The Great Cholesterol Myth: A Summary of the Book by Dr Jonny Bowden and Dr Stephen Sinatra

Shortly after my sudden cardiac arrest I picked up this book. It helped me shed some light on cholesterol and its controversies. Reading ‘The Great Cholesterol Myth’ was one of my first steps to heal and discover what many doctors aren’t aware of…

Are you wary about consuming foods like eggs, butter, cheese or red meat because of its association with high levels of cholesterol? Have statins been recommended to you as a means to combat potential heart disease risks? Well, then maybe you have fallen victim to the great cholesterol myth. In this book written by Dr Jonny Bowden and Dr Stephen Sinatra they set the record straight. Their book discloses the reality behind cholesterol’s relationship with heart health and the authors seek to separate fact from fictions as they demystify cholesterol and show its importance in human health.

The authors debunk three myths:

Myth #1: Cholesterol Causes Heart Disease

For decades upon decades we’ve received warnings about how high amounts of cholesterol pose a serious threat to our hearts’ longevity. Drs. Bowden and Sinatra disagree. They present numerous studies challenging the correlation between high cholesterol levels and heart disease. In fact, they claim  what truly drives heart disease is inflammation, and that can be equally harmful for those with or without elevated cholesterol readings.

Myth #2: Statins Are the Only Way to Lower Your Cholesterol

Statins, hailed as ‘a miracle drug’, are extensively prescribed for lowering elevated serum cholesterol in people who are at risk (and sometimes for people who aren’t at risk) for heart disease. Nonetheless these prescriptions may come with some unwanted side effects such as muscular discomfort or memory loss while also increasing the danger of diabetes. Dr Bowden and Dr Sinatra state that making alterations to one’s  lifestyle, such as healthy eating habits or regular exercise can be just as effective – if not more so – than statins in reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Myth #3: Low-Fat Diets Are the Key to Heart Health

In recent years we’ve been warned time and again: avoiding fat is key if we want healthy hearts!  Drs Bowden & Sinatra insist that low fat diets aren’t effective at all; in fact low fat diets may cause more harm than good! Instead they recommend a diet full of healthy fats (like the Mediterranean diet) as a much healthier option that may even lower the risk of heart disease.

And the authors present three important facts:

Fact #1: Cholesterol Is Essential for Our Health

Cholesterol is essential for our bodies. Each one of us needs this substance to help produce hormones, vitamin D and bile acids for digestion. Rather than being harmful, cholesterol is actually produced by our bodies for good reason: to promote overall health!

Fact #2: Inflammation Is the Root Cause of Heart Disease

For many years we’ve been told that high cholesterol levels automatically put us at risk of heart disease. Drs Bowden and Sinatra challenge this belief. They argue that inflammation – rather than cholesterol – may be the root cause of heart issues. Unchecked, chronic inflammation could cause serious plaque build-up in our arteries leading to cardiovascular disease.

Fact #3: Lifestyle Changes Can Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease

The authors strongly advocate lifestyle changes for optimized heart health. Choosing heart healthy food such as nuts, fruits and vegetables along with consumption of lean proteins and healthy fats is vital. The writers stress that it is equally important to avoid sugars and overly processed foods. Regular exercise is necessary along with stress management techniques like meditation or yoga.

Summary:

In ‘The Great Cholesterol Myth,’ Drs. Jonny Bowden & Stephen Sinatra paint a revolutionary picture of cholesterol that challenges long standing dogmatic thinking around it- backed up by painstaking research & insightful analysis throughout the books pages. They debunk popular misconceptions regarding this essential molecule, providing readers with much needed clarity.

Rather than sticking to simplistic notions of “good” and “bad” cholesterol the authors present a comprehensive view of cholesterol’s intricate relationship with cardiovascular health encouraging people to adopt holistic, heart healthy approaches rather than relying solely on statin drugs. Readers emerge with the power to make better, informed decisions about their well being. We are given a fresh perspective about cholesterol which may not be the villain that the medical and pharmaceutical industry has painted it to be over the past decades.

Definitely a must-read for anyone who wants to take control of their heart health.