No Substitute for Diet, Exercise
Last week, news broke that a study of nearly 20,000 adults found that people with low cholesterol levels could still reduce their risk of heart attack or stroke by taking a statin known commercially as Crestor. It led to speculation that the number of statin prescriptions could skyrocket.
But even Dr. Paul Ridker, the lead researcher of the study, suggests other interventions before a prescription.
In the study, people with a high level of what’s called a C-reactive protein benefited from Crestor. But Ridker shared his recommendations for someone with a high C-reactive protein score with the Boston Globe:
“The first, second, third, and fourth intervention for anyone with elevated hs-CRP is get to the gym, lose a few pounds, throw away the cigarettes, and start thinking about a healthier diet. That remains overwhelmingly the most important intervention for lowering cardiovascular risk,” he said.
Another doctor, Leslie Cho, of the Cleveland Clinic, said she recommends lifestyle changes first.
Background: Surprising statin research
The Jupiter trial has yielded results that are being called “landmark,” though there is plenty of skepticism, too.
The trial “found that in people whose cholesterol levels were normal the risk of a heart attack risk was reduced by 54 per cent and stroke by 48 [after taking the drug]. The combined risk of heart attack, stroke and heart-related death fell by 47%, as did the odds of undergoing surgical procedures,” reported the Daily Telegraph.
Patients in the study took a drug called rosuvastatin, which is made by AstraZeneca under the name Crestor. The pharmaceutical company also funded the study.
Those with normal cholesterol levels had a higher C-reactive protein level, which the Daily Telegraph describes as “a marker of inflammation and has been thought to indicate a risk of cardiovascular problems in the future.”
Jupiter’s results caused quite a stir at last week’s American Heart Association’s meeting in New Orleans, where they were presented. When it was announced, AstraZeneca’s stock price rose in London, according to Bloomberg.
Lori Mosca, a professor of medicine at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, jokingly repeated a question to Bloomberg that she had heard at the Heart Association meeting: “Should we put them in the drinking water?”
Mosca had different thoughts: “Are we going to use this like aspirin therapy? This finding is clearly expanding the universe of who should receive cholesterol pills, but we need to carefully evaluate at what point it becomes cost effective to treat the majority of people.”
November 19th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
[...] Another fellow blogger added an interesting post on Nutrition Frenzy » Blog Archive » No Substitute for Diet, ExerciseHere’s a small excerptMosca had different thoughts: “Are we going to use this like aspirin therapy? This finding is clearly expanding the universe of who should receive cholesterol pills, but we need to carefully evaluate at what point it becomes cost … [...]
November 19th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
[...] Vote Nutrition Frenzy » Blog Archive » No Substitute for Diet, Exercise [...]
November 20th, 2008 at 11:46 am
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptWelcome to Nutrition Frenzy, where you’ll find information, news and updates about foods, nutrition and exercise and how they impact your life. There is a wealth of information in the world today, sometimes it can be overwhelming. … [...]
November 28th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
[...] No Substitute for Diet, Exercise … the study. Those with normal cholesterol levels had a higher C-reactive protein level, which the Daily Telegraph describes as “a marker of inflammation and has been thought to indicate a risk of cardiovascular problems in the future.” Jupiter’s results caused quite a stir at last week’s American Heart … [...]
November 29th, 2008 at 1:53 am
[...] No Substitute for Diet, Exercise … the study. Those with normal cholesterol levels had a higher C-reactive protein level, which the Daily Telegraph describes as “a marker of inflammation and has been thought to indicate a risk of cardiovascular problems in the future.” Jupiter’s results caused quite a stir at last week’s American Heart … [...]
November 30th, 2008 at 1:21 am
[...] No Substitute for Diet, Exercise … of what’s called a C-reactive protein benefited from Crestor. But Ridker shared his recommendations for someone with a high C-reactive protein score with the Boston Globe: “The first, second, third, and fourth intervention for anyone with elevated hs-CRP is get to the gym, lose a few pounds, throw … [...]