Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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123 of 125 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Right Stuff, July 3, 2006
The definitive book on the non-dangers of dietary cholesterol and saturated fat was The Cholesterol Myths by Uffe Ravnskov, 2000. Anthony Colpo's book (GCC) has the advantage of being 6 years newer, thus much recent research has been included with individual citations in academic style. GCC also has the advantage that some more likely causes of heart disease are given, then constructive suggestions on lifestyle are given, and these are backed up by excellent references -- over 1400 of them (p xi). It is significant that the first forward is written by Ravnskov, MD, PhD, and a second forward by Duane Graveline, MD, MPH, who wrote Statin Drug Side-Effects, 2004.
In its 368 pages, 78 are references, and about 102 discuss why eating cholesterol and saturated fat do not cause heart disease. This leads to why the statin drugs such as Zocor and Lipitor are overpromoted and do not have a benefit because, even tho they can lower cholesterol levels, such lowering is shown not to be a benefit. About 73 more discuss what might actually cause heart disease. Another Section addresses overblown claims about other drugs to fight heart disease, better diets than low-fat, stress, supplements, alcohol and exercise. Appendices cover other interesting topics, such as lowering homocysteine levels and the false health claims of vegetarians, and of those who perform coronary angioplasty and bypass operations.
The actual evidence from studies in original peer-reviewed papers is presented, with clearly designed tables when the results of multiple trials were given. Colpo wrote the most detailed descriptions of the fraudulent work of Ancel Keys, MD, on the supposed toxicity of staturated fats, as well as on the misguided claims of Dean Ornish, MD, and Nathan Pritikin on low-fat diets I have seen. The unhealthy recommendations of several government agencies and NGOs are brought out. The instigation of Big Pharma is duly noted. On these topics, including recommending low-carb high-fat diets, and certain supplements, The Great Cholesterol Con is in good agreement with similar parts of my own recent book, Malignant Medical Myths (MMM), 2006, and gives much greater detail, and is easier to read, despite smaller print.
There is no index. There is no biographical data. Anthony Colpo is a medical writer and Physical Fitness Trainer who lives in Australia.
Most of Colpo's book is extremely well-researched, and worthwhile for almost anyone to read. Some possible exceptions: His recommendation for the supplement selenium (p195) did not mention that the study he quotes found a tripling of breast cancer (MMM, p239). Granted the p = 0.09 and the SU.VI.MAX study showed no such thing, but it made use of 4 supplements besides selenium in the intervention group. His use of relative risks (RRs) instead of absolute risks, despite showing how misleading RRs can be, is disappointing, but can be accepted when the direction of an intervention is shown to be opposite of the conventional expectation. There are some problems with the chemistry of unsaturated fats (p145). His description of blood alcohol levels and chance of collisions while driving did not mention that people unused to alcohol will drive poorly with much lower concentrations than the USA's vaunted 0.08%, while long-term alcoholics will only perform their best driving with much higher concentrations (p234ff). Colpo is more sanguine about exercise than I (MMM, pp144-161), but is careful not to recommend extreme exercise. None of this really detracts from a generally accurate work.
Colpo is very direct, working up finally to this Conclusion (p254): "There is every reason in the world to encourage people to exercise frequently, stop smoking, eat minimally processed foods, and find ways to get a handle on the stresses of modern life. The evidence for low-fat diets, on the other hand, is based on a mixture of erroneous assumptions, half-truths and downright lies."
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147 of 154 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Self-Serving Fantasy Indeed, June 14, 2006
This is a fantastic book .
Reading it, I imagined Colpo to be a top scientist in his own little laboratory, wrinkled (once white) coat, long fuzzy beard and surrounded by mountains of disorderly stacks of paper.
Here is a book, written for the layman and professional alike, it is an eye opener even for those of us who have long known that the cholesterol theory was rubbish from the very beginning.
It must have taken ages to put this book together, it is easy to understand and written with the diligence and enthusiasm of an analytical and caring mind.
No, Colpo is no guru who is trying to persuade people to buy some outlandish theory or its relevant nostrums, he presents crucial information and supports it all in a most admirable fashion. References that will smart in certain quarters and will make him a few enemies abound.
Books have been written about the Cholesterol Dilemma since Professor George Mann made that famous statement in the seventies about the Cholesterol Hypothesis being the biggest deception of mankind in the history of Medicine. Ravnskov comes to mind, his "The Cholesterol Myths" is a classic that should be in every library.Layman Frank Cooper wrote a book for the masses from his perspective of a Familial Hypercholesterolaemia sufferer, "Cholesterol And The French Paradox" and Professor Walter Hartenbach enlightened the German market with his great work "Die Cholesterinluege" ("The Cholesterol Lie").
Until this book was written, there seemed to be something missing in my bookshelf corner reserved for the subject. Colpo's book fills the gap admirably. It's a pleasant read as well, being so well organised.
I don't know how long it will take for the establishment to wake up to this PUBLICLY, it never ceases to amaze me how so many physicians could have uncritically accepted the fairytale about a most natural and essential substance being the cause of cardiovascular disease. Yet they did and they are being amply repaid for their herd mentality and indifference.
The previous reviewer asks about the time in our history when we lost control and accepted that Big Pharma and the Sickness Industry would run our lives. Petr Skrabanek places this time, when the "Death Of Humane Medicine" occurred into the mid fifties. Shortly after Ancel Keys came up with his ridiculous claim about the substance cholesterol that he saw as a major killer. It comes down to money, the business of scaring people into complying with a politically correct cholesterol level brings great financial rewards.Statins are extremely lucrative inspite of the fact that they cause all kinds of side effects, some of them deadly.
The book shows, in so many different ways, that we need to look at our relationship with those who peddle something they call "healthcare" . When Big Pharma and Big Medicine work together it must result in a colossal amount of unnecessary and arrogant intervention in people's lives, it is a tool for the transfer of wealth and thus a detriment to all.
Read Colpo's book, buy it, buy your doctor a copy and give one to the library. Most importantly, thank your lucky stars to have heard about the book. It may be the one thing that can save your life or that of someone in the neighbourhood .
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72 of 75 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An impressive undertaking from Mr. Colpo, January 10, 2007
First off, regarding the book by Anthony Colpo I have to commend him on the totality of this work. This is how ALL reference books should be written. This is no trendy, diet book but rather this is an in-depth review of a timely topic that touches every one of us. Anthony does not present us with his opinion and recommendations but he systematically dissects every aspect of the medical community, drug manufacturers, food providers and the end consumers (you & me) and clearly illustrates how we have arrived at the dire state of poor health that we now find ourselves. He documents how a seemingly obvious conclusion from a misguided health official back in the 50's has lead us down a rocky road to misdiagnosed conclusions regarding Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and the correct course of action we need to take to regain our health.
Believe it or not, the drug companies and health care institutions do not have your optimal health in mind; quite frankly this is bad for business. After all, if we were all healthy then there would be no need for addressing CHD or launching a full scale war on cholesterol. Their desire is to develop a panacea that will cure us all of heart related illnesses while allowing us to continue on with our current lifestyles. Mr. Colpo clearly demonstrates how our reliance on processed foods, the over emphasis on carbohydrates and bad advise regarding fats has lead us to the sorry state of health that we are now at. And how the drug companies see themselves as the saviors of society's health problems by providing an ever more potent array of statin drugs; all with exceedingly poor results.
Secondly, on a personal level, I have been living through the lie that all of has been lead to believe. In 1989 my cholesterol levels were off the charts, I was young and in shape but my use of statins and similar drugs was mandatory according to my various physicians. I have personally experienced almost all of the adverse effects of statins from low energy, weak muscles, memory loss, hormonal changes and on and on... My life had become so dismal that I ended up looking for alternate answers. Since understanding the truth behind that myths I have changed my diet, stopped taking prescribed medications and I have started taking supplements to repair much of the damage that has been wrought upon me over these many years. Today I feel better than I have in 6 years and I have a new appreciation for what food is for and how it can affect my overall health.
This book should be required reading for everyone. Not only those that have a cholesterol problem but everyone who wants to understand how the body utilizes the food and nutrients that we provide it (or fail to provide it!). Read this book and then do what I did; give it to your doctor to read. The facts presented in this book are irrefutable, well researched and documented. If your doctor has the open mind that he or she should have, then they will be convinced as well.
Thank you Mr. Colpo & well done. Your work has made a dramatic change in my own quality of life and I applaud your due diligence in writing this book.
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