Malcolm Kendrick
Encyclopedia
Malcolm Kendrick is a Scottish doctor and author of The Great Cholesterol Con (2008). He has been a general practitioner for over 25 years and has worked with the European Society of Cardiology.
The Great Cholesterol Con aims to expose what Kendrick sees as the misguided use of statin
s in primary care. He cites evidence from many trials and World Health Organisation data to show that statins do not increase life expectancy overall, and do not prevent heart disease
in patients without cardiovascular symptoms. The book states that widely varying levels of cholesterol
are inversely correlated with deaths from heart disease, and correlated with cancer
mortality. His findings show that within a reasonable range, higher total cholesterol is associated with lower cancer mortality, but lower rates of deaths from heart disease—the opposite outcome that one would expect if cholesterol were a causative agent for coronary heart disease.
A summary of his thesis can be found on the Health Answers website.
The Great Cholesterol Con aims to expose what Kendrick sees as the misguided use of statin
Statin
Statins are a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a central role in the production of cholesterol in the liver. Increased cholesterol levels have been associated with cardiovascular diseases, and statins are therefore used in the...
s in primary care. He cites evidence from many trials and World Health Organisation data to show that statins do not increase life expectancy overall, and do not prevent heart disease
Heart disease
Heart disease, cardiac disease or cardiopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases affecting the heart. , it is the leading cause of death in the United States, England, Canada and Wales, accounting for 25.4% of the total deaths in the United States.-Types:-Coronary heart disease:Coronary...
in patients without cardiovascular symptoms. The book states that widely varying levels of cholesterol
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a complex isoprenoid. Specifically, it is a waxy steroid of fat that is produced in the liver or intestines. It is used to produce hormones and cell membranes and is transported in the blood plasma of all mammals. It is an essential structural component of mammalian cell membranes...
are inversely correlated with deaths from heart disease, and correlated with cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
mortality. His findings show that within a reasonable range, higher total cholesterol is associated with lower cancer mortality, but lower rates of deaths from heart disease—the opposite outcome that one would expect if cholesterol were a causative agent for coronary heart disease.
A summary of his thesis can be found on the Health Answers website.
Works
- The Great Cholesterol Con. John Blake, 2008.
- Contributed to Panic Nation : unpicking the myths we're told about food and healthPanic NationPanic Nation is a nonfiction book by Stanley Feldman and Vincent Marks. It was published by John Blake in 2006 . The tagline and theme of the book is "Exposing the myths we're told about food and health".-Overview:...
. John Blake, 2006