No Wonder We're Confused!

[Aliwally]

dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

After reading this article, which contradicts the one that Bala found, I am not going to give the Daily Mail any more publicity.

[Penel]

It's very very unfortunate that The Daily Fail is read by so many people!

I think it does illustrate the continuing controversy surrounding cholesterol and statins.

I found this article from Scientific American in 2011 summarising the science behind the cholesterol controversy and the use of statins, which is quite long but very informative I think.

blogs.scientificamerican.co...

[patch14]

"Money is the route of all evil!" Isn't that the phrase? Where there is the likelihood of money being made or money being saved then there is a risk of decisions being made contrary to common sense. There are those of us who need drugs to keep us alive, to keep us healthy and to keep us able to continue to live a contributing life to the community at large. (i.e. cancer survivors, heart and stroke survivors, diabetics, epileptics, etc.,) but for those of us who have not had to face any of these why do the powers that be suggest that we take drugs "just in case". Because they are cheap to make, cheap to prescribe and they are expected to keep the costs of care in the future down. HOW DO THEY KNOW? What of the side effects of these drugs that will cost the NHS MORE money when they have to treat those who are suffering from them!

The article states that the side effects of statins are minimal or slight. Try telling that to those people who suffer them! I agree that there are those who have suffered heart problems have found benefit from taking statins and there is supported reviews that see statins as part of a medication regime beneficial. However, I cannot see how insisting that EVERYONE take medication to perhaps keep heart conditions at bay could possibly be right.

There was a heavy controversy some years ago when it was suggested that fluoride be put in the national water supply. A parallel example perhaps.

[Hidden in reply to patch14]

No, it's the want of money...

[Aliwally]

This is why I try to get all my information from reliable medical sources such as PubMed, BMJ, The Lancet , American Journal of Cardiology etc.

When one of the GP's in my practice accused me of getting information from the Daily Mail, I was mortally offended (not literally I hope) !

[sandybrown]

All,

Have been reading medical reports for few years and watch TV medical programme as well.

Most of them are very informative! If a consultant or a medical specialist writes then I take a close look. It is very confusing. I got into BG and Cholesterol two years ago, life style change/Medication.

Next blood test in June this year.