When Radhika Nayyar, 47, at last agreed to take drugs to lower her cholesterol level, her cardiologist felt he had scored a mini victory. For months, the good doctor had tried to persuade her to go on a dosage of statins but she stoutly refused to do so. As the world’s largest selling drugs, statins have convinced millions of their power to reduce cholesterol and thereby the risk of heart attacks, but Nayyar is one of those other millions who believe them to be at best pills of dubious credibility and at worst, a tool of corporate conspiracy against humanity.
“When I was a medical student 25 years back, I was told that 150 (LDL) to 250 (total cholesterol, or TC) was all right,” says Dr. Bimal Chajjer, director, Science and Art of Living, an organisation that promotes treatment of heart disease through lifestyle changes. “Then they reduced it to 130 by 220 about 20 years back. Fifteen years ago, they found that 220 is also bad and made it 200. Now very recently, European Community of Cardiology revised it to 180 mg/dl as the highest. Now the figures are 130 (LDL) - 180 (TC). And I am expecting it to be even less than 130 for my patients.”
Dilemma 4: Can I manage with diet and lifestyle changes?
In healthy individuals, a proper diet and adequate exercise would suffice to keep cholesterol under check. But in most others, a sound lifestyle is just the first step in preventing heart attacks. “Dietary change and dietary habits are very difficult to maintain. Even when they are maintained in most individuals, they will cause 5 percent and maximum 7-10 percent cholesterol reduction and often that’s not enough,” says Dr. Rifai.
(This story appears in the 25 September, 2009 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
This is eye opener for the readers..Such informations are very crucial for us.
on Nov 10, 2009More than a decade ago Robin Cook had opened the savory world of Medicine through his book, " Medicine". Subsequently, Hollywood also made the film THE FUGITIVE, which unraveled the seamier side of the world of medicine. The article reemphasizes the same notion. As a matter of fact this has also been the catalytic factor in making people try out alternate medicines in a big way, though they become conned in bargain. The operative maxim being the costs, which are dirt cheap in case of alternate medicines. Until and unless the stranglehold of the medicine companies is somehow loosened the parameters of a healthy individual would continue to be guided by the profitability of the medicine companies.
on Nov 10, 2009A refreshing article, measured stance. I wish to add a website that will be synergistic with this article and opens eyes further: thecholesterollie.com <br /> Be well! joseph.
on Sep 16, 2009You have quoted Dr. Chris Cannon as saying :"we are doing a trial..." It would have been interesting to know if any drug is funding this trial.<br /> Dr. Ajit Chitre<br />
on Sep 14, 2009Hi, the article is very useful as it is informative and at the same time revealing. Thanks. Hope we get to read many more such articles.
on Sep 14, 2009