Are the New Cholesterol Guidelines Legit?
Perhaps you've read over the past several days that the federal government AND the American Heart Institute have both "officially" recommended lower guidelines for LDL cholesterol in people who have had heart attacks. This "lowering the bar" will add about 7 million people to the "drug list" of those who should reportedly be taking statin drugs.
Today, consumer groups including the Center for Science in the Public Interest pointed out the 6 of the 9 "recommending committee" members had financial ties to the pharmaceutical companies that stand to rake in additional billions of dollars because of these new guidelines. Group Blasts New Cholesterol Guidelines.
Besides the conflict of interest, there were also conflicting studies that were not reported to the FDA. And I hope you know, it is the drug companies themselves (the ones who stand to benefit financially) that conduct the studies and report to the FDA.
Bottom line: it is unclear if the new guidelines really have much to do with health, and perhaps more to do with money. I will be researching the studies carefully so I can give you my objective opinion on the subject. This may take a few days, but we all need a clear and unbiased opinion on the subject. Clearly, our own government and the much-revered American Heart Association have not provided us with same!
8:56:18 AM 
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