{"id":1809285,"date":"2023-01-18T09:05:50","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T14:05:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1809285"},"modified":"2023-01-18T09:08:48","modified_gmt":"2023-01-18T14:08:48","slug":"is-the-cholesterol-theory-completely-wrong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/is-the-cholesterol-theory-completely-wrong\/","title":{"rendered":"Is the Cholesterol Theory Completely Wrong?"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">12<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fis-the-cholesterol-theory-completely-wrong%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1809285&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47-->\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<div class=\"lightbox-wrapper\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/5743ab024538795f3e3b4ec35f1b8ead074785c0.jpeg\" data-download-href=\"\/uploads\/short-url\/crYw71P6zADRZOfMWLxLMBjGRlm.jpeg?dl=1\" title=\"Cholesterol-Levels\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/5743ab024538795f3e3b4ec35f1b8ead074785c0_2_690x282.jpeg\" alt=\"Cholesterol-Levels\" data-base62-sha1=\"crYw71P6zADRZOfMWLxLMBjGRlm\" width=\"690\" height=\"282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/5743ab024538795f3e3b4ec35f1b8ead074785c0_2_690x282.jpeg, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/5743ab024538795f3e3b4ec35f1b8ead074785c0.jpeg 1.5x, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/5743ab024538795f3e3b4ec35f1b8ead074785c0.jpeg 2x\" data-dominant-color=\"93B8CA\"   style=\"display:none\"><\/a><\/div>\n<h3>\nHigh Cholesterol may make you live longer<\/h3>\n<blockquote>\n<p>A couple of unheralded research papers claim that it\u2019s actually low LDL cholesterol that\u2019s bad and that statins should be discontinued.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>\nCholesterol Science: There is Something Off<\/h3>\n<p>Let me tell you a story about cholesterol. It involves my mother.<\/p>\n<p>She was suffering from the terrible trio of radiation, lung cancer, and chemotherapy. I tried to convince her to eat high-calorie foods and anything else to keep from starving. She refused to listen and continued to nibble at her food. Why? Because she was concerned about her cholesterol.<\/p>\n<p>The poor woman was given only two years to live. She was more concerned about the potential effects that high cholesterol might have on her heart and lungs than she was about the cancer in her lungs.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s how much the medical community has made us fear cholesterol. What makes my mother\u2019s death possibly even more tragic is that there\u2019s apparently some evidence that having low total cholesterol actually makes one more susceptible to cancer and other diseases.<\/p>\n<p>For now, forget about that. I\u2019m personally at a crossroads here. I inherited high cholesterol from my mother and father, and, despite all my efforts, despite all I know about health, I haven\u2019t been able to solve it.<\/p>\n<p>Granted, my total cholesterol isn\u2019t that bad compared to some. It usually hovers around 220 with an LDL of between 130 and 140, but my doc doesn\u2019t like it. The American Heart Association doesn&#8217;t agree. The doc wants me to take a statin, especially since I\u2019ve got that familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) thing going on.<\/p>\n<p>However, I find more answers the more I study it. I\u2019ve suspected something\u2019s wrong with cholesterol science for a long time and even touched on this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.t-nation.com\/alpha-life\/strong-hearts-and-big-fat-lies\/\">topic<\/a> a few years ago, but a couple of relatively unnoticed reviews of the current research makes a hugely compelling case that we know very little about the effects cholesterol \u2013 specifically low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) \u2013 has on cardiovascular health.<\/p>\n<p>They believe that the current cholesterol hypothesis is based on misleading statistics and lots of ignored contradictory data, as well as the passing over of unsuccessful trials. Worse, these contrarians believe what we think we know is virtually the opposite of what\u2019s true.<\/p>\n<p>The first paper was published by a somewhat obscure (more later) journal. \u201cExpert Review of Clinical Pharmacology,\u201d presents their argument on the alleged dangers of high LDL-C largely in an easily accessible question-and-answer format, which I\u2019ve mimicked below.<\/p>\n<div class=\"lightbox-wrapper\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/32946089eeeb1d867be257b10d6dddcb1b93c61a.jpeg\" data-download-href=\"\/uploads\/short-url\/7drLJTj5KjHxtOmKuBSjogZkUv8.jpeg?dl=1\" title=\"Clogged-Arteries\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/32946089eeeb1d867be257b10d6dddcb1b93c61a_2_689x388.jpeg\" alt=\"Clogged-Arteries\" data-base62-sha1=\"7drLJTj5KjHxtOmKuBSjogZkUv8\" width=\"689\" height=\"388\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/32946089eeeb1d867be257b10d6dddcb1b93c61a_2_689x388.jpeg, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/32946089eeeb1d867be257b10d6dddcb1b93c61a_2_1033x582.jpeg 1.5x, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/32946089eeeb1d867be257b10d6dddcb1b93c61a.jpeg 2x\" data-dominant-color=\"A53933\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<h3>\nDo High Cholesterol Levels Cause Atherosclerosis? This is the build-up cholesterol and fats in the artery walls.<\/h3>\n<p>The authors start their answer by stating the obvious. If high total cholesterol (TC), causes atherosclerosis in people, then people with high TC should have greater atherosclerosis than those with lower TC. Researchers Lande and Sperry discovered that people with low TC were as likely to develop atherosclerosis as those with high TC in 1936. While it\u2019s easy to dismiss research from 1936 as possibly flawed, their observation has been confirmed by at least a dozen studies.<\/p>\n<p>The authors admit that there have been a few studies showing a weak relationship between atherosclerosis (TC) and TC. However, those studies did not include patients admitted to hospitals. Therefore, they could have included FH patients, which might have introduced a bias.<\/p>\n<h3>\nIs High TC a Cause of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD).<\/h3>\n<p>According to the authors, TC could be a major contributor to CVD. People with high TC should therefore die sooner from CVD. They argue this by referring to the Framingham Heart study, which was started in 1960 and has followed for 30 years the health of Framingham residents in England.<\/p>\n<p>The 30-year follow-up was a frightening revelation. According to it, each 1 mg\/dl decline in TC per a year (e.g. TC dropping from 135 into 134) resulted in an 11% increase in mortality and coronary risk. Holy crap!<\/p>\n<p>Three years later, American Heart Association and U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute published joint summaries that included the findings of the Framingham report. \u201ca one percent reduction in an individual\u2019s TC results in an approximate two percent reduction in CHD risk.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Huh? How could this happen? Is it possible that the AHA and Heart, Lung and Blood Institute misinterpreted the results or cherry-picked them to avoid causing any damage to the cardiovascular apple cart?<\/p>\n<p>It was too bizarre, so I searched for the Framingham study. I didn\u2019t have to go past the abstract to find the following damning statement:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cThere is a direct association between falling cholesterol levels over the first 14 years and mortality over the following 18 years (11% overall and 14% CVD death rate increase per 1 mg\/dL per year drop in cholesterol levels).\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Granted, this statement was, according to the study, only true for people over 50, but since most people over 50 are routinely prescribed statins, even for mild hypercholesterolemia, it raises a whole bunch of questions about cholesterol science in general.<\/p>\n<h3>\nHow strong is the relationship between TC &#038; CVD?<\/h3>\n<p>The authors of the contrarian report assert that numerous studies have found that high TC isn\u2019t associated with future CD, of which the strongest evidence of this lack of correlation is found in old people. The authors cite a 2004 Austrian study which followed for many years the health of 67.413 men, and 82.237 women.<\/p>\n<p>They found that TC was weakly associated with CD mortality in men, except for those between 50 and 64 \u2013 the age group for whom it\u2019s supposedly the biggest concern. It was not associated with CD mortality for women over 50 years old, but it was weakly related to CD mortality in women younger than 50.<\/p>\n<p>While this doesn\u2019t perfectly support the argument of the contrarians, it\u2019s an example of how current cholesterol science is horribly imprecise at best.<\/p>\n<h3>\nAtherosclerosis: Can high levels of LDL-C cause it?<\/h3>\n<p>LDL-C cholesterol may cause \u201chardening of the arteries,\u201d Then it makes sense that people with higher LDL-C levels have more atherosclerosis than those with lower LDL.<\/p>\n<p>They did however find that LDL-C was significantly higher in people with subclinical atherosclerosis. They claim, however, that \u201cassociation does not prove causation,\u201d It is important to note that LDL-C readings can be affected by simple mental stress. They can drop as high as 10% to 50% in as little as half an hour. This alone makes nearly all clinical measurements of TTC suspect.<\/p>\n<p>Atherosclerosis can also be caused by mental stress, such as high blood pressure and platelet aggregation.<\/p>\n<h3>\nCan High LDL C Cause CVD<\/h3>\n<p>A large American study discovered that the LDL cholesterol of 140,000 patients suffering from acute myocardial damage was lower than usual upon admission to the hospital. The authors of another study who discovered the same thing decided to take it one step further: They intervened and lowered the patients\u2019 LDL-C even further. Unfortunately, three years later, the mortality rate for patients with lower LDL levels was twice that of those with higher LDL levels, even after correcting for confounding variables.<\/p>\n<h3>\nAre Older People With High LDL-C Live Longer?<\/h3>\n<p>The authors cite a recent review of 19 cohorts (studies that track people for several years) which found that those over 60 with the highest LDL levels lived longer than those who were on statins.<\/p>\n<h3>\nWhat about people with FH? Are they more likely to die earlier?<\/h3>\n<p>According to cholesterol contrarians, it appears not. They point out the Simon Broome registry which provides diagnostic criteria to determine if genetically influenced hypercholesteemia is occurring based on familial, genetic, and clinical history.<\/p>\n<p>This registry allegedly found that only a small percentage of FH people die at an early age, and the mortality among old patients with high LDL-C doesn\u2019t differ from those of the general population.<\/p>\n<h3>\nIf the Contrarians Are Right, How Would High LDL C Prolong Life?<\/h3>\n<p>If what the cholesterol theory contrarians are saying is true \u2013 that there\u2019s an inverse relationship between LDL-C and mortality, what\u2019s the possible explanation?<\/p>\n<p>It could also be related to the unheralded and important role LDL cholesterol plays in the function of the immune systems. LDL-C binds to and inhibits many microorganisms, as well as their toxic byproducts. This theory supports the idea that patients with low LDL cholesterol have an increased chance of developing infectious diseases or cancer.<\/p>\n<p>They suggest that infections may play a role in heart disease development, as well as high LDL-C.<\/p>\n<h3>\nThe majority of the preceding applies to older people. What about LDL-C and young people?<\/h3>\n<p>Many studies have shown a correlation between CVD and high HDL.<\/p>\n<p>Contrarians believe it could be due to a failure to account for many CVD-promoting variables like inflammation, mental strain, coagulation factor, infections, and endothelial sensitivity, all of which are closely connected to abnormalities of LDL receptors.<\/p>\n<p>As mentioned earlier, mental stress can increase TC in minutes. This is because cholesterol is required to produce cortisol, and other stress hormones. In other words, high TC can fuel the production of epinephrine (which are key players) and hypercoagulation (clotting which can lead to stroke or heart attack).<\/p>\n<p>Contrarians believe that high TC is a risk factor for both young and old because mental stress is often more common in the young working-age than in the older generation.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s sum up:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CVD could be caused by high stress and high TC in young people.<\/li>\n<li>High TC and no stress mean they aren\u2019t at great risk for CVD.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"lightbox-wrapper\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/2ab7c6ffec0a7c20cde3123bbc5d5eec99ea091f.jpeg\" data-download-href=\"\/uploads\/short-url\/65TNhAMlaRImU1l6pYHW3q9ocnd.jpeg?dl=1\" title=\"Statins\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/2ab7c6ffec0a7c20cde3123bbc5d5eec99ea091f_2_689x388.jpeg\" alt=\"Statins\" data-base62-sha1=\"65TNhAMlaRImU1l6pYHW3q9ocnd\" width=\"689\" height=\"388\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/2ab7c6ffec0a7c20cde3123bbc5d5eec99ea091f_2_689x388.jpeg, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/2ab7c6ffec0a7c20cde3123bbc5d5eec99ea091f_2_1033x582.jpeg 1.5x, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/2ab7c6ffec0a7c20cde3123bbc5d5eec99ea091f.jpeg 2x\" data-dominant-color=\"B6A9A7\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<h3>\nHow well do statins work?<\/h3>\n<p>As you might have guessed, the anti-cholesterol theory authors aren\u2019t too keen on the use of statins to treat high LDL-C. For one thing, they think they\u2019re mitotoxic. They believe statins cause mitochondrial damage (in the cells in the heart and elsewhere in the body).<\/p>\n<p>In turn, this damage to mitochondria leads to decreased oxidative phosphorylation, which, it stands to reason, isn\u2019t good for the heart or any other part of the human body, for that matter.<\/p>\n<p>Then there\u2019s the myopathy issue associated with the use of statins. Contrarians refers to a study which found that muscle myopathy was only linked with 0.01% in treated patients (Collins, and al. 2016,). It seems that myopathy is only detected in statin studies when creatine kinase (a marker for muscle destruction) is higher than 10x normal. Yikes.<\/p>\n<p>They also reference a study of 22 statin-treated professional sportsmen, 17 of whom ended treatment due to adverse muscular symptoms.<\/p>\n<p>Statins, they write, are also linked to cataracts, hearing loss, suicidal ideation, peripheral neuropathy, depression, Parkinson\u2019s, interstitial cystitis, herpes, and diabetes. Cholesterol is a vital substance for the renewal of all cells, so they feel it\u2019s inevitable that they lead to a slew of unfortunate side effects like the ones just listed.<\/p>\n<p>They even tie the use of statins to heart attacks they\u2019re supposed to prevent. They block production of important molecules. Coenzyme Q10 is one example. This is crucial for energy production in both the muscles and the heart. As such, they suspect the extensive use of statins might have led to epidemics of heart failure in countries where they\u2019re widely prescribed.<\/p>\n<p>(One adverse effect of statins that the contrarians didn\u2019t bring up was the fact that they inhibit the synthesis of vitamin K, which is vital for the prevention of vascular calcification. That means that if statin users don\u2019t supplement with <a href=\"https:\/\/forums.t-nation.com\/t\/vitamin-k-for-the-two-biggest-mens-health-problems\/\">vitamin K<\/a>, they could, ironically, be hastening the development of the very disease they\u2019re trying to prevent.)<\/p>\n<p>Contrarians have concluded that clinicians should stop using statins, along with other anti-statin drugs, PCSK-9 inhibits. \u201cand instead identify and target the actual causes of CVD.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>\nPotential Problems with the Contrarian Cholesterol Position Paper<\/h3>\n<p>Researchers from the University of South Florida, Japan Institute of Pharmacovigilance and other institutions in Japan, Sweden and the USA wrote the paper.<\/p>\n<p>It needs to be pointed out that four of the authors have written books that are critical of the cholesterol hypothesis and that nine of the authors, at least, are members of THINCS \u2013 The International Network of Cholesterol Skeptics, an organization that opposes the theory that animal fat and cholesterol play a role in heart disease.<\/p>\n<p>That, however, isn\u2019t necessarily damning. It might be proof of pre-existing bias, but on the other hand, it tells us they\u2019ve spent a lot of time studying and thinking about the topic. I mean, we didn\u2019t automatically dismiss Einstein\u2019s papers and lectures on relativity because he had previously written a book about it.<\/p>\n<p>Another legitimate criticism, as pointed out by a physician friend of mine, is that the paper was published in a somewhat obscure pharmacology journal, which he suggests they didn\u2019t meet the publication standards of the more well-known journals, \u201cwho would love a good article that challenges current theory.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s true, but another group, consisting of mostly the same authors, wrote a similar paper that was accepted and published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), which is widely known and respected.<\/p>\n<p>As far as his point about journals liking articles that challenge current theory, that\u2019s probably true, at least in most cases. Now, I\u2019m hardly a conspiracy theorist, but I wonder if there\u2019s just too much money and too much influence directly involved in statins. Numerous doctors make fun of statins being added to drinking water. However, this is a common joke given the large number of statin-using people in the world.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, statin and cholesterol beliefs may be so deeply rooted in the medical community that it is impossible to argue against them. This might be the case for cholesterol believers. \u201cSemmelweis reflex,\u201d This is a reflexive approach to information that conflicts with established norms.<\/p>\n<p>However, I should point out that there have been other studies that show a link between TC, heart disease and TC. One such study was published in The Lancet by Lewington et al (2008), which involved almost a million people. Despite the fact that it was unable to prove TC and heart disease, the results did not show a link between stroke mortality and TC.<\/p>\n<div class=\"lightbox-wrapper\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/069479527392bab6217479d1a41b6c2fa47f6daf.jpeg\" data-download-href=\"\/uploads\/short-url\/WcY3KpNDsTkBgZByWZIEJ7TkGr.jpeg?dl=1\" title=\"Heart-Failure\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/069479527392bab6217479d1a41b6c2fa47f6daf_2_689x388.jpeg\" alt=\"Heart-Failure\" data-base62-sha1=\"WcY3KpNDsTkBgZByWZIEJ7TkGr\" width=\"689\" height=\"388\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/069479527392bab6217479d1a41b6c2fa47f6daf_2_689x388.jpeg, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/069479527392bab6217479d1a41b6c2fa47f6daf_2_1033x582.jpeg 1.5x, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/069479527392bab6217479d1a41b6c2fa47f6daf.jpeg 2x\" data-dominant-color=\"335BA8\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<h3>\nWhat can we make of this mess?<\/h3>\n<p>This is the most bizarre thing about these papers and their damning evidence. Virtually no one has paid any attention. I only stumbled on them because someone in T Nation\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/forums.t-nation.com\/\">forum<\/a> I posted a link.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s difficult to know what to believe. It\u2019s maddening, frankly. These papers were written by contrarians. Or are they also trapped by confirmation biases and unable to discern legitimate research?<\/p>\n<p>Or, are they correct? Tens of thousands upon thousands of medical and research personnel ignored all the contradictory data and blamed cholesterol for CVD. This has ironically caused damage to the health of millions.<\/p>\n<p>I don&#8217;t know, but hell if I did. We need to do more research without preconceived notions or bias.<\/p>\n<h4>\nFOR WHAT IT\u2019S WORTH, HERE\u2019S WHAT I BELIEVE<\/h4>\n<p>Inflammation may be the true villain in heart disease, and if statins do prolong life, as some studies seem to indicate, they probably do so because they\u2019re powerful anti-inflammatories.<\/p>\n<p>An excess intake of saturated fats, as well as a diet that is low in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty oils are all factors that can cause inflammation. It is important to maintain optimal blood pressure for heart health. The keys to this are exercise and stress reduction.<\/p>\n<p>Supplements can also be very beneficial. To combat inflammation further, I also take supplements. <a href=\"https:\/\/biotest.t-nation.com\/products\/flameout\">Flameout\u00ae<\/a> You should also eat sardines every day. <a href=\"https:\/\/biotest.t-nation.com\/products\/curcumin\">micellar curcumin<\/a>.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"onebox allowlistedgeneric\" data-onebox-src=\"https:\/\/biotest.t-nation.com\/products\/flameout\">\n<header class=\"source\">\n      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/global.discourse-cdn.com\/tnation\/original\/4X\/7\/1\/5\/715585c562f35505fa6ad5a68a1576f42627aa47.jpeg\" class=\"site-icon\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" alt=\"image\" \/><\/p>\n<p>      <a href=\"https:\/\/biotest.t-nation.com\/products\/flameout\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">T Nation Biotest<\/a><br \/>\n  <\/header>\n<article class=\"onebox-body\">\n    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/19ff80777d311d78d537536565ff2675e8aea25f_2_500x500-1.jpeg\" class=\"thumbnail onebox-avatar\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/19ff80777d311d78d537536565ff2675e8aea25f_2_500x500-1.jpeg, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/19ff80777d311d78d537536565ff2675e8aea25f_2_750x750-1.jpeg 1.5x, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/19ff80777d311d78d537536565ff2675e8aea25f_2_1000x1000-1.jpeg 2x\" data-dominant-color=\"A09EA9\" alt=\"image\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/biotest.t-nation.com\/products\/flameout\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Flameout\u00ae<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>5500mg Omega-3 Molecularly Distilled DHA &#038; EPA Per Serving, with CLA \u2013 No &#8220;Fish Burps&#8221; &#8211; 90 Softgels<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"onebox allowlistedgeneric\" data-onebox-src=\"https:\/\/biotest.t-nation.com\/products\/curcumin\">\n<header class=\"source\">\n      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/global.discourse-cdn.com\/tnation\/original\/4X\/7\/1\/5\/715585c562f35505fa6ad5a68a1576f42627aa47.jpeg\" class=\"site-icon\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" alt=\"image\" \/><\/p>\n<p>      <a href=\"https:\/\/biotest.t-nation.com\/products\/curcumin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">T Nation Biotest<\/a><br \/>\n  <\/header>\n<article class=\"onebox-body\">\n    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/90bd023157d3f31ae39efd5c046c681102fb405f_2_500x500.jpeg\" class=\"thumbnail onebox-avatar\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/90bd023157d3f31ae39efd5c046c681102fb405f_2_500x500.jpeg, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/90bd023157d3f31ae39efd5c046c681102fb405f_2_750x750.jpeg 1.5x, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/90bd023157d3f31ae39efd5c046c681102fb405f_2_1000x1000.jpeg 2x\" data-dominant-color=\"9E9EB3\" alt=\"image\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/biotest.t-nation.com\/products\/curcumin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Micellar Curcumin\u00ae<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Solid Lipid Turmeric Powders (2 Month Supply) \u2013 95x Greater Absorption Than Piperine Formulas &#8211; For Heart Health, Joint Support, and Immune Support &#8211; 60 Vegetable capsules<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/aside>\n<p>As an insurance against clotting and to supplement with other medications, I take 12 hours apart, two baby aspirin per day (despite the current recommendations). <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3C00T3K\">vitamin K<\/a> Coenzyme Q10 is used to prevent calcium formation in blood vessels. <a href=\"https:\/\/biotest.t-nation.com\/products\/zma\">magnesium<\/a> (which controls heart contractions and other functions).<\/p>\n<aside class=\"onebox allowlistedgeneric\" data-onebox-src=\"https:\/\/biotest.t-nation.com\/products\/zma\">\n<header class=\"source\">\n      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/global.discourse-cdn.com\/tnation\/original\/4X\/7\/1\/5\/715585c562f35505fa6ad5a68a1576f42627aa47.jpeg\" class=\"site-icon\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" alt=\"image\" \/><\/p>\n<p>      <a href=\"https:\/\/biotest.t-nation.com\/products\/zma\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">T Nation Biotest<\/a><br \/>\n  <\/header>\n<article class=\"onebox-body\">\n    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/c0b83adca94ddd92ef816fdc98589ef87fd7aca0_2_500x500-1.jpeg\" class=\"thumbnail onebox-avatar\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/c0b83adca94ddd92ef816fdc98589ef87fd7aca0_2_500x500-1.jpeg, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/c0b83adca94ddd92ef816fdc98589ef87fd7aca0_2_750x750.jpeg 1.5x, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/c0b83adca94ddd92ef816fdc98589ef87fd7aca0_2_1000x1000.jpeg 2x\" data-dominant-color=\"A19DAF\" alt=\"image\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/biotest.t-nation.com\/products\/zma\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ZMA\u00ae<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Special zinc\/magnesium blend designed to replace stress-related deficiencies and improve strength and recovery.*<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/aside>\n<p>I\u2019ve also chosen to compromise on the statin issue. Most of the side effects, if they\u2019re true, probably come from the use of higher dosages (up to 80 mg. a day). With that in mind, I\u2019ve opted to take one relatively tiny 5 mg. rosuvastatin (Crestor) pill twice a week. While the dosage is minuscule, there\u2019s research to support such a protocol (if it can be believed).<\/p>\n<p>Lastly, I don\u2019t worry about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.t-nation.com\/lean-built-eating\/news-cholesterol-levels-foods\/\">cholesterol in food<\/a>Because there is little evidence that it can affect blood cholesterol levels, I do not recommend it. As I mentioned above, I monitor my saturated fat intake. Contrary to popular opinion, I don&#8217;t eat too much saturated fat. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.t-nation.com\/lean-built-eating\/how-many-eggs-can-you-safely-eat\/\">egg<\/a> A combination of two or more is good for your heart because it is high in cholesterol and low in saturated fat.<\/p>\n<p>However, I could be wrong on a number of counts. I could be wrong on a few counts, as could the contrarians. It doesn&#8217;t matter if you believe the current cholesterol theory, there may be better ways of treating CVD than what is being currently practiced.<\/p>\n<p>Whatever you do, don\u2019t stop taking statins based on anything you read in this article. Contrarians can be wrong. Talk to your doctor before you decide to stop taking medication. This article is intended to answer some questions.<\/p>\n<details>\n<summary>\nReferences<\/summary>\n<h3>\nReferences<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>Ravnskov U et al. <strong>LDL-C doesn&#8217;t cause cardiovascular disease: A review of all the relevant literature.<\/strong> Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2018 Oct;11(10):959-970. <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30198808\/\">PubMed<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Ravnskov U et al. <strong>A systematic review of the association between low-density cholesterol and mortality in the older: An inverted or absent association<\/strong> BMJ Open. 2016 Jun 12;6(6):e010401. <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/27292972\/\">PubMed<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n<p><small>T Nation makes money from Amazon Associates who make qualifying purchases. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.t-nation.com\/affiliate-link-policy\/\">Read more<\/a> Our policy.<\/small><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Whats sad is we still don\u2019t know who to believe<\/p>\n<p>Cardiologists and most personal doctors agree that high cholesterol can kill you.<\/p>\n<p>So, with whom is it possible to believe?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<aside class=\"quote group-Verified\" data-username=\"TC_Luoma\" data-post=\"1\" data-topic=\"280812\">\n<div class=\"title\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" src=\"https:\/\/sea2.discourse-cdn.com\/tnation\/user_avatar\/forums.t-nation.com\/tc_luoma\/40\/308079_2.png\" class=\"avatar\" \/> TC_Luoma:<\/div>\n<blockquote>\n<p>I\u2019ve also chosen to compromise on the statin issue. Most of the side effects, if they\u2019re true, probably come from the use of higher dosages (up to 80 mg. a day). With that in mind, I\u2019ve opted to take one relatively tiny 5 mg. rosuvastatin (Crestor) pill twice a week. While the dosage is minuscule, there\u2019s research to support such a protocol (if it can be believed).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<p>It can be difficult to understand the differences between CVD and CHF. My cardiologist, along with a few nurses, told me that it&#8217;s primarily genetic. Lifestyle factors can also play a significant role.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m a lightning rod for side effects of statins. After suffering a severe heart attack at the age of 47 (now 50), I began taking atorvastatin. It worked for about one year but then it backfired with mild rhabdomyolysis. Next came rosuvastatin, which made my spine feel like it was crackling peanut butter brittle. Although I have found pravastatin to be very effective, it is difficult to discern the effects of statins from the damage to my heart from the initial stemi. There was also another blockage that formed after the first one was cleared and stented.<\/p>\n<p>I don\u2019t worry about cholesterol in food much either, but I also stick mainly to fats like evo, etc. and I don\u2019t go nuts with them either. It&#8217;s the liver&#8217;s job, and it is where blood fats are converted, regulated, or dysregulated.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"quote group-Verified\" data-username=\"TC_Luoma\" data-post=\"1\" data-topic=\"280812\">\n<div class=\"title\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" src=\"https:\/\/sea2.discourse-cdn.com\/tnation\/user_avatar\/forums.t-nation.com\/tc_luoma\/40\/308079_2.png\" class=\"avatar\" \/> TC_Luoma:<\/div>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Whatever you do, don\u2019t stop taking statins based on anything you read in this article. Contrarians can be wrong. Talk to your doctor before you decide to stop taking medication. This article is intended to answer some questions.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<p>It&#8217;s good advice. Since this began, Ive heard every rationale under the sun for not taking the prescribed medications, from a lot of people I wouldn\u2019t really even have expected it from.<\/p>\n<p>It was a very long recovery period after a heart attack. My doctor asked me about a time frame. He was honest (facetiously). \u201cYou can stop taking them any time you want. I work out of the ER, and I\u2019ll be there when you come back.\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Ask anyone with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia who is over the age of 30 whether cholesterol matters\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Except they\u2019re all dead.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a difference between mild dyslipidemia and congenital familial hypercholesterolemia.<\/p>\n<p>One can have mildly elevated lipids, low trigs and decent particulate counts and it doesn\u2019t matter all that much.<\/p>\n<p>FH patients tend to have shitty subfractions of lipids, which are all associated with higher all-cause cardiovascular mortality rates.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019d be hard pressed to find someone of a healthy body composition without FH who has seriously out of whack lipids from diet alone.<\/p>\n<p>An independent association exists between low HDL and higher CVD burden. Ditto for poor trig\/hdl rates, high subclass B blood ldl, and an increased cardiovascular risk.<\/p>\n<p>Pushing cholesterol below the floor can pose some risks. Target lipid levels can vary from one person to the next.<\/p>\n<p>The prescribing of statins seems very aggressive in America. In Australia you aren\u2019t getting statins unless LDL is at least 150 unless you are deemed high risk i.e type 2 diabetic, overweight smoker with hypertension etc.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"onebox allowlistedgeneric\" data-onebox-src=\"https:\/\/lipidworld.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12944-022-01671-5\">\n<header class=\"source\">\n      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/global.discourse-cdn.com\/tnation\/uploads\/default\/original\/4X\/a\/e\/0\/ae0896ddbd724febbaf45d5bf941170ae0694e4d.png\" class=\"site-icon\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" alt=\"image\" \/><\/p>\n<p>      <a href=\"https:\/\/lipidworld.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12944-022-01671-5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow ugc\">BioMed Central<\/a><br \/>\n  <\/header>\n<article class=\"onebox-body\">\n<div class=\"aspect-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/d640853cd9fd44b11399a0cb856554edcfdb3956.jpeg\" class=\"thumbnail\" width=\"200\" height=\"283\" alt=\"image\" \/><\/div>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/lipidworld.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12944-022-01671-5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow ugc\">Current causes of death in familial hypercholesterolemia &#8211; Lipids in Health&#8230;<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Background Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH), a codominant, autosomal condition, is characterised by high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high risk of early cardiovascular disease (CVD).  The molecular bases of FH have been clearly defined <\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/aside>\n<p>FH patients are still at 2.85x greater risk of dying from CV-related causes than non FH patients. Statistics generally indicate those with FH who are never treated with statins or pcsk9 inhibitors die on average 20 or so years earlier than those who don\u2019t have FH.<\/p>\n<p>Statins have very few side effects such as suicidal ideation and rhabado. Many medications can have dangerous side effects.<\/p>\n<p>Metformin can cause lactic acidosis, SSRI\u2019s can cause serotonin syndrome\u2026 doesn\u2019t mean its likely to happen.<\/p>\n<p>There are several levels of heterozygous FH.<\/p>\n<p>You might have an LDL of 145, HDL of 40 (mild case) with poor subfractions\u2026 or you might have an LDL of 350, LDL of 50 with poor sub fractions.<\/p>\n<p>If he leads a healthy lifestyle, the former guy may not have to deal with any serious problems until his 70s. The second person is in serious need of treatment.<\/p>\n<p>Most healthy guys on t nation with normal or mildly elevated lipids likely don\u2019t need statins. Guys taking boatloads of gear should consider it if they have seriously out of whack lipids (there\u2019s no way HDL of 20 and LDL of 170 is healthy etc), and people with FH confirmed with genetic testing should take them\u2026 or pcsk-9 inhinitors.<\/p>\n<p>FH is rare. It affects approximately 1\/250 people. People with high levels of cholesterol need to lose weight.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Thank you for your valuable feedback.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<aside class=\"quote no-group\" data-username=\"unreal24278\" data-post=\"4\" data-topic=\"280812\">\n<div class=\"title\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" src=\"https:\/\/sea2.discourse-cdn.com\/tnation\/user_avatar\/forums.t-nation.com\/unreal24278\/40\/246529_2.png\" class=\"avatar\" \/> unreal24278:<\/div>\n<blockquote>\n<p>FH is rare. It affects approximately 1\/250 people. People with high levels of cholesterol need to lose weight.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Thank you for that!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>There is an a \u201cnew\u201d Highly credentialed guy who is also a triathlete\/meathead and showing up everywhere now. -Dr. Peter Attia.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s a big proponent of statins, says he has 80% of his 45+ yrs old patients on statins (or\/plus another drug I\u2019ve never heard of ).  On a loong podcast with Andrew Huberman, has Huberman thinking about statins;  also saw Layne Norton recently talking about the same thing, didn\u2019t listen to that full podcast, but I\u2019m betting he was influenced by Attia since he was on one of Attia\u2019s podcasts.<\/p>\n<p>Thoughts?  <a class=\"mention\" href=\"https:\/\/forums.t-nation.com\/u\/tc_luoma\">@TC_Luoma<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<aside class=\"quote group-loyal-t-club\" data-username=\"punnyguy\" data-post=\"7\" data-topic=\"280812\">\n<div class=\"title\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" src=\"https:\/\/sea2.discourse-cdn.com\/tnation\/user_avatar\/forums.t-nation.com\/punnyguy\/40\/257927_2.png\" class=\"avatar\" \/> punnyguy:<\/div>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Layne Norton<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Layne Norton, as far as I remember, had a CAC score of 99th percentile. This infers out of 100 men his age, he probably has more calcified plaque in his arteries than 99 of them\u2026<\/p>\n<p>His cholesterol has been high since childhood.<\/p>\n<p>This is an example of someone who would take statins for a reason. You can\u2019t compare him to a normal person, because most men in their 40s don\u2019t have a CAC of 200+ (his CAC was 212 if I recall correctly).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Statins are a popular choice among doctors. And statistics show that they do prolong life, but as I wrote in the article, I suspect it may because they\u2019re powerful anti-inflammatories and heart disease is first and foremost a disease of inflammation. But I could be wrong. They could be right. That\u2019s the point. It\u2019s so murky. And the other drug they spoke of? It\u2019s probably Ezetimbe (sp?). It functions in the same way as fiber. \u201csops up\u201d cholesterol.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>I refused to have the CAC score taken. It showed the least amount of calcification so I refused to have my CAC score taken. Every time my heart started racing from exercise, I\u2019d get paranoid. The CAC score can also lead to unnecessary followup treatments, which I think is a problem. That\u2019s just me, though. Clearly, though, it hasn\u2019t curtailed Norton\u2019s activities.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<div class=\"onebox lazyYT lazyYT-container\" data-youtube-id=\"0CLb-BfM9ko\" data-youtube-title=\"High Meat Diets And Cholesterol | Starting Strength Network Clips\" data-parameters=\"feature=oembed&#038;wmode=opaque\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0CLb-BfM9ko\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow ugc\"><br \/>\n    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"ytp-thumbnail-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/4d0f1359719a5e7b5a5abb074055a30befedd1f9.jpeg\" title=\"High Meat Diets And Cholesterol | Starting Strength Network Clips\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" alt=\"image\" \/><br \/>\n  <\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<aside class=\"quote group-Verified\" data-username=\"TC_Luoma\" data-post=\"10\" data-topic=\"280812\">\n<div class=\"title\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" src=\"https:\/\/sea2.discourse-cdn.com\/tnation\/user_avatar\/forums.t-nation.com\/tc_luoma\/40\/308079_2.png\" class=\"avatar\" \/> TC_Luoma:<\/div>\n<blockquote>\n<p>My CAC score was not taken. If it showed any calcification, I&#8217;d act like the sword of Damocles was hanging above my head<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<p>A low CAC score that\u2019s above zero isn\u2019t something to be heinously concerned about unless you are young though?<\/p>\n<p>Layne Norton was a 99th percentile CAC<\/p>\n<p>Lets say yours is 65th percentile\u2026 not a big deal. 99th percentile can be a huge deal<\/p>\n<p>Is there cause for concern? Are there any family history of strokes or heart attacks when you were young?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>To prevent blood clots from occurring, TC should investigate nattokinase. This enzyme is known to clear arteriosclerosis and prevent blood clots. Many studies. It is safer and better than aspirin.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>No. No.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>I\u2019m only peripherally aware of it, but I\u2019ll look into it. Thanks!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>A good book to learn the cholesterol myth by Dr Sinatra and Bowden<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>The 220-230 range is the maximum limit for life if you only look at total cholesterol. A range they\u2019d put you on a statin to lower. It\u2019s also worth noting that the slope is steeper on the lower side than on the upper side. A total cholesterol of less than 160 is likely to make you more susceptible to death than a score of 300. We know cholesterol is critical for fighting infectious disease and regulating hormones, in addition to relationships to cancer\/mental health\/etc\u2026 But doctors only ever look at risk factors in isolation when all risks should be considered.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Spot on!  We do know that both the govt. and the big pharma sets the clinical ranges.  Follow the money\u2026  I was raised to trust the medical community but as I have gotten older I have formed a very. You may have a different opinion.<\/p>\n<p>Who has read The Great Cholesterol Myth.  A few years ago, my trainer gave me a copy.  It was very interesting, especially the section about the sugar industry and its connection to big government.  The same trainer also trained a local cardiologist and gave him a copy.  The doctor was hesitant to read the book.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Was lucky to have my HRT doc recommend a CAC test after blood work showed some wonky lipids, which weren\u2019t the norm over the past two decades.<\/p>\n<p>Result 1700 Calcium score<\/p>\n<p>Got in to see a leading cardiac doc @ John\u2019s Hopkins. Echo cardio gram stress test\u2026kicked it\u2019s ass at 13+ minutes. Zero symptoms. Doc stated that he&#8217;s seen many marathon runners and athletes with high CAC scores. Possible calcification at the exterior of vessels.<\/p>\n<p>Moving to FL. Mayo hospital gave me a cardiac doctor. Tan same tests. Physically kicked again. Zero symptoms. Doc said you\u2019re good. You can take statins if necessary. Vascpea prescription. Doc said that I have more questions than answers. Do we need to run an angiogram? Said ok. Let\u2019s do it.<\/p>\n<p>Laying on table\u2026watching them snake through coronary arteries\u2026doc said \u2026LAD (widow maker) 90% blockage @ age 48.<\/p>\n<p>Insist on the stenting. Zero symptoms. Feel great. Great cholesterol and lipids. Never were bad.<\/p>\n<p>Genetics can be very frustrating. After years of heart issues, a biological father died at 62.<\/p>\n<p>Get your shit checked. Be proactive\u2026or you may not be around tomorrow to do so. These are my two cents.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Hey TC didn\u2019t you also point out in an earlier article that some people are genetically predisposed to atherosclerosis when taking statins? This article is both fascinating and informative.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>High Cholesterol may make you live longer A couple of unheralded research papers claim that it\u2019s actually low LDL cholesterol that\u2019s bad and that statins should be discontinued. Cholesterol Science: There is Something Off Let me tell you a story about cholesterol. It involves my mother. She was suffering from the terrible trio of radiation, &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1809288,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[547],"tags":[5458,8033,9588,3819,5095,7058],"class_list":["post-1809285","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-bongino-report","tag-bongino","tag-cholesterol","tag-completely","tag-report","tag-theory","tag-wrong"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1809285","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1809285"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1809285\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1809288"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1809285"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1809285"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1809285"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}