This information is not new. Evidence dating back more than 20 years revealed precisely the same thing. Take for instance this study that was published in the British Medical Journal. It assessed the impact of dietary and drug interventions to reduce cholesterol on the overall risk of death, as well as death from specific causes, in men. Average treatment time was about 5 years.
Here's a summary of the results of this review:
Studies of dietary interventions for cholesterol reduction found:
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- No reduction in overall risk of death
- No reduction in the risk of death from heart disease
- A 62 per cent increased risk of death from cancer
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- No reduction in overall risk of death
- No reduction in the risk of death from heart disease
- A 75 per cent increased risk of death due to 'non-illness' causes such as accidents and suicide
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- No reduction in overall risk of death
- No reduction in the risk of death from heart disease
- A 43 per cent increased risk of death from cancer
- A 76 per cent increased risk of death due to 'non-illness' causes such as accidents and suicide
The authors of the review conclude like this: "The association between reduction of cholesterol concentrations and deaths not related to illness warrants further investigation. Additionally, the failure of cholesterol lowering to affect overall survival justifies a more cautious appraisal of the probable benefits of reducing cholesterol concentrations in the general population."
I think it would serve us well to take heed of this advice. I wouldn't rely, though, on the medical and scientific community to take an objective stance on cholesterol reduction. However, as information becomes more widely disseminated, I won't be surprised to see increasing numbers of people reject the cholesterol hypothesis and the notion that they must drive their cholesterol levels down.
Here's to a healthy heart!
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