Cholesterol Danger a Myth

Researcher Dispels Notion that Cholesterol and Saturated Fats Cause Heart Disease

WASHINGTON, DC, April 23, 2002 – In a series of lectures scheduled for the East Coast, Swedish physician and researcher Uffe Ravnskov will challenge the current theory that cholesterol and saturated fats from animal foods cause heart disease.

Author of The Cholesterol Myths (NewTrends Publishing, 2000), Dr. Ravnskov has published over 50 scholarly papers and letters disputing the so-called diet-heart theory of cardiovascular disease in mainstream Scandinavian and international medical journals. In 1999, he received the Skrabanek Award, given by Trinity College of Dublin, Ireland for original contributions in the field of medical skepticism.

“The scientific studies do not justify the current push for lowfat diets and widespread use of cholesterol-lowering drugs,” says Ravnskov. “The research is designed to make trivial results seem highly significant and turn healthy people into patients. It is with good reason that the diet-heart theory has been called the ‘greatest scam in the history of medicine.'”

In his talks, Ravnskov will emphasize the nonexistent relationship between cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease, the trivial results of highly touted diet-heart studies, the dark side of cholesterol-lowering drugs and the dangers of eating too much vegetable oil.

Ravnskov points out that over thirty highly qualified scientists and researchers have published articles critical of the diet-heart theory. “Neither epidemiological studies or medical trials support the diet-heart idea. The hypothesis is ‘wishful thinking’.”

Ravnskov’s speaking schedule includes lectures at Montgomery County College (Rockville, MD), Georgetown University (Washington, DC), West Roxbury Veterans Administration Hospital (Boston, MA) and Brigham & Women’s’ Hospital (Boston, MA). He will also present the Joseph Henry Lecture, sponsored by the Philosophical Society of Washington, DC, on the evening of May 17.

For further information, visit Dr. Ravnskov’s website at www.ravnskov.nu/cholesterol.htm.

To arrange an interview contact Sally Fallon, President, NewTrends Publishing, (202) 333-4801, info (at) westonaprice.org.

SPEAKING SCHEDULE FOR DR. UFFE RAVNSKOV

Wednesday May 15
Evening Lecture at Montgomery County College, Rockville, Maryland
Address: Campus Center Building, Faculty-Staff Dining Rm, 51 Mannakee St, Rockville, MD
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: No charge
Contact: Sarah Ducey (301) 738-1709, sducey (at) mc.cc.md.us.

Thursday May 16
Evening Lecture in Annapolis, Maryland
Address: Annapolis Raddison Hotel, 210 Holiday Court
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: $7 per person, $10 per couple
Contact: Lee Sallustio (410) 571-0109, info (at) ingoodhealthinc.com

Friday, May 17
Joseph Henry Lecture sponsored by the Philosophical Society of Washington
Address: The Cosmos Club, 2121 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: No charge
Contact: William Maisch (703) 370-5282, wgmaisch (at) comcast.net

Monday, May 20
Daytime Lecture at Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Address: Room 239, Basic Science Building, 3900 Reservoir Road, NW
Time: 12:00 Noon
Admission: No charge
Contact: Juanita Chipani (202) 687-1512 chipanij (at) georgetown.edu

Wednesday May 22
Medical Grand Rounds, West Roxbury Veterans Administration Hospital
Address: 1400 Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway, West Roxbury, MA
Time: 12:00 Noon
Admission: No charge, open to the medical public
Contact: Dr. Deborah Cotton or Dr. Marc Pfeffer (617) 323-7700

Thursday May 23
Clinical Pathology Conference, Brigham & Women’s Hospital
Address: 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA
Time: 1:00 PM
Admission: Open to the medical public
Contact: Dr. Chris Ianelli, Brigham and Women’s Hospital (617) 732-6202