The authors conducted a review of the literature, and they found that fish oil is more effective than drug therapy for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality. Risk reductions were as follows (lower numbers indicate greater reduction in risk = greater benefit):

Overall Mortality

fish oil: 0.77, statin drugs: 0.87, fibrate drugs: 1.00

Cardiovascular Mortality

fish oil: 0.68, statin drugs: 0.78

Notice that for both overall mortality and cardiovascular mortality, fish oil was more effective than statin drug treatment. This is particularly important considering that fish oil does not lower cholesterol levels as powerfully as do the statin drugs. Obviously this means that fatty acid balance is more important than reducing cholesterol levels.

Learn more: www.dralexvasquez.com/fatty-acid-review.htm.

Well-known side effects of statin drug use include liver damage, hepatitis, muscle pain, and renal failure. In some cases, these side effects can be fatal. Additional information can be found here and here.

Common side effects of fish oil are improved skin health, alleviation of eczema and psoriasis, lessening of joint pain, reduced need for anti-inflammatory medications, improved mood, reduced need for “anti-depressant” medication, improved intelligence in children, protection from stroke, protection from Alzheimer’s disease, and alleviation of the inflammation associated with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Additional information can be found here and at www.dralexvasquez.com/fishoil.htm.

An additional consideration is cost. A low therapeutic dose of fish oil costs about $10 per month, whereas Lipator costs $77 per month for a low dose (check Walgreens to compare.)

Please choose between the following: Would you rather: A) live longer with a safe treatment with numerous benefits and low cost, or would you rather B) spend more money, have greater risk of side-effects, no side benefits, and increased risk of early death even though your cholesterol levels are lower?

I think you will agree that “A” is the better choice. (If you want to know more about fish oil, read this: www.dralexvasquez.com/fishoil.htm.) However, our medically dominated healthcare system still relies on “B”, clearly an inferior treatment option that produces inferior results at additional cost. And, in many situations, we combine the drugs with the fish oil. Even though the research consistently documents the safety and effectiveness of natural treatments, insurance companies will generally only reimburse for drugs and surgery.

More info can be found here: www.mises.org/fullstory.aspx?control=1547.

Alex Vasquez, DC ND
The Whole Health Center
7211 Regency Square, Suite 200
Houston, TX 77036
713-840-9355

After graduating from Riverside Military Academy and attending University of Texas at Austin, Alex Vasquez began his professional studies at Texas Chiropractic College and later graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon in 1996. Following graduation, Dr. Vasquez moved to Seattle, Washington to attend the Naturopathic Medicine Program at Bastyr University. By the time he graduated from naturopathic medical school in 1999, Dr. Vasquez had published 13 articles in magazines and peer-reviewed medical journals, and he was a recognized authority on disorders of iron metabolism. Dr. Vasquez returned to his hometown of Houston and started a new private practice of natural medicine in 2002. He currently has a private practice 3 days per week, and conducts research 2 days per week; this unique combination of professional activities allows Dr. Vasquez to bring a high level of knowledge and new information to benefit his patients.

You can reach Dr. Vasquez by email at consult@dralexvasquez.com or on the web at www.dralexvasquez.com.