Statins outflank diet?

Thursday July 22nd, 2010

Taking cholesterol lowering drugs may reduce the need for healthy eating to combat heart disease, researchers reported today.

A major research project sheds new light on the role of cholesterol.

Doctors measure two kinds of cholesterol, one - LDL or low density lipoprotein - regarded as unhealthy and the other - HDL or high density lipoprotein - regarded as healthy.

The widely used drugs, statins, reduce levels of the unhealthy cholesterol LDL.

The new research, published in The Lancet, suggests that once this is achieved, levels of HDL, which are affected by healthy diet, make little difference to heart disease risk.

The findings come from an analysis of a major study of cholesterol-lowering treatment, known as Jupiter.

British experts said the findings should not lead to people substituting drugs for healthy lifestyles.

Cathy Ross, a nurse specialist at the British Heart Foundation, said: "This doesn’t mean people should ignore HDL cholesterol though, as we know it plays an important protective role in helping people who do not have cardiovascular disease already.

"By taking control of your own health and increasing your HDL levels, you can reduce your chance of having a heart attack and having to take statins in the first place.

"Eating a diet high in fruit and vegetables and low in saturated fat as well as taking part in regular physical activity, which can boost HDL by up to five per cent, are good ways to do this."

The research showed that people who do not receive statins benefit from high levels of HDL. Those with the highest levels enjoyed half the risk of heart attack faced by those with the lowest levels.

The research was led by Professor Paul Ridker, of the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

The Lancet. Published Online July 22, 2010DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60713-1

Tags: Diet & Food | Heart Health | North America | Pharmaceuticals | UK News

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