Part 3
Our discussion about Lipitor and cholesterol begs a key question: what should a concerned patient do? Here are a few rules of thumb:
1. Be skeptical and think critically.
Just because you see a study scary-mongering about a particular nutrient, treatment, drug, or therapy does not (necessarily) mean that you should be alarmed. Likewise, be skeptical whenever you see a report that claims that “XYZ” therapy/drug/treatment is a “wonder drug” or panacea. Perhaps such claims have some validity. But doing good science is incredibly hard. Many researchers and reporters — who should know better — fail big time at conducting and promoting dispassionate, creditable science.
Even researchers who do good work often have trouble putting together the big picture and taking the implications of their work to their logical conclusions. For instance, as Taubes noted in Good Calories, Bad Calories, Dr. Ronald Krauss helped pen the USDA dietary guidelines twice. These guidelines instructed the entire U.S. population to consume a high carbohydrate, low fat diet. Krauss is the exact same person who later told Taubes: “I am now convinced it is the carbohydrate inducing this atherogenic [profile] in a reasonable percentage of the population… we see quite a benefit of carbohydrate restriction.” In other words, even the world’s foremost authorities on medical and diet often self-contradict!
2. Work with your doctor and track your progress.
The guidance of an experienced, attentive physician can be incredibly helpful. Every person has different health needs and concerns. Even though medical science clearly embraces some flawed and dubious notions, modern medicine offers us wonderful tools, strategies, drugs, and other therapies. These resources DO, indeed, save the lives of thousands every year. In other words, just because the conventional wisdom with respect to the dangers and benefits of statins may be seriously flawed does not invalidate the utility of modern medicine – not at all, not in the slightest!
The Davis & Crump team can provide a free consultation about your Lipitor case. Call us now at 800-277-0300 for insight and guidance.
