Pointed out as the main cause, cholesterol does not play any role in cardiovascular disease. This is in any case the deep conviction of Michel de Lorgeril, cardiologist and researcher at the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS).
In his book entitled "Cholesterol, lies and propaganda", Dr. Michel de Lorgeril vigorously rejects the commonly accepted ideas on this subject and wishes to restore the truth by invalidating them. And he does not go with the back of the spoon!
Correlation between cholesterol and cardiovascular disease
Indeed, the correlation usually established between cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases would be, according to him, a myth, a chimerical deception that should denounce and banish at any price. A question then arises: why incriminate cholesterol and make it a designated culprit?
Michel de Lorgeril responds unequivocally. The power of the pharmaceutical lobby, known to all, is the most factual explanation. It would simply be a big money story, orchestrated by business people who are sometimes unscrupulous and uncomfortable with the priority that ethics requires formally in public health. To this end, anti-cholesterol drugs represent an extremely juicy market and their prescription by doctors is strongly encouraged by the labs, especially since the marketing of statins, which are among the most consumed drugs in the world.
At the same time, the agri-food industry also benefits greatly from this amoral propaganda, with the marketing of a growing range of so-called anti-cholesterol products.
Thus, used to optimize cholesterol, the statin has been repeatedly in the hot seat and has been the subject of much controversy as to its alleged effectiveness, which has also been relayed by any truly impartial study.
Regardless of the inconvenience caused by its multiple side effects, the statin would not allow, say critics, to extend the life of the patient. If Michel de Lorgeril fires red bullets at this drug, it is because he contests the dangers attributed to cholesterol and considers it illusory to think that the theory attributed to him is based on rational facts. Indeed, for him, there would simply be no cause-and-effect link between infarction and cholesterol.
The true causes of cardiovascular disease
Dr. Michel de Lorgeril draws our attention to our way of life and recommends that we act first in this direction, trying to improve it. Also, in order to better protect himself against cardiovascular diseases, it is essential, according to him, to tackle as a priority the real risk factors that are, among others, smoking, poor diet and sedentary lifestyle.
Clearly, a strong correlation between our lifestyle and the state of our heart and arteries is proven. The declared war on cholesterol must not overshadow this reality!
What do the professionals think about the thesis advocated by this "rebel" cardiologist?
The medical world is, in part, skeptical about the health damage attributed to cholesterol after, as well as the usefulness of statins. Many doctors are fully aware that the doubts expressed by Michel de Lorgeril are well founded, and some subscribe even to his theory and become partisan. Yet few of them approach the question! Therefore, we are entitled to question ourselves! Why does the majority of practitioners display such a silence, incomprehensible at first glance? Why do not we sound the alarm? Would the subject be sensitive to this point?
According to Michel de Lorgeril, apart from the fact that accessibility to the media is more complicated than it seems, very few cardiologists and even generalists would venture to break the silence, the first to avoid getting the wrath of the pharmaceutical industry, the latter in order not to get in the back of the specialists, who would not look favorably at the probable loss of earnings induced by such an approach.
Habits to follow to guard against cardiovascular diseases
In addition to the genetic factor, it is important to emphasize that a healthy lifestyle is crucial in order to prevent cardiovascular disease, especially for people aged 40 to 50 years. For this purpose, certain habits are to be followed such as:
- Have an ideal body weight
- Avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages
- Reduce the consumption of saturated fat
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid smoking.
There is no secret: healthy health depends on adopting a healthy lifestyle.
