Medical Myths You Can Do Without - Myth #2: Cholesterol is the Cause of Heart Disease and Statins are the Answer

By Tim Reynolds, MD

Part 2 of a five-part series.

It's hard to even start writing about this topic -- there is so much misinformation out there. Let's start with the basics. Cholesterol is a necessary part of almost all metabolic processes in the body. Without it we could not survive.

In the early 80s there were some landmark studies linking cholesterol levels to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Since then, all kinds of conclusions have been made as to what this means, what numbers are "normal”, and how those numbers change depending on your medical history.

Drug companies have invented a class of drugs called statins that lower plasma cholesterol levels from 10-50%, depending on the type of drug given and the amount. Statins are prescribed so frequently that they are now a multi-billion dollar industry.

Unfortunately, they also have side effects that can be devastating to some patients. In my medical practice, I have had to take many patients off their statin drugs because of side effects such as muscle pains, aching, and fatigue. In addition, the medical community has no long term studies (20-30 years) to see what the consequences of taking statins will be.

Here are some facts to keep in mind.

• There has been no evidence that having low cholesterol reduces the risk of first time heart attack. In fact, half of those with a first time heart attack have normal cholesterol levels. In a study of 10,000 people comparing those taking a statin to those that did not but maintained their weight and exercised, there was no difference in outcome of any kind.¹ Did you get that?

• There is LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol). Statins lower both, and the problem is we want to see HDL increased. In fact, it seems that heart health results more from increasing HDL than lowering LDL. Drug companies are scrambling to find a drug that raises HDL, but so far without success. Only exercise and the B vitamin, niacin, have been proven to raise HDL.

So what's a better way to ensure your heart is healthy? Start by having your homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels checked. These markers are better predictors of your cardiac risk.

Homocysteine is an amino acid that occurs naturally and can be measured in the blood. The correlation between homocysteine and coronary artery disease is not completely understood but it has been noted that homocysteine levels higher than 14 are associated with a higher risk of heart disease.² The best way to prevent elevated homocysteine levels is to ensure you are taking sufficient amounts of the B vitamins and folate either through diet or supplementation.

CRP is a marker for inflammation of the arteries. It is now thought that inflammation plays a large role in contributing to heart disease. CRP is not routinely measured, but it should be. Elevated levels can identify individuals at increased risk for heart disease. If you find that your CRP levels are high, increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables along with antioxidant supplements.

My personal heart disease prevention plan looks like this:

1. High intensity exercise on a regular basis
2. A diet consisting of natural foods -- high in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in trans fats
3. Fish oil supplements, 3 grams daily
4. Niacin supplements, 1 gram daily
5. Fiber supplement (Metamucil or FiberCon)
6. Coenzyme Q10, 200 mg daily
7. Grass-fed beef to increase omega-3 fatty acids
8. Fresh fish at least twice a week
9. Pomegranate juice three times a week for extra antioxidants
10. 1/2 cup red wine every evening

Instead of rushing to take a statin, find a physician you trust and take some time to talk to him or her about your particular situation. You may find that with a proper diet, nutritional supplements, and moderate exercise, your risk of a heart attack from all causes can be dramatically reduced.

References

1. JAMA December 18, 2002;288:1998-3007,3042-3044.
2. NEJM November 27, 1997 Vol 337 number 22:1631-1633.

[Ed. Note: Tim Reynolds, M.D., is a practicing physician and a health and lifestyle expert. For more information, click here.]

Healthy Living: Put Your Best Foot Forward By Jackie Silver

When you think of cosmetic surgery, feet aren't usually the first things that come to mind -- but more and more people are opting for surgery to make their feet prettier. "Foot Makeover" and "Toe Tuck" are just two of the terms that have come into vogue in recent years.

Cosmetic foot surgery is defined as surgery "done to manipulate or change a foot that has no underlying injury." According to WebMD, when surveyed, the majority of foot and ankle surgeons (82%) thought cosmetic foot surgery was inappropriate.¹

Some women want to shorten their toes or have their feet made narrower, while others ask for collagen or silicone injections in the pads of their feet to make it more comfortable to wear high heels. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), "...urges consumers to carefully consider the relative risks and benefits of undergoing unnecessary surgical procedures."²

So here are some tips to make your feet look and feel better without the surgery.

1. Exfoliate. Our feet can take quite a beating from walking around barefoot or even from ill-fitting shoes. Sandals expose your feet to dirt and grime that can embed itself into your heels. To make your own exfoliant, mix Epsom Salt with coconut oil or olive oil to make a paste. Rub the paste into your heels and calluses then wash off and dry thoroughly. I recommend doing this in the bathtub, sitting down, so you don't slip. It can be messy, so doing it in the bath makes for easy cleanup.
2. Try paraffin. A paraffin wax treatment makes your feet ultra-soft feeling, plus it relaxes you, so you're combining stress relief with your foot beauty treatment. Many spas offer paraffin wax treatments or you can purchase your own system at many of the big chain stores.
3. Get the right fit. Many people choose shoes that are ill fitting and this can cause calluses, corns, hammer toes, bunions, fallen arches and other foot problems.³ If you're not sure of your size, most shoe stores or shoe departments have measuring devices that can help you pick the right size (length and width) for you -- and it's usually free.
4. Do foot and ankle exercises. Exercise has so many health advantages, and it can even benefit your feet. Just as muscle tone makes our bodies look better, exercise can also improve the look of our feet, ankles and calves.
5. Get a pedicure. Even if you don't have it in your budget, you can give yourself a home pedicure or at least polish your toenails so they'll look more "finished." Be sure to keep your toenails trimmed and filed.

As you can see, there are many ways to have more attractive feet without resorting to unnecessary surgery. As Leonardo da Vinci said, "The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art."⁴

References

1. http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20040312/cosmetic-foot-surgery-on-rise.
2. http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/symptoms/foot-pain/risk-factors.html.
3. http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/symptoms/foot-pain/overview.html.
4. http://imechanica.org/node/3273.

[Ed. note: Jackie Silver is aging backwards. She shares her secrets, tips, and shortcuts on her web site, AgingBackwards.com, in her forthcoming book, on the syndicated TV show, Daytime, on Clear Channel radio's Mix 100.7, and as a sought-after speaker. For more information, click here.]

Healthy Recipes: Watermelon Rind Relish By Kelley Herring

Watermelon rind is especially high in an amino acid known as citrulline. Our bodies use citrulline to make another amino acid, arginine, which helps cells to divide, wounds to heal, and ammonia to be removed from the body.¹ Use the white inner rind, not the outer green part of the rind. This relish goes deliciously well with summer marinated and grilled foods -- especially fish and pork.

Time to Table: 1 hour
Yield: 3 1/2cups (serving size 4 Tbsp.)

Benefits
Citrulline
Low carb, low sugar, low sodium, gluten-free

Ingredients
12 cups spring water
6 cups shredded organic watermelon rind
2 cups organic erythritol
1 cup organic apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon organic dry mustard
2 teaspoons organic ground turmeric
2 teaspoons organic ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon Celtic sea salt
1 teaspoon organic celery seeds

Preparation
Shred the rind with the large holes of a box grater, or chop and shred it in a food processor. Set aside.Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add rind and cook 3 minutes. Drain well. Combine erythritol and remaining ingredients in pan; bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes. Stir in watermelon rind; simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring frequently. Cool; pour relish into airtight containers. Refrigerate relish in airtight containers up to two months.

Nutrition Information
17 Calories, 3 g Carbohydrate, 0 mg Cholesterol, 0.4 g Total Fat, 0.4 g Fiber, 0.4 g Protein, 99 mg Sodium, 2 g Sugars, 0 g Saturated fat, 0 trans Fat, 0.3 g Monounsaturated fat, 0.1 g Polyunsaturated fat

Reference

1. USDA Agricultural Research Service (2007, August 15). Want Citrulline? Try Watermelon.

[Ed Note: Do you love dessert, but not the sugar? Kelley Herring's new company, Wellness Bakeries, has created all-natural, protein-packed, high-fiber, low glycemic dessert mixes that you can enjoy without a moment's guilt. To learn more and try a delicious slice for yourself, click here.]

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These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise’s Total Health Breakthroughs [Issue 08-08-08] which offers alternative solutions for mind, body and soul. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/