More evidence that statins are neither effective, nor safe for preventing heart disease

This is sensational news!

How statistical deception created the appearance that statins are safe and effective in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease

David M Diamond1–3 and Uffe Ravnskov

http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1586/17512433.2015.1012494

• We have provided a critical assessment of research on the reduction of cholesterol levels by statin treatment to reduce cardiovascular disease. 
•  Our opinion is that although statins are effective at reducing cholesterol levels, they have failed to substantially improve cardiovascular outcomes. 
• We have described the deceptive approach statin advocates have deployed to create the appearance that cholesterol reduction results in an impressive reduction in cardiovascular disease outcomes through their use of a statistical tool called relative risk reduction (RRR), a method which amplifies the trivial beneficial effects of statins. 
• We have also described how the directors of the clinical trials have succeeded in minimizing the significance of the numerous adverse effects of statin treatment.

________________________
Gary:
Never before have I seen a published research paper that so clearly accuses fellow doctors and researchers of deception, manipulating statistics and minimising risk in order to present a distorted and harmful version of the truth.  This is sensational news and how they ever got to publish their findings in an international scientific publication is beyond me.  Maybe the tide is turning?  About time, I say.

Statin Drugs do not improve health - 

Statin drugs cause harm!

What this means is the Heart Foundation will have to throw out all their manuals ands completely rewrite their healthy heart guidelines.  Their lucrative Heart Tick is worthless.  Their advice about saturated fats such as avocado and coconut oil, let alone animal fats and eggs lacks credibility.

Total cholesterol levels between 4-6nmol/L are healthy and of no cardiovascular risk consequence.

Here are the official guidelines.  These guidelines are set by committees of experts, the majority of whom have financial ties with the statin industry.  I recommend you ignore anything below 6nmol (240mg/dl).  

As cholesterol levels go progressively lower than 3nmol/L have increasingly poor health, more infections, cancers, confusion and dementia and lower life expectancy.

Level mg/dL	Level mmol/L	Interpretation
< 200	< 5.2	Desirable level corresponding to lower risk for heart disease
200–240	5.2–6.2	Borderline high risk
> 240	> 6.2	High risk

In my opinion, which is increasingly being supported by reports such as this, is there are no health benefits from taking statins by anybody, other than possibly those at the extreme end of cardiovascular risk.

Even for those at the extreme of high cholesterol, greater health benefits are to be obtained from identifying and dealing with the root causes of heart disease, principally inflammation and the deposition of calcium into the soft tissues including the blood vessels.  Statins do not address either of these.

I wonder why this has not had any mention in the mainstream news?  Maybe its another one of those lies that is too big to fail?

Further reading:

http://chriskresser.com/behind-the-veil-conflicts-of-interest-and-fraud-in-medical-research

Is this the final nail in the coffin for statin drugs?

This is one of the most damning scientific articles, yet, that confirms what many health experts already knew -  that statins are not "heart healthy".  They are a lie.  

Unfortunately, the billion dollar statin industry has its own momentum and, as we all recognise and accept, businesses are in the business of growth and profit - health promotion is a secondary consideration.  Add the fact that medicine, including in-service medical education, is dominated by the pharmaceutical industry.  It is therefore hardly a surprise that statin sales continue to increase despite the burgeoning scientific evidence that they do a lot of harm and no good.

Please read the article scientific abstract below and then wonder why this has not had any publicity in mainstream media.  Meanwhile I can guarantee you that there will continue to be the weekly drugs industry TV propaganda, dressed up as news, announcing the latest exciting science breakthrough in the search for "The Cure".

There are effective, healthy alternatives to statins: Alternatives that have no nasty side effects other than looking good and feeling great.  Why doesn't your doctor prescribe these instead of harmful drugs?

Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2015 Feb 6:1-11. [Epub ahead of print]

Statins stimulate atherosclerosis and heart failure: pharmacological mechanisms.

Okuyama H1, Langsjoen PH, Hamazaki T, Ogushi Y, Hama R, Kobayashi T, Uchino H.

Author information

Abstract

In contrast to the current belief that cholesterol reduction with statins decreases atherosclerosis, we present a perspective that statins may be causative in coronary artery calcification and can function as mitochondrial toxins that impair muscle function in the heart and blood vessels through the depletion of coenzyme Q10 and 'heme A', and thereby ATP generation. Statins inhibit the synthesis of vitamin K2, the cofactor for matrix Gla-protein activation, which in turn protects arteries from calcification. Statins inhibit the biosynthesis of selenium containing proteins, one of which is glutathione peroxidase serving to suppress peroxidative stress. An impairment of selenoprotein biosynthesis may be a factor in congestive heart failure, reminiscent of the dilated cardiomyopathies seen with selenium deficiency. Thus, the epidemic of heart failure and atherosclerosis that plagues the modern world may paradoxically be aggravated by the pervasive use of statin drugs. We propose that current statin treatment guidelines be critically reevaluated.

KEYWORDS:

ATP generation; atherosclerosis; coenzyme Q10; heart failure; mitochondrial toxin; selenoprotein; statin; statin cardiomyopathy; vitamin K2

If this is not enough, here are two abstracts about the association of statins with diabetes - not good at all:

Ochsner J. 2010 Spring;10(1):16-21.

Diabetes Metab J. 2013 Dec;37(6):415-22. doi: 10.4093/dmj.2013.37.6.415.

Diabetogenic effect of statins: a double-edged sword?

Yoon JS1, Lee HW1.

Author information

Abstract

Statins are widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering agents, which have been demonstrated to significantly reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, recent trials have reported that statins cause worsening of hyperglycemia and increase the risk of new-onset diabetes. The association between the diabetogenic effect of statins with intensive dose and accompanying major risk factors for diabetes has been demonstrated. However, statins do not appear to have a class effect on insulin sensitivity in non-diabetic patients. Numerous mechanisms have been suggested to explain how statins cause β-cell insulin secretory dysfunction and peripheral insulin resistance leading to incident diabetes. According to findings from an aggregate of large clinical trials, the benefits of statin treatment appear to outweigh the risk of new-onset diabetes. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to discontinue the use of statins for prevention of cardiovascular events because of its potential risk for development of incident diabetes. This review addresses the currently available evidence related to statin use and new-onset diabetes from a clinical perspective.

KEYWORDS:

Cardiovascular diseases; Diabetes; Statins

Curr Diab Rep. 2013 Jun;13(3):381-90. doi: 10.1007/s11892-013-0368-x.

Do statins cause diabetes?

Goldstein MR1, Mascitelli L.

Author information

Abstract

A wealth of evidence has established that cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, widely used for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, do increase the risk of new-onset diabetes, possibly by impairing pancreatic beta cell function and decreasing peripheral insulin sensitivity. Groups at particular risk include the elderly, women, and Asians. The diabetogenic effect of statins appear directly related to statin dose and the degree of attained cholesterol lowering. Statins can cause hyperinsulinemia even in the absence of hyperglycemia and the potential mitogenic effects and implications of prolonged hyperinsulinemia are discussed. Suggestions are made as to how physicians might avert the hyperinsulinemic and diabetogenic effects of statin therapy in clinical practice, and modulate the detrimental effects of these drugs on exercise performance. Finally, long-term studies are needed to determine if the deleterious hyperinsulinemic and diabetogenic effects of statin therapy undermine the beneficial cardiovascular disease risk outcomes in various segments of the population.

PMID:

 

23456437

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

And it has long been known that statins destroy muscles mostly due to coenzyme q10 depletion.  Anybody taking statins drugs, even low dose, should be prescribed high doses of q10:

Coenzyme q10 and statin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.

Deichmann R, Lavie C, Andrews S.

Abstract

Coenzyme Q10 is an important factor in mitochondrial respiration. Primary and secondary deficiencies of coenzyme Q10 result in a number of neurologic and myopathic syndromes. Hydroxyl-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors or statins interfere with the production of mevalonic acid, which is a precursor in the synthesis of coenzyme Q10. The statin medications routinely result in lower coenzyme Q10 levels in the serum. Some studies have also shown reduction of coenzyme Q10 in muscle tissue. Such coenzyme Q10 deficiency may be one mechanism for statin-induced myopathies. However, coenzyme Q10 supplements have not been shown to routinely improve muscle function. Additional research in this area is warranted and discussed in this review.

KEYWORDS:

Coenzyme Q10; mitochondrial dysfunction; myopathy; statins

As an aside, you will note that most scientific abstracts finish with a statement recommending further research!  Of course, this is a reasonable and logical thing for researchers to say.  After all, they rely on securing more funding to keep in business!  I do not have a problem with this, so long as there is some funding to put into action what is already known from research into the "problem".  Sadly, this seldom happens.  The drive for more research funding for finding the next high value patent medicine totally dominates.  Sure, let's continue the search for"The Cure"; but, in the meantime, let's get on with applying what we already know - and we know a lot.

About this website 

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation. Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.

Candida and Fungal Infections? Gary Moller recommends you explore this programme: Click Here!

Consumer Alert: 300+ Health Problems Linked To Statin Drugs

Gary:
Readers will be aware that I am not a fan of cholesterol lowering drugs which cause enormous harm.  This article by Sayer Ji pretty much sums up my opinion of them:

A growing body of clinical research now indicates that the cholesterol-lowering class of drugs known as statins, are associated with over 300 adverse health effects -- research boldly flying in the face of national health policy, medical insurance premium guidelines, statin drug manufacturer advertising claims, and the general sentiment of the public, with approximately 1 in every 4 adult Americans over 45 currently using these drugs to "prevent heart disease."

The Cholesterol Myth

For well over 40 years, statin drugs have successfully concretized a century old myth about the primary cause of heart disease: namely, that cholesterol "causes" plaque build up in the arteries, ultimately leading to obstruction of blood flow, and subsequent morbidity and mortality.

Indeed, the medical establishment and drug companies have been singing the praises of this "cholesterol myth," to the tune of 25 billion dollars in statin drug sales, annually.
.......
Fundamentally, statin drugs damage the muscles and nerves in the body -- so much so that a dose as low as 5 mg a day can kill a human. There are well over 100 studies demonstrating the myotoxic, or muscle-harming effects of these drugs, and over 80 demonstrating the effects of nerve damage, as well. When you consider that a vast proportion of our body is comprised of muscles and coordinating nerve systems, this drug has the potential to cause damage to the entire body, and undoubtedly does so universally, differing only in the matter of degree -- the damage occurring acutely in those at the tip of the iceberg, asymptomatically in the majority of others at the base.

Full article here: http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/consumer-alert-300-health-problems-linked-statin-drugs

About this website 

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation. Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.

Can statin cholesterol-lowering drugs cause localised motor neuropathy?

The drug referred to is of the "statin" class

"Dear gary the Guru,
Was wanting a bit of background re: Statins and muscle weakness. My mother-in-law was extremely active until about Christmas, since when she has struggled on but can feel herself getting weak. 

Her quads strength, hamstring strength, and soleus / gastrocs strength are all pretty good, but iliacus and psoas are lousy.She's been on Lipitor for 2 years. 

Does it build up to a crescendo in its effects, and could it imitate an extremely localised motor neuropathy to the femoral nerve roots alone? Really odd. All the lower lumbar and sacral myotomes are essentially normal, except for T12-L1-2 levels which contribute to femoral n."

(Name withheld)

The following are excerpts from an article by Dr Dach:

"Contrary to current dogma, higher cholesterol levels in the elderly are not a heath risk.  Studies show that higher cholesterol in the elderly is associated with increased survival, while lower total serum cholesterol values in the elderly are a robust predictor of increased mortality. "

.........

"...the absolute mortality benefit in the best case scenario, in secondary prevention trials, is only 0.5% – 0.6% per year.  This benefit is underwhelming, and actually quite shocking that it is such a minimal benefit when the drug company marketing would suggest much larger benefits."

"So in conclusion, Statin drugs do have a mortality benefit, however, this is restricted to men with known heart disease amounting to about 0.5% per year reduction in mortality compared to a placebo.  This benefit is so miniscule that one wonders why statin drugs are recommended at all, considering their severe adverse side effects with memory loss, neuropathy, muscle pain and weakness.  For women, the elderly, and all men without underlying heart disease, Dr Sinatra reminds us that statin drugs are unnecessary and potentially harmful."

Full article here: http://jeffreydachmd.com/statin-drugs-revisited/

________________________

Gary:

I have seen an identical case of loss of hip flexor function in an elderly woman.  The only obvious cause for this unusual condition was damage to muscles and nerves from the statin drugs she had been prescribed for "high" cholesterol.  

Loss of hip flexor use is partially disabling and makes an elderly woman at greater risk of fracture from stumbling and falling (hip fracture is a leading cause of death in elderly women).

If you have been advised to take cholesterol lowering drugs, think twice.  If you have been on these drugs (statins), consider the safe and natural alternatives.

Severe side effects include: 

Memory loss, neuropathy, muscle pain and weakness.  In my experience, these terrible side effects are not uncommon.  Remember that less than 10% of adverse reactions ever get reported.  Some cynics believe it is closer to 1%.  Whatever the official figure, the true rate is at least ten times that!

Statin side effects are more common in people who are active (The higher the level of activity, the higher the need for co-enzyme Q-10).  Statins interfere with Q-10 and mitochondrial function.  People on statins and those with a low intake of dietary co-enzyme Q-10 will have low Q-10 stores and damaged mitochondria

A low fat cholesterol-lowering diet - a diet that is consequently low in Q-10 rich foods like red meat and eggs.

What do you do for your Mother-in-Law?

Intervening is often not easy because you may be perceived to be interfering with the intimate doctor-patient relationship that may have been operating comfortably for many years.  Besides, "Doctor knows best about these matters".  Besides, many people are terrified about anyone other than the doctor interfering with their medications in case they drop dead from a heart attack (Although there is some evidence that the best way to prevent a heart attack is to get into nutritional balancing, lifestyle changes and dispense permanently with the drugs!).

Having said this, here is what I would do:

• Ask her doctor to file an adverse drug reaction report with the Center for Adverse Reactions Monitoring (CARM).  Good luck with this one:  I have never known of a Dr ever filing a report, even in obvious cases of harm.  I wonder why?
• Get a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis done and then commence a nutritional balancing programme.
• Report the muscle damage to her doctor and seek convincing reasons why she should continue to take the drug (Remind yourself and the doctor that the weight of research evidence that there is no benefit, beyond minuscule, if that, for elderly women).
• Regardless of any of the above, she would benefit from a daily supplement containing co-enzyme Q-10.  This may stop some of the ongoing damage being done to the mitochondria by the statin and possibly reverse some of the harm.  If she stops taking the drug, continue the Q-10 on a twice daily basis for several months.

About this website 

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation. Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.

The evidence grows that cholesterol-lowering drugs do not improve life-expectancy

 "Those with the highest cholesterol levels were found to be 35 per cent less likely to die than individuals with the lowest levels. Those with persistently low levels of cholesterol were found to be at significantly increased risk of death. "
http://jeffreydach.com/2012/03/27/statin-drugs-revisited-by-jeffrey-dach-md.aspx

If you, or a loved one are on medication to reduce cholesterol, please think again.  While there may be a nominal reduction in heart attack risk, this is more than offset by the "all-causes mortality" due to the many nasty side-effects such as increased risk of cancer, infection, suicide, cardiomyopathy, muscle loss and dementia.

There are many effective alternatives to drugs for reducing heart attack risk such as Coenzyme Q-10, flax and fish oil, magnesium, Ginkgo, vitamin E and Vitamin C.

One of the most effective ways to improve your lipids profile is to cut out all the sugars and refined flour from your diet and replace with protein, natural fat, vegetables, whole grains and fresh fruit.  Ironically, that means avoiding most of the processed foods that come with the "Heart Tick"!  If it says "99% fat-free" - avoid it like the plague - it most probably is full of sugar, flour and/or toxic chemicals.  Excess carbs get converted into fats, including LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

If you do have elevated risk of heart disease, the first step is to have a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis completed.  This scientific test will help to determine the most effective dietary and supplementary intervention for your special makeup.

_______________________________________

About this website

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.

The case of a 70 year old man with an arthritic ankle

"He is an avid golfer still playing several games a week but restricted now to flat courses).   He has had two knee replacements with no problems but is coming off steroids because of a bout of polymyalgae rheumatica.  Now taking 3 and a half mgs a day.   He has a lot of other medication including betaloc, disprin and allopurinol which are a preventative prescription to stave off any nasties I believe.   An x-ray has confirmed his ankle is arthritic.   He likes a daily wine and small beer but has always been a beer drinker.    Any help would be marvellous."


With further questioning, it was confirmed he was on other medication as well: Arrow-Simva simvastatin (40).Betaloc CR 47.5, Aspirin 100MG EC (ethics), Allopurinol 300MG,  prednisone 3and 1/2 daily  ,Etidronate disodium 200MG, calcium carbonate 1 25G
________________________________
Gary:
Without knowing the exact sequence of when each drug was prescribed, I am making some assumptions as to what came first, next, then last.

Heart and blood pressure medications are, in my opinion, prescribed with excess.  This may be in response to a perceived "family risk" or raised cholesterol and/or blood pressure even if the elevation is of minimal risk ("to stave off any nasties").  These drugs have many side effects, including upsetting digestion, and weakening joints and muscles by depleting the body of critical minerals and nutrients like Coenzyme Q-10.  Even the Mind is affected.

If a person is at elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, the best course of action is to correct nutrient imbalances and not to medicate.  Medicating without first correcting imbalances within the body is madness.

One of the conditions that we see almost daily from the use of these drugs is disabling muscle and joint pain, often referred to as Polymyalgia or similar.  The standard medical treatment is to place the person on a steroid - usually Prednisone.

Prednisone will give relief for a few months; but at a huge cost.  Prednisone progressively shuts down adrenal function leading eventually to a life threatening condition known as Addison's.  The only treatment is to increase the Predisone.  To stop taking Prednisone can be life threatening.

Prednisone also expedites the loss of bone and the softening of joints.  It is not unusual for those on prednisone to require joint replacement within 5-10 years of use.

The usual treatment to counter the loss of bone is to place the unfortunate person on a drug like Etidronate which effectively kills the bone and to prescribe calcium supplements.  There is evidence that "bone sparing" drugs are associated with increased fracture risk from about four years of use (this is all documented on my blog in many articles about drugs for osteoporosis).

Excess calcium circulating via bone loss and calcium supplements will increase the rate of calcification of the blood vessels and joint tissues (arteriosclerosis and arthritis).  This is medical madness when drugs have been prescribed to treat a perceived or real cardiovascular condition.

As in the case of our 70+ year old man, you can see the process by which one drug is added onto another.  Never, it seems, is a drug that may be causing harm withdrawn.  Diseases, such as osteoporosis, are being caused by drugs where good health once dominated.  One can only speculate as to why these drugs are dished out with scant regard for the health consequences.  Is it outright ignorance?  Is it due to brain-washing by the drugs industry?  Is it the convenience of a quick-fix?  Is it the money (prescribing drugs is highly profitable)? Is it because the act of withdrawing a drug that is causing harm implying culpability by the prescriber (safer to cover your tracks by giving the drug-induced condition an important name like "polymyalgia rheumatica" and prescribing another drug)?  Whatever the reason may be, the end result is a person who is falling apart while drugged out on as many as a dozen different highly expensive medicines.

There are three steps this man can take to rescue his health:

• Consult his doctor about a progressive withdrawal of all the medication he is on.  Ones like the calcium, the Etidronate and the statin can be withdrawn immediately without any risks at all - other than feeling better.  Set a timetable no longer than three months for the lot.  If the doctor objects, listen to what he has to say carefully.  If you are not satisfied, or unconvinced, I recommend you change doctors without hesitation.
• Commence immediately a course of Coenzyme Q-10 and an adrenal recovery programme (You will need my assistance with this).  These are complimentary to your current and any ongoing medication and will prepare the way for getting off Prednisone which is the most delicate challenge ahead.
• Complete a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis and act on the results.

_______________________________________

About this website

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.  Please give me your support by subscribing to my free email updates. Please shop at my Online Store. Please encourage your family and friends to do the same. While we may not always be able to compete with the big operators on price, we aim to more than compensate through personal service!
Your email address:

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Do you have a question?  Email Gary: gary@myotec.co.nz. Include any relevant background information to your question.  Please be patient and be aware that I may not be able to answer every inquiry in detail, depending on workloads (My paying clients take precedence!). I will either reply by email or, most likely, by way of an article (Personal identifying details will be removed before publication).

A 61 year old man who develops "blotchy legs" after walking 12 miles

When reading this letter, please refer first to this article and then come back to here and read on....

"I get the same blotchy lower legs as "F" did. However I only get these blotches after I have walked for over 12 miles. (usually rambling) (which seems curiously precise). The blotchiness fades after a few days. It is unrelated to the type or grip of socks worn (or even if socks are worn at all).

(Although, reading about "F" it occurs to me that I haven't tried walking in airline support socks.) It is independent of what shoes are worn. Exposure to the sun makes no difference. (I usually wear long trousers).

The blotchiness is not itchy. The doctor said he didn't know what it was. There's not much on the web. Yet someone at the gym said his father (very overweight) got the same. And I noticed that, last year in Germany where they favour 3/4 length slacks, some others had milder (perhaps wearing off?) occurences of it. I am overweight: I'm 5'9" and weigh 105kg..

I take a statin and atenolol (low dosage) for blood pressure and cholestorol. (My BP and Cholesterol are OK, but my BP rises a bit without the beta blocker). I can't remember if I ever had the blotchiness before being put on the drugs.

My legs are not thin, like "F" but generally look swollen, I think, or just plain fat. I don't think my legs swell when I get the blotchiness, but I haven't measured it. I do not have any allergies. I don't know how one would massage the legs. If you can help I would be very grateful."
________________________________________
Gary:
Statins and blood pressure medications do not address the underlying causes of cardiovascular disease and may actually make matters worse over the long term by the actions of masking the disease process until it is too late and by complications from drugs side effects.

Statins deplete the body of crucial substances such as Coenzyme Q-10 which is critical for cell metabolism, heart and blood vessel health.  That statin use may be causing, or worsening the blotching is worthy of serious consideration.  Seldom will a medical practitioner admit to the possibility that a drug he has prescribed may be causing the harm.  In my experience, the more usual action is to prescribe another drug intended to counter the side effect of the other.

Statin side effects tend to be much more severe in people who exercise.  Coenzyme Q-10 is heavily involved during exhausting or intense exercise, so any drug that interferes with this nutrient will rapidly cause difficulties such as severe muscle and joint pain in the person attempting to reduce their heart attack risk by exercise!

Inflammation and not cholesterol is now recognised as being the main driver of cardiovascular disease.  For more, please refer to the E-Books linked in the right hand column, some of which refer to the cholesterol myth and inflammation.

The blotching on the legs will be a combination of poor circulation through the legs, nutrient deficiencies and inflammation.

As an immediate course of action I recommend starting with therapeutic doses of powerful cardiovascular anti-oxidants (These are restricted "Practitioner" products dispensed by prescription) which you can obtain from me by email, plus daily Q-10 with selenium and omega 3 oils (Again, available from me).  These should bring about a lasting improvement within 3-12 months.

However: These natural therapies are going to be largely a waste of time and money as long as you are on the blood pressure and cholesterol medications.  I suggest you research thoroughly the natural alternatives to medication for cardiovascular health.  Have a serious discussion with your doctor about safely withdrawing the medicines you are on, beginning with the statin.

Here is a good place to start your research and have a look at purchasing one or two of the E-Books that are linked to the right of this article.

_______________________________________

About this website

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.  Please give me your support by subscribing to my free email updates. Please shop at my Online Store. Please encourage your family and friends to do the same. While we may not always be able to compete with the big operators on price, we aim to more than compensate through personal service!

Your email address:

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More evidence that Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs cause significant harm

"Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs significantly increase a person's risk of cataracts, muscle weakness, liver dysfunction and kidney failure, according to a study in the British Medical Journal." Medpage Today

__________________________________________

Gary:

While this study adds to the growing body of evidence that statins cause more harm than good, my view is that the harm being caused is still far greater than what is being reported.  Especially among those trying to remain active, as compared to the majority (Couch Potatoes).

Statins have a much more damaging effect on people who are active and I see this constantly probably because I am working mostly with active people; or - in cases of statin use - people who are struggling to remain active.  Liver and kidney damage from statin use need not be complete failure for it to wreak untold damage on one's health; even slight organ damage will show as fatigue and a steady deterioration of health that may never be linked to statin use.

From Sweet Toothed Lump to Sword Fighter

Here is an inspirational article that was published in the October Issue of NZ Walking Magazine:

From Sweet Toothed Lump to Sword Fighter

_______________________________________

About this website

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.  Please give me your support by subscribing to my free email updates. Please shop at my Online Store. Please encourage your family and friends to do the same. While we may not always be able to compete with the big operators on price, we aim to more than compensate through personal service!

Your email address:

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Do you have a question?  Email Gary: gary@myotec.co.nz. Include any relevant background information to your question.  Please be patient and be aware that I may not be able to answer every inquiry in detail, depending on workloads (My paying clients take precedence!). I will either reply by email or, most likely, by way of an article (Personal identifying details will be removed before publication).

New insights into link between anti-cholesterol statin drugs and depression

Image via Wikipedia
Scientists are reporting a possible explanation for the symptoms of anxiety and depression that occur in some patients taking the popular statin family of anti-cholesterol drugs, and reported by some individuals on low-cholesterol diets. These symptoms could result from long-term, low levels of cholesterol in the brain, the report suggests. It appears in ACS' weekly journal Biochemistry.

Article here.

_______________________________________

About this website

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.  Please give me your support by subscribing to my free email updates. Please shop at my Online Store. Please encourage your family and friends to do the same. While we may not always be able to compete with the big operators on price, we aim to more than compensate through personal service!
Your email address:

Powered by FeedBlitz

Do you have a question?  Email Gary: gary@myotec.co.nz. Include any relevant background information to your question.  Please be patient and be aware that I may not be able to answer every inquiry in detail, depending on workloads (My paying clients take precedence!). I will either reply by email or, most likely, by way of an article (Personal identifying details will be removed before publication).

Related articles by Zemanta

• Truth About Statin Drugs (fitnesstipsforlife.com)
• What are Statins? (brighthub.com)

Statins no benefit for low risk patients

"While there may be no overall lifesaving effect of statins, one wonders what other health effects they might have. Statins can have some troublesome adverse effects, some which are fatal.

Muscle weakening and muscle pain are among the best-known side effects of the statins. A national health survey in the United States found that people who took statins were 50-per-cent more likely to have back or leg pain.

Statin manufacturers state in their product labels that statins pose rare but real risks for rhabdomyolysis (the medical term for severe muscle breakdown that can result in kidney failure). Elevated liver enzymes -a sign of liver injury -develop in about one in 100 statin users.

Other unpleasant side effects include sleep disturbances, sexual dysfunction, depression, confusion, short-term or "working" memory loss and transient global amnesia.

The medical journal The Lancet recently reviewed several major statin studies and found that the drugs increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, on average, by nine per cent."
Read more: 

_______________________________________

About this website

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.  Please give me your support by subscribing to my free email updates. Please shop at my Online Store. Please encourage your family and friends to do the same. While we may not always be able to compete with the big operators on price, we aim to more than compensate through personal service!

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Do you have a question?  Email Gary: gary@myotec.co.nz. Include any relevant background information to your question.  Please be patient and be aware that I may not be able to answer every inquiry in detail, depending on workloads (My paying clients take precedence!). I will either reply by email or, most likely, by way of an article (Personal identifying details will be removed before publication).

Free statins with your burger and fries - Recommendation by medical researchers

"Fast food outlets could provide statin drugs free of charge so that customers can neutralise the heart disease dangers of fatty food, researchers at Imperial College London suggest."

"Statins have among the best safety profiles of any medication. A very small proportion of regular statin users experience significant side effects, with problems in the liver and kidneys reported in between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 10,000 people."

Imperial College London News Release 

For immediate release 

Thursday 12 August 2010

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Gary:

When I first read this report I thought it had to be a joke.  But no, these people are dead serious.  But far from improving health, these "health professionals" are recommending a course of action that would be an unprecedented health catastrophe.

Statins are associated with numerous disastrous side effects including loss of muscle, severe joint pain, brain damage, erectile dysfunction, kidney damage and heart failure.

Far from being one in 1,000 or 10,000, my own experience is for adverse events to be nearer one in 10 or one in five.  The sad fact is that less than 10% of drugs adverse reactions ever get formally reported.  Some argue that the real rate is nearer one percent or less.

If consumers really want to reduce heart attack risk, the best action is to stay at home and cook their family a healthy balanced meal from raw ingredients.  Instead of dishing out statins with their fries, a much better health gesture by the fast food outlets could be to hand out a voucher for free night class cooking lessons.

for more about the dangers of statins, here is the link to what I have written on about them.

People who recommend the indiscriminate drugging of entire populations need to be exposed for who they really are: Over-educated Drugs Pushers - not health professionals - no more and no less.

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Do you have a question?  Email Gary: gary@myotec.co.nz. Include any relevant background information to your question.  Please be patient and be aware that I may not be able to answer every inquiry in detail, depending on workloads (My paying clients take precedence!). I will either reply by email or, most likely, by way of an article (Personal identifying details will be removed before publication).

An 87 year old man seeks advice for problems with walking

Image via Wikipedia

I have been prescribed calcium tablets by my Doctor and will continue to take them. At my age (87) I guess it will not make much difference.

However there is another matter on which I would like your recommendation. I am in reasonable health for my age but progressively I am having difficulty in walking any distance. The main difficulty is that my leg muscles get very tired - the calf and upper leg muscles. If I stop walking for one minute the muscles recover to enable me to walk a further 2/300m.

Can you recommend a product which will help rejuvenate my leg muscles? All I want to do is to take a walk for 20 minutes or so which I have been able to do until about two months ago.

Medications

Glipizide 5mg
Lipitor 20mg
Enalapril 5mg
Atenalol 50mg
Allopurinol 100mg
Frusemide 40mg
Plendil 2.5mg
Cardia 100mg
Osteo-500 1.25g
Terazosin 2mg
Insulin 30/70

I have had Type II diabetes for 20 years. Have had a triple heart bypass 8 years ago. Due to partial kidney failure I am not able to take anti-inflammatory medication.

If you have been prescribed cholesterol lowering statins, be aware that the lawyers are now on the case

"We will continue to watch for reports of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis as well as tendon ruptures and interstitial lung disease in patient using statins like Zocor or simvastatin. 

If you have developed any of these possible Zocor side effects, or know about such a situation, you can submit a Comment, below, or send me an email." Tom Lamb

DrugInjuryLaw.com

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Gary:

An increasing number of health professionals, including me, have been publicly voicing deep concern at the damage being done by cholesterol lowering drugs known as statins.  

Causes of Statin Adverse Effects

"After years of studying this subject I now have research documentation for the hundreds of case reports of unusual behavioral manifestations associated with statin use. There are now compelling explanations for the many reports of aggressiveness, hostility, sensitivity, paranoia, homicidal ideation, road rage like reactions, profound depression, suicidal ideation and even suicides associated with the use of statin drugs. And there is no doubt in my mind that many more statin associated problems may be involved with this dolichol function as we gain more knowledge."

Duane Graveline MD MPH
Former USAF Flight Surgeon
Former NASA Astronaut
Retired Family Doctor

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Statins are one of the most widely prescribed class of drugs for the reduction of cholesterol.  I have written several articles about the adverse effects of these drugs.  I consider them to be dangerous and best not taken. There are safe and effective alternatives.

Here is an article that explains the disturbing litany of adverse effects of statins.  This was sent to me some time ago by M J Hope Cawdrey, a respected and widely published researcher (I am not quite sure how to describe him other than as a "Bioclimatologist").  His additions and comments are in blue.

Thanks, Mike, for allowing me to reproduce your contribution to this most important health issue.

Gary

Possible link between Statins and Tendon Injury

Here is an excerpt from the MINUTES OF THE 114TH MEDICINES ADVERSE REACTIONS COMMITTEE MEETING. (Go here to read the full document)

3.2.2 Statins and tendonopathy

Issue

Although a number of diverse adverse events are reported in association with statin therapy, tendon disorders have not been recognised. CARM has received five reports of tendon disorders with statin therapy - four of tendonitis (two each with atorvastatin and simvastatin) and one of tendon rupture with simvastatin.

The five CARM case reports (affecting four men and one woman) reflect a consistent pattern of tendonopathy occurring within six-months of initiation of statin therapy. Two of the reports provide rechallenge evidence of tendonopathy with atorvastatin.

A search of the WHO database revealed 205 reports of tendonitis, tendon disorder or tendon rupture associated with statins. These occurred predominantly with simvastatin (n=71) and atorvastatin (n=58), although this may reflect the wider use of these agents.

A search of the literature revealed four cases of tendonopathy in patients on statin therapy (both atorvastatin and simvastatin). The events occurred within two-months of treatment initiation

and resolved within a similar period.

Discussion

Members noted that CARM intends to submit this signal for publication, and no further action was recommended.

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Gary comments:

There is much debate about what percentage of adverse events actually get reported. Is the rate 10% or is it less than 1%?

Tendon, joint and muscle damage are known risks of statin use. I am of the opinion that these adverse effects are excessively downplayed to patients by the administering doctors. I have seen far too many cases of adverse effects, including catastrophic muscle damage to believe that these are rare events.

I am presently assisting two distance runners who have developed a painful condition called osteitis pubis. This is an arthritic condition affecting the semi-mobile joint where the two halves of the pelvic bones join at the pubis.

The only common connection other than both being runners over 40 years old is each are taking a statin drug to reduce "high" cholesterol. I think this is more than just coincidence.

Warning: If you are going to stop taking a statin drug, do so gradually over about 2-4 weeks. Please consult your doctor first and ask about the non drug alternatives, including diet and nutritional supplements. If your doctor dismisses these alternatives, or appears to not know of these and how they work, then I suggest you look elsewhere for effective health care.

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