LivingLongLife: Statin Drugs or Niacin

The New England Journal of Medicine published a recent study which showed that niacin (a low-cost B vitamin) out-performs Merck's drug Zetia for preventing the build-up of arterial plaque, a symptom of cardiovascular disease.

The study revealed patients taking niacin showed a "significant shrinkage" in artery wall thickness, while those on Zetia showed no such improvement. At the same time, the rate of "cardiovascular events" in the niacin group was only one-fifth that in the Zetia group, demonstrating that niacin is far more effective at preventing heart attacks and other similar events than Zetia.

But curiously, as soon as niacin started to show a real benefit over Zetia, researchers cancelled the study.

Merck, the maker of Zetia, reportedly brings in over $5 billion. It's no wonder: Zetia sells for as much as $3.89 per pill.

Niacin, on the other hand, costs as little as 6.7 cents per pill, even in a "no-flush" time-release formula.

[Taylor AJ, Villines TC, Stanek EJ, et al. Extended-release niacin or ezetimibe and carotid intima-media thickness. The New England Journal of Medicine. Published online 16 November 2009]

Other references: Merck Liver Damage? Examiner

Read Me First

Why this blog? It's about HEALTH, and my search for better health. My family thinks I'm wacko so that may be your first hint.

This blog is a place where I try to keep track of things as I'm terrible at organizing and remembering.

I'm not a doctor, a nurse, or health professional, so view at your own risk. May you receive guidance in your own search for health { ; o )

Here is my soap-box (my opinions only):

Sick-Care crisis: Here is a real eye-opener. Its in Wikipedia under Economics of “health care”.

There is a very interesting table comparing the US with 7 other countries.

Ask yourself, “what’s wrong with this picture?” Why do we have the worst life expectancy, infant mortality, and the highest costs?! (Also see post "Medicine in Other Countries ") And the expectation is that more of a bad thing (Obamacare) is going to change this.

Perhaps it is one of Perspective and Dynamics.

Perspective: The medical system in this country is largely based on ‘sickness’. The average doctor is trained to look for sickness. If one does not meet a certain threshold of illness and cannot be diagnosed with a disease, malfunction, or illness, then we are ‘well’. . . That’s Sick-Care;

Then more often than not you are prescribed a drug to aleviate some symptoms. It's easy and fa$t - column A is symptoms - column B is drug for symptom. Of course column C (thru Z?) are the side effects. If we don't ask for something better, it's not likely to change.

Now with Obamacare and the treasury printing pre$$e$ running full speed to pay for it, you have to wonder what is going to happen to the dollar.

If you really need proof that I'm a few cards short of a full deck, then search the internet for "codex alimentarius" and consider the heated discussions going on there - ugly stuff!

Real Health

So what is the alternative? Rather than waiting for the clinical signs of illness to appear we intelligently seek to optimize and maximize our own health and take personal responsibility. I lean towards using the best of both worlds as long as both are available and affordable - both our regular doctors, and those skilled in herbs and holistic medicine. I guess the label that has been given this is CAM (click for link).

How many years do we spend preparing for a vocation or profession? Then how much time do we spend learning about taking care of ourselves? It isn't quick or easy and its a field full of landmines - so beware.

Dynamics: We're talking market dynamics here. This could fill up a blog all by itself! This is 'Free' Market stuff. . . . like oil, gas, credit cards, energy, banks/housing, etc. Works great doesn't it! The only problem is the GREED factor - it needs to be put into the equation many times and with a large exponent!

One might say "Business (Government) of the greedy, by the rich, and for the rich". Here is a thought provoking editorial that I found interesting: Why Business Ethics Never Trickle Up. And may well apply to the following:

High on the list in the 'sick care' dynamics would have to be:

1. BigPharma & BigMed (drug companie$)

2. BigFood (let them eat junk)

3. BigCorp (sick-care for profit$)

4. AMA (squash anything that might threaten the Goose or the Paradigm)

5. FDA (not to protect us, but the previous Big-4)

6. The BIG movers - those that regard no laws, no boundaries, no morals. (Did I mention Codex Alimentarious?)

LivingLongLife

Statin Drugs or Niacin - ask me no questions...

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