Fish Oil Works Better Than Statins at Improving HDL Cholesterol

A study has shown that fish oils are more effective than the statin drug Lipitor in positively affecting the levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol in obese and insulin-resistant men. HDL cholesterol protects against atherosclerosis by removing excess cholesterol from arterial cells, and low HDL levels can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly for those who are obese or insulin resistant.

(American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 84, No. 1, 37-43, July 2006)

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Gary Moller Comments:

Research studies like these beg the question why on earth these drugs (statins) continue to be prescribed to just about every person in the developed world who presents to the Dr with "raised" cardiovascular risk. Why not concentrate on diet and throw in a little exercise while at it?

Besides, fish oil, flaxseed oil and olive oil, to name a few - are much more affordable than prescription drugs and they have no side effects, other than feeling and looking great!

I gave a presentation to an audience of over 50 people last Friday about staying healthy and fit as we age. I was asked about statins. In my response I referred to "rare" adverse effects including severe muscle wasting, muscle weakness and excruciating pain. After the presentation, two women came up to me and told me that they had suffered muscle pain and wasting from taking statins. One had severe wasting of the quadriceps. Such complications are terrible and lasting, causing no end of ongoing problems with health, quality of life and the risk of injury by falling.

So much for these adverse reactions being rare. If, say, about 12 people in the audiuence were on statins, 2 out of 12 is not rare.

More about this issue in a later posting.

Tufts Researchers Find That Omega-3's Can Reduce Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease

A comprehensive review of published clinical studies by research associates at Tufts-New England Medical Center has found that increased consumption of DHA and EPA (omega-3's), "reduces the rates of all-cause mortality, cardiac and sudden death, and possibly stroke."

...... Studies published in peer-reviewed journals have reported that patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and depression may be deficient in vital nutrients: omega-3, folic acid, and vitamins B6 and B12. According to Dr. Barbara Levine of Weill Cornell Medical College, "Increasing the intake of omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA and EPA, has been clinically shown to reduce severity of these diseases, so that patients are often able to reduce or eliminate medications that have serious adverse reactions."

Many doctors are now using Animi-3, a prescription-only product with specially formulated and highly refined omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, B6, and B12.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=48657&nfid=nl
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Gary Moller comments:

This is an interesting report, not because it is telling us what we already know (Omega-3 oils reduce heart diease, stroke, depression etc, or that B vitamins are equally important for health); but that it shows the insidious process that is happening, driven by big business to "medicalise" and therefore capture and control natural nutritional substances by way of packaging them into prescription only medicines, like the Animi-3 pill.

This process of medicalisation of nutrition should be regarded with horror and revulsion by all. First of all, good nutrition does not come via a pill - it comes from the widespread availability of fresh and affordable foods and encouraging their consumption. Only then would one supplement. Supplementation is wise in instances where there are either deficiencies of a nutrient in food sources, or where there is an additional need of the person, such as during illness or heavy exercise, or chronic depletion.

What we do know about any substance that is dispensed by way of prescription, is the cost goes right through the roof; especially when we factor in the bureacracy hiding behind the scenes of the prescription industry and the compulsory 5 minute appointment with the Dr to get the pill (most likely it will be the synthetic version of the natural nutrient). Government subsidy or not we the public pay one way or another.

Its lunchtime now, so I will sign off now and go eat my $1.99 can of Omega-3 rich sardines, plus a few 15 cents NZ Kiwi Fruit.