The Great Cholesterol Con

by Anthony Colpo

Book Overview

The belief that cholesterol and saturated fat cause heart disease is one of the most fundamental tenets of modern medicine. It is also completely false. In "The Great Cholesterol Con" you will learn that: - Heart disease is not caused by saturated fat nor elevated blood cholesterol; - People with low cholesterol levels live shorter lives; - Populations consuming high saturated fat diets often enjoy very low rates of heart disease; - Many dietary recommendations...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1471048381
• ISBN13: 9781471048388
• Release Date: February 2012
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

An impressive undertaking from Mr. Colpo

First off, regarding the book by Anthony Colpo I have to commend him on the totality of this work. This is how ALL reference books should be written. This is no trendy, diet book but rather this is an in-depth review of a timely topic that touches every one of us. Anthony does not present us with his opinion and recommendations but he systematically dissects every aspect of the medical community, drug manufacturers, food providers and the end consumers (you & me) and clearly illustrates how we have arrived at the dire state of poor health that we now find ourselves. He documents how a seemingly obvious conclusion from a misguided health official back in the 50's has lead us down a rocky road to misdiagnosed conclusions regarding Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and the correct course of action we need to take to regain our health. Believe it or not, the drug companies and health care institutions do not have your optimal health in mind; quite frankly this is bad for business. After all, if we were all healthy then there would be no need for addressing CHD or launching a full scale war on cholesterol. Their desire is to develop a panacea that will cure us all of heart related illnesses while allowing us to continue on with our current lifestyles. Mr. Colpo clearly demonstrates how our reliance on processed foods, the over emphasis on carbohydrates and bad advise regarding fats has lead us to the sorry state of health that we are now at. And how the drug companies see themselves as the saviors of society's health problems by providing an ever more potent array of statin drugs; all with exceedingly poor results. Secondly, on a personal level, I have been living through the lie that all of has been lead to believe. In 1989 my cholesterol levels were off the charts, I was young and in shape but my use of statins and similar drugs was mandatory according to my various physicians. I have personally experienced almost all of the adverse effects of statins from low energy, weak muscles, memory loss, hormonal changes and on and on... My life had become so dismal that I ended up looking for alternate answers. Since understanding the truth behind that myths I have changed my diet, stopped taking prescribed medications and I have started taking supplements to repair much of the damage that has been wrought upon me over these many years. Today I feel better than I have in 6 years and I have a new appreciation for what food is for and how it can affect my overall health. This book should be required reading for everyone. Not only those that have a cholesterol problem but everyone who wants to understand how the body utilizes the food and nutrients that we provide it (or fail to provide it!). Read this book and then do what I did; give it to your doctor to read. The facts presented in this book are irrefutable, well researched and documented. If your doctor has the open mind that he or she should have, then they will be convinced as well. Thank

The Right Stuff

The definitive book on the non-dangers of dietary cholesterol and saturated fat was The Cholesterol Myths by Uffe Ravnskov, 2000. Anthony Colpo's book (GCC) has the advantage of being 6 years newer, thus much recent research has been included with individual citations in academic style. GCC also has the advantage that some more likely causes of heart disease are given, then constructive suggestions on lifestyle are given, and these are backed up by excellent references -- over 1400 of them (p xi). It is significant that the first forward is written by Ravnskov, MD, PhD, and a second forward by Duane Graveline, MD, MPH, who wrote Statin Drug Side-Effects, 2004. In its 368 pages, 78 are references, and about 102 discuss why eating cholesterol and saturated fat do not cause heart disease. This leads to why the statin drugs such as Zocor and Lipitor are overpromoted and do not have a benefit because, even tho they can lower cholesterol levels, such lowering is shown not to be a benefit. About 73 more discuss what might actually cause heart disease. Another Section addresses overblown claims about other drugs to fight heart disease, better diets than low-fat, stress, supplements, alcohol and exercise. Appendices cover other interesting topics, such as lowering homocysteine levels and the false health claims of vegetarians, and of those who perform coronary angioplasty and bypass operations. The actual evidence from studies in original peer-reviewed papers is presented, with clearly designed tables when the results of multiple trials were given. Colpo wrote the most detailed descriptions of the fraudulent work of Ancel Keys, MD, on the supposed toxicity of staturated fats, as well as on the misguided claims of Dean Ornish, MD, and Nathan Pritikin on low-fat diets I have seen. The unhealthy recommendations of several government agencies and NGOs are brought out. The instigation of Big Pharma is duly noted. On these topics, including recommending low-carb high-fat diets, and certain supplements, The Great Cholesterol Con is in good agreement with similar parts of my own recent book, Malignant Medical Myths (MMM), 2006, and gives much greater detail, and is easier to read, despite smaller print. There is no index. There is no biographical data. Anthony Colpo is a medical writer and Physical Fitness Trainer who lives in Australia. Most of Colpo's book is extremely well-researched, and worthwhile for almost anyone to read. Some possible exceptions: His recommendation for the supplement selenium (p195) did not mention that the study he quotes found a tripling of breast cancer (MMM, p239). Granted the p = 0.09 and the SU.VI.MAX study showed no such thing, but it made use of 4 supplements besides selenium in the intervention group. His use of relative risks (RRs) instead of absolute risks, despite showing how misleading RRs can be, is disappointing, but can be accepted when the direction of an intervention is shown to be opposite of the conventional ex

The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth

Anthony Colpo has produced a tour de force (that's French for a feat of skill!) which absolutely demolishes the entire lipid theory that has been foisted on a hapless humanity by a seriously deluded medical profession and so-called diet experts egged on by a greedy pharmaceutical industry and other profit-making concerns. This book is the product of meticulous research, and reveals a great deal about the poor science of the medical researchers who fail to use proper scientific principles and who then misinterpret the results to fit in with their pre-conceived ideas (and would be too embarrassed to reverse the medical profession's current dogmas). The author acknowledges the great contribution of Uffe Ravnskov's "The Cholesterol Myths", brings the issue up to date, goes into more detail and goes on to tell the public what they should REALLY do to avoid or counteract heart problems. Buy this book now to empower yourself in the face of doctors and "experts" who don't know what they are talking about and have themselves been conned. Then buy some more to benefit your friends who really need it.

A Self-Serving Fantasy Indeed

This is a fantastic book . Reading it, I imagined Colpo to be a top scientist in his own little laboratory, wrinkled (once white) coat, long fuzzy beard and surrounded by mountains of disorderly stacks of paper. Here is a book, written for the layman and professional alike, it is an eye opener even for those of us who have long known that the cholesterol theory was rubbish from the very beginning. It must have taken ages to put this book together, it is easy to understand and written with the diligence and enthusiasm of an analytical and caring mind. No, Colpo is no guru who is trying to persuade people to buy some outlandish theory or its relevant nostrums, he presents crucial information and supports it all in a most admirable fashion. References that will smart in certain quarters and will make him a few enemies abound. Books have been written about the Cholesterol Dilemma since Professor George Mann made that famous statement in the seventies about the Cholesterol Hypothesis being the biggest deception of mankind in the history of Medicine. Ravnskov comes to mind, his "The Cholesterol Myths" is a classic that should be in every library.Layman Frank Cooper wrote a book for the masses from his perspective of a Familial Hypercholesterolaemia sufferer, "Cholesterol And The French Paradox" and Professor Walter Hartenbach enlightened the German market with his great work "Die Cholesterinluege" ("The Cholesterol Lie"). Until this book was written, there seemed to be something missing in my bookshelf corner reserved for the subject. Colpo's book fills the gap admirably. It's a pleasant read as well, being so well organised. I don't know how long it will take for the establishment to wake up to this PUBLICLY, it never ceases to amaze me how so many physicians could have uncritically accepted the fairytale about a most natural and essential substance being the cause of cardiovascular disease. Yet they did and they are being amply repaid for their herd mentality and indifference. The previous reviewer asks about the time in our history when we lost control and accepted that Big Pharma and the Sickness Industry would run our lives. Petr Skrabanek places this time, when the "Death Of Humane Medicine" occurred into the mid fifties. Shortly after Ancel Keys came up with his ridiculous claim about the substance cholesterol that he saw as a major killer. It comes down to money, the business of scaring people into complying with a politically correct cholesterol level brings great financial rewards.Statins are extremely lucrative inspite of the fact that they cause all kinds of side effects, some of them deadly. The book shows, in so many different ways, that we need to look at our relationship with those who peddle something they call "healthcare" . When Big Pharma and Big Medicine work together it must result in a colossal amount of unnecessary and arrogant intervention in people's lives, it is a tool for the transfer of wealth and thus a detriment to all.

On who's side are you? Last warning to a naive medical profession

I read Anthony Colpo's `The Great Cholesterol Con' from cover to cover in about a week and I must confess I had to put it in another room a few hours per day in order to accomplish my regular duties. This is by far the best, most comprehensive analysis of `the greatest scam in the history of medicine' (professor George Mann in 1977!) I have ever read. No stone has been left untouched, counter arguments are systematically dealt with and the reader is offered clear cut, straight forward advises on how to maintain or restore his own health. Mr Colpo must have spent years in medical libraries. No academic - not even his fiercest opponents - will deny that this work would have brought him a glowing PhD, if it were an official dissertation. This is not your middle of the road fitness coach, this is a scientific expert propelled by a holy fire to separate fact from fiction and gifted with an irresistable writing style (a rare combination). Mr Colpo's father - who died from a heart attack in his fifties and to whom the book is dedicated - would have all the reasons in the world to be very, very proud. As a medical journalist in The Netherlands - arguably the most nutrition `expert' dense area in the world - I have learned the hard way that when it comes to nutrition and health, you'd better repeat exactly what the `experts' say. Presenting the naked scientific facts is a dangerous enterprise. Investigative reporting on medical and nutrition issues can seriously jeopardize your career. Medical writers who dare to expose the flaws in the main stream explanation of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular heart disease, risk their reputation and even their income. When Dr Uffe Ravnskov's book `The Cholesterol Myths' - a meticulously researched, razor sharp exposé of the assumption that cholesterol is the cause of heart disease - was burned in a Finnish TV show, I could hardly believe it. This changed when I wrote an investigative article about the massively under reported adverse effects of statin therapy (a disaster in progress). I was hung out on TV as a reckless murderer. No arguments, just outrageous furie. For some reason the media are an extremely poor source of medical and health information. Researchers who want funding, support, media coverage and the approval and admiration of peers, better make sure their intervention also hammers down cholesterol levels, or they're down and out. As Anthony Colpo states, most of todays interventions to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease are not based on science, but rather on religion and greed. Our children's children will look back and rightly conclude that the Middle Ages of medicine reached an all time low just after the year 2000. If you want to know the sad truth behind many of the currently prevailing health advises, buy this book. It contains very real, precious information, painstakingly collected and analysed. Actually, it's way to cheep. It provides the intelligent reader (don't buy this book if