19374

Something jumped out at me from this article. It’s that there were no published data supporting the 50 percent rule taught for years in medical schools. I think this speaks volumes about science and medicine in this country.

Charlie Welch
Brighton, Mass.

I’m confused. “Wine Surprise: Heart-protective effect is independent of antioxidants” (SN: 1/31/04, p. 68: Wine Surprise: Heart-protective effect is independent of antioxidants ) says that “atherosclerosis isn’t linked to oxidation of bad cholesterol.” If not, why does this article name cholesterol as one of the traditional risk factors? What is really going on with cholesterol?

Sandor Frecska
Lancaster, Pa.

Good question. While epidemiological studies offer compelling evidence that blood-cholesterol concentrations influence heart disease risk, scientists continue to wrestle with exactly how the lipids contribute to the disease .—B. Harder