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How safe are statins that people take to control their cholesterol
levels? It is correct that statins act by blocking the enzyme in the
liver that is responsible for making cholesterol. Physicians prescribe
statins like Lipitor, Crestor, Zorcor, Levacor and Pravachol to patients
and their sales have increased over the years. Cardiologists state that
statins have minimized heart attacks and strokes yet the incidence of
heart diseases, strokes, kidney diseases do not seem to have reduced in
Sri Lanka.
A paper published in a Cardiovascular Drugs Journal reveals that
statins also block the nutrient CoQ10 which provides energy for the
workings of the heart muscles and the brain. CoQ10 nutrient is vital for
mitocondrial health. Mitochondion is a small part found in most cells in
human bodies in which the energy in food is released.
According to latest medical research reports, if statin medication
makes a person feel tired and show lack of energy, it would be due to
the low levels of CoQ10 supply to feed the mitochondria in every cell in
the body.
Patients on statin medication are therefore obliged to take CoQ10 in
consultation with their Physicians. There are also reports to show that
statin should not be used to lower the cholesterol level in the blood of
the over 70s.
* Medicinal researchers conclude that statins may produce side
effects, especially in females. Therefore if any development of side
effects are suspected after taking statin medication, wouldn't it be
best to discuss it with the doctor who may reduce the dosage?
* The current view of researchers is that the cholesterol theory
cannot be accepted as the case for heart diseases.
* Some believe that it is the low HDL (good) cholesterol which is
responsible for heart diseases and that the LDL (bad) cholesterol
circulating in the blood is beneficial to the well-being and that both
forms of cholesterol transport fat to the muscles, heart, fat stores and
other tissues and that they too function as anti-oxidants.
* The questions then arise whether we should take statins at all to
bring down the cholesterol when it is supposed to serve a beneficial
purpose and whether we should take statins even if we have normal
cholesterol. In this complicated situation it would be best for people
to change their lifestyles by the following methods.
* Eating food with the least amount of saturated fat in them and
cutting down saturated fat content to less than 10% by reducing meat
consumption and dairy products.
* Increasing the intake of salads, dark green vegetables and fish.
* Exercising every day to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood.
HARSHI NADIE PERERA PILIYANDALA
The Opposition claims that there is a crisis in Sri Lanka because of
the impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake. There are 14
serious charges against the CJ. The PSC recommendations have been given
to the Speaker and as it is the sword of Damocles is hanging over her
head. So the Opposition, NGO's, LTTE proxies and so on are doing their
best to give her a life-line. They propose proroguing Parliament,
appointing a panel from the Commonwealth, amendments to the constitution
etc. They are not the least concerned about matters such as the plight
of the Golden Key depositors (two committed suicide), the Rs. 1.6
million discount given to CJ by Ceylinco and so on.
The CJ demonstrated her ‘strength’ to the government by getting the
anti-govt forces and the lawyers to dash coconuts, hold posters, go on
demonstrations, pose for photographs and so on in the Supreme Court
premises.
There had been a brawl at the premises after a BASL meeting because
of the chairman's political affiliations. This had led to a rift among
lawyers and the Vice President has resigned. Thus the CJ had politicised
the whole issue. Bankrupt politicians have already invited her to join
their ranks.
On the other hand, when Chief Justices Neville Samarakone and Sarath
Silva faced impeachment probes they did not make them 'circuses'. They
did things quietly in a respectable manner and preserved the dignity of
the posts they held. Preserving the sanctity of the Supreme Court
premises they left to Parliament for PSC meetings through the backdoor
and there were no demonstrations, dramas, cameras rolling etc.
In this connection it has to be noted that during the UNP regime JR
sacked eight judges unceremoniously. Then, judges houses were stoned if
they gave a verdict which was not to the liking of the UNP. And today
they are shedding crocodile tears and manipulating to give ‘oxygen’ to
the CJ who had conducted herself in a manner unbecoming of a Chief
Justice. As opposed to the role followed by the Opposition many experts
have said that the best thing the CJ should do is to step down.
P.A. Samaraweera
Being impressed by the front page news item of the Daily News of
November 26, 2012 under the above title which was subject to further
reference on the front page and page 3 of the issue of the 29th with a
quotation from the Parliamentary proceedings thereof, I wish to refer to
the two lawyers referred to, who had escaped queries by the media
although they were seen riding in the official car of the Chief Justice.
The official car of the CJ is government property meant for her use
and how moral or ethical is it for the CJ to permit the two private
lawyers to travel with her? The ‘registered attorney’ of the CJ was seen
in the pictures proudly and majestically seated in the rear seat with
the CJ.
The face of the other lawyer who was seated in the front seat was not
visible in the snapshot. The ‘registered attorney’ is a well know
sympathiser of the Tamil diaspora.
Was it morally and ethically correct for these lawyers to use the
CJ's official car for the trip when they could have used other modes of
travel?
D.K. Ranasinghe, Dehiwala.
The above titled article in the Daily News of December 26, 2012 was
an appeal to the Christian community on Christmas Day. Prayer is
communicating with our creator, God. Hence, anybody can talk to God at
anytime.
Just believe in your heart and let God's will be done in his time. He
has promised to make all things beautiful in his time so hope and trust
in God and don't have any confidence in mortal man. I'm sure many
believers would have responded to the appeal.
God will also mete out justice and punish the defrauders. "Vengeance
is mine, I will repay" ( Deuteronomy 32: 35 and Romans 12:19) is a
promise God has made. Pray or talk to God in Jesus' name as only He has
died for all mankind and rose again. Justice will prevail.
C. Jayatunge - Kohuwala
Instructions to customers given on the back of LECO electricity
bills, specifically state that payments of these bill can be made at all
People's Banks, probably by arrangements made by top-notches of the two
organisations.
But Bank Managers who appear to be unaware of these arrangements
insist on cheques drawn on their own Banks. As a result bill-settlers
are driven from pillar to post, on trivial grounds such as insisting on
same bank cheques, the payment be an enhanced amount, when settling
electricity, water, telephone, TV, mobile bills etc.
Branch Managers insisting on same Bank cheques and refusing other
Bank cheques to my mind are violating fair banking practice.
We appeal to regular billing authorities such as the CEB, LECO, SLT,
Water Board, Mobitel, Dialog etc to organise common Bill-Collecting
Centres in major towns such as Maharagama, Nugegoda, and Homagama where
such bills could be paid without hassels, a course of action which would
relieve hazards faced by Bill-settlers.
W. Samaranayake - Maharagama
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