JANUARY 19,2011 CHOLESTEROL MYTHS

"The grace of humility is a precious gift."

"Strive for the impossible."

"Laughter is the music of life."

All three quotes are from what I consider the most esteemed and distinguished physician in the history of medicine - Sir William Osler. His influence in regard to clinical and educational literary was global and to this day his legacy remains strong.

Born on July 12, 1849 he became one of the Big Four at John Hopkins along with William Welch, future dean in Pathology, William S Halsted in Surgery and Howard A Kelly in Gynecology. I do not think there is any physician today who could come close to the ethos of the man called Osler. He left us a body of works encompassing all aspects of medicine, and philosophy of life. He included both his personal and professional life. He had a presence and a personality that brought him friendship, devotion and disciplines. Yesterday I interviewed a medical student for their first year at the hospital. Later that day I received a gracious and thankful letter concerning the interview. It made me proud. If I could be 1/10 of this man called Osler I would feel honored and die happily.

I recently read the myths of CHOLESTEROL:

1. The main cause of high cholesterol is eating foods high in cholesterol FALSE

2. You only should be concerned about high cholesterol if you are overweight FALSE

3. Some foods contain the good cholesterol (HDL) FALSE

4. High cholesterol is only a problem for men over 45 FALSE

5. Low total cholesterol is not a problem FALSE

6. High triglycerides on a cholesterol panel is good for the patient FALSE

7. If your bad cholesterol (LDL) is less than 100 you are not at risk for heart disease FALSE

8. Healthy cholesterol is the same for everyone FALSE

9. A high good cholesterol (HDL) always protects you against heart disease FALSE

10. Exercise increases the bad cholesterol ( LDL) FALSE

These are the most common ten myths about cholesterol, It is not about the number any longer. It does not matter the # or level of your total, low density (bad) cholesterol and your high (good) density lipoprotein. It is all about the particle size of the bad and good cholesterol. A bad particle is always small and dense and causes heart disease. A good particle is always large, fluffy and protects you against heart disease.

So it is about the particle size, not the number. For example an LDL of 100 which has bad particles will cause heart disease where as a LDL of 125 with good particles will protect you against heart disease. The same is true of the good cholesterol A good cholesterol with a good particle protects you because this particle is large, fluffy and floats through the arteries

This lipid fraction blood test is a covered insurance test. Years ago it was called the Berkley Heart Lab test. In certain labs this test is called the VAP, ACT and NMR lipid fraction test.

Until tomorrow...