More evidence that statins are neither effective, nor safe for preventing heart disease

This is sensational news!

How statistical deception created the appearance that statins are safe and effective in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease

David M Diamond1–3 and Uffe Ravnskov

http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1586/17512433.2015.1012494

• We have provided a critical assessment of research on the reduction of cholesterol levels by statin treatment to reduce cardiovascular disease. 
•  Our opinion is that although statins are effective at reducing cholesterol levels, they have failed to substantially improve cardiovascular outcomes. 
• We have described the deceptive approach statin advocates have deployed to create the appearance that cholesterol reduction results in an impressive reduction in cardiovascular disease outcomes through their use of a statistical tool called relative risk reduction (RRR), a method which amplifies the trivial beneficial effects of statins. 
• We have also described how the directors of the clinical trials have succeeded in minimizing the significance of the numerous adverse effects of statin treatment.

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Gary:
Never before have I seen a published research paper that so clearly accuses fellow doctors and researchers of deception, manipulating statistics and minimising risk in order to present a distorted and harmful version of the truth.  This is sensational news and how they ever got to publish their findings in an international scientific publication is beyond me.  Maybe the tide is turning?  About time, I say.

Statin Drugs do not improve health - 

Statin drugs cause harm!

What this means is the Heart Foundation will have to throw out all their manuals ands completely rewrite their healthy heart guidelines.  Their lucrative Heart Tick is worthless.  Their advice about saturated fats such as avocado and coconut oil, let alone animal fats and eggs lacks credibility.

Total cholesterol levels between 4-6nmol/L are healthy and of no cardiovascular risk consequence.

Here are the official guidelines.  These guidelines are set by committees of experts, the majority of whom have financial ties with the statin industry.  I recommend you ignore anything below 6nmol (240mg/dl).  

As cholesterol levels go progressively lower than 3nmol/L have increasingly poor health, more infections, cancers, confusion and dementia and lower life expectancy.

Level mg/dL	Level mmol/L	Interpretation
< 200	< 5.2	Desirable level corresponding to lower risk for heart disease
200–240	5.2–6.2	Borderline high risk
> 240	> 6.2	High risk

In my opinion, which is increasingly being supported by reports such as this, is there are no health benefits from taking statins by anybody, other than possibly those at the extreme end of cardiovascular risk.

Even for those at the extreme of high cholesterol, greater health benefits are to be obtained from identifying and dealing with the root causes of heart disease, principally inflammation and the deposition of calcium into the soft tissues including the blood vessels.  Statins do not address either of these.

I wonder why this has not had any mention in the mainstream news?  Maybe its another one of those lies that is too big to fail?

Further reading:

http://chriskresser.com/behind-the-veil-conflicts-of-interest-and-fraud-in-medical-research