A few years ago, I told you that the cholesterol drug scam would dwarf the statin scandal. Just as those in the ivory towers of medicine have tried to gloss over the statin mess, they’ve kept the truth about statins hidden from the public.

Instead of telling us about the problems, they pushed the drugs like candy. But orthodox medicine has just exposed its Achilles heel. Thanks to a new study, its whole premise of treatment of symptoms and lab numbers is now beginning to crumble.

Two years ago, researchers finished a study called Enhance. It compared a drug made of two powerful cholesterol reducers (Vytorin) to each of its separate components (ezetimibe and simvistatin).

The combination drug did lower LDL cholesterol (considered the bad guy) more that either one of the components did alone. But that’s where the good news ended.

Vytorin didn’t reduce arterial plaque as it’s supposed to do. In fact, patients on Vytorin saw their plaque grow faster than it did with the statin alone. However, this was not considered statistically significant.

But here’s where the scandal gets much worse. Remember, the researchers finished this study two years ago. The makers of Vytorin delayed revealing the results! They had to be pushed by government officials. If the government had left them alone, you still wouldn’t have this information.

The reaction from the medical community has been mixed. Look at the divergence of comments: Dr. Steven Nissen, chairman of cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic, called the results shocking. But at least it didn’t show any harm, stated Dr. Paul D. Thompson, director of cardiology at Hartford Hospital.

Yes, indeed, shocking to ignorant doctors who insist on treating lab numbers with no evidence that doing so improves bottom line health outcomes. But as long as it doesn’t do any harm, at least sales of the worthless drug improve the corporate bottom line (of course, statins harm).

But the real story is the hot debate on treating cholesterol at all with chemicals. CBS News and BusinessWeek are discussing whether statins and cholesterol are over-hyped.

BusinessWeek points out that the touted 36% reduction in heart-attack risk is a relative number. The absolute risk is reduced by 1%, from 3 in 100 to 2 in 100. And while benefits are overstated, risks are understated.

BusinessWeek states that side effects occur in 10-15% of those who take the drugs. Not the mere 2-3% claimed by statin-drug advocates.

If we were to look at the all-cause morbidity and mortality of conventional medical therapies, I would dare say that 90%+ of everything Pharma passes through their physicians will have the same result no net benefit to life.

It’s time that the American people awaken to this. Until they do, you will remain hopelessly farmed by Big Pharma. You will pay more, get less, and ill will a body that cannot heal. The conventional political solution is to throw more fuel (money) on the fire (such as a national health insurance mandate).

Remember, this study was withheld from the public for two years. It hasn’t been published. It was just presented at a medical conference this past March. Meanwhile, Big Pharma is still raking in untold millions on the worthless concoction.

If you want change in so-called health care costs, demand your elected officials refuse contributions from Big Pharma and Big Chemical. They should represent you instead.

And when it comes to cholesterol, skip the statins, and go to my website for solutions that are safer, less costly, and more effective. These include policosanol, guggul, niacin, red yeast rice, Seanol, and others. Don’t forget diet and lifestyle changes. These should always be first on your list.

Ref: CBSNews.com, January 17, 2008.

Stumble! for WP

Recommended Reading

• Healthy Doctors
• Robert Rowen MD Tells You, “How you too can supercharge your sleep using a special formula so you get a great night’s sleep!”
• Miracles of Medicine: Curing Sleep Apnea Can Reverse Alzheimers!
• Second Opinion Newsletter