The following is taken from a recent newsletter from the famous (or infamous, depending on one's point of view!) Dr. Robert Atkins. The news has been full lately of dire warnings about coronary artery disease and how small infections can lead to huge problems. There is a push on now to get a huge number of us to take cholesterol-lowering drugs on the possible chance that they will have an anti-infectious result in the coronary arteries, lowering the chance of plaque build-up and concomitant heart attack caused by rupture of that plaque and blood clots forming on the site. This actually is the cause of 85% of heart attacks - blood clots - NOT plaque. In any event, I believe this information is important, also as it regards homocysteine in the blood. My goal is to try to save as many lives as possible...but WITHOUT drugs!

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"What ever happened to common sense in medicine? Instead of expensive and potentially dangerous statin drugs, simple lifestyle changes can lower cholesterol. And the benefit of a controlled carbohydrate diet far outweighs the risks and side effects associated with these drugs." - Dr. Atkins

Recently, the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a group sponsored by the federal government, recommended nearly tripling the number of adults who should be taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs to 36 million. Due to the dramatic increase in cardiovascular disease, NCEP has expanded the indications for intensive cholesterol-lowering therapy in clinical practice. What this means is that the clinical indicators that define individuals as being at high risk for heart disease, thereby justifying the use of statin drugs, have been broadened. So people previously not considered at high risk are now deemed suitable candidates for statin drugs. You may have seen this subject covered in your newspaper or on the evening news. But no one seems to be questioning the wisdom of this proposa! l.

After 40 years of practicing cardiology and effectively lowering cholesterol for most of my patients by encouraging them to change their nutritional habits and educating them about other lifestyle changes, it breaks my heart to see the government make this wholesale recommendation-with pride, no less-to use more and more drugs. Research is readily available that demonstrates effective, safe and healthful nondrug therapies for lowering cholesterol and preventing fatal and nonfatal heart attacks.

Why is the government ignoring the fact that there are safe and effective alternatives to statin drugs? Why is it encouraging easy-fix drug solutions? Why isn't the best interest of the American people a priority? The truth is that the pharmaceutical industry is a powerful force in Washington, lobbying our elected representatives and making huge contributions to political campaigns. According to the American Association of Retired People (AARP), in 2000 pharmaceutical companies spent $197,000,000 wooing politicians, more than any other industry, including such heavy hitters as the insurance, telephone and electrical industries.

So you think you have your heart-disease risks under control? You exercise and watch your weight and your cholesterol. You're aware of the importance of keeping your blood pressure under control. Just when you thought you had it all together, along comes a new risk factor. Actually, homocysteine is an old risk factor, but only recently has it taken its proper place as a contributor to heart and blood-vessel disease.

Kilmer McCully, M.D., is the pioneer of the homocysteine theory. Thirty-four years ago, as a Harvard pathologist, he submitted scientific evidence that challenged the conventional concept that cholesterol and fat were the causes of heart disease. He proposed, instead, that the real problem is a lack of B vitamins: folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12, all of which bring down the level of an amino acid called homocysteine(2). These deficiencies allow homocysteine to build up in the blood. Hundreds of more recent scientific studies support McCully's theory.