Thread: ABC, Catalyst and cholesterol.

Hi Pete,

I did watch it with great interest. I'm not that old and don't (as far as I know) have a cholesterol problem. I thought there was a lot of good points, but like everything, I take it with a grain of salt. I hope you're doing the same!

The key message I took away in relation to Statin's specifically was that Statin's work for some people and it would be dangerous if they stopped taking them. However there are also a large number of people taking Statin's that don't need to, have no health benefit in taking them and have introduced side effects and other risks by taking them.

I thought there was a greater key message though - particularly if you are looking for an alternative to Statin's - and that is to focus on your diet and understand that there is a high possibility that nutritional guidelines in relation to cholesterol we've been following for years are wrong. A lot of the reasons these particular guidelines were implemented were political and commercial reasons, not scientific.

If you want to align your diet to the "new way of thinking", you need to avoid simple carbs (sugar), but most fats and oils are OK (in moderation of course).

Here is a related article that might interest you. Sweden has changed their guidelines which now closely align to what was said on Catalyst part 1 of the cholesterol special.

Sweden Becomes First Western Nation to Reject Low-fat Diet Dogma in Favor of Low-carb High-fat Nutrition | Health Impact News

FYI This has been my diet for some time now, and I believe I'm healthier for it.


Can I ask what your diet is like and has been over the years in relation to carbs and fats?

Pete, I'm with you on this one and I am type2 diabetic and take vytorin to keep my cholesterol low..even though its not high.... I have just been participating in a self management awareness program run by Medicare Local with accredited facilitators. They do not get involved in any allopathic v natural arguments but very strongly recommend diet awareness...push leafy greens and FRESH foods and recommend lots of self monitoring. There is a new Australian Guide to Healthy Eating available either from Medicare Local or online from Australian Govt. The facilitators recommend adopting the new eating guidelines and continuing on your prescribed medications until you see the visible difference...hence monitoring and recording. I used to hate most of those multi-coloured leafy greens, but theyre really the ducks guts and I eat plenty. My weight is falling and it looks like my blood glucose levels are improving and I am feeling so good I'm dangerous. In a few weeks I will shake the Vytorin for good myself. My doc will see my results and just agree.

** I have no idea why I wrote Vytorin......I use EZETROL....apologies to anyone I may have mislead.....

One of my five doctors mentioned the data was highly selective- all the others agreed.

Clearly some of the first programs damming arguments are well worth further study. The second program is another kettle of fish i.m.o.

Cholesterol | Better Health Channel has the same point and did before the ABC announced it as some conspiracy theory. The expert talking about the fact your body creates it own cholesterol making this a scandal???

"You do not need cholesterol in your diet

You don’t need to eat foods that contain cholesterol. Your body can produce all the cholesterol it needs. High cholesterol foods are often foods that are also high in saturated fats. These foods should be limited in a healthy diet." this commonly known and no scandal.

What to believe is your choice. I would seek a opinion with less bias and using a lot less sensationalism. I love catalyst. Even they can be lead by people with strong opinions. I prefer strong facts myself.

I thought it was a balanced story. Interesting about the fudged data in part 1.
The story reinforced suspicions I have had for many years re the influence of big drug companies. Always pays to look into things a bit deeper when big money is involved.

My total cholesterol has been around 6.5 to 7.0 for many years and I am annually encouraged to start on Statins. Still resisting.

Years ago I shared a house for a year with 3 vegetarians, and because I was outnumbered I mostly ate what they ate. My total cholesterol went up to 8.

Following year after leaving that household, and MANY lovely fry-ups, Total C went back to 6.6.

Interesting.

Terry

It was a very good program and reinforced my opinion about the atorvastatin calcium drugs. I was disappointed that they do not mentioned
the fenofibrate group (Lipidil among them) which are as bad.
I also was irritated about the arrogance of the Heart Foundation's chief executive Dr Lyn Roberts who asked ABC to not put the program to air.
It appears that we, the public are a bunch of ignorant people that do not have the right to be informed.
About 10 years ago I was prescribed Lipitor which have to be stopped because affected my memory. The doctor prescribed Crestor a drug some the same group which produced muscular pain.
That have to be stopped as well and for the las 5 years I was under Lipidil which started affecting my concentration.
Apart from these side effects and the ones mentioned in the program fenofibrate can cause renal failure and a severe pancreatic attack!!
I do not tkae nothing at the moment and wait for dracula's blood test results to see if under a good diet my liver still producing to much cholesterol to bring it over 6.5
If it is bad I will s tart taking Red yeast rice which contains several compounds collectively known as monacolins, substances known to inhibit cholesterol synthesis. One of these, "monacolin K," is a potent inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, and is also known as mevinolin or lovastatin

Originally Posted by Judo

Here is a related article that might interest you. Sweden has changed their guidelines which now closely align to what was said on Catalyst part 1 of the cholesterol special.

Sweden Becomes First Western Nation to Reject Low-fat Diet Dogma in Favor of Low-carb High-fat Nutrition | Health Impact News

FYI This has been my diet for some time now, and I believe I'm healthier for it.


Can I ask what your diet is like and has been over the years in relation to carbs and fats?

I have read the Swedish report previously and found it very interesting. If you pardon the pun, the ABC program was the final CATALYST in my decision to forgo the statin medication I was taking.

After my bypass (1995), I was very careful about my diet. Restricted intake, less fatty foods very little red meat (never a big meat eater) more veggies, lot more exercise etc etc. Of course as time progresses and memory dims old eating habits returned. My downfall is a sweet tooth, cakes choccies etc love em. Lotsa sugar and carbs.

For the last couple of years I have been suffering from angina again and angiograms show not much they can do about it, so I now manage what I do and how I do it and keep it under control. I have also had other health problems which I put down to the statins. CATALYST was the last factor in my decision to quit Statins.

I will try a regime of exercise and diet and known naturally occurring cholesterol lowering additives, omega 3 oil, vitamin B, niacine, oats, fibre etc etc..
Having said all that I am not silly, I will keep an eye on cholesterol levels and certainly continue dialogue with my heart specialist (who was most upset at my decision)
Pete.

Originally Posted by Chucaro

About 10 years ago I was prescribed Lipitor which have to be stopped because affected my memory. The doctor prescribed Crestor a drug some the same group which produced muscular pain.
That have to be stopped as well and for the las 5 years I was under Lipidil which started affecting my concentration.

Just some of the symptoms I had that prompted my decision

Gosh, where do I start ?
- For the shrt story... I'm off statins, will NEVER take them, along with most diabetic drugs.- Have been this way for a few years now, and 'everything' has gelled in the last 12 - 18 months. Great program, and to my mind, very predictable responses from all of the 'vested interests' interviewed/shown.

Longer story.
Am a card-carrying Senior, have been Type II diabetic for around 30 years.

As per the expectation of conventional medicine, - See this link to get the full depressing picture...
Type 2 Diabetes - Diabetes Australia

... I was indeed running true to form, getting worse, heavier, - was 'fat' since mid/late 20's - less fit, and after 3 lots of stents it all went pear-shaped last year when our Dept of Transport threatened to suspend/cancel my driver's licence .....

So I got angry. Beware the wrath of a Patient Man. I did a huge amount of research/exploring/reading and sifting stuff. - Reckon Ive read more study results than many GP's.

Bottom line for me. Everything we've been fed, no pun intended, regarding Good Diet and Eating Habits has been wrong. Or a Big Fat Lie.
I lost my fat -and still slimming - by totally going against all conventional medical advice and accepted wisdom....

I cut out the carbs. moderate protein and HEAPS of fats. Even Saturated, such as found in meat, cream in coffee and my mushrooms die very happy in their swimming pool of butter.

Yes, I eat lots of green leafy veggies and sardines, sometimes wild salmon and tuna.
No, I don't have ANY grains, or fruit, except tomatoes which are merely an excuse to consume HUGE amounts of natural SALT... and various herbal supplements such as cinnamon, turmeric, peppers cumin.

Result: Fat falling off, blood sugars (HbA1C) fallen from 11.2 - which got the Dept. of T "interested" in me - to 7.3s.... (acceptable) to 5.6 (DoT gave me another 12 monthy licence but 4 months early!)

Blood pressure is around 120/72 with NO BP medications, and 110/66 when on 1/4 of the prescribed dose... Someone tell me again how eating so much Evil Salt is sending my BP.... down.

Who gives a toss about "cholesterol"? (it's now 5.6) - Not me, not now - When I had my stents, it was 'average' range. This is not uncommon for First-Time heart attacks, around 50%.
Bet you were never told that by your GP. Or specialist.

To summarise. Being of advanced years (got a white beard and thinning hair to prove it) I have very little faith in my fellow man when money, power,pride, ego and self-importance are involved. Take for example, the diabetic drug-trial that nearly killed me. It (the trial) was a failure. But that same family of drugs is still being prescribed. Avandia

Easy encapsulation would be 3 books. The Rosedale Diet by a Dr Ron Rosedale, which gives the Science of it all.

Gary Taubes's "Why we get fat and what to do about it" which exposes the 'junk-Science' which we've been insulted with over the last 50+ years, and

"The Gabriel Method" by Jon Gabriel for the inside running on what the body can do to make us the shape and size we are.

This last one is not as silly as it sounds, because your subconscious can undo everything you throw at it. I know of someone who had gastric surgery 9 months ago. Lost weight for a few months... now is fatter than when he started. He has never faced or dealt with his Demons...

But his cholesterol is and always was in 'normal' range and balance...