The Great Cholesterol Con by
Anthony Colpo
The Great Cholesterol Con
heart disease, cholesterol, saturated fat, fat,
Personal Review: The Great Cholesterol Con by Anthony Colpo
Colpo writes in clear, engaging and flowing prose. The title does not
convey the many other health myths he takes to task using Randomized
Clinical Trials as much as possible and keeping an eye on statistical
significance. Here is a partial list of the most striking conclusions drawn by
the author:
1. Higher than average cholesterol is protective against CVD in those over
50, a population that is much more prone to CVD than young people. The
very slight evidence for lower cholesterol being protective appears only in
much younger subjects, who are at very low risk in the first place.

2. High cholesterol is protective against infection, including even by HIV.
Low cholesterol, below 160 mg/dl is associated with increased mortality in
all age groups but markedly so in the very old. It's worth noting here that
most lab tests show reference ranges for total cholesterol that go from 200
mg/dl down to zero, that is, having zero total cholesterol, which would
certainly be fatal, falls within the normal range given by most testing labs.
3. The supposedly heart-healthy polyunsaturated and monounsaturated
fats are more prone to oxidation than saturated fats. Oxidized LDL is an
emerging risk factor thought to aid in the formation of arterial plaque. The
body incorporates dietary fats into LDL particles. Thus, consuming the
more readily oxidized fats is likely to increase CVD risk by raising oxidized
LDL levels, which by the way are not influenced in the least by the level of
LDL cholesterol. Saturated fats, due to their lack of double bonds, are
more stable and less prone to oxidation. Polyunsaturated are the most
easily oxidized followed by the monounsaturated fats. Skip the vegetable
oils says Colpo even the ones free of trans fats.
4. High fasting blood sugar is a much better predictor of CVD as compared
to standard cholesterol tests, which are almost worthless, yet most people
have never had their fasting serum glucose measured. It's an inexpensive
test that can be performed by any lab.
5. The French paradox is not so paradoxical. The French have one of the
lowest rates of CVD in Europe and yet eat the most saturated fat.
According to Colpo, wine consumption is not the correct explaination as
the Italians also drink lots of red wine. It only seems paradoxical if one
believes the dogma that saturated fat is a killer. Colpo argues that stress
is a true risk factor. Stress is lowered and the post-meal rise in blood sugar
is muted when one takes a relaxed attitude towards dining, as the French
are famous for.
6. Vegetarianism is not so healthy. Colpo does advocate eating lots of
fresh fruits and vegetables but shows that meat is also of great value.
Studies showing the benefit of excluding meat are subject to confounders
(vegetarians excercise more and smoke less, for example) that when
corrected for result in no benefit to vegetarians.
7. Colpo is a low carb advocate in order to control blood sugar but he is not
fond of extreme ketogenic diets.
8. High iron stores are a risk factor for CVD. In Colpo's view this is the
reason pre-menopausal women (due to monthly blood loss) have a lower
CVD risk than men and post-menopausal women. Pre-menopausal women
retain much less iron, which is a pro-oxidant. See point 3 above. Colpo
suggests testing serum ferritin levels to determine if one has too much
iron. Colpo thinks the standard upper limit given for ferritin by most labs is
way too high. So, if your doctor says you have normal iron stores check

the reading yourself. Colpo also suggests methods to lower iron levels if
too high.
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