Omega 3 Fish Oil Better Than Cholesterol Drug!

A recent study seen in To Your Health magazine, February 2009 was originally published in the British medical journal Lancet. This study determined that omega 3 fish oil supplements taken daily were superior to the popular prescription cholesterol reducing drug Crestor. Crestor is prescribed to adults with high cholesterol and has common side effects including headaches, muscle pain, abdominal pain, weakness and nausea. The 4 year study followed 11,500 patients. The patients given fish oil were less susceptible to side effects, hospitalization and death.

I recommend about 1000 - 1500mg of omega 3 fish oil per day however good overall nutrition and exercise are also important for a healthy lifestyle.
(Please check with your doctor before you start any new supplements or exercise programs.)
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Thibodeau at 920-954-1002 or at DrDan1221@yahoo.com

Normal Cholesterol Levels Causes Heart Disease

An article in the Appleton Post Crescent two weeks ago told about two recent studies that showed that patients with normal levels of bad cholesterol were still at risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The researchers concluded that either:
1) Normal bad cholesterol levels were set too high thus allowing many patients to be missed.
2) Bad cholesterol is not a good measure of heart attack and stroke risk.

Since bad cholesterol is only one of the risk factors including age, gender, smoking, blood pressure, diabetes, and family history; it should not be used as the only measurement.

My personal opinion is that the pharmacuetical companies will jump on this study to prove that another 11 million people shoud be taking cholesterol lowering drugs. This equates to alot of additional money in their pockets.

Source: The Post Crescent, February 2009

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Thibodeau at 920-954-1002 or at drdan1221@yahoo.com