The Greater Good?

Statin drugs for cholesterol...the debate is ongoing, and interesting, and enraging all at the same time. The preliminary results are in for the HOPE-3 study, which said that if 91 patients took a high-cost ($175/month) statin drug for 6 years, it would prevent a heart attack in 1 patient.  It did not change mortality (it didn't prevent death).  Based on trials like this, it is now recommended by the American Heart Association that all diabetic patients take a statin medication, whether their cholesterol is high or not.

Problems?

Increase Diabetes and Insulin Resistance:  This quote from a 2015 study:  "Statin treatment increased the risk of type 2 diabetes by 46%, attributable to decreases in insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion."  Interpreted?  Your risk of developing diabetes is much higher when taking statins and if you have diabetes, it will worsen. 

Muscle pain and weakness:  This is a well documented problem, but not many patients know to watch for it.  Statins can deplete Co-Enzyme Q-10 from the body, which can lead to the deterioration of muscle tissue.  This is dangerous!   Several patients have come to me with this problem.  They had to discontinued their statin and start on a good quality Co-Enzyme Q-10 product.  It took many weeks for the pain to go away.   This is easy for patients to monitor by watching for achy, sore muscles that don't seem to go away after a few days (Unless you just started a new exercise regimen).

You do need some cholesterol:  Cholesterol is a building block for your sex hormones (estrogen, testosterone, progesterone), cortisol, and is an important ingredient when your body regenerates nerve tissue.  Dr. David Perlmutter, one of the nation's Alzheimer's experts, believes that cholesterol that is too low and blood sugar that is too high is why we are seeing an increase in Alzheimer's.  Whether statins are the cause of this has not been proven, and current evidence says statins don't increase Alzheimer's risk.

Conclusion:  In my opinion, a statin should be used when:

• High cholesterol is not resolved after changes in diet and exercise.
• Following a cardiovascular event such as heart attack

If you are on a statin medication, please take a good quality Co-Enzyme Q10.

The best way to decrease risk for your heart?   Eat healthy, whole foods.  Throw all that junky processed stuff in the trash can (except the chocolate, of course).  Limit your carbohydrate intake.   Find an activity that you love that gets your heart rate up and exercises your muscles.  Learn to breathe....really breathe, using your diaphragm.

Examples of statin drugs:

• rosuvastatin (Crestor)
• atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• simvastatin (Zocor)
• pravastatin (Pravachol)

Sources:    PMID:25754552 and many more

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