltic countries) can relax a little and focus on what really helps.
I think the budget spent on these drugs in the UK is significant. Maybe it would be better used to improve diet by reducing refined carbohydrates and unhealthy seed oils in our diet. A study is needed which uses real end points (like death or stroke) and reports absolute risk reduction. Has this been done?
Good job. I remember the good old days of ABC tv when Catalyst published a story questioning the over prescription of statins.
Thank you
I totally agree with Demasi’s point on statins. Basically, I think the function of statins are as anti-inflammatory, and there are better safer options in that regard. More info is needed IMO to improve methylization needed to prevent damage by homocysteine. Anyone know of updated info on that? Then, folks who naturally have high cholesterol levels (as in Baltic countries) can relax a little and focus on what really helps.