Dr. Whitaker's claim is that MI's are caused from inflammation and have nothing to do with cholesterol. Recent research is finding that the role of inflammation is much more involved than originally thought. So Dr. Whitaker has some validity in his claims.
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/
http://circ.ahajournals.org/
However extensive research still shows that cholesterol plays a role in CAD.
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/
The last link is a meta-analysis of Medline articles from 1966 to 1998 on CAD and statins.
Furthermore, Dr. Whitaker's references are a bit concerning: Business Week, 2 science articles-1 from Biofactors and 1 from Circulation (seemingly valid), and a book.
Finally, statins not only help reduce cholesterol, but also help reduce inflammation, which could be another factor in which they are helping to reduce MI's. So be it cholesterol or inflammation, research has shown that statins continue to lower MI's.
"Dr. Julian Whitaker's Health & Healing-Your Definitive Guide to Wellness Medicine". June 2008. Vol. 18; no. 6; pp. 1-3
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1 comment:
Nicely debunked.
There is overwhelming evidence that statins decrease coronary events in the setting of hyperlipidemia, and there is even some evidence that they reduce coronary events in those who aren't even have known CAD (JUPITER). Whether this is partially through an anti-inflammatory mechanism or not is still under examination. The ezetimibe study from early last year certainly makes one wonder if LDL is the only target.
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