For better — or worse?

Q: I read the recent eTip on the lack of effectiveness of statin drugs. But I’m at a loss about what to believe because when I talked to my doctor about it, he said that, while statins may have some drawbacks, they do lower bad cholesterol, and lower cholesterol is always better. I would be very appreciative of any additional insights you can give.

Dr. Wright: With all due respect to your doctor’s opinion that lower cholesterol is better, I have to ask, better than what?

In the end, I can’t help but say “So what?” if statins lower “bad” cholesterol. If your doctor told you that, while they lower your “bad” cholesterol, these patent medications won’t actually increase your chances of living longer and that you’re very likely to experience adverse events while you’re taking them, wouldn’t you wonder why he even bothered to discuss statins at all?

There are many natural methods of lowering your cholesterol levels, not to mention improving your overall cardiovascular health (which encompasses much more than just monitoring your cholesterol). For more information on natural approaches to hearth health, refer back to the March 2003 issue of Nutrition & Healing. Subscribers can download it for free from the Archives on www.wrightnewsletter.com (just enter the username and password listed on page 8 of your most recent newsletter when prompted).