Cholesterol, statins and all that nonsense

[GBguy]

If you're one of the many who have been suckered into the cholesterol-causes-heart-disease myth (including most of the medical profession), take the time to read this, before you do too much more damage to your body...

 

(And yes, I am trying to wind you up. If it saves your life, it will be worth it.)

[TopFuel]

You realise this guy lost his medical license in 2008 right? And a lot of what is mentioned in this article is pseudoscience as best. Dr (well now Mr.) Lundell is just another quack.

[TopFuel]

Real science:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004816.pub5/abstract

[MrJacques]

Another interesting read... http://www.dietdoctor.com/spectacular-study-on-heart-failure-and-supplement-coq10

[JGR]

If you're one of the many who have been suckered into the cholesterol-causes-heart-disease myth (including most of the medical profession), take the time to read this, before you do too much more damage to your body...

 

(And yes, I am trying to wind you up. If it saves your life, it will be worth it.)

This is very similar to the stance that Prof Tim Noakes has taken

[TopFuel]

Another interesting read... http://www.dietdocto...upplement-coq10

 

I think for now this has to be taken with a pinch of salt. They haven't peer reviewed the evidence yet (only an abstract was presented), and the number and 'type' of patients enrolled into the trial are under question. It may well prove to be a major advance in heart failure therapy, but at the moment it is not practice changing.

 

Once I have actually read the study and decided for myself its validity, then I'll comment further.

[andydude]

Anybody - can you show me proof and evidence that links cholesterol and heart disease? As far as I know it's never been proven.

Edited July 5, 2013 by andydude

[JGR]

Anybody - can you show me proof and evidence that links cholesterol and heart disease? As far as I know it's never been proven.

I went to see Prof Noakes speak and he spoke alot about the history of this data. According to him the studies went along the lines of - people are eating more high fat/cholesterol and heart disease has increased - ergo fat causes heart disease.

[krl747]

There are more and more doctors coming out with statements showing that what we believed to be right, was not the case at all. Cholesterol does not cause heart disease. A lot of people made adjustments to their diets and have moved off statins

[Johan Bornman]

Statins have been thoroughly discredited. However, it is such a big business - the leading revenue-spinning drug out there, that it will be difficult to the truth to ever reach the patient.

[TopFuel]

I went to see Prof Noakes speak and he spoke alot about the history of this data. According to him the studies went along the lines of - people are eating more high fat/cholesterol and heart disease has increased - ergo fat causes heart disease.

 

The impression I got from his talk was not to entirely discount the role of cholesterol, but not to overstate it. It seems as if he was touting the role of diabetes as a greater risk factor (which I agree on) and the fact that the diet suggested by the earlier researchers could have contributed to an increase in diabetes, and hence heart disease.

 

Cholesterol is certainly a factor to be considered in heart disease. The study I have posted above is a review of data on statins (cholesterol lowering medication) and their effect on cardiovascular mortality.

[TopFuel]

Statins have been thoroughly discredited. However, it is such a big business - the leading revenue-spinning drug out there, that it will be difficult to the truth to ever reach the patient.

 

Quote your evidence?

[jcza]

Statins have been thoroughly discredited. However, it is such a big business - the leading revenue-spinning drug out there, that it will be difficult to the truth to ever reach the patient.

 

Correct - Lipitor is the all time best selling drug ever

[TopFuel]

I don't deny that there is a lot to be said for big, evil pharma. But that is one hell of a statement to just chuck out there, especially considering the research I have read (from reputable sources such as the Cochrane collaboration) suggest that statins do actually work, and without the horrible side effects that have been touted.

[jcza]

Quote your evidence?

 

Here is a link to the debate that was held at UCT

 

On the 6th December 2012, Faculty of Health Sciences' Department of Medicine and the Chronic Disease Initiative in Africa presented a Centenary Academic debate with the following Topic:

"Cholesterol is not an important risk factor for heart disease and current dietary recommendations do more harm than good"

 

http://www.health.uct.ac.za/centenary/past_events/centenary_debate/

 

Make up your own mind, I'm going with Prof. Noakes

[TopFuel]

You are entitled to your opinion, but did you listen to his opponent?

 

I thought his opponent presented better evidence over a larger group of people and didn't use anecdotal evidence at all (something Prof. Noakes did on a regular basis). Whilst I don't disagree with everything that he says, I do disagree with the premise of his talk.

 

In his talk he doesn't even directly make that point, as I stated above, he thinks that people should not take cholesterol as the main risk factor. It would be foolish to completely discount it. Additionally, to take evidence from one person, over the evidence complied from multiple studies with much larger sample sizes is not a good idea to base you evidence on.

 

So go with Prof. Noakes. I just don't think you should be drawn in by the man's title, charm and popularity.

 

EDIT: typo

Edited July 5, 2013 by TopFuel