Did you know? ...that cholesterol is not a deadly poison, but a substance vital to the cells of all mammals? ...that your body produces three to four times more cho¬leste¬rol than you eat? ...that the internal production increases when you eat only small amounts of cholesterol and decreases when you eat large amounts? ...that heart patients haven't eaten more saturated fat than other people? ...that stroke patients have eaten less? ...that people with low cholesterol become just as athero¬sclerotic as people with high? ...that high cholesterol is not a risk factor for women? ...that high cholesterol is not a risk factor for old people although by far most heart attacks occur after age 65? ...that many of the cholesterol-lowering drugs are dan¬gerous to your health and may shorten your life? ...that the cholesterol campaign creates immense pros¬perity for resear¬chers, doctors, medical journals, drug producers and the food industry?
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Editorial Reviews
From the Back Cover
Did you know?
...that cholesterol is not a deadly poison, but a substance vital to the cells of all mammals?
...that your body produces three to four times more cho¬leste¬rol than you eat?
...that the internal production increases when you eat only small amounts of cholesterol and decreases when you eat large amounts?
...that heart patients haven't eaten more saturated fat than other people?
...that stroke patients have eaten less?
...that people with low cholesterol become just as athero¬sclerotic as people with high?
...that high cholesterol is not a risk factor for women?
...that high cholesterol is not a risk factor for old people although by far most heart attacks occur after age 65?
...that many of the cholesterol-lowering drugs are dan¬gerous to your health and may shorten your life?
...that the cholesterol campaign creates immense pros¬perity for resear¬chers, doctors, medical journals, drug producers and the food industry?
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More About the Author
Uffe Ravnskov was born 1934 in Copenhagen, Denmark. He graduated in 1961 from the University of Copenhagen with an M.D, but has worked most of his time as a clinician and a researcher in Sweden, where he got his PhD from the University of Lund. He has published more than 100 papers and letters critical of the cholesterol campaign; most of them in major medical journals. Honoured by the Skrabanek Award 1999 given by Trinity College of Dublin, Ireland for original contributions in the field of medical skepticism, and by the 2007 Leo-Huss-Walin Prize for Independent Thinking in Natural Sciences And Medicine. He is a member of the editorial board of two medical journals and is the creator and spokesman of THINCS, The International Network of Cholesterol Skeptics (www.thincs.org), an organization that includes more than 100 researchers and other university graduates from all over the world. More details about Uffe Ravnskov are available on www.ravnskov.nu/uffe
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
174 of 178 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I admit to bias in this book review, having written one of the four Forwards in it. Dr. Ravnskov's earlier book, The Cholesterol Myths, 2000, has become quite famous. When it went out-of-print around 2007 used copies had asking prices of $300. I read it in 2002 and referred to it frequently. As in the new book (FCGY), the complete lack of correlation between serum cholesterol, LDL-C, and HDL-C and chance of atherosclerosis leading to heart attack was shown. Also, in both books, the lack of harm from eating animal fat (saturated) was shown from published trials. Some trials claimed the opposite, the still common myths that you hear frequently, but Ravnskov would look at the data in the medical papers and see whether those data matched the Abstract and Conclusions, finding often a disconnect. He is one of the few who would search the references of a paper to see whether the purpose the paper cited was actually supported by the content of the paper; often it was not. He also showed that reduction of cholesterol or LDL-C by old or new drugs such as the statins (Zocor, Lipitor) was of no benefit whatever, that the side effects of these drugs were more common and severe than claimed, and that their accidental benefits of being anti-inflammatory, like aspirin, were exaggerated by perversion of clinical trials by a level of patient selection far beyond what your physician would ever achieve.
In addition to all this, in FCGY, newer data from the nine recent years is woven into the original narrative. Some of the new data were whimsical, such as the correlation between heart attacks and animal fat, yellow fingers and the local tax rate. Hunh? Well, real studies show animal fat intake to be a benefit, opposite to the common dogma; yellow fingers is correct because it is from smoking tobacco; and the rate of heart attacks in the municipal districts of Stockholm, Sweden vs. the local tax rates has an excellent correlation; but could it be a cause?
A new sidebar revealed the storm of protest in Finland over a campaign by a dairy products producer to show the healthfulness of its products. As Finland is even more consumed by anti-fat campaigns than the USA, the manufacturer finally backed down. Another sidebar and a new chapter near the end explained why high-carb diets (even complex whole grain carbs) are disaster for diabetics. Another sidebar explained the lack of evidence for the term "bad cholesterol" for LDL-C, including a deep literature search that showed nothing in support of the claim. Another showed the uselessness of serum triglycerides (TG) to show good health, the lack of accuracy in the assay being one reason. Another showed the cheating in the huge (and expensive US taxpayers) MRFIT Study on about 360,000 subjects. Another showed the claims of Dr. Dean Ornish (and by implication, Pritikin, McDougall, Esselsteyn, etc.) of great results from a 6-factor lifestyle change were not backed by evidence. Another showed that the members of the committee of the National Cholesterol Education Program, pretending to be a government organization, all had multiple financial ties to the Big Pharma producers of the cholesterol lowering drugs.
New topics were introduced not in the older book. One was an honest attempt to explain what causes arterial lesions, atherosclerosis, then blockages leading to heart attacks, including the amazing finding that vaccination for influenza prevents heart attacks. Ravnskov showed that an arterial plaque that could break open was similar to a boil, and why veins do not become atherosclerotic. A final chapter answers another topic the earlier book did not address: how to avoid premature death from a heart attack.
There is a good index, and hundreds of citations, mostly to medical journals. The writing is easy to read, if "accented". There are no wild claims. The only technical item I question is the term "cholesterol droplets" (p197) and the appearance of crystalline cholesterol, because the melting point of cholesterol is 149°C, far higher than body temperature of 37°C. Most cholesterol is present as esters such as the oleate and palmitate, which melt much lower and are more soluble in any fatty material.
The publisher did no favors in proof reading. Dozens of words are hyphenated as though they were on two lines, and sometimes even the location of the hyphen was odd. Loose was used at least twice when lose was meant.
Because of its exceptional honesty, depth of literature searching, logical correlations and connections, and even some humor, FCGY is strongly recommended. It should become a classic in its own right.
In addition to all this, in FCGY, newer data from the nine recent years is woven into the original narrative. Some of the new data were whimsical, such as the correlation between heart attacks and animal fat, yellow fingers and the local tax rate. Hunh? Well, real studies show animal fat intake to be a benefit, opposite to the common dogma; yellow fingers is correct because it is from smoking tobacco; and the rate of heart attacks in the municipal districts of Stockholm, Sweden vs. the local tax rates has an excellent correlation; but could it be a cause?
A new sidebar revealed the storm of protest in Finland over a campaign by a dairy products producer to show the healthfulness of its products. As Finland is even more consumed by anti-fat campaigns than the USA, the manufacturer finally backed down. Another sidebar and a new chapter near the end explained why high-carb diets (even complex whole grain carbs) are disaster for diabetics. Another sidebar explained the lack of evidence for the term "bad cholesterol" for LDL-C, including a deep literature search that showed nothing in support of the claim. Another showed the uselessness of serum triglycerides (TG) to show good health, the lack of accuracy in the assay being one reason. Another showed the cheating in the huge (and expensive US taxpayers) MRFIT Study on about 360,000 subjects. Another showed the claims of Dr. Dean Ornish (and by implication, Pritikin, McDougall, Esselsteyn, etc.) of great results from a 6-factor lifestyle change were not backed by evidence. Another showed that the members of the committee of the National Cholesterol Education Program, pretending to be a government organization, all had multiple financial ties to the Big Pharma producers of the cholesterol lowering drugs.
New topics were introduced not in the older book. One was an honest attempt to explain what causes arterial lesions, atherosclerosis, then blockages leading to heart attacks, including the amazing finding that vaccination for influenza prevents heart attacks. Ravnskov showed that an arterial plaque that could break open was similar to a boil, and why veins do not become atherosclerotic. A final chapter answers another topic the earlier book did not address: how to avoid premature death from a heart attack.
There is a good index, and hundreds of citations, mostly to medical journals. The writing is easy to read, if "accented". There are no wild claims. The only technical item I question is the term "cholesterol droplets" (p197) and the appearance of crystalline cholesterol, because the melting point of cholesterol is 149°C, far higher than body temperature of 37°C. Most cholesterol is present as esters such as the oleate and palmitate, which melt much lower and are more soluble in any fatty material.
The publisher did no favors in proof reading. Dozens of words are hyphenated as though they were on two lines, and sometimes even the location of the hyphen was odd. Loose was used at least twice when lose was meant.
Because of its exceptional honesty, depth of literature searching, logical correlations and connections, and even some humor, FCGY is strongly recommended. It should become a classic in its own right.
98 of 99 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you want to understand cholesterol and heart disease, you cannot ignore this book. (neither should your doctor)
June 4, 2009
By xrn
Format:Paperback
A rare talent is to be able to describe subject matter that requires a deep technical knowledge while making it accessible and easy to understand for the lay person. Dr Ravnskov is the expert's own expert. He describes the cholesterol/heart disease hypothesis and explains it in very clear terms, so that ordinary people can understand what is involved. With the trained eye of a scientist, he assembles all of the available evidence, both positive and negative, and gently leads the reader through the experiments and the clinical research, that either supports the wholesale use of toxic medications or warns us of the consequences if we continue to ignore the irrefutable mountain of scientific data that underpins the benefits of cholesterol to the human body.
Every study, to which Dr Ravnskov refers, in this meticulously referenced book, is broken down and explained in terms with which the lay reader will be familiar. We learn of the research of Landé and Sperry (a pathologist and a biochemist) which was published in 1936. The surprise at their finding, that there was no association between the mount of cholesterol in the blood and atherosclerosis (the hardening and thickening of the artery walls), is as fresh for me today as it must have been for Landé and Sperry, perhaps because the medical profession and the pharmaceutical industry don't usually let the poor consumers have any access to these simple truths. Dr Ravnskov manages to convey the excitement of scientific discovery by documenting such important events in clear language.
Moving to the research of the 1950s, we learn of Ancel Keys and how he tailored the facts fit his own pet theories, while conveniently ignoring anything that would spoil a good story. The story of 'bad' and 'good' cholesterol is unravelled piece by piece and I found it hard to put the book down. It was like reading a good detective novel, with small clues being found throughout the plot. The conclusions do not have to be drawn for the reader, by Dr Ravnskov, for the obvious answers are stark, once the confusion is cleared away. The reader can easily see that 'bad' cholesterol is a convenient fairy-tale, that would not have looked out of place if it were sitting on the library shelf of Hans Christian Andersen, next to Thumbelina, The Red Shoes. The Snow Queen and The Ugly Duckling.
Dr Ravnskov goes on to explain the role of cholesterol in the body and then he details how different cholesterol values in different nations, do not produce the expected results. There is no rabid denunciation of people who are mistaken in their researches. Unlike the manner in which the establishment decry this solid and honest attempt to understand a specific piece of biochemistry, in order to prevent people from suffering needless infirmity or more serious consequences.
If you are concerned about heart disease and the relationship that cholesterol may have in its beginnings, you owe it to yourself to become better informed. it is unlikely that your medical practitioner will be as well-informed as this book. You, in turn, will be able to ask your family doctor some crucial questions because of the knowledge that you will gain from reading this book. If it prevents you from poisoning yourself with cholesterol reducing medicines and stops you worrying about heart disease, so that you are less prone to being stressed, then Dr Ravnskov will have rendered a much needed service to you, without you being one of his own fortunate patients. If nothing else, reading this book will remind you of the joy of eating foods that contain fat. I am considerably happier now that I can eat fat containing foods again. Full fat cheeses, Meats, Jersey Cream milk, Eggs and Fried Bacon. Mmmmm.... lovely! :-)
Every study, to which Dr Ravnskov refers, in this meticulously referenced book, is broken down and explained in terms with which the lay reader will be familiar. We learn of the research of Landé and Sperry (a pathologist and a biochemist) which was published in 1936. The surprise at their finding, that there was no association between the mount of cholesterol in the blood and atherosclerosis (the hardening and thickening of the artery walls), is as fresh for me today as it must have been for Landé and Sperry, perhaps because the medical profession and the pharmaceutical industry don't usually let the poor consumers have any access to these simple truths. Dr Ravnskov manages to convey the excitement of scientific discovery by documenting such important events in clear language.
Moving to the research of the 1950s, we learn of Ancel Keys and how he tailored the facts fit his own pet theories, while conveniently ignoring anything that would spoil a good story. The story of 'bad' and 'good' cholesterol is unravelled piece by piece and I found it hard to put the book down. It was like reading a good detective novel, with small clues being found throughout the plot. The conclusions do not have to be drawn for the reader, by Dr Ravnskov, for the obvious answers are stark, once the confusion is cleared away. The reader can easily see that 'bad' cholesterol is a convenient fairy-tale, that would not have looked out of place if it were sitting on the library shelf of Hans Christian Andersen, next to Thumbelina, The Red Shoes. The Snow Queen and The Ugly Duckling.
Dr Ravnskov goes on to explain the role of cholesterol in the body and then he details how different cholesterol values in different nations, do not produce the expected results. There is no rabid denunciation of people who are mistaken in their researches. Unlike the manner in which the establishment decry this solid and honest attempt to understand a specific piece of biochemistry, in order to prevent people from suffering needless infirmity or more serious consequences.
If you are concerned about heart disease and the relationship that cholesterol may have in its beginnings, you owe it to yourself to become better informed. it is unlikely that your medical practitioner will be as well-informed as this book. You, in turn, will be able to ask your family doctor some crucial questions because of the knowledge that you will gain from reading this book. If it prevents you from poisoning yourself with cholesterol reducing medicines and stops you worrying about heart disease, so that you are less prone to being stressed, then Dr Ravnskov will have rendered a much needed service to you, without you being one of his own fortunate patients. If nothing else, reading this book will remind you of the joy of eating foods that contain fat. I am considerably happier now that I can eat fat containing foods again. Full fat cheeses, Meats, Jersey Cream milk, Eggs and Fried Bacon. Mmmmm.... lovely! :-)
95 of 96 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The title is so politically incorrect, it may turn some people off from reading the book. This would be a mistake, because the message of the book is well documented with solid evidence that our treatment of high-cholesterol is creating a nation of sick people as we enrich the pockets of the drug companies. The very weak correlation between heart disease and high cholesterol needs to be exposed for the fraud that it is, and this book does it. With 13 million Americans on statin drugs, the toll our citizens are paying for bad medicine is a good example of why our country's medical costs are astronomical.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wow!
Y'all need to read this book & stop being fooled by all of these foolish people & doctors trying to get you to take meds that aren't good for you!
Published 1 month ago by Elvis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Uffe's work may have saved my life
Dr. Ravnskov is my hero. His courage and intelligence enabled me to tell 'Truth' from 'Hocum'. My Kaiser doctor thought my cholesterol levels were too high @ 228. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Gokhals
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential Information
I think anyone interested in their health and in cholesterol would do well to read this book and be informed about the fallacy of taking cholesterol lowering medications.
Published 3 months ago by Glen D. Callaway
5.0 out of 5 stars
WELL DOCUMENTED, WELL RESEARCHED, THOROUGH READ!
This book was one of the most informative books that I have read in a long time. The research was so well reported, and was so compelling that it was a life-changer for me. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Diana Ballard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Impressively researched
I truly love how Ravnskov actually slogged through the minutae and did his own very well thought out interpretation of the data collected in various studies, rather than just... Read more
Published 4 months ago by K. Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars
A compelling read which will make you rethink medical advice
This is a courageous book because it goes against so much conventional medical wisdom. Although I can well imagine many detractors calling it a conspiracy theory against drug... Read more
Published 4 months ago by sylvia goldwasser
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cholesterol Craziness -- Fountain of Youth Series
Now I have not actually read Dr.Ravskov's book. However, Steven Acuff, a longtime health expert who teaches "Let food be thy medicine," is writing an ebook with me. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Katherine Kay - EditWrite
3.0 out of 5 stars
A lifesaver of a book
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is worried about heart disease. Which is most of us these days. This book is a lifesaver in the information it provides.
Published 6 months ago by Katy Brodsky
4.0 out of 5 stars
Proposes An Alternative Hypothesis for Heart Disease
This book is worth reading, but suffers from a lack of critical editing. Poor grammar and a lack of punctuation can make this book difficult to digest for some. Read more
Published 8 months ago by J. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Detailed scientific argument against the myth
After reading this book I have reaffirmed my own belief that Cholesterol maintenance is all a scam to sell drugs. Read more
Published 10 months ago by George Burns
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