The Great Cholesterol Myth:
Why Lowering Your Cholesterol Won’t Prevent
Heart Disease
-and the Statin-Free Plan That Will

by

Jonny BOWDEN and Stephen SINATRA

240 pages

Published on November 1st 2012, by Fair Winds Press

Copy received from Fair Winds Press and Edelweiss

    

MY THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS BOOK

I read The Great Cholesterol Myth to help someone struggling with heart issues.

I did not read every word of this book, but enough to tell you how good it is and to present its strong points.

First of all, I received the ebook, and it’s a beautiful book, clear, very easy to read, with a line or 2 summed up on each page, highlighted in boxes, as well as many charts and graphics. There are many bullet lists and testimonies.

The book starts by debunking the myth that cholesterol is an indicator of heart disease, as well as the now completely outdated concept of bad/good cholesterol. Cholesterol is actually harmless, and even an essential component of all cell membranes! The BIG problem is actually inflammation of the heart, which begins with oxidation.

The “demon”, as the authors call it, is not fat, but sugar!, and stress.

Then they explain the statin scam, unfortunately recommended by the big pharma, and what it does actually to your system – not too good for your memory and your muscles! It is even BAD for you in the long run, the only exception being if you are middle-aged with coronary artery disease. Only in this case can it show some potential benefit.

So what’s the healthy alternative to take care of your heart?

• Supplements, especially magnesium, “the great relaxer”
• CoQ10, called here “energy fuel for the heart”
• fibers
• exercise
• healthy weight (BMI < 25)
• staying away from sugar, cigarettes, alcohol, and stress, “the silent killer”
• But the “ultimate wellness molecule” is the omega-3!

They also talk about the “no trans-fats” scam:
just ignore that label. Instead, look at the list of ingredients, and stay away from hydrogenated oils and partially hydrogenated oils (canola for instance!). Choose instead extra-virgin oil.

I found the table on p.86 on good and bad carbs especially helpful., as well as p.176 on what to do for a healthy heart.
Pages 160-164 on how thoughts and feelings affect your heart were very enlightening.

I had never heard of the polymeal before, that is, the perfect theoretical meal:
read wine, fish. almonds, garlic, fruits, vegetables, and dark chocolate (meaning, with at least 60% dark cocoa).
Turmeric, pomegranate juice, and green tea are also excellent for your heart.

The books ends with a glossary, lots of reference notes, and an index.

If you have some heart concern, I highly recommend this book.

 

 

WHAT IS IT ABOUT

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…

Bestselling health authors Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., and Stephen Sinatra, M.D. give readers a 4-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. [from Goodreads]

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S., a board-certified nutritionist with a master’s degree in psychology, is a nationally known expert on nutrition, weight loss, and health. He is the author of several best-selling titles, including The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, The Most Effective Ways to Live Longer, and The 150 Most Effective Ways to Boost Your Energy. He is the nutrition editor for Pilates Style, a contributing editor for Clean Eating, and a columnist for both America Online and Better Nutrition. His work has been featured in dozens of national publications (print and online) including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Time, Oxygen, Marie Claire, Diabetes Focus, US Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Family Circle, Self, Fitness, Allure, Essence, Men’s Health, Weight Watchers, Prevention, Woman’s World, Fitness, Natural Health, and Shape. He lives in Woodland Hills, CA. Visit http://www.jonnybowden.com.

Stephen Sinatra, M.D., is a board-certified cardiologist, educator, and author who created the Manchester, CT-based Heart MD Institute (http://www.heartmdinstitute.com) as an educational platform focused on prevention and proactive lifestyle changes to live a healthier life. He is the author of Reverse Heart Disease Now, The Sinatra Solution, Lower Your Blood Pressure in Eight Weeks, and Heart Sense for Women. He has also contributed to several prestigious peer-reviewed medical journals, including the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Heart Disease, CT Medicine, and the Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation.

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