The Cholesterol Wars: The Cholesterol Skeptics vs the Preponderance of Evidence

Today, in the era of the statins (cholesterol lowering drugs), there is no longer any doubt about the value of lowering blood cholesterol levels. This book chronicles the controversy that swirled around the 'lipid hypothesis' of atherosclerosis for so many years. In fact, 'the lower the better' is the position of many clinicians. However, getting to this point has been a long uphill battle marked by heated debate and sometimes violent disagreement. The history of this controversy is told here for its own sake and because remembering it may help us avoid similar mistakes in the future. * Dr. Steinberg and his colleagues have published over 400 papers relating to lipid and lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis reflecting the prominence these authors have in the community. * Chronicles the miraculous power of the statins to prevent heart attacks and save lives, of great interest to the many manufacturers of these drugs * Discusses new targets for intervention based on a better understanding of the molecular basis of atherosclerosis Today, in the era of the statins (cholesterol lowering drugs), there is no longer any doubt about the value of lowering blood cholesterol levels. The Cholesterol Wars chronicles the controversy that swirled around the 'lipid hypothesis' of atherosclerosis for so many years. In fact, 'the lower the better' is the position of many clinicians. However, getting to this point has been a long uphill battle marked by heated debate and sometimes violent disagreement. The history of this controversy is told here for its own sake and because remembering it may help us avoid similar mistakes in the future. Dr. Steinberg and his colleagues have published over 400 papers relating to lipid and lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis reflecting the prominence these authors have in the community Chronicles the miraculous power of the statins to prevent heart attacks and save lives, of great interest to the many manufacturers of these drugs Discusses new targets for intervention based on a better understanding of the molecular basis of atherosclerosis Thoughts on the nature of medical controversy in general and an overview of the cholesterol controversy in particular Animal models of atherosclerosis Early evidence linking hypercholesterolemia to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease Lipoproteins and metabolism In search of a pathogenesis Basic science foundations Searching for drugs that would lower blood cholesterol safely and effectively 1984 coronary primary prevention trial Statins A look at the future. Presents an analytic history of a major controversy in biomedical research and the lessons it offers in dealing with future controversies