Aa
IS CHOLESTEROL THE REAL ENEMY?
I have found out that cholesterol is really not the enemy. The real enemy is hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup.The drug industry advertises cholesterol lowering drugs on TV all the time with a disclaimer that the drug will not cure or prevent heart disease. Obviously the drug industry is aware that cholesterol is really not the culprit but continues to market useless drugs and to scare the public into thinking they should target cholesterol. The drugs also affect liver function which is where the source of cholesterol regulation takes place in the body further overburdening the already overworked liver with more toxic chemicals from the drugs. Why does the medical industry zero in on cholesterol when other culprits are the problem. Why is heart disease still the biggest killer after all these years and all this research.? Why does the medical industry still harp on cholesterol as the cause of heart disease?
This discussion is related to High Choleserol/low triglycerides.
This discussion is related to High Choleserol/low triglycerides.
I would like to point out..... Yes, old time people lived longer than us. They ate butter instead of Logical (lower cholesterol margarine). They ate all those in modern world considering bad bad not healthy food. Why they didn't get sick so seriously?
They didn't have car. Where ever they go, they either walk, bicycle or get a bus, train or ship (public transport). They have a lot of exercise (walking). The food gets burn out quickly. Might be not enough (shortage) for the body itself to generate energy. Many of them only able to get food filled up half the tummy (not like us over eating). In the rural area, they need to get water in the buckets and carrying home. Farmers without machinery, all by their hard works put in under the sun (they got vitamins D better than us) or smoke free enviroment (fresh air). Rich people took the carriage or horses (like our cars). At that time most of the heart disease were considered as the rich man disease. Similar to the diabetes type II developed so well in this modern world (developed countries).
I still believe there are many alternatives can balance out our body needs. In my case, the Verapamil damaged my liver. After that event, my cholesterol starts raise. I was given by so many kind of statins. After start that for a week or so, I'll having like "heart attack" a very very bad chest pain...... (Now I realised my heart also make up by "muscle". Statin can cause muscle pain!) I tell myself it is not worth to try again. Don't know which organ will attack by "damage" next?
They didn't have car. Where ever they go, they either walk, bicycle or get a bus, train or ship (public transport). They have a lot of exercise (walking). The food gets burn out quickly. Might be not enough (shortage) for the body itself to generate energy. Many of them only able to get food filled up half the tummy (not like us over eating). In the rural area, they need to get water in the buckets and carrying home. Farmers without machinery, all by their hard works put in under the sun (they got vitamins D better than us) or smoke free enviroment (fresh air). Rich people took the carriage or horses (like our cars). At that time most of the heart disease were considered as the rich man disease. Similar to the diabetes type II developed so well in this modern world (developed countries).
I still believe there are many alternatives can balance out our body needs. In my case, the Verapamil damaged my liver. After that event, my cholesterol starts raise. I was given by so many kind of statins. After start that for a week or so, I'll having like "heart attack" a very very bad chest pain...... (Now I realised my heart also make up by "muscle". Statin can cause muscle pain!) I tell myself it is not worth to try again. Don't know which organ will attack by "damage" next?
"The CPPT is also one of the cholesterol studies that have been conducted for the duration of more than 5 years (specifically 10), to be able to see a clearer trend. In the CPPT, half of the population was given cholesterol lowering diet plans plus cholestyramine, while the rest were given the same diet plan and a placebo. Those who took cholestyramine had significantly lower LDL cholesterol and also reduced risks in developing heart attacks and coronary heart disease. "
This trial was not really one that reflects the average person in a population. Over 3000 MEN (no women) were chosen for the trial and only men with hypercholesterolemia, a disorder of the Liver which affects 1 in 500. It was expected that the trial results would show a huge drop in CAD related instances but it did not. However, statin producers still took the small percentage and claimed it as revolutionary.
No trial has established a reduction in death rate.
This trial was not really one that reflects the average person in a population. Over 3000 MEN (no women) were chosen for the trial and only men with hypercholesterolemia, a disorder of the Liver which affects 1 in 500. It was expected that the trial results would show a huge drop in CAD related instances but it did not. However, statin producers still took the small percentage and claimed it as revolutionary.
No trial has established a reduction in death rate.
If exercise was the cure, then I should never have got atherosclerosis. I had always been very active, probably on the border of hyperactive. Working in the building trade, I would get home, eat a healthy meal, then go back out for martial arts training. I used to go for
long walks at the weekends or go for cycle rides. Exercising didn't stop my disease developing, but I believe it probably helped me to develop collaterals to save my life.
I ate healthily, lots of fruit/veg and oily fish. All a waste of time in my case. If it is supposed to work, then why didnt it with me? why doesnt it work with athletes who suddenly die from heart attack thanks to this disease. We all too often conveniently forget those exceptions to the rule but they are important. I've seen heavy smokers with the disease, light smokers and people who have never smoked. I've seen alcoholics with heart disease, those who have the odd drink and people who never drink.
If 500 people contract a disease and 480 of these are smokers, it seems we are to automatically assume it's related to smoking. But, what about the othe 20? yes we must forget them, they must be secondry smoking or something. If 500 people contract a disease and 490 are obese then being overwieght is the cause. Never mind the 10 thin people.
So with CAD if 100 people have the disease and 25 have high cholesterol, why is it claimed that cholesterol is the problem when 75 have normal levels? this is what's happening and being claimed now.
long walks at the weekends or go for cycle rides. Exercising didn't stop my disease developing, but I believe it probably helped me to develop collaterals to save my life.
I ate healthily, lots of fruit/veg and oily fish. All a waste of time in my case. If it is supposed to work, then why didnt it with me? why doesnt it work with athletes who suddenly die from heart attack thanks to this disease. We all too often conveniently forget those exceptions to the rule but they are important. I've seen heavy smokers with the disease, light smokers and people who have never smoked. I've seen alcoholics with heart disease, those who have the odd drink and people who never drink.
If 500 people contract a disease and 480 of these are smokers, it seems we are to automatically assume it's related to smoking. But, what about the othe 20? yes we must forget them, they must be secondry smoking or something. If 500 people contract a disease and 490 are obese then being overwieght is the cause. Never mind the 10 thin people.
So with CAD if 100 people have the disease and 25 have high cholesterol, why is it claimed that cholesterol is the problem when 75 have normal levels? this is what's happening and being claimed now.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Not disagreeing that there are discrepancies that are just not yet explained. My own father is an avid body builder, lived on bran, fruits, veggies and protein, worked out 7 days a week including a 20 mile bike ride until he had his bypass at age 72 due to multiple blockages. His cholesterol was over 270 and had never been checked until he was in the hospital. Mine has dropped to 155 with statins and my cardiac work ups are very good.
What you experienced is your reality, I understand that. My life is my reality, but until someone can show me data that goes against traditional thinking concerning cholesterol and it's link to CAD, I'll stick with it. Believe me, I would love to read the "magic bullet" out there, nothing I have read has the data to back up the theories yet, perhaps some day. Reading posts that shoot holes in all the studies I've read does not sway me and won't until I see some real data supporting their position.
Again, to me it's just common sense to lower one's cholesterol, can't hurt even if the studies are wrong which they are not. You will find a flaw in every study, if that what you need to do, go for it, but there is considerably more data to support the link between cholesterol and CAD than not.
What you experienced is your reality, I understand that. My life is my reality, but until someone can show me data that goes against traditional thinking concerning cholesterol and it's link to CAD, I'll stick with it. Believe me, I would love to read the "magic bullet" out there, nothing I have read has the data to back up the theories yet, perhaps some day. Reading posts that shoot holes in all the studies I've read does not sway me and won't until I see some real data supporting their position.
Again, to me it's just common sense to lower one's cholesterol, can't hurt even if the studies are wrong which they are not. You will find a flaw in every study, if that what you need to do, go for it, but there is considerably more data to support the link between cholesterol and CAD than not.
I have to agree with you about cholesterol not being the enemy. Cholesterol is made by the human body. It is used at the cellular level to replace dead or damaged cells in our tissues. Our immune system is also not the enemy and is our last line of defense when something invades our body. Histamines are also in this mixture of mistaken enemies.
Ask your doctor to give you a CRP blood test. I will wager that it will show a high reading and he will not be able to tell you why. Cholesterol is part of the problem, but injury, disease, inflamation and even attitude and stress are involved.
The amount of cholesterol eaten in your diet is a small percentage of the total. Statins are not the magic bullet and can cause serious and even deadly side effects. They are huge moneymakers for the drug industry and profitable for the doctors who prescribe them. It must be very difficult for a doctor to say, "There is nothing more I can do for you-- so please take this prescription. It may help." All those quoted studies were funded by the drug industry and run by the doctors who are too closely involved with their use. Think of Stomach Ulcers in the past!
Ask your doctor to give you a CRP blood test. I will wager that it will show a high reading and he will not be able to tell you why. Cholesterol is part of the problem, but injury, disease, inflamation and even attitude and stress are involved.
The amount of cholesterol eaten in your diet is a small percentage of the total. Statins are not the magic bullet and can cause serious and even deadly side effects. They are huge moneymakers for the drug industry and profitable for the doctors who prescribe them. It must be very difficult for a doctor to say, "There is nothing more I can do for you-- so please take this prescription. It may help." All those quoted studies were funded by the drug industry and run by the doctors who are too closely involved with their use. Think of Stomach Ulcers in the past!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Again, please give your source of information before you recommend people stay away from statins. Been on them for 5 years, never and issue here, just better cholesterol numbers. I do agree there is more to it, just don't know what it is.
To everyone that would recommend that people NOT take a statin, unless you a doctor, researcher or can show me data that contradicts current thinking concerning cholesterol, you are not in a position to recommend that I avoid a medication.
Also, concerning the drug company conspiracies;
CPPT was run by the National Institutes of Health, last time I checked, they were not a drug manufacturer, instead a federal agency.
Helsinky Heart Study was performed by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, FINLAND in association with School of Public Health, University of Tampere, FINLAND. Pretty sure Finland is a country, not a drug manufacturer.
The Coronary Drug Project was done by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), again, hardly a drug manufacturer.
None of these studies state any involvement with any company that is involved in the production of cholesterol lowering drugs.
To everyone that would recommend that people NOT take a statin, unless you a doctor, researcher or can show me data that contradicts current thinking concerning cholesterol, you are not in a position to recommend that I avoid a medication.
Also, concerning the drug company conspiracies;
CPPT was run by the National Institutes of Health, last time I checked, they were not a drug manufacturer, instead a federal agency.
Helsinky Heart Study was performed by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, FINLAND in association with School of Public Health, University of Tampere, FINLAND. Pretty sure Finland is a country, not a drug manufacturer.
The Coronary Drug Project was done by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), again, hardly a drug manufacturer.
None of these studies state any involvement with any company that is involved in the production of cholesterol lowering drugs.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Community
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.
