Expert: "Biggest setback in heart disease treatment has been the overuse of statins."

One of the foremost researchers of cardiac research, 98 year-old Fred Kummerow, was recently interviewed for the journal Clinical Lipidology. His fascinating viewpoint of why we have made so little progress in reducing chronic and acute cardiac disease conditions echos much of what the integrative medicine community believes.

His first startling quote in the interview is when he was asked if he thought there were any setbacks in how patients are treated for cholesterol and lipid levels. Professor Kummerow stated, "By the end of 1980s, doctors started prescribing statins and in my view, the biggest setback in heart disease treatment has been the overuse of statins for the treatment of high cholesterol. Statins work by reducing the 2 g of cholesterol per day produced by cells in the liver and can cause adverse effects in the body such as raised levels of liver enzymes and muscle issues such as rhabdomyolysis. Sales of statin medications nearly tripled when the National Cholesterol Education Program revised its guidelines to recommend statins as a prophylactic for many heart issues. Although the Education Board cited randomized trials to back statin treatment for primary prevention of occlusive cardiovascular disease, a description in a paper from The Lancet states 'not one of the studies provides such evidence'."

Professor Kummerow went on to say that "Clearly, my focus has been on the biochemistry in the veins and arteries, and dietary and environmental factors, which I think are very important for the prevention of heart disease. I think that the recent societal movement towards eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meat, and minimal amounts of processed foods, to be a great advancement in the future of heart health."

In response to his dismissal of cholesterol as one of the major risk factors in the development of heart disease, the professor states, "Cholesterol was first implicated in progression of coronary heart disease in 1955 and the cholesterol hypothesis was reinforced by the Federal Trade Commission hearing on eggs in 1975. I testified, as did Michael DeBakey, at this hearing in June 1975 that eggs were a good source of nutrition and that cholesterol was a necessary component for bodily function. I also testified that I did not know what caused heart disease in 1975. I did not realize until years later when the entire testimony was published that Dr Cooper, head of the NIH, had testified on 30 May, 1975, stating that eggs contained cholesterol, cholesterol caused heart disease and therefore people should not eat eggs. Reading the final ruling of the Federal Trade Commission makes it evident that only two witnesses testified that cholesterol was not the answer to heart disease. All of the other witnesses (the head of the NIH and many prominent physicians, among others), testified that cholesterol was the cause of heart disease.

The research conducted in my laboratory, as I described above, demonstrated that cholesterol is not a problem unless it is oxidized. Even Ancel Keys, who some consider the father of the cholesterol–heart disease hypothesis said in 1997: 'There's no connection whatsoever between the cholesterol in food and cholesterol in the blood. And we've known all along. Cholesterol in the diet doesn't matter at all unless you happen to be a chicken or a rabbit'."

Finally, he was asked "Based on Your 60-year Career in the Field and as a Nonagenarian Yourself, What Dietary Advice Would You Give to Aid the Avoidance of Coronary Artery Disease?" His response was, "My best dietary advice is to eat a balanced diet with a differing protein source every day, avoid all trans fats and don't drink soda pop."

Bonnie: At 98, Professor Kummerow has the knowledge and moxie to speak his mind and not worry about every heart group and Big Pharma coming after him. I love it!