#512 Health News Update

The cholesterol-lowering drug Zocor is very effective at lowering cholesterol, especially at high doses. But in a new study higher doses did not prevent heart attacks as well as had been hoped. We’ll discuss the significance of this surprising finding with two of the country’s leading cardiologists. Increasing consumption of soft drinks has paralleled the rise in obesity and diabetes. The link is controversial, but a new study of thousands of nurses shows that those who drink sugary beverages more often are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, may have health benefits. The latest research shows it increases the flexibility of blood vessels. We also take listener calls on prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements and home remedies. Guests: Steven Nissen, MD, Medical Director of the Cleveland Clinic Cardiovascular Coordinating Center (C5. Dr. Nissen is currently the Principal Investigator for several large studies of atherosclerosis regression and progression. He presently serves as Vice President of American College of Cardiology(ACC). Peter Salgo, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine and Anesthesiology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is the Director of the Cardio-Thoracic Intensive Care Unit, NY Presbyterian Hospital, NYC. He’s also an Emmy award winning medical journalist and author of THE HEART OF THE MATTER. Walter Willett, MD, DrPH, Frederick John Stare Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition and Chairman of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. Joe Vinson, PhD, is Professor of Chemistry at the University of Scranton and has both an industrial and academic background. He is a leading antioxidant and nutrition researcher.