Letters from the April 3, 2004, issue of Science News
By Science News
Lack of data?
Something jumped out at me from “Telltale Charts: Is anticipating heart disease as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4?” (SN: 1/31/04, p. 72: Telltale Charts). 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 the article “Telltale Charts” name cholesterol as one of the traditional risk factors? What is really going on with cholesterol?