basic Home / Contact

ABOUT CHOLESTEROL: By Martin R. Carbone -- 11/3/06

  • What is it?
  • What does it do?
  • Should you try to control your cholesterol?

NOTE: See the list of 111 articles below -- they are numbered.

My personal conclusions follow. These conclusions are based on my reading of the listed articles and some related information.The numbers shown in ( ) refer to the number of the 111 listed articles.

Q: What is cholesterol?
A: A self-regulated fatty substance (19) (also called a waxy alcohol (7) or waxy substance (34), or fatty alcohol (45), primarily made by the liver (14) and the brain. It basically comes in two forms, LDL and HDL. LDL is a low density version that basically repairs cells throughout the body (14). HDL is a high density version that removes excess cholesterol from the body

Q: What does it do?
A: It builds all the cell membranes in our bodies (14) (47), makes hormones, regulates itself (16) and keeps us alive. It “constitutes 50 per cent of the fragile membranes that sheath all cells” (48)

Q: Should I, Martin Carbone, try to control my cholesterol?
A: No.

BACKGROUND

  • My cholesterol readings are: LDL = 189 / HDL = 48 / VLDL = 24 / Total cholesterol = 251 (as reported)
  • The ratio of LDL to HDL is 3.9.
  • The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL is 5.2
  • I have recently been advised, by Dr. Levelier to take Crestor, a Statin drug

REASONING
Much theory and evidence supports the idea that HDL scavenges excess cholesterol (9) (16) (19) (21).

A number of studies suggest that HDL protects us from arterial problems, including heart attacks (44) (45) (56) (63). This evidence did not surface in strong public announcements until 1992 (45). By that time almost all doctors and the public had concluded that all cholesterol was bad. That conclusion still is, quite incorrectly and unfortunately, prevalent.

No studies have linked HDL to any problems.

The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL seems to be an important factor. Lower ratios are good. The average ratio for all people in the U.S. is 4.5. People with heart problems have ratios of 5.5. Since my ratio,at 5.2 is above the average, it appears that I am at some risk. (92). Also see (32) for other suggested ratios. However the proponderance of other data is at odds with these suggested ratios, so I am discounting them.

Michael DeBakey, the famous surgeon, has significant doubts about the general conclusion that cholesterol causes heart problems (22) . He has stated, that 30 years of observation of more than 15,000 patients had led him to conclude that cholesterol was not the central cause of atherosclerosis, the artery-clogging condition that kills hundreds of thousands of Americans each year.

Duane Graveline a medical doctor and former astronaut has written extensively about the dangers of statin drugs and the reduction of cholesterol. See << http://www.spacedoc.net/>>

U. Ravnskov, a medical doctor and researcher has written extensively about the dangers of reducing cholesterol. He thinks it is a valuable material that has nothing to do with heart problems. See << http://www.ravnskov.nu/cholesterol.htm >>

“ Cholesterol is essential for brain development and neuronal functions. However, at present little is known about cholesterol homeostasis in the central nervous system with is separated by the rest of the body by the blood-brain barrier.“ See << http://www.helsinki.fi/biocentrum/ikonen.html >>This suggests it may be dangerous to take statins, which may interfere with cholesterol in the brain.

I see no evidence that reducing LDL reduces death or heart problems. Reducing LDL is widely assumed to reduce death and heart problems -- but the assumptions are just that, assumptions, they are not based on any reasonable evidence. All the studies (and there are many) that conclude that LDL cholesterol or total cholesterol is a problem did not take levels of HDL into consideration! Until that is done, there appears to be no justification for the conclusions. It may be that in all of those tests, it was the absence of HDL that caused the problem. (20)

The process and mechanics of cholesterol production (3), (10), (14 -- this study resulted in a Nobel prize) (35) (57) and arterial problems (12), (13) (97) seem to be very well known, but nothing in that process indicates that HDL is incapable of controlling the levels of LDL.

There is no other naturally reported mechanism for controlling LDL. HDL does all the work.

No study that I am aware of has ever shown that there is a problem with LDL if HDL levels are in balance with LDL. It is the balance that matters (32).

Dr. Richard Kronmal, a statistician at the University of Washington, found that the relationship between cholesterol levels and risk of death from heart attacks diminished as people grew older, eventually becoming non-existent (56).

Some cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) have serious side effects -- including more than 100 deaths by Baycol (84) (91). Also Crestor has been implicated in one death (102)

Other reported side-effects are memory loss, erectile dysfunction, depression (58), cancer (4), constipation (60), heart rhythm abnormalities (60) and muscle degradation (102).

Low LDL has been linked to diminished mental acuity (68) (104) and many other serious problems including cancer, lung disease, suicide, violent death (69) and intercranial hemorrhage (47)

Only 40 percent of people with high cholesterol levels die of heart disease (57).

In 3,904 men and women from 70 to 90 years old, those with low levels of HDL were 2-1/2 times as likely to die of heart disease as those with high levels (60).

HDL is considered low at 35 mg. / tenth of a liter; a high level is 60 mg. / tenth of a liter (60) (62).

HDL is good for you (94) (96) (107).

“ Nearly 1/2 of heart patients have normal cholesterol levels” (101)

Based on the above, it is foolish to try to reduce LDL by taking drugs.

MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHOLESTEROL PROCESS

  • The body manufactures cholesterol -- mostly in the liver, but also in the brain.
  • Some cholesterol is picked up and combined with certain proteins and is called LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins).
  • LDL goes to artery walls (3) and deposits the cholesterol where it is used to build cell membranes.
  • Other cholesterol is picked up by other proteins and is called HDL (High Density Lipoproteins).
  • Cholesterol is the basic building block of all cell membranes including artery cells, brain cells and muscle cells. It is extremely important. We are basically made of cholesterol. It is necessary for life.
  • The cholesterol system is self controlled. The HDL removes excess cholesterol by taking it to the liver where it is discharged as waste.
    Added information on 2/1/08 shows Cholesterol makes your brain work better.
    This link goes to an abstract of the study. The abstract links to the study.

The 111 articles listed below were selected from hundreds archived by the NY Times. They were read in an effort to understand the subject by Martin Carbone who was recently advised by his doctor to take the anti-cholesterol statin-drug, Crestor.

It is hoped that these articles will (a) help you understand what cholesterol is, (b) how it can affect you and (c) whether or not you should try to control it.

To retrieve articles:
1 Go to << http://www.nytimes.com/ >>
2 Select “NY Times Archive Since 1981”
2 Put the title of article in search box -- see list below
3 The article should come up

TITLES OF ARTICLES

  1. LONG-TERM STUDY LINKS CHOLESTEROL TO HAZARD OF EARLY CORONARY DEATH
  2. IDEAS AND TRENDS IN SUMMARY; Is Cholesterol dangerous? New Study Says Yes
  3. RESEARCHER TRACES A PROCESS OF CHOLESTEROL BUILDUP
  4. LIFE-SAVING BENEFITS OF LOW-CHOLESTEROL DIET AFFIRMED IN RIGOROUS STUDY
  5. COFFEE’S DRINKERS SAID TO RUN RISKS
  6. STUDY BACKS CUTTING CHOLESTEROL TO CURB HEART DISEASE RISK
  7. PERSONAL HEALTH; LOWERING CHOLESTEROL IN BLOOD
  8. PERSONAL HEALTH; CALCIUM, CHOLESTEROL AND DIET
  9. DIET TO PREVENT HEART ATTACKS AIMS TO CUT BLOOD FAT LEVELS
  10. 2 WIN HORWITZ PRIZE FOR CHOLESTEROL WORK
  11. PANEL SAYS CHOLESTEROL LEVELS IN MANY IS DANGEROUSLY HIGH
  12. LOWERING BLOOD CHOLESTEROL TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE
  13. SCIENCE WATCH; ‘HEALING’ MAY WORSEN CHOLESTEROL DAMAGE
  14. 2 AMERICANS WIN NOBEL MEDICINE PRIZE
  15. NEW STUDY TIES COFFEE DRINKING OF 5 CUPS DAILY TO HEART DISEASE
  16. METHOD OF TREATING CAUSE OF HEART ATTACKS TESTED
  17. Q & A: DR. W. VIRGIL BROWN; SOME OUNCES OF PREVENTION THAT LOWER HEART RISK
  18. SCIENCE WATCH; Seasonal Cholesterol
  19. HIGH CHOLESTEROL THREATENING MANY
  20. PERSONAL HEALTH - DECEMBER 10, 1986 / BY JANE BRODY
  21. CHOLESTEROL: DRUG HAILED AS TREATMENT BREAKTHROUGH
  22. SURGEON QUESTIONS CHOLESTEROL ROLE
  23. FOR FIRST TIME, CUT IN CHOLESTEROL IS SHOWN TO DETER ARTERY CLOGGING
  24. IDEAS & TRENDS; Some Unclogging Of The Arteries
  25. Cholesterol Researcher is Censured For Misrepresenting Data in Article
  26. SCIENCE WATCH; PECTIN and CHOLESTEROL
  27. IDEAS AND TRENDS: New Drug; Toward Cholesterol Control
  28. U.S. DEFINES CHOLESTEROL HAZARDS AND OFFERS TREATMENT GUIDELINES
  29. Cholesterol-Altering Drugs Found To Reduce Risk of Heart Attack
  30. Doctors’ Attitudes on Cholesterol Are Studied
  31. New Study Indicates One in 3 Tend To Get Risky Form of Cholesterol
  32. FITNESS; Cholesterol Control Is Only One Step to Health
  33. HEALTH: Study Suggests One Saturated Fat May Deserve Clean Bill of Health
  34. HOW TO LOWER YOUR CHOLESTEROL
  35. New Theory Explains How Cholesterol Threatens the Heart
  36. Researchers Say a Hormone in the Blood Drastically Cuts Cholesterol
  37. Health; Doctors Confirm Benefits Of Aspirin
  38. Major Study Aims to Learn Who Should Lower Cholesterol
  39. EATING WELL; Cholesterol Matters, But How Much?
  40. Decaffeinated Coffee Tied to Cholesterol Rise
  41. HEALTH; Heart Groups Reaffirm The Health Benefits of Lower Cholesterol
  42. High Cholesterol Poses Heart Risk in Older Men, Study Says
  43. Oil From Rice Aids Monkey
  44. Blood Fat Is Said to Imperil Heart Despite Normal Cholesterol Level
  45. Panel Urges Test for Cholesterol That Helps Prevent Heart Disease
  46. Cholesterol Testing Urged For Elderly
  47. Cholesterol’s New Image: High Is Bad; So Is Low
  48. Support Grows For Vitamins As Roadblocks To Heart Disease
  49. Anti-Cholesterol Vitamins?; Your Mother Is Still Right About Vegetables and Fruit
  50. Study Concludes That Eating Nuts Can Cut the Risk of Heart Attack
  51. Study Finds 2 Drinks A Day Keeps Heart Fit
  52. Vitamin E Greatly Reduces Risk of Heart Disease, Studies Suggest
  53. Survey Finds Major Gains In Cutting Blood Cholesterol
  54. Substance Is Linked to Strokes
  55. Study Suggests That 2 Fatty Acids May help Keep Hearts Healthy
  56. Heart Ills and High Cholesterol May Not Be Linked In Old Age
  57. Study Finds Cholesterol-Lowering Drug May Save Lives
  58. Use of Drugs to Lower Cholesterol is Tied to a Higher Depression Risk
  59. Company News; Zocor Found to Lower Deaths From Heart Disease
  60. Sign Of Heart Risk for the Elderly
  61. Study Finds Cholesterol Screening is Flawed
  62. Personal Health; A Facilitator for Good Cholesterol is Found
  63. F.D.A. allows Drug as a Heart Medicine
  64. Warner-Lambert’s Cholesterol Therapy Wins Approval
  65. Protein May be Heart Risk Factor
  66. Heart Drugs Fight Stroke
  67. Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs May Dull Alertness
  68. Researcher Links Reduction in Cholesterol With Violent Death
  69. A Broader Benefit is Found in a Drug To Cut Cholesterol
  70. National News Briefs; Cholesterol Drugs Found to Help Heart Patients
  71. Researchers Hail Carotid Testing
  72. Personal Health; Paradox Or Not; Cholesterol in France Is On The Rise
  73. Personal Health; The Fatty Nut Finds Its Place At The Table
  74. Protein Predicts Heart Attacks Better Than Cholesterol
  75. Early Testing Urged For High Cholesterol
  76. More Fans For Drugs That Fight Cholesterol
  77. Vital Signs; Longevity; Centenarians’ Secret: It’s in the Blood
  78. Heart Study Affirms Value of Stain Drugs
  79. Vital Signs: Prevention; In Youth, It’s Not Just About Cholesterol
  80. U.S. Panel Backs Broader Steps To Reduce Risk of Heart Attacks
  81. Personal Health; Plotting an Attack On Your Cholesterol
  82. Cholesterol Fighters Lower Heart Attack Risk, Study Finds
  83. Company News; Bayer Raises Death Toll From Cholesterol Drug
  84. Vital Signs: Habits; Lower Cholesterol, the Grazing Way
  85. Vital Signs: Treatment; A Cholesterol Drug’s Added Benefits
  86. Pfizer to Pay $49 Million in Fraud Case
  87. Company News; Pfizer Says Drug Reduces Heart Attacks and Strokes
  88. Study Says a Protein May Be Better Than Cholesterol in Predicting Heart Disease Risk
  89. Vital Signs: Side Effects; When Aspirin Can’t Help a Heart
  90. Bayer Says It Is Trying to Settle Another 500 Lawsuits Over Its Drug for Cholesterol
  91. Nation’s Largest Medical Prize Goes to 2 for Cholesterol Work
  92. Vital Signs: Warnings; Increasing the Odds of Trouble
  93. Personal Health; Cholesterol: When It’s Good, It’s Very, Very good.
  94. Living Longer and Larger: It’s in the Size of Cholesterol-Caring Molecules
  95. Cholesterol Study offers Hope for a Bold Therapy
  96. Study of Two Cholesterol Drugs Finds One Halts Heart Disease
  97. New Conclusions on Cholesterol
  98. F.D.A. Calls Ads For Cholesterol Pill Crestor “False and Misleading”
  99. Two studies Suggest a Protein Has a Big Role in Heart Disease
  100. A Quandary in Good News
  101. Cholesterol Drug Linked to a Death
  102. Mixed Reviews for 2 of Pfizer’s Top Drugs
  103. Abilities: The Smart Side of Cholesterol
  104. Low Cholesterol? Don’t Brag Quite Yet
  105. Mixed Safety Results on Cholesterol Drug
  106. Know Your Numbers and Improve Your Odds
  107. Vital Signs: Testing; With Decaf, Lose the Jitters, but Gain the Gunk?
  108. Be Merry, Not Ancient
  109. Value of Cholesterol Targets is Disputed
  110. One for the Ages: A Prescription That May Extend Life
  111. Yes, Red Wine Holds Answer, Check Dosage
commercial messages to go in this column