re: Stress Management May Help Heart Disease Patients

Les Serff — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 08:30:12 GMT

Dr Mercola, I have noted that you are among the clear-thinking doctors who have recognised that cholesterol is not the villain it has been depicted to be. So I am a bit surprised by your statement in the above article that states "Stress likely causes more heart attack deaths than high cholesterol and smoking combined". This gives the impression that you still consider cholesterol to be a cause of heart disease when you have often spoken out against this erroneous belief, which mountains of research have shown to be unfounded. Perhaps you have to bring people with you slowly to the realisation that cholesterol levels are independent of coronary heart disease. Uffe Ravnskov, MD, PhD has given a good explanation of this in his publication this year of "Fat and Cholesterol are Good for You", which is an update of his first book "The Cholesterol Myths". For me the study of cholesterol and it's alleged role in cardiovascular disease is just a hobby, but after studying more than two dozen books and numerous articles, I think I have a clear enough picture to know that although statins, through their anti-inflammatory action, can reduce inflammation, this is independent of serum cholesterol levels. As long as people are not aware of this, they will be more likely to be convinced by the vigorous promotion of statins by pharma and physicians and may end up being madicate with cholesterol-lowering drugs when they have no history of heart disease, and therefore likely to suffer only the side effects of statins without any of the limited benefits.

Dr Duane Graveline, a physician, research and ex-astronaut, has just published an up-dated version of his book, entitled "Statin Drugs. Side Effects and the Misguided War on Cholesterol". This book is also an excellent explanation of the erroneous thinking which characterizes much of the cholesterol debate.

Thanks for your newsletter, which for the past few years is where I start my day every morning.

Les Serff