The Great Cholesterol Myth

Why Lowering Your Cholesterol Won't Prevent Heart Disease - and the Statin-Free Plan That Will

By: Stephen T. Sinatra, Jonny Bowden

Narrated by: George K. Wilson

Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Heart disease is the #1 killer. However, traditional heart disease protocols - with their emphasis on lowering cholesterol - have it all wrong. Emerging science is showing that cholesterol levels are a poor predictor of heart disease and that standard prescriptions for lowering it, such as ineffective low-fat/high-carb diets and serious, side-effect-causing statin drugs, obscure the real causes of heart disease. Even doctors at leading institutions have been misled for years based on creative reporting of research results from pharmaceutical companies intent on supporting the $31-billion-a-year cholesterol-lowering drug industry.

The Great Cholesterol Myth reveals the real culprits of heart disease, including:

• Inflammation
• Fibrinogen
• Triglycerides
• Homocysteine
• Belly fat
• Triglyceride to HCL ratios
• High glycemic level

Bestselling health authors Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., and Stephen Sinatra, M.D. give listeners a four-part strategy based on the latest studies and clinical findings for effectively preventing, managing, and reversing heart disease, focusing on diet, exercise, supplements, and stress and anger management.

Get proven, evidence-based strategies from the experts with The Great Cholesterol Myth.

©2012 Jonny Bowden and Stephen Sinatra, M.D. (P)2013 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Anyone skeptical of the notion that there is more to heart disease than 'cut your fat, take a statin drug' would be well served by [listening to] this book." (William Davis, M.D.)

Inflammation and sugar centric health advice

For many people, a diet with an "inverted pyramid" focused on vegetables, fruits and whole grains is de rigueur. I'm not sure this book will push these people far from that "inverted pyramid". However, for certain classes of these healthy eaters, this book seems to have some well-documented items to think about. High triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol are one class of people the author singles out as potentially having to make dietary changes. Sugar is named as the driving factor behind the triglycerides. The key for the author is the inflammatory effects of weight and sugar on the body. The author cites multiple studies that describe high triglycerides and low HDL as a dangerous condition. His recipe is cut the sugar and preprocessed foods, monitor progress with a number of specific tests, and consider the potential of specific supplements. The author considers this condition more dangerous than high LDL cholesterol yet many doctors would view this type of patient with ambivalence all else being equal. If this describes you and your doctor is not concerned, you may want to read the book and consider making some changes. Another group of folks are folks who consume an imbalance of Omega 6s versus Omega 3 fats. Lots of folks with an under control LDL have some degree of ambivalence with regard to fats. This book tells those folks to pay more attention to the type of fats they consume and considers Omega6 versus Omega 3 to be pretty highly inflammatory. Again this class of person should read the book, read the citations, and think about taking action (which is spelled out in dietary recommendations, tests, and potential supplements).

For healthy eaters who try to manage their health by understanding the impact of diet on the body this book is highly recommended. This book will challenge many preconceptions you might have about the importance of cholesterol and will challenge you to think more deeply about the impact of sugar and inflammation on health. It will also recommend that you study different types of cholesterol than is customary right now. It will give you a list of specific tests that will help you gauge inflammation in your body. It will also recommend a list of supplements that may be effective depending upon your particular situation.

For unhealthy eaters, this book is also highly recommended as it puts a focus on sugar (and processed foods) not so much on fats and cholesterol. While the book is somewhat controversial in that it worries far less on the impact of cholesterol on health, for most folks I know who have unhealthy diets... sugar is their real problem. I believe a focus on sugar... reducing the dependence that many have on sugar is a surer first step to a healthy life than a focus on cholesterol reduction. Not a doctor, not an unhealthy eater... but I believe this book is a must read for these folks.

Fantastically narrated & packed with information

This is a must read for anyone looking for updated heart health CVD scientific information

I read this, then my doctor confirmed!

What made the experience of listening to The Great Cholesterol Myth the most enjoyable?

This book was recommend to me by my uncle. When I found it here, i downloaded it due to lack of time I had to actually sit and read. Unless you are a real health nut this book is hard to get into. It is very interesting, but I would not say "enjoyable".

What did you like best about this story?

Of course people can say there are three sides to every story. Mine, yours and the truth is somewhere in the middle. So, what makes this story the truth? Well, I choose to believe this version. I felt it was well presented, made sense and had information which could back of the facts which were presented. (Some which I found)

Which scene was your favorite?

There is a part where he explains how to break down your blood work to tell if you are a high risk for heart disease which is more accurate then the basic blood testing conducted now. Do this math on your own and determine if you need a Cholesterol medication instead of your doctor telling you. In addition there are further tests available many of which is covered by insurances.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

Great info for anyone needing or wanting to learn about Cholesterol.

Packed full of great evidence.

I was skeptical about this book, but it was recommended by two PhD mentors, so I gave it a shot. I was extremely impressed. It's worth the listen/read. The narrator in the audiobook was pretty annoying and the tone of the book was condescending at times, but overall, I highly recommend it.

Lots of valuable information

Very useful book downside is the information could be condensed to 1/3 of the book retaining key facts.I dont drink alcohol and promoting red wine is senseless- its a cellular poison and its resveratol content is hugely insignificant anyway.
Overall the audiobook is so good I will buy the physical book for references.

take the time you owe it to yourself

Don't be scared take the time to search for healing. Grab nuggets of truth from wherever you can your life depends on .Start with books like this

Decent book to inform about cholesterol's role

I listened to this book to understand if current practices of physician community is anchored in solid science. The book establishes quite clearly that it is not. Much of current establishment is biased towards cholesterol control in spite of lack of evidence and this bothers me. I have seen similar approach to carbohydrates. When so much evidence exists that contradicts current recommendations why physician community continues to adhere to failed approaches is baffling.

EXCITING READING and RESEARCH!

The Cholesterol Myth blows away traditional, yet false beliefs and tells you what to really avoid & eat.

Excellent Book

I would give this book 5 stars. The only reason why I’m not is because it does not give enough examples of What to look for in a typical lab results testing for your cholesterol. It needs to show a persons lab and all the different cholesterol factors fir what is good & what is bad. It really doesn’t give numbers it just says what is hot I just says this is too many or too low not 1000 is too high or 500 is too low it needs to be
more specific

Go to book on Cholesterol

Loved it. This book gave amazing professional insight. If your doctor advised you that your Cholesterol is "high" read or listen to this book first.