Rating: 
Summary: Prevent Heart Disease
Review: If you or anyone in your family has heart problems and high cholesterol, then don't waste time and get a copy of this book. Once you read this book, I can see the tension going away from your face and a beautiful smile replacing it. I have managed well with the diet and additional supplements mentioned in this book. If you check your cholesterol before and after this book, you will definitely see the positive results.
Overall, it's a great book. Just like my new beverage of choice called s o y f e e. It's made from soybeans that you brew just like coffee. Caffeine-free, you'll find it at www. S oycoffee.com.
Rating: 
Summary: Superb! Best recent book I've bought on related subject
Review: Kowalski deserves 10 stars! He covers it all -- cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease -- & what to do about it all! And, reading this book feels like an intense talk with an intelligent friend who knows it all from his heart attacks in his 40s -- & who doesn't want me to have to go through the same thing! After a heart procedure 6 1/2 weeks ago (an angiogram to assess progression of a heart-valve problem), I unexpectedly found myself undergoing an angioplasty, with stent placement -- & resultant heart attack & hospitalization! What a shock! Two days later, I ordered online recent books from famous research institutes/hospitals on these subjects & read them all thoroughly. However, I don't even glance at those others any more. Kowalski's concise, packed, incredibly-well-researched & documented book of studies/trials/clinical evidence, etc. -- added to his personal research on himself as he went through the process of healing himself -- inspires confidence in his conclusions & recommendations! My copy is highlighted in several colors, with pages turned down to the point where my book is twice as thick! I'm following his recommendations to the letter -- niacin, pantethine, taking phytosterols when occasionally I eat some cholesterol foods, walking, stress reduction, etc. This book provides the focus for my new, body-enhancing life! I live by it -- doing everything Kowalski recommends, including ordering the recommended nutrients [which he doesn't profit from!]. It's all working, & I have no doubt that putting all of this information into practice is helping to save my life! And, today I'm ordering copies for relatives I care about . . .
Rating:
Summary: Superb! Best recent book I've bought on related subject
Review: Kowalski deserves 10 stars! He covers it all -- cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease -- & what to do about it all! And, reading this book feels like an intense talk with an intelligent friend who knows it all from his heart attacks in his 40s -- & who doesn't want me to have to go through the same thing! After a heart procedure 6 1/2 weeks ago (an angiogram to assess progression of a heart-valve problem), I unexpectedly found myself undergoing an angioplasty, with stent placement -- & resultant heart attack & hospitalization! What a shock! Two days later, I ordered online recent books from famous research institutes/hospitals on these subjects & read them all thoroughly. However, I don't even glance at those others any more. Kowalski's concise, packed, incredibly-well-researched & documented book of studies/trials/clinical evidence, etc. -- added to his personal research on himself as he went through the process of healing himself -- inspires confidence in his conclusions & recommendations! My copy is highlighted in several colors, with pages turned down to the point where my book is twice as thick! I'm following his recommendations to the letter -- niacin, pantethine, taking phytosterols when occasionally I eat some cholesterol foods, walking, stress reduction, etc. This book provides the focus for my new, body-enhancing life! I live by it -- doing everything Kowalski recommends, including ordering the recommended nutrients [which he doesn't profit from!]. It's all working, & I have no doubt that putting all of this information into practice is helping to save my life! And, today I'm ordering copies for relatives I care about . . .
Rating:
Summary: Invaluable, essential and fun to read
Review: My dad had a triple-heart bypass at age 44. He bought the original "8 Week Cholesterol Cure" back in the early 80s and has been surprisingly healthy ever since. This year (2004) I was diagnosed with hyper-cholesterolemia. However, my cardiologist has said my arteries are clear of any plaque or deposits. Why? Because I read Dad's book about 20 years back and followed a lot of Robert Kowalski's advice regarding diet, excercise, supplements and medical testing. I'll probably never have a bypass or heart attack thanks to this book. I bought the "New 8-Week Cholesterol Cure" and it's even better. All the latest research is right there, in an easily readable form. Kowalski has a good sense of humor, which is essential when you're talking about such a grim subject. His advice is clear and quite easy to follow. He even tells you what doesn't work, which surprised me. (For example, there's really no good evidence that garlic does much for cholesterol or heart health.) I also bought 4 other books on heart health and cholesterol, but this is by far the best. I've marked up pages, bought copies for relatives and signed up for Kowalski's newsletter. This is heart health advice you and your family can live with for a looong time. (Thanks Dad!) -Yours, The Niacin Queen
Rating:
Summary: It works!
Review: My family has a history of early heart problems and high cholesterol, and I always felt I was doomed to die young or face surgeries, medications, and endless complications. Fortunately I may have discovered this book in time to avoid the problems that my mother, uncle, grandfather, and who knows how many prior generations faced.
Two months ago I had my cholesterol checked and the total cholesterol was 214, HDL 30, LDL 156, and Triglycerides 142. The doctors wanted to put me on medication that could have side effects or cause liver damage, etc. I wanted to find a natural alternative, since I could well be taking it for 40+ years. I read Kowalski's book, took HALF the niacin dosage he recommended, and made slight modifications to my already low-fat/cholesterol diet by incorporating some of the foods found in SuperFoods Rx by Steven Pratt (spinach, soy, blueberries, whole grains, salmon). When I received the latest blood test results today, my levels had fallen to a total cholesterol level of 185, HDL 33, LDL 132, and Triglycerides 102. This book will certainly put you on the right path if you're researching ways to get cholesterol under control.
Rating:
Summary: Great introduction to world of heart disease
Review: The newest version of Bob Kowalski's book is very different from the original 1987 edition. The new version opens, for instance, with a chapter called "Way beyond cholesterol", in which Kowalski acknowledges the fact that much of heart disease is caused by factors other than cholesterol (despite the book's title). Mr. Kowalski recounts his personal journey through the maze of heart disease beginning with his first bypass operation at age 35.
Mr. Kowalski writes with honesty, clarity, and without hidden agendas (like pushing cholesterol medication). You can follow his advice like that from a caring mentor.
The chapter on niacin is particularly good reading. "This deceptively simple miracle of nature has done more than anything else to save my life." Kowalski describes the ups and downs of this fascinating yet powerful vitamin and how it can be used to correct many of the neglected causes of heart attack like low HDL, high triglycerides, and lipoprotein(a). (Niacin is a crucial ingredient in my program for coronary plaque regresssion, or reversal.)
If you're interested in a readable, credible overview of heart disease and cholesterol (and beyond), Mr. Kowalski's New 8-Week Cholesterol Cure will serve you well.
Rating:
Summary: Simple, Effective Ways to Sustain Cardiovascular Health!
Review: This book deserves many more than five stars! Millions of people will lead longer, healthier, and more productive lives from following the advice here. In the last 15 years, knowledge about how to reduce heart disease has made major strides. This book is the best source I have seen about what has been learned, and how to apply it to help yourself and those you love. You will probably find it helpful to bring your copy along to see your physician because many primary care physicians will not be up-to-date with the latest findings in some areas, such as the use of supplements. If you liked Mr. Kowalski's first program for controlling cholesterol, originally published in 1987, you will adore this book. When asking himself what had changed he noted, "Why, practically everything is new!" Mr. Kowalski reviews in detail the strengths and weaknesses of that program, describes the research that has been conducted on cardiovascular health since then, and shows you other risks in addition to cholesterol that must be addressed. He also debunks pseudo-science about cholesterol control. What impressed me the most is that Mr. Kowalski's old and new programs have worked perfectly for him. Here is a man who had his first heart attack at age 35 and double bypass. He had a second heart attack at 41, followed by a quadruple bypass. In the foreword, cardiac surgeon Dr. Jack Sternlieb describes how the most rigorous tests of Mr. Kowalski's heart and arteries show that it has no blockages as of 1999. Without this program, Mr. Kowalski would probably have needed another bypass operation several years ago. His family record of heart disease is not a good one, and he probably has a genetic tendency to problems in this area. Mr. Kowalski is very physically active now, and has no limitations on his life style due to his cardiac history. The new program has familiar elements in it, but is considerably less restrictive than the old one. You can eat a lot more foods, and a lot more fat (as long as it is the right kind of fat). The dietary guidelines are quite similar to the new ones brought out by the American Heart Association in 2000. For most people, the diet features avoiding saturated fat and trans fatty acids, limiting overall fat to hold weight at a healthy level for your height, eating fish at least twice a week (especially fatty fish), lots of fruits and vegetables, whole-grain breads and cereals, consuming soluble fiber, lots of fluids, limiting sugars and empty carbohydrates, and eating slowly. Exercise is 15 miles of walking a week. A variety of supplements are encouraged (especially antioxidents, B vitamins, minerals, polysterols, and pantathine). Don't smoke. Limit alcohol consumption to moderate daily levels, but do not imbibe solely for the cardiovascular benefit. Take one aspirin a day if your stomach can handle it. I liked the candor in the book quite a lot. For example, "I'm a little embarrassed when I look at the subtitle of the original book, which promises 'no deprivation.'" In addition to the overall recommendations, each element is described in detail including the scientific studies that support why it works, who should not follow the recommendation, how to work with your doctor for the best results, side effects that can occur, and how these recommendations compare with the various prescription medications now available for lowering cholesterol. He also describes how these recommendations affect other factors for cardiovascular risk such as the amount of low-density lipoprotein (a negative component of overall cholesterol), high-density lipoprotein (a positive component of overall cholesterol), triglycerides, homocysteine, and C-reactive proteins. The section on niacin (B-3) was particularly interesting since it involves changing liver functions, and you are encouraged to work with your doctor in this area. I was not familiar with the "niacin flush" but was glad to learn that the newer versions usually avoid that problem. I especially found the discussions of the special issues that women, young people, and seniors have to be helpful. Get this book today . . . follow its advice . . . and keep it with you!
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