The other side of high cholesterol

[HubbleRules]

All,

I've been noticing a number of individuals who seem very anxious, sometime frightened, about a diagnosis of high-cholesterol from their doctors. I think this is a result of the aggressive marketing of statins to doctors, many of whom are totally unaware of their side-effects, or how they work... Many doctors seem to be scaring their patients into taking statins... To me this is unethical and bad medicine!!

Before you have a heart-attack from worry over a number which may or may not predict heart disease - take a look at some opinions from the other side of the fence - from those not taking money from the pharmaceutical industry who dare to challenge the advise of the Pfizers & Mercks of the world...

There is an organization called THINC - The International Network of Cholesterol Skeptics - a growing body of doctors and scientists who dare to doubt the guidance that the lower your cholesterol the better, and who feel statins are grossly oversubscribed. Their web link is [url]http://www.thincs.org/index.htm[/url] (pre-approved by moderator1).

Take a look at some of the discussions and articles on this site - some of the articles present information you will NEVER hear from any of the medical experts who have financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry (which includes most of the researchers who have conducted the 'big' statin-studies to date...).

There are a lot of interesting articles in the LINKS tab under "About Cholesterol and it's Lowering" that casts doubt on the idea that low cholesterol is beneficial to overall health... At least the articles will make you think and present you with information you won't get from the mainstream medical establishment... For example, has your doctor ever told you that statins and fibrates have been shown to cause cancer in a number of studies? Has he/she told you that overall death rates for those on statins tend to be the same or slightly higher than those not taking statins (because although deaths from CHD are lowered, deaths from Cancers and other causes rise)? Has he/she discussed some of the more common statin side-effects with you (muscle aches, weakness, loss of memory, lowered cognitive function...)?

I for one believe that the current cholesterol guidelines put 'target' cholesterol levels into the potential danger zone. I'm also doubting whether cholesterol level is as tightly related to CHD as I've been told over the years, or whether it is low-level chronic inflamation (indicated by such markers as CRP and homocysteine) that leads to CHD. I'm also beginning to think there's something to Dr. Linus Pauling and Matthias Rath MD's theory that chronic vitamin-c deficiency is one of the root causes of cardiovascular disease...)..

I also don't believe that statins reduce CHD by lowering cholesterol levels, but rather by their anti-inflammatory properties (and you can fight inflammation with vitamin B1, B2, B6, Omega-3s, Folic Acid and low-dose buffered aspirin for a lot less money and with less side effects than with statins).

Browse the above site if you want to hear the other-side of the cholesterol/statin debate...

Before you are scared into taking medications, or have a heart-attack from worrying about your 'high' cholesterol level... get some info to balance the picture a bit more...

Regards,
HubbleRules

[JJ]

Hubble..I haven't read that exact link, but have seen other's. I agree with you, people should research their drugs and drs. should also give U a chance with diet and exercise before taking out that prescription pad. These days if U are 5 pts. over on just about anything, BP, cholesterol, etc. U are labeled "PRE" everything. Worst part of all this is, most dr.s will not agree with you that these drugs cause alot of people pain or other problems. It tells U right on tv, if U experience certain symptoms to tell your dr., yet if U do, they say.."no way".

I switched drs. twice, as neither would work with me. When I told the dr. some day these things are going to be off the market, he told me, NO way, they were the best thing since sliced bread, and I was on Baycol at the time, and we see how THAT went. Many times if U don't take what the dr. wants, they treat U different, and your labeled uncooperative, it is almost a catch 22 situation.

Oh well, off my soapbox, as I have no answers to this problem anymore then most folks. Just have to hope and pray U get a dr. that will work with you and not dismiss your ideas if you choose to go a natural route. Have a great day, and stay well....

BTW...spring has finally sprung here for a few days, yahooooo.

[donsabi]

I am puzzled as to how a low-carb diet and a low-fat diet can both be beneficial to good health. I done a lot of reading about the two diets and both seem to have good theory. Now we have the “optimal” diet, or Polish Diet which recommends the high consumption of fat daily. I read of one case where a man with a prior MI and CAD developed diabetes while on the low-fat diet and in desperation tried the “optimal” diet with astonishingly good results.
My best lipid profile was while on the low-carb diet but that fact is tainted because I was also taking 10mg of Lipitor at the time.
How can both diets be right? Maybe, in spite of their differences, they have something in common. Just a thought.

[JJ]

Don't feel bad, half of us are so stinking confused it is pathedic.

All I know is we are trying to add more fruits and veggies to our diet, as we are not big meat eaters anyway. Still think the best way to go is almost everything in moderation. I have never spent so much time looking stuff up on a computer since I had it, and sometimes the more I read, the more confused I get. Hang in there, we all are in the same boat, as I don't think there is a REAL clear cut answer for everyone. I know somedays I just want to throw up my hands and say...I QUIT!! Good luck....

[HubbleRules]

JJ,

Just remember... Beach Bums don't care about things like HDL, LDL, HDL/LDL ratio, Total Cholesterol, CRP, homocysteine, vitamin B1, B2, B6, C, Folic Acid, Omega-3, blah-blah-blah..... They enjoy life, and don't fret (at least not until the hurricane eye wall is passing over...)...

They probably outlive us all, and if they don't, they go with a smile on their face.

I agree - the lack of any clear guidance makes you go nuts if you take it too seriously!!

I'll let you know what beach I end up on!!!

HubbleRules