A Statin Nation: Damaging Millions in a Brave New Post-health World

After nearly ten years on statins, and then being off of them for almost two years, while simultaneously venturing into low-carb, reading many books and blogs, and listening to many podcasts, I thought that this book would be “preaching to the choir.” Knowing that I would never go back on statins, I was however in the mood to read another health book and gather more information. It turned-out that my prejudgment was pretty much wrong. This book is indeed a comprehensive discussion of statins and all of its affiliations, CHD, stroke, lipids, etc., but also topics such as blood pressure, supplements, testing and screening, salt, placebos, some interesting chemistry, etc. all neatly packaged in the goal of cardiovascular health. I appreciate the way the author presents his knowledge in a down to earth, pragmatic way as to make the most complicated subject understandable, all laced with a, sometimes sardonic, sense of humor. What do those of us that are rejecting the old medical myths, fighting our way through big pharma and corporate propaganda, hammering away at the truth, call our selves? I don't know, but where ever you are along this path, this book is a “must read.” I am sorry that I did not pursue it earlier. I would be hard pressed to find a better title for this book myself, but it is much more than about statins. I would challenge anyone reading this book to not find something new and useful. I thank Dr. Kendrick for taking the time and energy to write this book.

I have always been skeptical of "big pharma" and doctors who work for large centers rather than those who have individual practices. This book reinforced my beliefs. The author sometimes gets a bit too technical, but he then quickly gets to common sense explanations. He always demonstrates a great sense of humor. The author does a great job of exposing the absurdities of the "studies" that allegedly "prove" statins are safe and effective, when they are neither. The reality is that the drug companies make fortunes when they can convince half the world they need their products, even when they do not. It is absurd to believe that half the world needs these garbage drugs. Most people need no drugs. Just eat right, exercise, avoid overloading on the high-fructose food products, and stop listening to the doctors - who push drug in exchange for all-expense paid trips to seminars in the Bahamas.

After reading Dr. Kendrick’s two other books, “The Great Cholesterol Con” and “The Clot Thickens”, this book is pretty much a review for me. But it is still worth reading. Dr. Kendrick is a man (or a doctor) with a big heart, dispensing the truth about statins and heart diseases. Sadly, not too many doctors including the ones in high government positions would do that. I bought both the digital version and print version so I could contribute some money to his cause. Either version would be a good read for anybody.

Dr. Kendrick’s newest anti-statin book is clearly written, humorous, and enlightening. Would have given it 5 stars if not for all the typos.

This book opened my already thought of opened eyes. I have been non mainstream medical for 40 or so years. I know about changes in medical advice, good and bad. However, when Covid struck and we learned how corrupted our information was, I was shocked and saddened. Then I read this book and realized that as much as I had learned in my 65 years I had still had my head buried in the “I need to trust” sand. I wanted to share what I have learned reading this book with my friends and family that I know won’t take the time to read it. Problem is, every single page has something to tell! This book is presented with facts and figures and humor at a level us mere mortals can understand. I love being taught by a Dr that does not talk down but across to me. I absorbed this book in two days. Once started I could not stop reading. I am ordering another one to loan out. Who knows, some of the people I share it with may just take the time to read it. I also ordered his other 3 books. Thank you Dr Kendrick.

If you are confused by advice on Healthy Eating, if you take statins, PPIs, or blood pressure meds, read this book. If you have heard salt is bad for you or that whole grains are healthy and saturated fat is bad, read this book. The research to back up his views of what causes heart disease (as well as other ailments) is here. It is easy-to-read, humorous, and well-organized. If you work for Big Pharma you will not appreciate the spotlight on the way research hides results and skews them to fit the narrative that everyone should be in statins or blood pressure medication. Malcolm Kendrick has spent so much time finding out the truth. Thank you, Dr Kendrick. Now I know better what causes heart disease and what to do/not do to prevent or treat it.

I figured this book would probably be a bore. It was far from it. The author states facts, backed up with noted sources. It is funny, sarcastically witty, believable and eye opening. To me, a game changer. I have signed up for the rebellious club.

There are several books, and medical journal articles on Statins and how the studies are done to make these drugs look good. Dr Kendrick, a cardiologist, explains how the data has been manipulated to show heart disease can be reduced if people with high cholesterol take them. In reality, if 100 people take them only 1 person was shown to benefit. As many of 40 % come down with serious neuropathies and pain and other serious side effects. Marcia Angel MD , the former editor of the New England Journal of Medecine has also written about these issues and like Dr Kendrick brings up the issue of Drug Companies paying the researchers as consultants and the ethics of that issue. Dr Kendrick has a great sense of humor and the book is enjoyable to read considering the dryness of the subject matter.

Bin im Cholesterinthema seit Jahren drin. Dennoch gelang es dem Autor, mich an vielen Stellen weiterzubilden. Pflichtlektüre für alle, die sich rechtfertigenden Diskussionen über den Fettgehalt ihrer Nahrung regelmäßig ausgesetzt wissen.

This is a very valuable book as Dr Kendrick reviews many studies, including their body and not just the abstract and conclusion. In many cases he finds that the conclusions do not accurately reflect the results obtained in the studies but are modified to make them politically acceptable. It is a most valuable book for those suffering cardio-vascular disease as it gives them information that enables them to determine what is the most effective treatment for themselves and not just assume their cardiologist knows best. He writes in a most humoursly sarcastic method which makes thre book even more enjoyable. However, in his chapter on supplements, the author comments that magnesium deficiency is extremely unlikely if you do not take a PPI. But, according to the US Department of Agriculture, over 50% of US citizens do not consume the Recommended Daily Allowance of magnesium. Maybe the situation is better in the UK. One interesting statement in this chapter is that eating good natural food enables you to get everything you need from your diet. This is possibly correct as has been shown in the past by dentist Weston Price regarding more primative diets. Even Australian aboriginals were much healthier 90 years ago. However this subject of what is an adequate diet would take another book written in a similar style to this current one, by a dietician who approaches the subject in a manner similar to Dr Kendrick, without any concern about political correctness.

You won't learn this important information from a too busy and CMA lectured family doctor .

Dr Malcolm Kendrick is one of my all time favourite authors. I love reading his work, as it is packed with information, humour and sheer brilliance. The way he thinks is second to none. He doesn’t ask “How does A cause B?”; he asks “How can A even cause B?” He takes logic and questioning assumptions to a completely different level. Malcolm does question in the introduction if this book should have been called "Statin Nation" or if it should have been called "A completely bonkers over-medicated nation." The latter would probably have been more appropriate, as this is not just about statins – it’s about heart disease, blood pressure, cholesterol, the diet-heart HYPOTHESIS, vitamins, salt, diet, the placebo effect and all sorts. The finale is the top 10 ways to avoid heart disease and to live longer and, no, taking statins or lowering cholesterol is not one of them! I particularly liked the diet-heart chapter, but there were just so many passages throughout the book that I loved. It provokes thinking continually with phrases such as: (when describing how the new mega-cholesterol lowering PCSK9s 'work'): "So, more and more LDL is pulled from the bloodstream and the LDL is dragged down to very low levels indeed. (And the 'deadly' cholesterol level within cells rises to very high levels indeed – just a thought.)" A thought indeed! There's something for everyone in this book – except perhaps for the pharmaceutical and journal publication industries, for which Malcolm praises where due and criticises where long overdue. This book is really, really well worth a read.

People with high cholesterol should read this book, they would never take their docs advice for statins, that drug is more damaging than the level of cholesterol .