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Baloney. Statins are the biggest scam ever perpetrated by Big Pharma. Pfizer sold over $100 BILLION of Lipitor alone. Sure, it's good if you've already had a heart attack or if hypercholesterolemia runs in your family. But that represents about 5% of those who were prescribed it.
When statins started they were not a big deal. But then the geniuses at Pfizer figured out that if they could lower the total cholesterol number from 270, they could get tens of millions of Americans eligible. So GUESS WHAT? The studies came in, the number was reduced to 200, the TV advertising went crazy (what's your number), and the stock skyrocketed.
This is an interesting article that discusses the history of heart disease since the 1950's.
And there are dozens of books and thousands of articles discussing the statin scam.
They've done that with BP, and now we have "pre-diabetes" as a condition. Just keep lowering until they can get everyone on the drug.
People are CLUELESS.
People get brainwashed very easily. And some of the most brainwashed are the medical professionals.
Having gone to medical school does not mean you are immune to brainwashing.
Drugs, like surgery, should only be used when absolutely necessary. But we now have a culture where most people seem to think taking drugs is normal. And it actually has become normal, since the majority of Americans probably take at least one.
Did you read your own link? It says half the risk is genetic. From the link:
"The results, he said, should quell the cries of both those who emphasize genes above all and those who emphasize elements of lifestyle above all. 'It’s not nature or nurture, it’s both,' he said."
Since lifestyle changes are the foundation of treatment of lipid disorders, no one is minimizing them, and doctors do not put people on drugs without discussing those changes.
It does not matter, though. If lifestyle changes do not control abnormal lipids, medication can help, whether the lack of control is due to failure to make lifestyle changes or in spite of them.
The number of people taking these drugs is MUCH greater than the number who actually need them for genetic reasons.
People get brainwashed very easily. And some of the most brainwashed are the medical professionals.
Having gone to medical school does not mean you are immune to brainwashing.
Drugs, like surgery, should only be used when absolutely necessary. But we now have a culture where most people seem to think taking drugs is normal. And it actually has become normal, since the majority of Americans probably take at least one.
I'm well over 50. I don't take any medications. Never have! Well, ok, I took low dosed birth control pills when in my 30's. I rarely go to a dr. Last time was when I broke my ankle a few summers ago. Dr was very surprised, when asking about my medical history, that I was on no medication. I really didn't know I was that unusual!
We know. But how can we tell which is which and who is whom? That's really the basis of all this back-and-forth on cholesterol<--> heart attacks / statins <--> scam talkology
Cholesterol matters.... but alas, only in those for whom it matters and not the others. And whom are they? Not even your doctor or "the latest study" can really know. Nor can the person who "eats right" or gets exercise . Although, of course those factors matter too. But only in those specimens in whom they matter and not for the others.
If I didn't take my statin and had a stroke like my grandparents, I'd be kicking myself for not taking the damn pill. I'd be thinking, now why didn't I just take a pill and prevent this from happening??
Healthy foods and exercise can cut your LDL levels. Eat foods low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and simple carbs. (Simple carbs include foods like sugar, white bread, and white crackers.) You can lower your numbers even more if you add fiber and plant sterols (margarine or nuts) to your diet.>
Margarine??? Is this really recommended now?
Margarine is not even remotely healthy. It's oil and a bunch of additives. Oil is not good for arteries. Oil is a waste product and through clever marketing, they make people believe it's liquid gold and good for you. Avoid it like the plague it is.
I take Colestid for some ibs issues (off label), but it’s actually a very old cholesterol medicine. It works by absorbing bile acids. I have no idea how effective it is compared to statins though.
If you can stand the taste of eating sand, Colestid can be pretty effective.
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