What Everyone Should Know About Cholesterol and Statin Drugs Part 2: Are Statin Drugs Worth The Risk?

If you take a cholesterol lowering drug, reading this article and viewing the movie trailer, “Statin Nation,” is a must!  

In Part 1, we discussed why we need cholesterol, the main dietary culprits for high cholesterol, and how to best determine if you have a significant increase for heart disease.  In this article, we talk about the dangers of cholesterol-lowering drugs and how to optimize your cholesterol levels naturally.

 

You can view the first 13 minutes of the movie below:

 

You can stream the full movie or buy the DVD here:  https://www.statinnation.net/


Statins are designed to block cholesterol production in the liver.  They are very effective in doing this and can reduce the subsequent amount of cholesterol in the blood.  However, lowering cholesterol too much can have negative effects and is responsible for many of their known side effects.

Why Statins Are Not Worth The Risk For The Majority Who Take Them
Statin drugs, such as Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, etc., are one of the most dangerous class of drugs on the market.  These drugs have an endless number of side effects including serious birth defects in pregnant women, muscle damage and pain, liver and kidney damage, nausea, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. Statins have even been linked to an increased risk of cancer! 

Most recently, statins have also been shown to cause memory loss, fatigue, and increase your blood sugar which increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.  

One of the most recent “bombshells” of statin drug therapy is the fact that these drugs actually contribute to other factors known to increase heart disease!  

Statin drugs deplete your body of CoQ10.   CoQ10 is a vital enzyme used by every cell in your body for energy production, especially your heart cells. Heart muscle cells have up to 200 times more mitochondria, the energy producers in cells.  Think of them as a bunch of little batteries in your cells that produce energy. Heart muscle cells have 200 times higher CoQ10 requirements than skeletal muscle.  When statins deplete CoQ10, the heart has less energy to pump blood throughout the body.  This can cause fatigue and lead to congestive heart failure!  Therefore, if you take a statin, you MUST take supplemental CoQ10.

Statin drugs cause coronary artery calcification!  A new study in the journal Atherosclerosis showed that statin use is associated with a 52 percent increased prevalence and extent of calcified coronary plaque. Coronary artery calcification is the hallmark of a potentially lethal heart attack!


What Are The Benefits and How Well Do Statins Really Reduce Heart Disease?

Benefits for those who took statins for 5 years:

People who took statins WITHOUT any signs of heart disease (primary prevention):

98% saw no benefit

0% were helped by being saved from death

1.6% were helped by preventing a heart attack

0.4% were helped by preventing a stroke 


People who took statins WITH signs of heart disease (secondary prevention):

96% saw no benefit

1.2% were helped by being saved from death

2.6% were helped by preventing a repeat heart attack

0.8% were helped by preventing a stroke

As you can see, statins offer very little benefit for the majority who take them.


Why Don’t You Hear About This Stuff in The Mainstream Media?
The answer is simple.  Statins are the most profitable drug in history.  Drug companies generate  $29 BILLION DOLLARS a year from selling statin drugs.  If health consumers learn the truth about these drugs profits will fall.  


How to Reduce Your Heart Disease Risk and Optimize Your Cholesterol Levels Naturally
In virtually all cases of heart disease, INFLAMMATION LEADS TO THE DISEASE, NOT HIGH CHOLESTEROL.  Therefore, healthy lifestyle strategies such as proper food choices and exercise are the most effective ways to reduce inflammation, maintain optimal cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease.

Reduce or Eliminate Added Sugar and Grains in Your Diet.  It is acceptable to eat naturally occurring sugar in fruits or starchy vegetables.  Avoid sugary drinks, candy and other “sweets.”  Grains, such as bread, pasta, rice, baked goods, etc., are also pro-inflammatory.  Reduce and replace these with fruit, nuts, and potatoes. 

Completely Avoid Hydrogenated Oils (Trans Fats) and Most Vegetable Oils.  These are in virtually all processed foods and are listed on the ingredients label.  The healthiest oils to consume are olive and coconut oil.  Avoid eating fried foods at all costs. 

Optimize Your Vitamin D Levels.  Vitamin D helps prevent heart disease.  Getting vitamin D through sun exposure in the summer and supplementing with vitamin D3 is vital to resist the most diseases.  Blood levels should be between 50-80ng/dl.  

Consume Omega-3 Foods, Fish Oil and Supplement with “The Basic 5.”  Omega-3 fats from fish, flax, chia and hemp seeds help reduce inflammation.  Also, supplement your diet with fish oil (EPA/DHA) supplements.

Exercise on a Regular Basis.  Regular exercise helps keep blood vessels elastic, pliable, and healthy.  The best exercise plan incorporates cardiovascular, core-strengthening, and overall strength training.  Find at least two or three types of exercise you like and stay consistent.

Remember, if your cholesterol levels are not within the normal range, you are likely eating trans fats, too much sugar, and not getting enough exercise.  STATINS DO NOT ADDRESS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.  THE SAFEST AND MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS PERMANENTLY CHANGING YOUR LIFESTYLE.

This article was not written to provide medical advice.  It was written to provide you the known facts about cholesterol and statin drugs.  If you are taking a statin or other cholesterol lowering drug, it is important you gather more information about this subject and talk to your doctor before discontinuing any prescribed medication. 

 

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/statin-side-effects/MY00205

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22981406

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23583255

https://www.thennt.com/nnt/statins-for-heart-disease-prevention-with-known-heart-disease/

https://www.thennt.com/nnt/statins-for-heart-disease-prevention-without-prior-heart-disease/

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/05/11/statin-nation.aspx?e_cid=20130511IRG_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20130511IRG