I do most everything possible to lower cholesterol - but cannot take statins. Am on Zetia but a new Dr* says I should try a statin again. Hesitant to do it -they got me to the point of looking at the clock to see when I could take the next handful of ibuprofin for muscle pain. Any ideas?
First of all you need to understand there is no relationship between total cholesterol levels and heart disease, and since the only reason you want your cholesterol levels lower is because you have been told that will reduce your risk of heart disease or make you healthy (neither of which is true), there is no reason to take statins. To learn more, type “cholesterol” or “statins” in the search box on the upper right hand side of this page to read past articles about this.
In fact, lower cholesterol levels increase your risk of dying earlier, and statins make that even worse. An excellent study was done on women in their 60s and 70s to determine the ideal cholesterol level for longevity. They found a level of 272 was ideal, and women lived the longest who had that level.
Statins interfere with the production of CoQ10, which is at the core of the major energy-producing system in your body, the electron transport chain. When the energy goes down in your body, your muscles will feel it first, as they demand high amounts of energy. If you feel obligated to ‘try to get your levels down,’ try the following:
- red yeast rice,
- gugulipids,
- policosinol,
as they do reduce the level.
My doctor says I can get all the vitamins and minerals I need from my food. What is your opinion on this?
I used to say the same thing to my patients, back in the days before I studied healthy alternatives. It is the party line of allopathic medicine, although that is starting to change. Here's the bottom line, and I'll follow up with some info on what allopaths are now doing:
7 responses so far ↓
1 Penny Hardy // Jul 23, 2010 at 6:22 am
I hope the lady that wrote to you reads your pass articles on Cholesterol, I have watched many family and friends suffer needlessly from taken statin drugs, hopefully she can have the courage to go off of them and explain why to her Dr. but I have found Dr.’s don’t like us knowing the things other Dr.’s recommend. Good luck my dear, get a dose of courage and go for it. Dr. Gardner knows what he is talking about.
2 Sharon Beyler // Jul 23, 2010 at 9:06 am
Before taking statins I would recommend reading info at http://www.spacedoc.com. I learned what Dr. Gardner is teaching and more. I took Lipitor for a very short time. (TWICE, because the Dr. persuaded me to.) I experienced memory loss and muscle weakness. I refuse to take it. Even at 203 the Dr. said my cholesterol was too high!! Cholesterol has nothing to do with heart disease. We need cholesterol for our brain to function too. I do take niacin…mostly to keep the doctor happy. (Plus there are other benefits to it.)
3 Dala Evans // Jul 23, 2010 at 9:54 am
What pe0ple don’t realize and the doctor doesn’t tell them is that cholesterol can be sky high and not hurt you. The problem with cholesterol only begins when it is oxidized. That is when it sticks to the lining of your vessels. The obvious answer is antioxidants.
4 Dave, RN // Jul 23, 2010 at 11:27 am
Watch that Red Yeast Rice. IT can have the same side effects as statin drugs, since the active “ingredient” is the same as some statins.
5 Janet // Jul 23, 2010 at 7:27 pm
I suggest you type into your search bar “Statin drugs and Lou Gehrig’s Disease” to learn all you can about it before taking any statin drug. You will find much to concern you. The research is controversial, but I for one would rather err on the side of complete safety (no drugs) than to take any risk.
6 Dr. Stan Gardner // Jul 25, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Thank you all for your comments. This is what the blog is all about–to help one another.
7 Susan Cropper // Jul 26, 2010 at 10:15 am
To Penny - [and all of you] - thank you so much for your comment - two docs got together and figured out the connection between rheumatism & statins & me, and I was off them right away. It did take a while to get over the muscle aches and rheumatism symptoms, but I am past that and my fingers have even straightened a bit. I was very fortunate/blessed! I read all comments to my husband, who is still taking Lipitor; and recently a new [we're temporarily living in another state] Dr suggested resuming statins at low doses “if I can stand it”. [No, thanks!] I grew up with a “Lets Eat Right to Keep Fit [Adelle Davis]” believing mother, and tho mom is not around, her legacy is. Docs are great and know much more than I - but “moderation in all things”? And - it’s my body, and I have to do what I think is best for it at whatever age it becomes, as is true with all of us. Carry on, everyone!
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