Customer Reviews

The New 8-Week Cholesterol Cure: The Ultimate Program for Preventing Heart Disease

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book deserves many more than five stars! Millions of people will lead longer, healthier, and more productive lives from following the advice here.

In the last 15 years, knowledge about how to reduce heart disease has made major strides. This book is the best source I have seen about what has been learned, and how to apply it to help yourself and those you love. You will probably find it helpful to bring your copy along to see your physician because many primary care physicians will not be up-to-date with the latest findings in some areas, such as the use of supplements.

If you liked Mr. Kowalski's first program for controlling cholesterol, originally published in 1987, you will adore this book. When asking himself what had changed he noted, "Why, practically everything is new!" Mr. Kowalski reviews in detail the strengths and weaknesses of that program, describes the research that has been conducted on cardiovascular health since then, and shows you other risks in addition to cholesterol that must be addressed. He also debunks pseudo-science about cholesterol control.

What impressed me the most is that Mr. Kowalski's old and new programs have worked perfectly for him. Here is a man who had his first heart attack at age 35 and double bypass. He had a second heart attack at 41, followed by a quadruple bypass. In the foreword, cardiac surgeon Dr. Jack Sternlieb describes how the most rigorous tests of Mr. Kowalski's heart and arteries show that it has no blockages as of 1999. Without this program, Mr. Kowalski would probably have needed another bypass operation several years ago. His family record of heart disease is not a good one, and he probably has a genetic tendency to problems in this area. Mr. Kowalski is very physically active now, and has no limitations on his life style due to his cardiac history.

The new program has familiar elements in it, but is considerably less restrictive than the old one. You can eat a lot more foods, and a lot more fat (as long as it is the right kind of fat). The dietary guidelines are quite similar to the new ones brought out by the American Heart Association in 2000.

For most people, the diet features avoiding saturated fat and trans fatty acids, limiting overall fat to hold weight at a healthy level for your height, eating fish at least twice a week (especially fatty fish), lots of fruits and vegetables, whole-grain breads and cereals, consuming soluble fiber, lots of fluids, limiting sugars and empty carbohydrates, and eating slowly. Exercise is 15 miles of walking a week. A variety of supplements are encouraged (especially antioxidents, B vitamins, minerals, polysterols, and pantathine). Don't smoke. Limit alcohol consumption to moderate daily levels, but do not imbibe solely for the cardiovascular benefit. Take one aspirin a day if your stomach can handle it.

I liked the candor in the book quite a lot. For example, "I'm a little embarrassed when I look at the subtitle of the original book, which promises `no deprivation.'"

In addition to the overall recommendations, each element is described in detail including the scientific studies that support why it works, who should not follow the recommendation, how to work with your doctor for the best results, side effects that can occur, and how these recommendations compare with the various prescription medications now available for lowering cholesterol. He also describes how these recommendations affect other factors for cardiovascular risk such as the amount of low-density lipoprotein (a negative component of overall cholesterol), high-density lipoprotein (a positive component of overall cholesterol), triglycerides, homocysteine, and C-reactive proteins. The section on niacin (B-3) was particularly interesting since it involves changing liver functions, and you are encouraged to work with your doctor in this area. I was not familiar with the "niacin flush" but was glad to learn that the newer versions usually avoid that problem. I especially found the discussions of the special issues that women, young people, and seniors have to be helpful.

Get this book today . . . follow its advice . . . and keep it with you!

I've been reading a lot lately about heart disease, and "The New 8-Week Cholesterol Cure" gives a complete run down of how to care for your heart (against cholesterol) and tells you why you're doing it. It also tells you what not to do, either because it's bad for you or because some other advice you may have received is a wive's tale.

In plain, friendly language, Kowalski tells us what causes problems with the heart and how to find out if you're in trouble by asking for certain tests. He explains what these tests mean and what is considered normal/risky/dangerous.

And, of course, he tells us what to do. There is much more to it than eating low fat, Kowalski explains. He tells you what fats you should be eating and what fats not to. He gives other very specific recommendations on what to eat, supplements, and exercise. All of these recommendations are backed up with medical research studies or explanations of why it works. Kowalski gives encouraging statistics and benchmarks on how much people in the past have improved by following certain recommendations.

In my recent flurry of reading up on heart disease, much of what Kowalski has to say is in line with the latest research. There are even a few tips that I hadn't read about before, like a cholesterol-blocking plant sterol and, for those who want beef, special breeds of cattle that produce very low fat beef that is still tender.

Kowalski even makes short recommendations on mental factors that can be heart harmful.

The one pitfall in this book (and the reason why I didn't give it five stars) is the diet recommendations for weight loss. In a rare departure from the rest of the book, I don't think Kowalski supports this chapter is very well by citing medical research or scientific fact. Kowalski recommends a low-carb diet (40 grams or less) and very low calories (850). Forty grams of carbs is about 1-1/2 pieces of bread, and most nutritionists say that eating under 1,200 calories a day puts your body in starvation mode, in which your body slows down metabolism because it thinks you got stranded in the middle of the desert. Carbs are necessary to give energy to your brain. Putting your body in starvation mode means that the body will try and get energy from your muscles, meaning that if you gain weight later you'll have a larger proportion of fat to muscle. While I don't think all low-carb diets are dangerous (carbs, in my opinion, do need to be judiciously controlled), 40 grams a day and 850 calories is a bit extreme. I wouldn't follow the recommendations in this chapter.

However, I wouldn't let this prevent you from buying the book. The rest of "The New 8-Week Cholesterol Cure" is full of wonderful advice to keep the cholesterol monster away.

After a routine physical, my doctor reported that my triglycerides were at 508 and total cholesterol was at 220. I was given 2 months to get the numbers down or go on prescription medication.

This was the first book my wife checked out at the local library. I read it and followed the guidelines on "eating habit modification" (I don't like the word "diet"). I cut out all deep-fried foods, started walking with hand weights at least 3 times a week and started taking 500mg of Niacin daily.

After 8 weeks my lipid profile reflected the results: total cholesterol went to 151 from 220; triglycerides went to 146 from 508. My doctor set the target triglyceride target at 150 to stay off medication.

The other "side" benefit was that I was able to shelve my Ranitidine prescription (heartburn medicine) which I took daily... sometimes twice daily.

Hence, my recommendation to get it, read it and DO IT!

My first reaction to the book was that the author was too wordy and a shareholder of Endurance Products (the on-line purveyor of the supplements he recommends in his book, who, by the way, are indeed the most reasonably priced source I've found for the products recommended by the author).

Having read ALL the other popular books on this subject, I learned that the basic difference between this book and the 2nd best book on the subject (the Harvard Medical School Guide to Lowering Cholesterol by Freeman and Junge) are that Kowalski promotes niacin and phytosterols whereas Freeman and Junge prefer the use of prescription drugs.

I made several of the dietery changes (in both books), added 750 mg of niacin to my daily routine, and popped a phytosterol tablet before indulging in a meal sure to contain cholesterol. The result was that I dropped my total cholesteral from 265 to 206, raised my HDL from 45 to 56, and lowered my triglicerides from 185 to 135 IN ONE MONTH! To boot, I lost 10 pounds so far while on the program. I am also enjoying Kowalski's recommended nightly quota of two glasses of red wine - cheers to raising my HDL!

My doctor wanted me on Lipitor but agreed to let me try to control my cholesterol on my own for three months. He was surprised, to say the least, when he saw the dramaticly improved numbers in my last blood test. I can't wait to see the numbers at the three month mark.

I do not agree with Kawalski's recommendation to attain your target weight via starvation diet (my term for his 800 calorie a day regimine - not his) then adding calories until you stabilize your weight. I don't think one in a hundred will be successful on such a severe program. Elsewhere in the book, he advocates moderation in the diet however, so read the relavant chapters more than once to get the big picture.

Little changes made a big difference in my case and this book can show you how to make those changes for yourself.

Kowalski deserves 10 stars!

He covers it all -- cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease -- & what to do about it all! And, reading this book feels like an intense talk with an intelligent friend who knows it all from his heart attacks in his 40s -- & who doesn't want me to have to go through the same thing!

After a heart procedure 6 1/2 weeks ago (an angiogram to assess progression of a heart-valve problem), I unexpectedly found myself undergoing an angioplasty, with stent placement -- & resultant heart attack & hospitalization! What a shock!

Two days later, I ordered online recent books from famous research institutes/hospitals on these subjects & read them all thoroughly. However, I don't even glance at those others any more. Kowalski's concise, packed, incredibly-well-researched & documented book of studies/trials/clinical evidence, etc. -- added to his personal research on himself as he went through the process of healing himself -- inspires confidence in his conclusions & recommendations! My copy is highlighted in several colors, with pages turned down to the point where my book is twice as thick!

I'm following his recommendations to the letter -- niacin, pantethine, taking phytosterols when occasionally I eat some cholesterol foods, walking, stress reduction, etc.

This book provides the focus for my new, body-enhancing life! I live by it -- doing everything Kowalski recommends, including ordering the recommended nutrients [which he doesn't profit from!]. It's all working, & I have no doubt that putting all of this information into practice is helping to save my life!

And, today I'm ordering copies for relatives I care about . . .

The newest version of Bob Kowalski's book is very different from the original 1987 edition. The new version opens, for instance, with a chapter called "Way beyond cholesterol", in which Kowalski acknowledges the fact that much of heart disease is caused by factors other than cholesterol (despite the book's title). Mr. Kowalski recounts his personal journey through the maze of heart disease beginning with his first bypass operation at age 35.

Mr. Kowalski writes with honesty, clarity, and without hidden agendas (like pushing cholesterol medication). You can follow his advice like that from a caring mentor.

The chapter on niacin is particularly good reading. "This deceptively simple miracle of nature has done more than anything else to save my life." Kowalski describes the ups and downs of this fascinating yet powerful vitamin and how it can be used to correct many of the neglected causes of heart attack like low HDL, high triglycerides, and lipoprotein(a). (Niacin is a crucial ingredient in my program for coronary plaque regresssion, or reversal.)

If you're interested in a readable, credible overview of heart disease and cholesterol (and beyond), Mr. Kowalski's New 8-Week Cholesterol Cure will serve you well.

Others have reviewed the book. Here are actual numbers.
7-16-04
Cholesterol: 253H
Triglycerides: 144
HDL: 56
LDL: 168H
I went straight to web and to the book store and did research. Two weeks later I began the recommendations in The New 8-Week Cholesterol Cure. TWO weeks later, 8-17-04
Cholesterol: 152
Triglercides: 57
HDL: 58
LDL: 83
My most recent test, with considerable stress in my life which I am trying to do something about as well as attend to some dietary slip-ups, came in as high cholesterol. But take a look:
Cholesterol: 213H
Triglyderides: 83
HDL: 98H
LDL: 98
Obviously, I need to clean up my act but two things: first, if you take even 20 points of my very high HDL, my total Cholesterol drops below 200; and secondly, we are talking less than $25 a month. No prescriptions, no meds, no drug company fiascos. The Niacin recommended in the book and sold locally at Walgreens is $10.99 a bottle (100 tablets). I've not heard of others who have had as fast results as I had but, to address the criticism of the low cal/low carb diet, to jump start one's health is exactly the goal here. After a year, I did do another liver panel--no problem for me but is something some people will have to take into consideration. The flush?...you'll only forget the aspirin once. I don't know if this is the answer for everyone, probably not. But it does work, is inexpensive, and it puts ME back in the place of personal responsibility with a clear, easy, and affordable way of keeping track of just how I'm doing with an inexpensive blood test. I've given a copy to my internist and keep a copy on hand to give to anyone interested in making the effort. What surprises me is how little the docs know about Niacin, and how rarely this program is mentioned in the magazine articles. At a time of escalating drug prices and shortage of health care, it simply makes sense to utilize an effective and inexpensive treatment for the "epidemic" of high cholesterol while encouraging changes in life style and dietary habits.

On June 01 2005 my direct LDL was 175. It should be <100 dl/l, something like that. This means that I had a non-fasting blood test done. Then, on Sept 6th, I had a LDL retest. It was 97. My doctor jump 2 feet off the floor! I never in my life ever got a doctor so excited. Thanks to this book, I'm on my way to a healthier heart. I'm 49 and my father died of a heart attack at age 42. The secret is in the cheap over-the-counter slow release niacin and other advice in the book. Cut out all trans fats and your results will be similar.

If your LDL's are high, try this for 3 months (I gave it one extra month to work). Cut out the trans fats in your diet and eat home cooked meals with 3 oat bran muffins a day and you will write a review after mine confirming once again that the drug companies are douping America with expensive and exotic drugs for profit.
[...]

My dad had a triple-heart bypass at age 44. He bought the original "8 Week Cholesterol Cure" back in the 80s and has been surprisingly healthy ever since. This year (2004) I was diagnosed with hyper-cholesterolemia. However, my cardiologist has said my arteries are clear of any plaque or deposits. Why? Because I read Dad's book about 15 years back and followed a lot of Robert Kowalski's advice regarding diet, excercise, supplements and medical testing. I'll probably never have a bypass or heart attack thanks to this book.

I bought the "New 8-Week Cholesterol Cure" and it's even better. All the latest research is right there, in an easily readable form. Kowalski has a good sense of humor, which is essential when you're talking about such a grim subject. His advice is clear and quite easy to follow. He even tells you what doesn't work, which surprised me. (For example, there's really no good evidence that garlic does much for cholesterol or heart health.)

I also bought 4 other books on heart health and cholesterol, but this is by far the best. I've marked up pages, bought copies for relatives and signed up for Kowalski's newsletter. This is heart health advice you and your family can live with for a looong time. (Thanks Dad!)

-Yours, The Niacin Queen

When my doctor first told me I needed to lower my cholesterol(260), or go on medication,I bought some books to educate me about cholesterol. I seemed to favor this book because it was an easy and comfortable book to read and follow. I followed the books instructions (except for the niacin,which I take now but at low doses) and after seven weeks I lowered my Cholesterol to 206, and not only that I lowered my triglyceride levels from 159 to 125. My doctor told me I do not have to go on medication and to just continue to do what I'm doing. I follow an easy diet, my blood circulation has greatly improved,(my vericose veins are disappearing),I feel better and healthier and am happier thanks to this book. I can't wait for my next years physical to see what my new cholesterol levels will be!