Onlyourhealth : Onlyourhealth : Health & Nutrition News & Commentary : Dr. Joel Fuhrman

At the American Heart Association's annual meeting researchers revealed LDL cholesterol levels in U.S. adults have dropped since 1980, but triglyceride levels are 5 times higher. Scientists cite increased awareness of the dangers of high-fat diets and statins for the drop in LDL and the surge in obesity for the jump in triglycerides; Reuters reports.

Okay, it’s good to hear people are getting wise to high-fat diets. Diets rich in saturated fat are linked to heart disease, but statins are no saving grace. They have serious side effects and only offer a band aid solution. However, plant-based diets lower cholesterol, improve triglycerides, reverse cardiovascular disease and promote healthy bodyweight.

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A new study in Cancer Research claims eating foods high in saturated fat, like red meat, may heighten the risk of cancer in the small intestine. HealthDay News Reports:

Previous research had identified a link between red and processed meats and cancer of the large intestine, but this is the first prospective study to examine the association between meat and fat intake and cancer of the small intestine.

During the study, 60 adenocarcinomas and 80 carcinoid tumors of the small intestine were diagnosed among the participants, and an elevated risk for these cancers was associated with saturated fat intake.

Saturated fat is a health-destroyer. Previous reports have associated saturated fat with both prostate and ovarian cancer, not to mention heart disease and hypertension.
 

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A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine claims taking statins preventively can dramatically reduce the risk of heart attack in men and women with no history of heart disease, the research was funded by Crestor; PBS reports.

Then on his show, comedian Stephen Colbert ripped the study calling it, “A great breakthrough in the battle to find things to prescribe to people who don’t need them.” Although, he admits to crushing statins on his bacon chili cheese corndogs. Eek!

All joking aside, this seems pretty shameless to me. Taking pills just because! Listen, statins aren’t wonder drugs. They carry heavy side effects, like hepatitis and jaundice. Besides, the best preventative medicine for heart disease is a vegetable-based diet.

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It’s a tough time to be a kid! Seriously, more and more kids have food allergies. Children are sicker and fatter and taking lots of pills for hypertension and high cholesterol. And now, the American Heart Association claims obese kids have middle-aged arteries; the Associated Press reports.

What’s next? No Santa Claus! Maybe all the heavy metal music, which I love, is what's harming our whippersnappers’ hearts; via HealthandMen.

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Not good. New research in Pediatrics claims more and more kids are taking medications for chronic conditions, like hypertension, diabetes, depression and high cholesterol. No surprise, but childhood obesity is being blamed; via Booster Shots.

Actually, we’ve seen this before. In fact, some people want to prescribe statins to kids. Sure, heart disease starts in youth, but instead of stuffing pills down their throats. Why not teach kids the importance of healthy eating and NOT the easy way out!
 

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Yeah, you’ve got to eat healthy to prevent heart disease! A new study in Journal of the American Medical Association reveals taking vitamins C and E do nothing to prevent heart disease in men; the Associated Press reports.

Bad times for pills and heart disease, beta-blockers can CAUSE heart attacks and Vytorin is going swiftly down the toilet. Meanwhile, a nutrient-dense diet still reverses heart disease and lowers cholesterol, naturally!
 

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Edamame beans rock! You should LOVE them too. Previous reports have linked edamame or soybeans with artery health and reduced risk of heart disease. But some question soy's MIGHT versus against cholesterol; The New York Times investigates.
 

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