What I liked:
Barbara did a good job describing the potential side-effects of statins. Also, by including stories of patients who experienced these side-effects and stopped when they quit the drugs, she made the repercussions more memorable and more real. She included MANY recipes, which I didn't read, that would surely help somebody not knowing where to start in "healthier" eating. She made it clear that not everybody should be on statins and explained the types of conditions and levels that appropriately warrant them, and, more importantly, what side-effects warrant their immediate disuse. She backed up a lot of what she said with research. I loved how she was consistent on how she presented the takings from the research (the absolute risk was X, the relative risk was Y, and Z was/was not statistically significant). Finally, I enjoyed how she didn't excessively focus on one statin more than the other or one treatment and did a fair job covering it all in equivalent depth.
What I didn't like:
I remember her talking about scientists' primitive view on the implications on cholesterol and what parts of it was measured and then used to make clinical decisions. She stated that we've come a long way since then. To her, a long way is distinguishing between HDL, LDL, and VLDL. However, what is known today is that even that is not sufficient in making sound clinical decisions! I'd be delighted in seeing "The Truth About Statins, Pt. 2" updated with research about LDL-P, Lp(a), insulin resistance, and ApoB.
She touched on the A-Z Trial and said that Dr. Atkins died of heart disease. I'm surprised of her ignorance on this... that is NOT how he died. It was head trauma. And from then on, she discounts low-carb diets though in that trial it did just as good as her advocated Mediterranean diet and in some ways WAY better! In this sense she totally disregarded honesty. I suspect she didn't recommend that because it is a diet high in animal products.
She should have included more about inflammation and much more about the widely accepted mechanical theory of heart disease which states that in order for the inflammation cascade to begin, there must be forces that send LDL particles into the intima (hypertension), oxidizing agents to create the immune response (HIGH glucose, toxins, chronic aerobic exercise, etc.), and other factors.
Lastly, I wish she would have included an optional section that went heavily into the science. I understand she probably wanted to appeal to a general audience, but by making it optional and not the entirety of the book, she could have added to her credibility with more medically savvy individuals - those who want the to know the why.
Final comments:
This book would be a good primer for those interested in the, well, "truth about statins". Most people think stains are either free of side effects (because they've been convinced what they're feeling is age-related or "just a part of gettin' older") or well worth the side effects because their doctor said so (promising them this pill will save their lives). However, this book isn't good for people who want to know the mechanism. The sheer number of recipes make it attractive for those interested and ready to do something different with their heart health.