Cholesterol and Statins
I got a press release today from the consumer advocacy group Which? informing me that “Misleading health claims to be banned at last”. Apparently, European Union Member States today voted to adopt a list of scientifically proven health claims that can be made about food and drink products. Claims for green tea and glucosamine (regarding […]
Cholesterol and Statins
Low-carb diets seem to be good for cancer, aspirin largely ineffective for heart disease prevention (just like statins), questions raised over role of HDL-cholesterol in cardiovascular disease. For RSS feeds, click on http://www.podcastmachine.com/podcasts/8966 and then the ‘RSS feeds’ button to the right. For help regarding the playing, downloading and subscribing of the podcasts, click here.
Cholesterol and Statins
Cholesterol in the bloodstream is transported in two main forms: ‘low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol’ (LDL-cholesterol) and ‘high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol’ (HDL-cholesterol). Conventional wisdom tells us that LDL-cholesterol is responsible for the fatty build-up on the inside of arteries known as ‘atherosclerotic plaque’, but that HDL-cholesterol clears this plaque. Because of this, HDL- and LDL-cholesterols are dubbed ‘good’ and ‘bad’ […]
Cholesterol and Statins
Aspirin is perhaps best known for its painkilling properties. But another of its actions in the body is to inhibit the ability of blood components called ‘platelets’ to stick together. It’s when platelets clump together that clots are formed. In other words, aspirin partially inhibits clot formation. Small blood clots called ‘trombi’ are essentially responsible […]
Cholesterol and Statins
How often should we eat, one way to prevent flu is to catch flu, FDA swallows drug company hype without thinking. For RSS feeds, click on http://www.podcastmachine.com/podcasts/8966 and then the ‘RSS feeds’ button to the right. For help regarding the playing, downloading and subscribing of the podcasts, click here.
Cholesterol and Statins
Vytorin is a drug which combines the statin simvastatin with ezetimibe – a drug which blocks cholesterol absorption in the gut. To date, there has been no good evidence that ezetimibe reduces the risk of, say, heart attacks and strokes, but that has not stopped doctors feverishly penning prescriptions for this drug. The fact is, […]
Children's Health
Statins appear to do about as much harm as good, more exercise unlikely to help tackle childhood obesity, flu vaccines and Tamiflu still not very effective (despite what some doctors may think). For RSS feeds, click on http://www.podcastmachine.com/podcasts/8966 and then the ‘RSS feeds’ button to the right. For help regarding the playing, downloading and subscribing […]
Cholesterol and Statins
When I was at medical school I remember being lectured on the wonders of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). I was distinctly taught, and without reservation, that women taking HRT had a lower risk of heart disease compared to women ‘going without’. This ‘fact’ turned out to be complete rubbish. Subsequent evidence revealed that HRT actually […]
Brain and Behaviour
Conflicts of interest in ‘expert panels’, the downside of mammography, why do shift-workers have an increased risk of multiple sclerosis? For RSS feeds, click on http://www.podcastmachine.com/podcasts/8966 and then the ‘RSS feeds’ button to the right. For help regarding the playing, downloading and subscribing of the podcasts, click here.
Cholesterol and Statins
Why ‘raised’ cholesterol can be a cause for celebration, protein supplementation can help fat loss, fair-skinned individuals are at risk of vitamin D deficiency. For RSS feeds, click on http://www.podcastmachine.com/podcasts/8966 and then the ‘RSS feeds’ button to the right. For help regarding the playing, downloading and subscribing of the podcasts, click here.