The danger of cholesterol : myth or reality ?

The danger of cholesterol : myth or reality ?

Tuesday 6 October 2015, 20H40 (120 minutes)

Myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accidents, maladies artérielles… le coupable semble tout désigné : cholesterol that clogged arteries and prevents blood flow well.

Why a badly needed life molecule become the enemy of our health ?

25% of French have a too high blood cholesterol. To lower, You can adopt a healthier lifestyle but also taking medication, Statins.

6,4 millions of people following treatment with Statins in our country. A boon for pharmaceutical companies and a financial sinkhole for health insurance who spends each year 1,2 billion euros in reimbursement, much more than in other European countries.

In recent years the controversy swells around these anti-cholesterol treatments. Researchers denounced the harmful effects of statins and their lack of effectiveness to reduce cardiovascular mortality. Certains experts vont jusqu’à remettre en cause l’existence même du “mauvais” cholestérol.

The fight against cholesterol market is not limited to drugs. On the shelves of supermarkets, There are yoghurts, margarines and salad dressings that promise to lower your cholesterol in a few weeks. How reliable are these foods ? And are they beneficial to health ?

Le documentaire de Bruno Timsit “Cholestérol, le coupable idéal” sera suivi d’un débat animé par Marina Carrère d’Encausse, Michel Cymes and Benedict Thevenet.

Guests :

• Bruno TOUSSAINT, directeur éditorial de la revue médicale “Prescrire”
• Dr. Philippe GIRAL, lipidologue, specialist in cardiovascular prevention at the Pitié-Salpêtrière in Paris hospital group
• PR Gérard HELFT, cardiologist at the Pitié-Salpêtrière in Paris hospital group
• Dominique POLTON, Adviser to the Director of the national health insurance fund