June 2, 2017 general

The average citizen does not spend their days studying health research. They rely on experts to provide guidelines about diet and treatments. Sadly, the “experts” can have good intentions, but offer bad advice. Just in 2017 my blogs discussed misleading pronouncements about doctor’s orders in general, sleep / gluten / vaccines, salt / low fat / chocolate, coffee / blood pressure, and macular degeneration. Here is a fresh batch for your amusement:

• Saturated fat. The research on saturated fats is shaky and some populations like the Maasai in Africa thrive on a diet very high in saturated fats. And yet, saturated fats have been roundly demonized for years. As more careful research has been done, the tide is turning. Maybe saturated fat is not a cause of heart disease. STUDY. And then there is all that blathering about how we should seek out low fat dairy products. Here is a review of a growing number of studies that counters that advice. STUDY.
• Statin drugs for cholesterol. These drugs may have a role for those who have had a heart attack or who have frank cardiovascular disease. But, the controversy on statins for most people and the potential side effects could fill several blogs. For now, I’ll settle for these three tidbits. These drugs do not seem to save lives when used as primary prevention for seniors who have mild elevations in cholesterol and blood pressure. Also, although the trend did not rise to the level of statistical significance, deaths from all causes increased among statin users over age 75. STUDY. In another study, people taking statins for 4 months or more were more likely (27%) to be diagnosed with a back problem. According to one study you are also more likely to need cataract surgery if taking a statin.
• Diet sodas. In a past blog, I discussed that one diet sweetener, may cause (among other troubles) thyroid problems and weight gain. According to a study in the American Heart Association medical journal Stroke, a diet drink per day increases the risk for stroke and dementia.
• Blood-thinning drugs. Folks who have been put on anti-coagulant drugs like warfarin (Coumadin) are often told to stop eating broccoli and other vegetables. It makes more sense to me that integrative physicians say you should consume a routine amount of healthy greens and adjust your drug around that. Patients on these “blood thinners” are also warned to avoid fish oil because it helps keep platelets from clumping. One of my favorite sources, People’s Pharmacy discussed new thinking in that area. Article.

So, if you can’t trust the so-called experts, who can you believe? Well, let’s start with your own good judgement. Just consider whether the advice makes sense compared to what our healthy ancestors did or to how populations without industrial food and high technology stay healthy. Also, if hundreds of studies show one thing, e.g. that garlic is good for you, don’t get too excited about a single paper that bucks the trend. Carefully review the side effects of a drug and remember that it was proven “safe” and “effective” by the manufacturer. They can pick which studies to reveal and which to hide. Flim-flam obviously comes from suppliers of products like diet soft drinks and so their pronouncements should be suspect. Also, keep in mind that hospitals and clinics (by and large) are paid for quantity of services provided rather than quality of outcomes. Their advice may reflect a habit of over-testing and over-treating.

Of course you can listen to the authorities that we have on the Healthy by Nature show. They usually have good conventional training, but have also worked to learn about natural and traditional methods. They also maintain a healthy skepticism about popular protocols.