Ignore the awkward! How the cholesterol myths are kept alive

by Uffe Ravnskov

The cholesterol campaign is the greatest medical scandal in modern time. If you have read the author's previous books ´The Cholesteol Myths´ (out of print) or 'Fat and Cholesterol are GOOD for You', you should know that for certain. For instance, according to more than 25 scientific studies old people with high cholesterol live the longest. Another shocking fact is that the authors of a recent American study of more than 130,000 patients with acute myocardial infarction found that on average, their cholesterol was lower than normally. Their finding has already been confirmed by others. What they also found was that three years later, mortality was twice as high among those whose cholesterol was the lowest. Their conclusion? We must lower cholesterol even more! But there is much, much more. The author's aim with this book is to show how prominent scientists have turned white into black by ignoring all conflicting observations; by twisting and exaggerating trivial findings; by citing studies with opposing results in a way to make them look supportive; and by ignoring or scorning the work of critical scientists. Those who have not read his previous books may not quite understand the width of these misleading processes. He has therefore included a short and simplified review of the most obvious contradictions to the cholesterol hypothesis. At the end he presents what he and his colleague Kilmer McCully think is the real cause, here told in a more simple way than in his previous book.

Genres: Health, Nutrition, Nonfiction, Science

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2010

Reviews

[Jennifer Zartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Ravnskov sounds a great warning for anyone accused of having high cholesterol, and provides much needed information for making informed decisions. It takes a lot of guts to stand for the truth when the world at large maligns your efforts. We revere men like Galileo, Luther, and Abe Lincoln who risked their livelihood and even their lives for their beliefs, but we still pillory those who go against the grain today. Dr. Ravnskov shows great moral courage in standing up to the drug companies and professional ridicule from other doctors for what he has deduced from the tests on cholesterol's connection to heart disease. He comes to the debate with excellent credentials and gives careful documentation and clear reasons for his stand. I understand the reluctance of researchers to destroy their career by publishing results contrary to the interest of those who fund their work, but the lives of innocent people hang in the balance here. Bravo, Dr. Ravnskov!

[Lieve Hüwels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clearly explained and it all makes sense and is very logical. It gives you a good concept of why we/our body need-s cholesterol and what big pharma on the other hand is doing with/to us if we let them. Very brave to come forward with this.

[Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most important books I’ve read.

[Cuneyt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a relatively short book (154 pages in total), with quite a bit of information. It is not the first book on cholesterol myth I have read, therefore lot of the information was not new. Also, it feels like Dr Ravnskov needs a good editor. In a few places it gets a little difficult to understand the argument, although there are not many of those. I also don't like it when the author tells me that he will explain it in a later chapter. I would rather have the explanation there and than. Call me impatient.

Now the good bits: It is a well documented argument. Each chapter has numerous references, given in a scientific style at the end.I found most of his arguments easy to follow and his style is compelling and honest. Overall I think it is an important and informative book that I can recommend with a good conscious. Well Done Dr. Ravnskov!

[Douglas Larson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My biggest complaint with this book is that the author is Danish and the English translation is not the best. Consequently the slightly awkward sentences (no pun intended) that appear throughout the book doesn't put the author's professionalism in the best light. Still, in spite of this, I tend to believe and accept the author's claim that the scientific literature doesn't support the lipid hypothesis, i.e. that cholesterol contributes directly to heart disease.

Ravnskov came to his conclusion by reexamining data from past scientific studies, and found that the scientific foundations of the Diet-Heart Idea were flawed, filled with inaccuracies, misinterpretations and exaggerations. In other words his main thesis is that the lipid hypothesis cannot be concluded from the existing scientific literature.

[Emerald Mansfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written and well-referenced book on the myths of saturated fat, cholesterol, and heart disease. If you don't believe it you should read this book or one of Ravnskov's other books or at least don't take those dangerous, cholesterol lowering statin drugs!. They may decrease your risk of heart disease, but increase your risk of cancer as well as other side effects such as muscle weakness, poor memory, and poorly functioning mitochondria (tired cells), just to mention a few. Heart disease is hypothesized to be a bacterial or viral infection of the intima. Now time to read the references to learn more.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good look at the Cholesterol Con we've all been living with for the past 30 years or so. The thing I like about Uffe's books is the depth he's gone to find the real facts. Plenty of references in his work for the sceptics to follow up.

He's Scandinavian, so some of the translation is a little odd.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

if you've been reading a lot of articles / books about statin, the ideas in the book might no longer be new to you. i wish their discussion about their hypothesis about the cause of heart attacks to have more meat.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great information, especially on the dangers of statins. Lots of data and analysis on cholesterol and nutrition. The song excerpts at the beginning of each chapter seem out of place. At times the language is too casual and irreverent.

[Muris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! A recommendation to everybody that either "had a problem with blood lipids", or is of a medical background.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

How badly the medical profession got it wrong. How we all need to review what we eat if we are to live long and healthy lives.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit on the technical side, but if you've been told that you have high cholesterol or Familial Hypercholesterolmenia, then you need to read this book.