Comments for The Obesity Epidemic http://www.theobesityepidemic.org facts about why 'eating less and doing more' doesn't work Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:35:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on Cholesterol & heart disease – there is a relationship, but it’s not what you think by Zoe http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/2010/11/cholesterol-and-heart-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-2136 Zoe Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:35:33 +0000 http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/?p=547#comment-2136 Hi Colin - you're reading the right stuff anyway! I highly recommend Uffe Ravnskov's book "Ignore the Awkward". Since writing this blog above I've been thrilled to become a member of the thincs.org group (the international network of cholesterol sceptics) and we have many exchanges on anything from FH to diabetes risk on statins. Uffe's view can be summarised from this book as follows: 1) "The idea that people with FH die early from a heart attack is wrong." Large Dutch and British studies confirm that people with FH live, on average, as long as other people. The data showed more deaths from heart disease in FH people and fewer deaths from cancer and other diseases - balancing out. Additionally, the heart data may have been non representative as it looked at families with FH and was therefore over weighting the deaths observed. Sijbrands et al 2001 BMJ found (a Dutch study) that people with FH lived longer than the average Dutchman in people before 1900. The conclusion drawn was that cholesterol is protective as most deaths at that time were of virus and bacteria. 2) FH is usually accompanied by unusually high cholesterol readings (in double figs - not 8.8) and yet incidence of myocardial infarction is not higher in people with cholesterol much higher than 'normal' than those slightly higher than 'normal' (not withstanding that we keep making up what 'normal' is) 3) If high cholesterol were the cause of atherosclerosis in people with FH, all their arteries should be impacted - not just those going to the heart and this is not the case. For full logical explanations (Uffe's logic is great) and references - you need the book. I have developed a view on FH since this blog. Familial hypercholesterolemia is defined as a genetic condition caused by a gene defect on chromosome 19. The defect makes the body unable to remove LDL from the bloodstream, resulting in consistently high levels of LDL. One in 500 people (a non UK specific estimate) are estimated to have familial hypercholesterolemia. (One in fourteen people in the UK are taking statins). I think that this makes high cholesterol and high LDL recorded in the blood stream a symptom rather than a problem. Surely the problem with FH is that the cells are not getting the LDL 'delivery' that is so vital to bodily functioning? LDL remember carries cholesterol and protein and phospholipids and triglycerides - all needed by cells for repair and optimal function. Hence the defect in the LDL receptor means that the cells don't get what they need - that's the problem. The fact that the deliveries are backing up in the blood stream is the indication that FH is likely present. This would suggest to me that statins are the last thing that someone with FH should be on - you note classic statin side effects of fatigue, muscle pain and depression. More than anyone you need whatever LDL can get through to your cells to get through. Surely the last thing you want to do is to stop your body producing cholesterol to reduce the chance of supplies getting through further?! That's my latest thought! Hope all this helps and good on you taking your health into your own hands! You're very lucrative to drug co.s! Hopefully Kendrick is making you laugh enough to relieve stress too Very best wishes - Zoe p.s. this explains HDL too - LDL is effectively the carrier of fresh cholesterol/protein/phospholipids and triglyceride off around the body to do vital work. HDL is effectively the carrier of used cholesterol & lipids - the HDL 'taxi' picks up used cholesterol & lipids to take back to the liver for recycling (the body won't lose any cholesterol if it can help it - the stuff is too valuable ;-)) So LDL not getting through because of the FH defect means HDL is lower because there was less used stuff to pick up! (Some cholesterol must get through to cells or every FH sufferer would be dead). Hi Colin – you’re reading the right stuff anyway! I highly recommend Uffe Ravnskov’s book “Ignore the Awkward”. Since writing this blog above I’ve been thrilled to become a member of the thincs.org group (the international network of cholesterol sceptics) and we have many exchanges on anything from FH to diabetes risk on statins.
Uffe’s view can be summarised from this book as follows:
1) “The idea that people with FH die early from a heart attack is wrong.” Large Dutch and British studies confirm that people with FH live, on average, as long as other people. The data showed more deaths from heart disease in FH people and fewer deaths from cancer and other diseases – balancing out. Additionally, the heart data may have been non representative as it looked at families with FH and was therefore over weighting the deaths observed. Sijbrands et al 2001 BMJ found (a Dutch study) that people with FH lived longer than the average Dutchman in people before 1900. The conclusion drawn was that cholesterol is protective as most deaths at that time were of virus and bacteria.
2) FH is usually accompanied by unusually high cholesterol readings (in double figs – not 8.8) and yet incidence of myocardial infarction is not higher in people with cholesterol much higher than ‘normal’ than those slightly higher than ‘normal’ (not withstanding that we keep making up what ‘normal’ is)
3) If high cholesterol were the cause of atherosclerosis in people with FH, all their arteries should be impacted – not just those going to the heart and this is not the case.
For full logical explanations (Uffe’s logic is great) and references – you need the book.

I have developed a view on FH since this blog. Familial hypercholesterolemia is defined as a genetic condition caused by a gene defect on chromosome 19. The defect makes the body unable to remove LDL from the bloodstream, resulting in consistently high levels of LDL. One in 500 people (a non UK specific estimate) are estimated to have familial hypercholesterolemia. (One in fourteen people in the UK are taking statins). I think that this makes high cholesterol and high LDL recorded in the blood stream a symptom rather than a problem. Surely the problem with FH is that the cells are not getting the LDL ‘delivery’ that is so vital to bodily functioning? LDL remember carries cholesterol and protein and phospholipids and triglycerides – all needed by cells for repair and optimal function. Hence the defect in the LDL receptor means that the cells don’t get what they need – that’s the problem. The fact that the deliveries are backing up in the blood stream is the indication that FH is likely present.

This would suggest to me that statins are the last thing that someone with FH should be on – you note classic statin side effects of fatigue, muscle pain and depression. More than anyone you need whatever LDL can get through to your cells to get through. Surely the last thing you want to do is to stop your body producing cholesterol to reduce the chance of supplies getting through further?! That’s my latest thought!

Hope all this helps and good on you taking your health into your own hands! You’re very lucrative to drug co.s! Hopefully Kendrick is making you laugh enough to relieve stress too
Very best wishes – Zoe
p.s. this explains HDL too – LDL is effectively the carrier of fresh cholesterol/protein/phospholipids and triglyceride off around the body to do vital work. HDL is effectively the carrier of used cholesterol & lipids – the HDL ‘taxi’ picks up used cholesterol & lipids to take back to the liver for recycling (the body won’t lose any cholesterol if it can help it – the stuff is too valuable ;-) ) So LDL not getting through because of the FH defect means HDL is lower because there was less used stuff to pick up! (Some cholesterol must get through to cells or every FH sufferer would be dead).

]]> Comment on Cholesterol & heart disease – there is a relationship, but it’s not what you think by Colin http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/2010/11/cholesterol-and-heart-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-2135 Colin Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:37:51 +0000 http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/?p=547#comment-2135 Just wondering if you ever got an answer to the "risk factor for people with FH" question? I came across this article whilst researching the issue of FH. I was diagnosed with FH at the age of 18 and have spent many, many years on various statins which have all causes mild to severe side effects (including fatigue, muscle pain & depression). I have always felt uncomfortable taking these statins but am constantly being told that at my age (41) I am now in the 'very high risk' category for heart attack or stroke because I have a TC reading of 8.8 with LDL of 6.95! The stress of it all is likely to kill me first according to Dr Kendrick's book which I am currently reading! Just wondering if you ever got an answer to the “risk factor for people with FH” question? I came across this article whilst researching the issue of FH. I was diagnosed with FH at the age of 18 and have spent many, many years on various statins which have all causes mild to severe side effects (including fatigue, muscle pain & depression). I have always felt uncomfortable taking these statins but am constantly being told that at my age (41) I am now in the ‘very high risk’ category for heart attack or stroke because I have a TC reading of 8.8 with LDL of 6.95! The stress of it all is likely to kill me first according to Dr Kendrick’s book which I am currently reading!

]]> Comment on The Weston A Price Foundation Conference by Robin http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/2011/04/the-weston-a-price-foundation-conference/comment-page-1/#comment-1785 Robin Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:48:37 +0000 http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/?p=594#comment-1785 Bless you, sweet fennel, for your succinctity! Have recently chased a tumour from my lung. it was diet that did it. On the journey I developed a deep and venomous suspicion of the relationship between the pharmaceutical companies and the NHS. Nice, isn't it? Bless you, sweet fennel, for your succinctity! Have recently chased a tumour from my lung. it was diet that did it. On the journey I developed a deep and venomous suspicion of the relationship between the pharmaceutical companies and the NHS. Nice, isn’t it?

]]> Comment on The Weston A Price Foundation Conference by fennel http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/2011/04/the-weston-a-price-foundation-conference/comment-page-1/#comment-1782 fennel Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:51:00 +0000 http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/?p=594#comment-1782 thanks for a brilliant presentation that explains such a lot of things. I have always followed the guidelines put out and thought it was the right thing to do, wondered why I was not well and why I have a hypothyroid problem. I have eaten the soy, the cereals, low fat, margerine etc and now that the internet is available it is so obvious how we are conned, but it was not obvious before as I trusted the authorities to be truthful. Now I am ill I realise how I got there, and how the pharmaceutical companies are keeping us there so as to profit from our suffering. The NHS do not treat hypothyroid patients well, we are deliberately neglected so that we can develop further illnesses that are very profitable to treat. In the UK you have to have a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone of over 10.0 to get treatment, in other countries the range of normal only goes up to 2.5 or 3.5 before you get treatment. I think a lot of people with chronic fatigue are hypothyroid patients that are within the 'normal' range on the blood test, so are denied treatment. There is a lot of research money going to the psychiatric people for chronic fatigue. Dr Sarah Myhill is successfully treating these people with nutrition and is being persecuted by the GMC because of it. Dr Skinner is also in trouble with the GMC for saving lives by prescribing natural desiccated thyroid instead of levothyroxine. Untreated hypothyroid patients are obese, dieting won't help, and they develop heart disease and many other illnesses, you feel like you are falling to pieces. I wish there was a way to warn people of what is going on, but most people will trust what they read in the papers and what is on the telly. We are all victims and are being used to increase the wealth of those academics and businessmen who have no morals, and who happily watch people's suffering in exchange for money. thanks for a brilliant presentation that explains such a lot of things. I have always followed the guidelines put out and thought it was the right thing to do, wondered why I was not well and why I have a hypothyroid problem. I have eaten the soy, the cereals, low fat, margerine etc and now that the internet is available it is so obvious how we are conned, but it was not obvious before as I trusted the authorities to be truthful.

Now I am ill I realise how I got there, and how the pharmaceutical companies are keeping us there so as to profit from our suffering. The NHS do not treat hypothyroid patients well, we are deliberately neglected so that we can develop further illnesses that are very profitable to treat. In the UK you have to have a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone of over 10.0 to get treatment, in other countries the range of normal only goes up to 2.5 or 3.5 before you get treatment. I think a lot of people with chronic fatigue are hypothyroid patients that are within the ‘normal’ range on the blood test, so are denied treatment. There is a lot of research money going to the psychiatric people for chronic fatigue. Dr Sarah Myhill is successfully treating these people with nutrition and is being persecuted by the GMC because of it. Dr Skinner is also in trouble with the GMC for saving lives by prescribing natural desiccated thyroid instead of levothyroxine. Untreated hypothyroid patients are obese, dieting won’t help, and they develop heart disease and many other illnesses, you feel like you are falling to pieces.

I wish there was a way to warn people of what is going on, but most people will trust what they read in the papers and what is on the telly. We are all victims and are being used to increase the wealth of those academics and businessmen who have no morals, and who happily watch people’s suffering in exchange for money.

]]> Comment on Cholesterol & heart disease – there is a relationship, but it’s not what you think by SR http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/2010/11/cholesterol-and-heart-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-1328 SR Sun, 06 Mar 2011 00:21:47 +0000 http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/?p=547#comment-1328 No need to harpoon the great physiologist any more than necessary. In an "Eating Well" interview with Ancel Keys, I think in 1996 (I have it in storage somewhere), Keys clearly states that the original cholesterol studies were done on rabbits, which were extremely sensitve to dietary cholesterol. He opines in the same article that saturated fat should be eaten in moderation. I think he also mentions the danger of hydrogenated fat/trans-fatty acids, but I am not clear on this. No need to harpoon the great physiologist any more than necessary.

In an “Eating Well” interview with Ancel Keys, I think in 1996 (I have it in storage somewhere), Keys clearly states that the original cholesterol studies were done on rabbits, which were extremely sensitve to dietary cholesterol. He opines in the same article that saturated fat should be eaten in moderation. I think he also mentions the danger of hydrogenated fat/trans-fatty acids, but I am not clear on this.

]]> Comment on Chapter 11 by admin http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/2010/09/chapter-11/comment-page-1/#comment-1282 admin Fri, 18 Feb 2011 10:47:21 +0000 http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/?p=360#comment-1282 Hi Julie - it is frightening isn't it? I do think that people will be able to sue the government and public health diet advisors one day and say "you made me fat". I have no doubt that our U-Turn in dietary advice has caused this horrific obesity epidemic and we simply refuse to reconsider that maybe we should return to what we used to know to be true: “Farinaceous and vegetable foods are fattening, and saccharine matters are especially so” (Tanner 1869) Best wishes - Zoe Hi Julie – it is frightening isn’t it? I do think that people will be able to sue the government and public health diet advisors one day and say “you made me fat”. I have no doubt that our U-Turn in dietary advice has caused this horrific obesity epidemic and we simply refuse to reconsider that maybe we should return to what we used to know to be true: “Farinaceous and vegetable foods are fattening, and saccharine matters are especially so” (Tanner 1869)
Best wishes – Zoe

]]> Comment on Chapter 11 by Julie Glover http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/2010/09/chapter-11/comment-page-1/#comment-1279 Julie Glover Thu, 17 Feb 2011 18:57:53 +0000 http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/?p=360#comment-1279 OMG! At the age of 54 I've been 'dieting' for over 30 years and all that has happened is that I've got bigger and bigger. Looking at the 'science' I've been using as the basis for my efforts it's no wonder. I'm horrified and delighted at the same time. There is, after all, hope. OMG! At the age of 54 I’ve been ‘dieting’ for over 30 years and all that has happened is that I’ve got bigger and bigger. Looking at the ‘science’ I’ve been using as the basis for my efforts it’s no wonder. I’m horrified and delighted at the same time. There is, after all, hope.

]]> Comment on Chapter 7 by admin http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/2010/09/chapter-7/comment-page-1/#comment-1264 admin Tue, 08 Feb 2011 08:27:56 +0000 http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/?p=371#comment-1264 Hi Fred - I quote this brilliant article on p74 of the book, but there is still no formula that we can use to predict weight loss. The evidence for how far it is out is in the book also Many thanks Best wishes - Zoe Hi Fred – I quote this brilliant article on p74 of the book, but there is still no formula that we can use to predict weight loss. The evidence for how far it is out is in the book also
Many thanks
Best wishes – Zoe

]]> Comment on Chapter 7 by fred http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/2010/09/chapter-7/comment-page-1/#comment-1263 fred Mon, 07 Feb 2011 23:50:26 +0000 http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/?p=371#comment-1263 13. Hall KD. What is the required energy deficit per unit weight loss? International Journal of Obesity (32): 573-6, 2008. [Full Text/Abstract] 13. Hall KD. What is the required energy deficit per unit weight loss? International Journal of Obesity (32): 573-6, 2008. [Full Text/Abstract]

]]> Comment on Cholesterol & heart disease – there is a relationship, but it’s not what you think by admin http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/2010/11/cholesterol-and-heart-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-1262 admin Sun, 06 Feb 2011 20:19:46 +0000 http://www.theobesityepidemic.org/?p=547#comment-1262 Hi Kim - so sorry this took a while to approve - we've both been away for a couple of days! Thanks so much for your lovely message. Delighted to hear you're enjoying the forum and doing so well on The Harcombe Diet. Looking forward to seeing you in Manchester! Very best wishes - Zoe x Hi Kim – so sorry this took a while to approve – we’ve both been away for a couple of days! Thanks so much for your lovely message. Delighted to hear you’re enjoying the forum and doing so well on The Harcombe Diet. Looking forward to seeing you in Manchester!
Very best wishes – Zoe x

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