The National Cholesterol Education Program

How were the manufacturers of statin drugs able to convince nearly the entire population that we should all have the same cholesterol levels? Easy. They got the government to make the recommendation for them.

The latest cholesterol-level guidelines issued by the federal government effectively “qualify” 36 million Americans for statin drugs. The government received these guidelines from the influential National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) - an organization with a stated goal to “reduce the number of people with high cholesterol.”

Sounds noble. Any chance that they may have a hidden agenda? Maybe.

Turns out that eight of the nine doctors who make up the NCEP board have made money from the cholesterol-lowering drugs they promote - clearly a conflict of interests. And here’s some additional background on the nine NCEP board members:

- Two of them own stock in statin drugs.
- Two others worked for drug companies after setting the guidelines.
- One of them was a consultant for 10 drug companies.
- Another was serving on the board of a drug company.

(Reference: USA Today, October 2004)

Before you artificially force your blood pressure lower, be very sure that you properly investigate all sides of the approach. Visit http://www.mercola.com as well as understand why cholesterol is a natural protector and a vital component in body health. Look at how, perhaps, other aspects of your diet such as a high intake of sugar may be contributing. And, if you do take the drugs, make sure you look into Coenzyme Q10, which the statin drugs can deplete from the body, causing heart issues.