Hi Jeremy, et all
(as an after thought)
When looking at James's cvdcalculator.com
it indicates that non of the NIDDM meds have any effect on reducing risk
but that "Mediteranean diet vs Low fat" has similar risk reduction as statins.
This makes me think of the recent idea, and correct me if I am wrong, that sugars cause an irritation/inflammation of the endothelium of the bloodvessels to which the body responds by putting down (lipid) plaques in order to try and heal them.
So, in that respect, low carb diets should be the way forward
www.fixingdad.com is promoting that view.
My understanding of the overal idea behind "low carb" diet is that it can cure NIDDM, rather than be maintained with NIDDM medication. Furthermore when taking NIDDM medication and not keeping to low carb, the patient has increased risk of developing CVD.
Comparing the risk reducing effect of statins on the cvdcalculator.com , this can, in view of the idea of inflammation of the inside of bloodvessels due to sugar, perhaps be explained that statins might have an "anti-inflammatory" effect and as such reduce the formation of plaques (despite people not changing their diet to low carbohydrates)?
Best regards,
Wouter
Dr W Havinga, locum GP, UK
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