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An apple a day keeps a statin away

 
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Andrew Whitfield-Cook ● 1 min read


An Assessment modelling study from the UK in 2013 came to the surprising conclusion that (assuming constant caloric intake) simply by adding one apple per day to elderly people’s diet the number of deaths prevented from vascular disease would approach those prevented from taking a statin, and with far fewer side-effects.[1]

...the increased time and difficulty associated with consuming an apple compared with a statin - statins need a glass of water and a quick gulp, whereas apples require the more complex and time consuming process of coordinated mastication and swallowing...

The authors state that statins could reduce or delay vascular disease in 9400 people, whereas an apple was only capable of delaying vascular disease in 8500 people. However, cautions have been raised with the use of statin drugs and development of diabetes, especially in elderly patients, whereas there is no evidence that apples increase diabetes.[2] 

The importance of the message of a healthy diet is missed by the authors, who state, “...the increased time and difficulty associated with consuming an apple compared with a statin - statins need a glass of water and a quick gulp, whereas apples require the more complex and time consuming process of coordinated mastication and swallowing...” is irresponsible and absurd! 

One can only hope the writers intended this comment to be tongue-in-cheek...

REFERENCES

  1. Briggs ADM, Mizdrak A, Scarborough P. A statin a day keeps the doctor away: comparative proverb assessment modelling study. BMJ 2013;347:f7267. [Full text]
     
  2. Statins Safety Alert 2012. Therapeutic Goods Administration, Canberra. [Article]

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