Thursday, 23 May 2013 14:11

Statin Drugs: Miraculous or Misguided?

Almost everything that people think they know about statins is wrong. Join us as we bust the myths.
Nearly every adult in the United States takes a statin.

They are known as the “miracle medicines” and are the most prescribed and most profitable drugs in the nation.

But almost everything that people think they know about statins is wrong.

Cutting back on cholesterol-rich foods is not the best way to lower this dangerous substance, which causes heart disease and stroke. Why? Because most cholesterol in the body doesn’t come from foods - it is made by the body itself.

And that is why statins work: they interfere with the body’s ability to manufacture cholesterol.

But is it a good idea to block cholesterol production to lower your risk of heart disease?

Special guest, Mark Estren, PhD, joins Dr. Mike and shares some important information you need to know if you or someone you love is on (or considering) statin medications.

Additional Info

  • Segment Number: 2
  • Audio File: healthy_talk/1321ht4b.mp3
  • Featured Speaker: Mark Estren, PhD
  • Book Title: Statins: Miraculous or Misguided?
  • Guest Bio: Mark J. Estren, PhD, received his doctorates in psychology and English from the University at Buffalo and his master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University.

    A Pulitzer-winning journalist, he has held top-level positions at numerous print and broadcast news organizations for more than 30 years, ranging from producer of Report on Medicine for CBS Radio to frequent health-related reporting for the Bottom Line newsletter group. Among his other affiliations have been The Washington Post, Miami Herald, Philadelphia Inquirer, United Press International, and CBS and ABC News.

    He was named one of Fortune magazine’s “People to Watch.” Experienced in business as well as health and medicine, he was general manager of Financial News Network, creator and executive producer of the national edition of The Nightly Business Report, and editor of High Technology Business magazine. He is based in Fort Myers, Fla.
  • Length (mins): 10
  • Waiver Received: Yes
  • Host: Dr. Michael Smith, MD