When the background information leading up to the libel trial was released to us, there was one trail of e-mails that struck me as very damning. It emerged that Barney Calman was very keen to find case histories where people had stopped taking statins and then suffered a catastrophic event, such as a heart attack or stroke, or dying. This ‘stopping statins and dying’ concept was pretty much central to the articles.
Barney Calman asked a Samantha Brick (no idea who she is) to find case histories. Real life stories are always considered to be very powerful by the mainstream media. Which they are. Barney also told her she could offer people money to people who came forward with tales to tell.
Unfortunately for him, the only two case histories she got hold of were people who had started taking statins, and then died. [I believe the information has been sufficiently anonymised so that no-one can work out who these two people were. Although they are already in the public domain, in the court documents bundle, so I am revealing nothing here that is not already open for scrutiny].
The first case concerns a young woman who was put on a statin. Then died from liver failure. Liver failure is a known, although relatively rare, serious adverse effect of statins1. The second case is less clear cut, but also seems to point directly to a statin ‘caused’ death. [I have tidied up the e-mails a bit to make them easier to read but I have not changed any of the words used].
From: SAMANTHA BRICK [mailto:samantha.brick@btinternet.com]
Sent: 25 February 2019 18:29
To: Barney Calman <barney.calman@mailonsunday.co.uk>
Subject: possible statins case studies – both died after stopping them*
External Sender~~
Hi Barney,
These 2 replied to my £500 alert. I can probably reduce them to £200 each if you use them both. They are quite similar though in terms of what happened. I’m not sure if this is what you’re after? 39, married mum of two who lives in North London. She lost her sister 16 months ago.
She says:
My sister was 39 when she was prescribed statins. She was a mum of 4 and worked as a manager of a dairy company. When she was diagnosed with high cholesterol, she was advised to change her diet and exercise. Her Dr also told her to take Fluvastatin. She was reassured that even with her busy lifestyle it would lower her high cholesterol.
She took the tablet as prescribed for six months. She began to vomit a lot and had pain in her chest. On more than one occasion she called an ambulance. Each time she was admitted to hospital she was told there was nothing wrong with her heart.
The vomiting episodes began to increase. She was eventually diagnosed with a fatty liver. She stopped taking the statins on the doctor’s advice (a month before she died) and went to see her brother who lives in Berlin. There she was admitted to hospital. By now she still struggled to keep food down and was fed via a tube She was in hospital for a fortnight when she suffered a stroke and died.
This was 16 months ago. The whole family were devastated because her demise came out of the blue. She’d never had problems with her liver beforehand.
————————————————————————————————————————-
Lady 30, is married mum of one who lives in London (waiting on a picture of her with her dad).
She says:
My Dad died two years ago after he had stopped taking statins. (just waiting to find out exactly which ones he was taking) He’d had a heart by-pass in 1998 and was prescribed simvastatin afterwards. He’d been taking others since. He’d been taking them for over 16 years without – seemingly – any problems.
During that time, he’d call ambulance because of pain in his chest. But he was discharged each time without issues. He was also diabetic and taking medication for that. Three years ago, he was diagnosed with liver problems. Straightaway he told to stop taking the statins. At the time he was also throwing up and struggling to keep food down.
Mum would try to feed him jelly or mashed potato but he couldn’t keep it down eventually he was admitted to hospital and was fed via a tube.
While he was in hospital the focus was on the issue with his liver (need to confirm what this was –she thinks that they had to drain fluid from it – will know overnight). While the investigations into the liver problems were carried out, Dad had a heart attack and died.
He’d been on the tablets for years – was it stopping them that caused this. Or were they behind everything that snowballed. I’m worried because my mum also takes statins for her health too – she is on avastatin (I assume atorvastatin). They were married for 50 years mum is still grieving.
Samantha Brick
My book: “HeadOver Heels in France” is out now
Twitter: @samanthabrick
Instagram: Sammy brick
Facebook: Sam Brick
*this e-mail should have read. Both died after taking them.
In the first case I think it is clear cut that this young woman died as a direct result of statin induced liver toxicity. The second case is a little more confused, but the history of throwing up and struggling to keep food down is identical to that of the young woman. Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting are well recognised symptoms of liver failure. It is also known that it can take months, or years, for statins to cause liver failure. [The final ‘event’ in liver failure is often a cardiovascular event].
Unfortunately for him, the case histories Barney Calman received totally contradicted his argument. At this point you would think Barney may have taken stock. He had two case histories, and two deaths, both almost certainly caused by statins. And it gets worse.
It’s not as if he didn’t understand what he was reading. To use his own words. ‘We’ve had two quite dramatic stories of patients who have been taken off statins by their doctors because of developing serious liver problems, and then died.’ So, he can’t claim he didn’t see them Or, that he failed to understand what he was reading.
But the very next day, he took it away and redoubled his efforts.
From: Barney Calman
Sent: Tue, 26 Feb 2019 08:44:40 +0000From: “Barney Calman” To: “Fiona Fox” , “Rory Collins” , “Colin Baigent” , “samanin@bhf.org.uk” , “Sever, Peter S” ,
“Liam Smeeth” CC: “Greg Jones” Thread
To: Fiona Fox Rory Collins Colin Baigent samanin@bhf.org.uk Sever, Peter S Liam Smeeth
Cc: Greg Jones
Sensitivity: Normal
Dear all, thank you again for all your input into this article so far. I wanted to readdress the issue of finding a case study. One of the key factors in your collective argument is that criticism of statins discourages use amongst high-risk patients, and this is a public health threat.
Since putting calls out we have been inundated by stories of people who have stopped taking statins and felt far healthier (I put this comment in bold). We’ve had two quite dramatic stories of patients who have been taken off statins by their doctors because of developing serious liver problems, and then died. The families themselves both naturally question whether statins caused the problems. What we haven’t had is a single story which backs your thesis (I put this comment in bold) and obviously I’m concerned.
I think it makes us look rather weak to use a very historic story about Clinton [Bill Clinton stopped his statin then had a heart attack]. What I do not want this piece to be is simply another exercise in singing to the choir and I fear without a real-life example, we may be veering towards it all just seeming like scary theories and doctors saying ‘because I said so.’
What has struck me is that the reason Kendrick, Malhotra, Harcombe and their ilk have really struck a chord is because they are great, emotive communicators. What we’re offering is a chance for you all to be that too, and we are planning to devote an unprecedented amount of space to this.
Have any of you heard a real-life example of someone who has suffered a heart attack or stroke because they declined/quit statins because they thought they didn’t really work anyway, or similar? I really want us do everything we can to make this work. Please do ALL let me know asap today your thoughts about how to move forward. BC
_________________
Barney Calman
Health & Lifestyle Content Director
Mail on Sunday
As you can see, in addition to his two incompatible case histories, Barney was also ‘inundated’ with stories about people giving up statins then feeling far better. Concerns, he still had none. He only had eyes on the prize.
And what of glorious professors, such as Professor Peter Sever, who had proven themselves so eager to assist Barney in putting together his libellous articles. Did he feel the slightest nagging doubt at this point. Nope, nothing of the sort. In fact, this is what Professor Peter Sever had to say
From: Sever, Peter S
Sent: Tue, 26 Feb 2019 09:20:05
To: Colin Baigent Barney Calman Fiona Fox Rory Collins samanin@bhf.org.uk Liam Smeeth
Cc: Greg Jones
Subject: Re:
Sensitivity: Normal
External Sender~~
I’m afraid I disagree [Professor Baigent had argued against using case histories, as they were not scientific].
We (my bold) are not trying to convince a scientific audience. This is a communication to the public and they are influenced by case reports and anecdotes whether we like it or not. This is precisely why our opponents* are so successful.
If we are to be successful in countering their claims I’m afraid we have to play by their rules. I’m all for scientific integrity as Colin and Rory opine but this doesn’t work when dealing with the public
Look how many scientific reports have countered the Wakefield claims with so little effect. May I remind you that we all use case reports to illustrate optimal treatment strategies when are teaching. Perhaps not a perfect analogy but not far off!
I support Barney’s point and think we should find a case report (or two!)
Barney what is the timeline?
Regards
Peter**
*note the use of the words our opponents. Yes, ‘our’ opponents. This e-mail was sent to Barney Calman, amongst others. So, whose side do you think Barney Calman is seen to be on? I also made the word ‘we’ bold in the text. At one point during the hearing our barrister asked the question, ‘who is, or are, ‘we’ in this case? Yes, you can damn your defence without even realising you are doing so. It is difficult to claim you are writing a personal opinion piece when your collaborators are using terms such as ‘we’ and ‘our’. And they are including you. Whose opinion is it anyway?
**note how friendly they have all become
Of course I knew, or suspected, that discussions like this had been going on in the background. I did not know who all the collaborators were. However, Barney did let me know, on the 1st of March 2019 that a critical article was going to be published, naming me. I had less than 24 hours to respond. One part of my reply was – as follows.
‘Listen, we all know where this attack is coming from. The CTT* and Professor Rory Collins and Baigent et al. They attacked Aseem Malhotra and Professor Abramson, then the BMJ, for publishing articles by Aseem and Abramson suggesting statins caused adverse effects in around 20% of people. Collins attacks were severe, and the BMJ was require to hold an investigation, in which Collins attacks on these papers were judged to be unfounded.’
*The Cholesterol Treatment Triallists Collaboration in Oxford. Headed by Collins and Baigent, among others.
As it turns out, I was bang on the money. Which was not difficult. These two lash out at anyone, or anything, who dares criticize statins in any way. It was Collins who first came out with the ‘worse than Andrew Wakefield and the MMR scare’ meme. If he wasn’t the first, he sure uses it a lot. Be careful about the language you use, for it can come back to bite you on the backside.
Next time. Let me have a think. So much to choose from. And, oh, by the way. How are things going Rory and Colin? [I have been told that they read my blog – through gritted teeth].
Dr. Malcolm Kendrick 
Dr Malcolm, Â Great stuff – keep it coming… Â Kind regards, Â George Hewitt CEng MICE Â Â
Malcolm. Samantha Brick works as a part time free lance journalist for the Daily Mail. She lived in the next village to us in France when we were there. Bit of a lightweight. Has written articles on falling in love with a farmer in France etc. I’m really surprised they involved her in this.
Kind regards. Lynn Churchill (Isles of Scilly).
I reckon they would’ve involved anyone at all whom they thought might bolster their cause.
Wow, such journalistic standards and ethics! I don’t know why I am shocked by the scientists, I really shouldn’t be. It’s all so tawdry but it also ruins lives, the very thing they accused you of!
‘What has struck me is that the reason Kendrick, Malhotra, Harcombe and their ilk have really struck a chord is because they are great, emotive communicators.’
At least you garnered a compliment.
They tried to leave no stone unturned, but the stones bounced back and knocked them out.
Nothing says underhand more than an offer of money, in order to provide evidence…. and then beating someone down on the price!
I was prescribed simvastatin by my G.P. after 2 weeks I told him I was not taking statins anymore as had pains in both legs and bad dreams, nightmares. He could not understand it. I have never taken them again.
I took a statin (don’t remember what, happy that I’ve forgotten), for 3 days to prove a point. I thought it wise (to stop) as I live in a 3 level townhouse and due to some of the symptoms (feeling like I was on some alternate planet), felt at risk of falling down stairs. Every time I see either GP or cardiologist I get the question, my answer? Nope, nope, and nope!
“Who you gonna believe – me or your lyin’ body?”
Congratulations on the results of your court case. I’m avidly reading your updates as they come. I was reading a very old article from The Guardian and noticed a quote from Prof. Collins:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/mar/21/-sp-statins-for-all-do-the-benefits-outweigh-the-risks
Proponents point out that nobody will be forced to take a statin: it is an option for those who want it. “We want to give people the choice and not mislead them with claims of a side-effect which are not supported by reliable evidence,” said Collins. “As somebody in their 50s, I would consider a statin. I went to persuade my GP it was a good idea.” But he was told there were side effects and that Nice did not recommend them for people at his level of risk.
I wonder if he’s now practising what he preaches?
FYI, I’m a healthy 66-year old woman with a total cholesterol of 8.1 mmol/L, triglycerides 2.2, HDL 2.5, LDL 5.6, with a total cholesterol/HDL ratio of3.24.
I’m not taking statins, and I won’t be persuaded thanks to the work of you, Zöe and others.
~Fiona
Total cholesterol 8.1? That isn’t healthy, you are putting yourself at a massive risk of heart attack.
A normal total cholesterol should be under 200 mg/dL, ie. around 5.17 mmol/L.
Why would high blood cholesterol be good? Do you also think high blood pressure is good? High uric acid? High body mass? High triglycerides?
There are literally 1000s of studies showing us that high blood cholesterol, high uric acid, high blood pressure increase, high body mass chronic disease risk and mortality. This idea that high LDL or high serum cholesterol is “good” is crazy.
Go and look at the total cholesterol or LDL-c of a newborn or child, it is LOW. The average total cholesterol in a new-born is 70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/ L).
What evidence is there that 8.1 total cholesterol is healthy?
Why are you here ???
You may be on the wrong site. I have spent my life unpicking the LDL/cholesterol hypothesis. Maybe you could send me the first 1000 studies proving that high LDL is harmful.
Hi Malcolm,
I realize you dislike the term “cholesterol denialist” so for the sake of my post I will just call you a lipid hypothesis skeptic, hopefully you agree that is fair?
Basically, in the last 5 years, many of your own associates and friends from the lipid hypothesis skeptic community now accept that small dense LDL particles cause ASCVD.
To be more precise they are claiming that LDL-p (small LDL particles) are atherogenic. More specifically very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) causes atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Aseem Malhotra, Uffe Ravnskov, Ronald Krauss, Ben Bikman and even carnivore diet influencers like Shawn Baker now accept that V-LDL is atherogenic.
According to the lipid hypothesis all LDL is atherogenic. It is incorrect to claim only small dense LDL particles cause heart disease but we can see that the position in your community has drastically moved goal posts. 20, 30 years ago all cholesterol denialists or “lipid hypothesis skeptics” were denying that v-LDL and small-dense LDL causes heart disease. Now your own community embraces it.
As for evidence that LDL causes atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It has been shown in the 2017 consensus statement from the European Atherosclerosis Society Consensus Panel found here
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28444290/
Which notes
“Most publications that question the causal effect of LDL on the development of ASCVD tend to cite evidence from individual studies or a small group of highly selected studies, often without a quantitative synthesis of the presented evidence. Therefore, to avoid this type of selection bias, we have based our conclusions on the totality of evidence from separate meta-analyses of genetic studies, prospective epidemiologic studies, Mendelian randomization studies, and randomized clinical trials. This evidence base includes over 200 studies involving over 2 million participants with over 20 million person-years of follow-up and more than 150 000 cardiovascular events. Together these studies provide remarkably consistent and unequivocal evidence that LDL causes ASCVD”
I suggest looking at figure 2
It would be ridiculous to try and argue against this evidence. They looked at over 200 studies involving over 2 million participants with over 20 million person-years of follow-up. That is exhaustive.
The consensus was updated in 2020 with this paper https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/41/24/2313/5735221
Which notes:
“Although LDL is unequivocally recognized as the principal driving force in the development of ASCVD and its major clinical sequelae, evidence for the causal role of other apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins in ASCVD is emerging”.
There is plenty of new research on ApoB and its role in ASCVD. ApoB is a better biomarker for atherosclerosis. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0019483223004704
ApoB is present in all very low-density lipoprotein, intermediate density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, and lipoprotein(a) particles.
If I can remember correctly in one of your recent papers, you accepted that lipoprotein (a) is atherogenic.
Lp(a) contains an LDL particle so the claim that Lp(a) is causal but LDL-C isn’t” is misguided.
I would also note that the lipid hypothesis or LDL hypothesis is no longer considered a hypothesis in the medical community.
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) have ruled that the LDL-hypothesis is no longer just a hypothesis:
“Several recent placebo-controlled clinical studies have shown that the addition of either ezetimibe or anti-proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to statin therapy provides a further reduction in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, which is directly and positively correlated with the incrementally achieved absolute LDL-C reduction. Furthermore, these clinical trials have clearly indicated that the lower the achieved LDL-C values, the lower the risk of future cardiovascular (CV) events, with no lower limit for LDL-C values, or ‘J’-curve effect… Human Mendelian randomization studies have demonstrated the critical role of LDL-C, and other cholesterol-rich ApoB-containing lipoproteins, in atherosclerotic plaque formation and related subsequent CV events. Thus, there is no longer an ‘LDL-C hypothesis’, but established facts that increased LDL-C values are causally related to ASCVD, and that lowering LDL particles and other ApoB-containing lipoproteins as much as possible reduces CV events” https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/41/1/111/5556353
Bottom line is that ApoB, LDL, Lipoprotein (a) are all causal in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. If you want to live long, you want to keep these as low as possible.
Thank you for presenting a reasoned reply. May I suggest you read my book The Clot Thickens. This lays out the evidence, as far as I can establish it. At least in part explains why Lp(a) due to the additional apolipoprotein(a) molecule increases the risk of CVD. LDL is merely the carrier for this plasminogen analogue. It has nothing to do with LDL per-se.
I have also written papers explaining that raised LDL is associated with increased longevity, not reduced longevity.
Although LDL is ‘unequivocally recognized as the principal driving force in the development of ASCVD and its major clinical sequelae,
Reminds of that other widely used scientific term ” it is generally accepted that high cholesterol causes CHD”
There all sorts of supposed scientific papers etc. written and published that, after a bit more scrutiny, turn out to be pseudo-scientific nonsense. For instance that red meat causes diabetes. An interesting tidbit of information about the 2017 “consensus statement”:
Conflict of interest: J.B. has received research grants from Amgen, AstraZeneca, NovoNordisk, Pfizer and Regeneron/Sanofi and honoraria for consultancy and lectures from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Merck, Novo-Nordisk, Pfizer, and Regeneron/Sanofi. E.B. has received honoraria from AstraZeneca, Amgen, Genfit, MSD, Sanofi-Regeneron, Unilever, Danone, Aegerion, Chiesi, Rottapharm, Lilly and research grants from Amgen, Danone and Aegerion. A.L.C. has received research grants to his institution from Amgen, Astra-Zeneca, Merck, Regeneron/Sanofi, and Sigma Tau, and honoraria for advisory boards, consultancy or speaker bureau from Abbot, Aegerion, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Genzyme, Merck/MSD,Mylan, Pfizer, Rottapharm and Sanofi-Regeneron. M.J.C. has received research grants from MSD, Kowa, Pfizer, and Randox and honoraria for consultancy/speaker activities from Amgen, Kowa, Merck, Sanofi, Servier, Unilever, and Regeneron. S.F. has the following disclosures for the last 12 months: Compensated consultant and advisory activities with Merck, Kowa, Sanofi, Amgen, Amarin, and Aegerion. B.A.F. has received research grants from Merck, Amgen and Esperion Therapeutics and received honoraria for lectures, consulting and/or advisory board membership from Merck, Amgen, Esperion, Ionis, and the American College of Cardiology. I.G. has received speaker fees from MSD and Pfizer relating to cardiovascular risk estimation and lipid guidelines, and consultancy/speaker fee from Amgen. H.N.G. has received research grants from Merck, Sanofi-Regeneron, and Amgen. He consults for Merck, Sanofi, Regeneron, Lilly, Kowa, Resverlogix, Boehringer Ingelheim. R.A.H. has received research grants from Aegerion, Amgen, The Medicines Company, Pfizer, and Sanofi. He consults for Amgen, Aegerion, Boston Heart Diagnostics, Gemphire, Lilly, and Sanofi. J.D.H reports honoraria/research grants from Aegerion, Alnylam, Catabasis, Lilly, Merck, Pfizer, Novartis, Regeneron, Sanofi. R.M.K is a Member, Merck Global Atherosclerosis Advisory Board. U.L. has received honoraria for lectures and/or consulting from Amgen, Medicines Company, Astra Zeneca, MSD, Berlin Chemie, Bayer, Abbott, and Sanofi. U.L. aufs has received honoraria for board membership, consultancy, and lectures from Amgen, MSD, Sanofi, and Servier. L.M. has received honoraria for consultancy and lectures from Amgen, Danone, Kowa, Merck, and Sanofi-Regeneron. S.J.N. has received research support from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Anthera, Cerenis, Novartis, Eli Lilly, Esperion, Resverlogix, Sanofi-Regeneron, InfraReDx. and LipoScience and is a consultant for Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, CSL Behring, Eli Lilly, Merck, Takeda, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi-Regeneron, Kowa. and Novartis. B.G.N. reports consultancies and honoraria for lectures from AstraZeneca, Sanofi, Regeneron, Aegerion, Fresenius, B Braun, Kaneka, Amgen. C.J.P. has received research support from Roche, MSD and honoraria from MSD, Sanofi/Regeneron, Amgen and Pfizer. F.J.R. has received grants/research support from Amgen and Sanofi and has received speaker fees or honoraria for consultation from AstraZeneca, Merck, Amgen, and Sanofi. K.K.R. has received research grants from Amgen, Sanofi-Regeneron and Pfizer and honoraria for lectures, advisory boards or as a steering committee member from Aegerion, Amgen, Sanofi-Regeneron, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Cerenis, ISIS Pharma, Medco, Resverlogix, Kowa, Novartis, Cipla, Lilly, Algorithm, Takeda, Boehringer Ingelheim, MSD. Esperion, and AbbieVie. H.S. has received research grants from AstraZeneca, MSD, Bayer Vital, sanofi-aventis, and Pfizer and honoraria for speaker fees from AstraZeneca, MSD, Genzyme, sanofi-aventis, and Synlab. He has consulted for MSD and AstraZeneca. M.R.T. has received speaker fees from Amgen, Astra Zeneca, Chiesi Pharma and Eli Lilly and speaker fees and research support from Amgen, Sanofi Aventis and Novo Nordisk. She has consulted for AstraZeneca. L.T. has received research funding and/or honoraria for advisory boards, consultancy or speaker bureau from Abbott Mylan, Actelion, Aegerion, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Daiichi-Sankyo, GlaxoSmithKline, Menarini, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi-Regeneron, Servier and Synageva. G.F.W. has received research support from Amgen and Sanofi-Regeneron. O.W. has received honoraria for lectures or consultancy from Sanofi, Amgen, MSD, and Astra-Zeneca. B.v.S, and J.K.S. report no disclosures.
I don’t like people who are ‘obviously concerned’ when less people die than expected.
Luke: “Basically, in the last 5 years, many of your own associates and friends from the lipid hypothesis skeptic community now accept that small dense LDL particles cause ASCVD. “
Statins can actually raise the level of small dense LDL particles according to this study:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2929871/
Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and the LDL cholesterol/apolipoprotein B ratio were significantly lower in the statin group. However, the proportion of small, dense LDL was higher in the statin group (42.9% ± 9.5% vs 41.3% ± 8.5%; P=0.046) and the proportion of large, buoyant LDL was lower (23.6% ± 7.5% vs 25.4% ± 7.9%; P=0.011). In the statin group, persons without coronary artery disease had higher proportions of small, dense LDL, and persons with coronary artery disease tended to have higher proportions of small, dense LDL.
Our study suggests that statin therapy—whether or not recipients have coronary artery disease—does not decrease the proportion of small, dense LDL among total LDL particles, but in fact increases it, while predictably reducing total LDL cholesterol, absolute amounts of small, dense LDL, and absolute amounts of large, buoyant LDL. If and when our observation proves to be reproducible in subsequent large-scale studies, it should provide new insights into small, dense LDL and its actual role in atherogenesis or the progression of atherosclerosis.
Luke: “Lp(a) contains an LDL particle so the claim that Lp(a) is causal but LDL-C isn’t” is misguided. “
You’ve got your logic backwards.
Yellow fingers and lung cancer.
Ah yes, evidence. I think we have seen enough of that sort of evidence. More especially so over the last 4 years.
What evidence is there that it is unhealthy?
Steve,
Please research and read the Japanese study on cholesterol and All Cause Mortality.
In essence, reduced Cholesterol increased ACM, while increased cholesterol had a much smaller effect, if any, on ACM.
IMO ACM is a more important measure as it takes into all effect all factors (known and unknown).
Perhaps if the original 5 Statin Studies had used ACM as their measure we would likely have never heard of Statins.
Great news Dr. Kendrick is not easy going against the “machine”. Cholesterol have been big money maker they will never admit been wrong no matter was evidence to the contrary is presented. We have seen the same with Covid.
Here is a good Doctor I follow that present most of your findings in a short version. He has really good information on many health topics.
The Great Cholesterol Scam and The Dangers of Statins
Exploring the Actual Causes and Treatments of Heart Disease
https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/the-great-cholesterol-scam-and-the
The article you mention actually reference s the good Dr. Kendrick multiple times. I just came from there and found Dr. Kendrick and then this blog. It’s a small world etc!
I just happened to reread the MWD article as my partner has been taking a statin which is making her dizzy and disoriented. The article actually references Dr. Kendrick’s books so I suspect they are fully aware of each other 🙂 Small world etc
Dr Kendrick, you are a star of rationality and good sense, as well as being a very interesting writer.
May you live well and live long!
Literally, incredible. I had a little rant about Professor Sir Rory Collins and Professor Peter Sever when I last saw my GP a bit over a year ago and he had to suggest taking a statin. “scientific integrity” – joke.
Most of us common folks have an inborn or inbred sense of integrity – call it what you will. It comes as a shock to realise that one comes upon people like Mr Calman and those professors who do not have a sense of integrity, but are merely out to line their pockets.
I’ve been following you for yrs n yrs. I even bought yr books. took statins way way back Had chronic backache. Stopped statins. After 3 days no backache. Started statins at half dose. Backache. Stopped statins. Statins are the devil. Now addressing BP. Same story. Following Marion Holman. Doc offered me statins. I said “cholesterol is not the problem, and statins are not the solution.”
jenny ward
Dr Kendrick : Thank you very much for allowing us to see the background emails and data concerning your legal action. Huge congratulations (again) on the ‘win’; it is so heartening to be able to witness the exposure of those who distort “The Science” for their own grubby ends (as has also been happening in other medical areas over the past few years). Greatly looking forward to the next instalment — nothing like strong sunlight on an issue to provide the necessary antiseptic outcome !
What a bunch of reptiles you were fighting. I applaud your resilience and am happy to see the sword of justice sweeps out this nonsense.
Well said.
Malcolm, I cannot put into words how much I am enjoying all this. Please keep it coming!
I’m not sure if the following ‘proves’ anything at all about cause and effect. I had a heart attack in 2012, 3 stents, they putmevon statins (I casn’t remember which statin, except I switched to a different one for some reason). I stayed on them for about 3 yrs and then stopped (pains). In 2018 I had another heart attack (more stents). £500 eh? So my arteries were blocked, would a statin have prevented that? Has nobody done a double-blind test?
It seems to me that there are so many factors involved in the causes of heart attacks, all or some of which must play some part including, stress, my underactive thyroid not being treated correctly, previous years of smoking, not enough exercise, though i doubt diet was involved.
I’m very much enjoying this. It’s hilarious how their evil has been slapped back at them.
That’s pretty funny what with them withholding the data which could answer the efficacy question – clearly not efficacious!
Thank you, Dr. K. This is all splendid.
Keep up the good work Malcolm. You are a hero
Dear Dr KendrickI’m so pleased th
Apparently, Samuel Langhorne Clemens wittily said that the lack of money is the root of all evil: but he should’ve added that the urge for more and more and more and mo— you get the picture of Big Pharma and those it pays, I think … he should’ve added that this urge is part of it.
I could write some pithy comments on all this but it would not get passed your fair minded eye. Please keep going. You are a bit of a star Dr K. Indeed, you are our star. Thank you.
A nice cold slice of vengance; well served!
Great work once again Dr Malcolm Kendrick. Thank you for you blog
Hello there Malcolm
So good to see that you are on form and enjoying having the freedom to share with us the evidence that led to the courts supporting you, Zoe and Aseem. I was fortunate enough to come across your work when, out of the blue, I was diagnosed with ‘dangerously high cholesterol’ as a relatively young woman. Thankfully, I bought your book, was entirely convinced by it, and as a result, have never been persuaded to take a statin! Years down the line, they are still trying to persuade me! I’ve even sent your book to the practice, I doubt anybody ever opened the cover! I liked ‘Doctoring Data’ even more than the original.
The funny thing is, my annual ‘discussion’ re my blood test results never focuses on my stunningly good HbA1c results or my HDL or trigs – always on TC and LDL! And always pushing drugs!
Anyway, I’ve missed your blogs, your humour, and I’m glad to see you back and on form.
Thank you for all you do.
Brilliant work Malcolm👍👍Sent from my iPad
And, oh, by the way. How are things going Rory and Colin? [I have been told that they read my blog – through gritted teeth].
You’ll never get into the country club with that attitude 😉
Dear Dr Kendrick,
My GP has been pressurizing me to go on statins and as I was not keen; I have reacted badly to various drugs and have had over 6 anaplaptic collapses due to chemical exposure in the past. I bought your book The Great Cholesterol Con which confirmed my suspicions about statins. My cholesterol count was 6.1 when tested by my GP in July, it had been 7.2 in May, so it was already coming down. I told my GP I would lose weight and get my cholesterol down that way, which I have done, losing over a stone in weight. My GP insisted on another blood test and my cholesterol is now 5.0. However, she is still telling me I should go on statins. I am ignoring this!
I have osteoporosis and was put on Denosumab due to the fact that I cannot tolerate bisphosphonates. I’ve now been on Denosumab for 5 years and am having some serious side-effects but have been told by a nurse at my regular clinic it is “too dangerous” for me to come off the drug as I will most likely die from breaking every vertebrae (and end up choking to death in a horrible way) and possibly my break my hip which could also end my life. Having asked to see my consultant I am likely to have to wait a long time, possibly over a year, for an appointment to discuss this in person. I feel really angry that Drug companies can be allowed to put drugs on the market which you are not ever supposed to be able to come off. Having gone privately to see a Rheumatologist I have been told that due to my intolerance and potential allergy to bisphosphonates I have 3 options: stay on the Denosumab and accept the side-effects, take a risk and go “cold turkey” and come off the Denosumab without taking further drugs or go on a new drug which seems to have the same side-effects as Denosumab and the Rheumatologist does not know whether it will be any easier to eventually come off than Denosumab. Having researched supplements, diet and exercise I am more or less decided to go cold-turkey!
My reason for writing is that having been caught already in the drug spiral and struggling to get out of it, I am really grateful you have the courage to speak out about this. I hope others will not be caught as I have been over being prescribed Denosumab, and I am certainly not taking statins.
Many thanks.
Susan Chapman
You might wish to do some research on the safety of your medicine: “mab” at the end of the medicine name is for “monoclonal antibody”. Also, if you’re not taking a good dose of Vit D3+K2 you may wish to ask your doctor about that, to help in osteoporosis.
The most sickening part of this story is the fact the scientists and the journalist had decided to trash your career in an article, and then after that decision they went searching for evidence, without much success. Surely they should have the evidence in abundance before embarking on such an attack; not try to backfill. How on earth are these people still holding down their positions.
Hei D. Malcolm Kendrick
I am writing to you from Finland. I sopped to use statin 5 years ago. I used Simvastatin half year and it dropped my LDL to 0,9 – 1,0.
After half year it was enought to me. If you want my proplems you will get them.
I changet statin to berberi+cromium. After halv year used it my weight went from 87kg > 69 kg.
In last measurement 7.10.2024
P kol 5,5
LDL 3,7
HDL 1,48
P -Trigly 0,71
I am 169 cm weight 71kg and age 66
My doctor want that I start to use Statin.
Regards From Finland Lappeenranta Matti Turunen
Perhaps you mean berberine? Glad it’s working for you. Beriberi is caused by a thiamine deficiency. My father and very many of his fellow FEPOWs suffered from beriberi
The scientific method, Daily Mail style: “Form a hypothesis; look for evidence; pay if necessary.”
My hypothesis is: “Statin proponents ignore contrary evidence.” Hmmmm… I wonder where I could find evidence? Sorry, can’t afford to pay.
Honestly, what next? Running PCR tests to absurd levels of multiplication in an effort to detect Covid, perhaps?
“*this e-mail should have read. Both died after taking them”.
Although, to be fair, they both stopped taking statins before they died. Maybe very shortly…
As a rule, when we die we stop doing everything.
Sorry, my last one was an error. I was trying to forward to friends.
We really don’t despise journalists enough!
Americans do.
“Media Falls Below Congress in Trust Survey”
https://www.racket.news/p/impossible-dream-realized-media-falls
From the South Tees NHS website:
HbA1c results are expressed as mmol/mol Ideal diabetes control 42-53
For decades my reading has wandered about between 48 and 52. Yet my GP told me I am diabetic. Oh well. He also told me that as a diabetic I should take statins. I refused: “My cholesterol is low already”. He replied “It can never be too low.”
That reply demonstrates that science offers no justification for his zealotry about statins. To make a point that even an adamantly irrational GP might understand: “If no value can be too low why do our bodies manufacture cholesterol?”
Anyway, fight the good fight, doc. I can at least offer you my explanation for all this nonsense. There is a law of mankind, the Law of Conservation of Fear and Fretting.
The decline of traditional religion means that few now fear hellfire. The end of the Cold War meant that few feared death by nuclear weapons. So instead they have fears of Global Boiling; fears of milk, eggs, and red meat; fears of death because of not taking the pills; fear, fear, fear, and fret, fret, fret.
The Covid hysteria brought all this into focus: the fears, the lies, the huge flows of money, the corruption.
I warmly endorse your fight against irrationality but, as you probably well know, we are outnumbered by fools and outspent by crooks.
A cardiologist I consulted with in Durban 24 odd years ago told me the same thing, ‘it can never be too low’ and he was trying to get his cholesterol down to as close to zero as possible. He died two years later from a heart attack, in his late forties.
I find it appalling that doctors would appear to not comprehend basic physiology. A cardiologist told my husband that everyone needed to lower cholesterol to 1 to emulate the Chinese!
As (some) Americans say, “You can’t fix stupid”. I don’t mean to be uncharitable, but there it is. A little more fully,
“Stupidity cannot be cured with money, or through education, or by legislation. Stupidity isn’t a sin, the victim can’t help being stupid. But stupidity is the only universal capital crime; the sentence is death, there is no appeal, and execution is carried out automatically and without pity”.
– Lazarus Long, in “Time Enough for Love” (Robert A Heinlein)
That made me laugh completely involuntarily 🙂
Delighted to see the part Rory Collins played in this Malcolm. I have nothing but contempt for the man going back 35 years or so.
Dr MalcolmA fascinating insight into this murky pond. Is there any way one could ‘follow the money’ between this Barney fellow and his sponsors?Congratulations
check out dr kendricks previous blog
This thread was advertised by Nick Hiebert Aka the Nutrivore on his “anti-quack” discord so it is likely his plant-based followers will turn up here.
If anyone wants to know about Nick, he was the same guy who debated Shawn Baker and ended up embarrassing himself in the debate claiming he wants to
wipe out all of nature and wildlife. You can find the debate on Shawn Baker’s YouTube podcast.
Alan Flanagan also posts on Nick’s discord. I have seen that Alan Flanagan has communications with Barney Calman on Twitter (X). It’ likely they are all in communication.
There was talk on another thread about Kendrick’s Wikipedia article being deleted. I went over the accounts that were involved in that. The writing style does indeed sound like Nick. This is only speculation but Nick is also an editor at RationalWiki as is Alan Flanagan where they debunk what they term “low carb quackery”. It’s likely to be the same group of people behind these attacks on low-carb scientists going back years online.
https://www.the-nutrivore.com/ has debunked Malcolm Kendrick, I suggest reading through all Nick’s articles
Ah I’ve been debunked. I know someone would find me out. Blast. Is there anything I am right about, or is everything wrong.
I tend to suspect that someone who introduces his writing thus: “Nick Hiebert SMASHER OF NUTRITION HORSESHIT” has more than his own share equine excretion, never mind arrogance.
I imagine he is a vegan. I wonder if he states this. I find vegans approach nutritional science with a certain set of preconceived ideas that are not alterable.
Trying to “approach nutritional science with a certain set of preconceived ideas that are not alterable” strikes me as rather like setting to run a marathon while having your shoelaces firmly tied to the starting post.
Surely the essence of science is having an open mind and refusing to hold any preconceived ideas so firmly that you cannot imagine they could be wrong.
Men and his follies. Trying to find the one food that causes all the health problems. Vegans can be pretty fanatics, but are not the only ones in the health “alternative” field. Human beings and genetics are complex. Long term human studies of nutrition are very hard to do and filled with all types of possible bias. Hard to admit that there is no perfect diet for all of humanity and that all macros play a role for life.
You left out the quotation marks around “debunked”.
Pure evil. It’s not often though that its inner workings are revealed. Malcolm, you are performing a public service by disseminating all the evidence.
I took my father to his GP to try and get him off statins.
The GP replied he should be on MORE statins not less.
I had pointed out that all the symptoms he was having were directly listed on the product insert under the words “stop taking if experiencing these symptoms”
GPs words were “I wish. They wouldn’t print those inserts and let us prescribe pills in plain bottles like we used to”
Annyway, my father stopped taking them.
As a side note, 18 months after the above meeting.
The very same GP recently told another Dr at the practice that “I think you were right about the (Cov!! Quackzine) I’ve never seen so many people presenting with rare cancers in my entire career…..”
I have just been told that my website has been blocked by Sky Broadband for issues of ‘Hate, violence, and gore?’ Are there people here who can complain about this, and ask for an explanation. I shall speak to a few people I know, who protect freedom of speech. I can imagine who has make the complaint(s). I will write a short blog about this, but I have only just found out. Help!
Dr Kendrick, i kmow this sounds facile but dump Sky! Change your broadband supplier.
No, I have BT broadband. The problem here is that anyone who has Sky Broadband cannot see my site. It is blocked to them. As they have blocked it, it is likely that it will be blocked by all broadband suppliers, shortly. Someone has obviously complained, at a high level, to Sky. They have blocked my site. Those complaining will, no doubt, be trying to get it blocked by all providers who will say ‘If Sky has blocked it, we should too’. At which point I will be fully silenced as no-one will have access. This is censorship – plain and simple.
Ah okay, i get it. Well clearly not blocked by my broadband supplier and all the hundreds of people who visit here, so far, anyway. Perhaps we need a ‘Boycott Sky’ movement but it’s not just Sky, Google do it as well via a tool that some mail software uses, that ‘filters’ out ‘undesirable’ content in your MAIL! It really is time that we got together and fought back!
This happened at 10.58 today.
I’ve just accessed your site via Vodafone mobile, so their broadband block has not extended to mobile, yet… it’s worth checking.
It’s interesting and instructive to compare your position and chances of redress vis a vis Sky (or any other ISP) with those against the Mail. You sued the Mail and won; but what can be done about Sky? The powers that be have already made substantial progress in censoring the Internet.
I am happy to say that my ISP, Andrews & Arnold, will not block Dr Kendrick. They don’t work that way. Unfortunately, very few people employ their services. May I then recommend Andrews & Arnold? I have no interest in the matter apart from wishing to keep the Internet open.
no problem with “Brave”
no problem with “Brave”
As indeed, i discovered. Here are other providers now blocking me.
Kingston Communications 2024-11-11 10:58:46
TalkTalk Kidsafe 2024-11-11 10:58:46
OpenDNS Family Shield 2024-11-11 10:58:46
CloudFlare Family DNS service 2024-11-11 10:58:46
Sky filter default 2024-11-11 10:58:46
Three 2024-11-11 10:58:46
Vodafone 2024-11-11 10:58:47
Does anyone know who is doing this?
Are you thinking of levering the influence of your high profile friends on X, given this is censorship and anti freedom of speech, a hot topic.
Others seemed to have cleared. Only Sky is now left? Clearly I am somewhat paranoid. This could be an error, but I doubt it.
To have such a diverse collection of broadband suppliers, all doing it, sounds like a ‘higher up’ authority is involved, in other words, a coordinated attack, I’d suggest British Telecom, as they supply the bulk of broadband connections to end user providers.
I noticed that your site had been blocked on Virgin Media broadband for some months. At first I thought you had dropped off the net until finally realising I could still reach you on my EE mobile 5G.
Something definitely nefarious going on…
Apologies, should have mentioned this sooner.
I’m on Sky Broadband @ 11:30 on 12 Nov 24, and I can see everything up to Steve’s post @ 3:44pm on 11 Nov 24.. I haven’t had apparently had any issues accessing in the last few days, but apart from this post I cannot confirm times of access.
virgin broadband is displaying your site it OK for me.
they did this with the conservativewoman.co.uk a while ago and it would only load via WiFi. If you tried to access it via the mobile carrier signal it would not load.
however theirs is working now.
Hello,
I recently signed up for these emails. My reason for doing this was I found it very hard to access Dr Kendricks web site. I have a Mac and use Safari as my browser and for months when I tried to access the site I would get the following error message:
Safari can’t open the page “https//drmalcolmkendrick.org” because Safari can’t establish a secure connection to the server “drmalcolmkendrick.org”.
I switched browser to Chrome and could then access the site and so signed up for emails just in case this access disappeared.
However even on Crome the site is problematic as for example clicking on the replies link or the contact tab I received an error message which read
This site can’t provide a secure connection
drmalcolmkendrick.org sent an invalid response.
ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR
I am not techy and don’t know what the issue is but I thought I should let you know its happening
regards
Charles Nichols
Use Firefox. Safari also channels the results of searches to Google first. I never use Safari and never have, nor do I use Chrome or any of the corporate apps.
I’ve had no problem accessing more or less any advertised website (including for instance RT) via an old laptop. It has an old version of Windows and the browser is Firefox.
I’ve never gone near Sky / Virgin / Talk Talk / etc for internet or phone services in the past 20 years. My ISP is Entanet (company is now called City Fibre I think, except that confusingly I’m in the back of beyond and still on a BT copper phone line.) My phone line provider is the Co-op (used to be the Phone Co-op). Very reasonable and professional. (Based in Chipping Norton.) (They also do broadband if you want the same for both services.)
H.T.H.
Dr Kendrick, I have found all of this fascinating! I was prescribed statins for a while but the side effects on sleep and aches in the legs made me stop. Then I found your book!
Two comments: I rather think that ‘X’ is now the most reliable source of news – rather than the MSM which has been wanting for years. This was demonstrated throughout the alleged pandemic. ‘X’ and notable substacks where there are reliable authors who will not be blocked.
Second, if they were/are prepared to do this for statins, I wonder what this means for certain ‘vaccines’ that have been pushed for the last 4 years. Perhaps the change in the political powers in the USA will allow the truth to come out.
Why don’t you offer to speak on ukcolumn.org and to people like Neil Oliver who would enable you to tell more people what is going on? More people need to know just how revolting and ghastly some ‘eminent’ people are.
Dr Kendrick and Dr Harcombe congratulations on winning this case.
This must be an enormous weight off both your shoulders. A real David and Goliath battle.
I look forward to reading who else was behind this attack on you both.
Five years they have held this over you – I hope you give all concerned hell!
Then take a well earned break.
In response to the arguments for not taking statins, my doctors’ surgery is now advising me to take Ezetimibe instead. This is badged as a non-statin, but is it? What I can’t get through to my doctor and pharmacist is that I simply don’t consider my raised cholesterol to be the problem they say it is and that I don’t want to take this new drug either. I wondered whether others have had the same experience with Ezetimibe now being pushed as a statin alternative.
” I wondered whether others have had the same experience with Ezetimibe now being pushed as a statin alternative.”
Writing from Texas, USA. Yes, I have a very decent GP who is counter mainstream thinking on many issues, including statins. He is partnered with a very well known cardiologist, however, who is mainstream on CVD/statins and himself taking statins.
As a new patient about 3 yrs ago my GP agreed with my concerns about statins but did suggest Ezetimibe (Brand name Zetia) and explained that it worked differently and did not cause the same side effects. He said it works by inhibiting absorption of cholesterol from the gut. I am not sure how statins work, perhaps Dr K can explain the different mechanisms. Anyway, I rejected that also on the basis of cholesterol being irrelevant and not wanting to interfere with natural body function. Last week I gave him a copy of Dr Kendrick’s published article “Assessing cardiovascular disease: looking beyond cholesterol” which he accepted with interest and promised to pass it onto his partner. Try giving the article out – I dont believe a medical professional will take the opinion of a lay person seriously but a published article by a cardiologist carries weight. Plus it will conserve your energy by eliminating the need for argument …..!
Yes, I too was offered Ezetimibe several years ago as an alternative to statins but on investigating it, it seems to use exactly the same approach as statins, so what’s the dif?
Ezetimbe is still patented?
Oh dear, cynical me.
Since Ancel Keyes already knew from his research many decades ago that the amount of cholesterol consumed had no effect on the amount of cholesterol in the blood (because the body makes what it needs), there doesn’t appear to be any reason to take Ezetimibe, given that it only inhibits cholesterol absorption from the gut.
Ezetimibe is an updated version of a much older drug, clofibrate. This interfered with absorption of cholesterol from the gut. Why anyone would want to do this, is a good question. The trials on ezetimibe were unimpressive – to say the least. So bad that even the FDA didn’t approve it. Although it did get approved in the UK, for some strange reason.
I was actually offered it at least six years ago at St. Thomas Hospital by a consultant as an alternative to statins, so it’s by no means new.
Bernie, Irene,
Ezetimibe is sold as lowering LDL “cholesterol” but the positive effect is the lowering of apoB which rides on the LDL. If you believe that the apoB is causing the blood vessel wall damage then taking Ezetimibe is a good thing.
Phil
apoB is a protein attached to most or all of the non-HDL lipoproteins, like VLDL, IDL chylomicrons etc. Starting with chylomicrons and working down to LDL these all have descending levels of triglycerides. So a higher apoB number implies higher trigs. High triglyceride is a marker for insulin resistance, which is a far better predictor of CVD than cholesterol or LDL-C.
Took the words out of my mouth.
Now the last time I had stents inserted, the surgeon showed me the angiogram of my heart and pointed to a ‘cloud’ around the artery and told me, ‘this is cholesterol’. I didn’t argue but it was my understanding that cholesterol was mixed up with other chemicals on (or in) the artery wall at the location of the inflammation or blockage. So what’s with the cholesterol ‘cloud’ then?
Doc (and everyone else, even Luke above) check out this video about a soon to be published study that destroys the LDL myth. Title of the video “The LDL Cholesterol Story is Falling Apart: Focus on THIS Instead”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj-SiyoCyDk
Okay, but this study is about the relationship between pre-diabetics and diabetics, what of you’re not either of these and yet still have had heart attacks? Doesn’t it point to, as Kendrick states, that the causes of HAs are complex and multi-factored?
Malcolm, did you ever get to the bottom of why broadband suppliers were blocking access to your website, and who was behind it? And if so, what caused the broadband suppliers to give access again; assuming they have of course.
Nope. I have been communication with my MP to see how to contact these people, and find out what is going on. Currently, it seems to be blind censorship by AI. Some phase or other that gets picked up. No evidence anyone is deliberately trying to take me down. At least not yet.
But Doc, there is now full access to your site for all your subscribers?
Absolutely, but at least it’s the beginning of eliminating some of the factors by doing a proper study which will hopefully, lead on to further research.
The LDL myth finally blown right out of the water! Thank you Eliot
I was just clearing out some paperwork and came across this press cutting from The Daily Mail from 2009 where Dr Andrew Bamji a consultant in rheumatology and rehabilitation at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Sidcup talks about how we was on statins until things went horribly wrong……. It’s well worth the read.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1128333/Viewpoint-The-hidden-painful-cost-statins.html
… and still they keep doling out these dangerous drugs.
I wonder if Barney Calman saw that article in his own paper’s sister publication
Congratulations! I hope that you are recovering from the stress that the whole horrible process must have caused you.