We’re going to go out on a limb and make a bold statement:
Only those with abnormally high cholesterol due to familial hypercholesterolemia need statin drugs. Everyone else is better off without them, even if cholesterol levels are “high.”
Statins have become a staple drug for far too many Americans over 40. They are an incredibly lucrative pharmaceutical for drug companies also, which should always be a red flag to you. Statins work by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR), which helps the liver create cholesterol. Supposedly, this lower cholesterol level reduces arterial plaque, which means lower rates of heart disease and death.
Sounds great, but it’s not true. We have seen very little evidence that higher cholesterol correlates to higher rates of heart disease. Cholesterol is not the villain—we need it for body functions and for cells, hormones, nerve endings… most parts of our body use it in one way or another. And our bodies make it if you don’t get enough in your diet. This is how our bodies are supposed to work, and statins interfere with that.
The Framingham Heart Study, which is a long-term heart-health research study, has yet to find a verified link between high cholesterol and mortality.
But we keep hearing how bad cholesterol is and how we all need to be on drugs for it. We’ve even heard talk about prescribing it to children. The cholesterol level at which statins are prescribed, 200 or greater, is an arbitrary number with no meaning in the real world.
So how harmful could these drugs be, anyway? Why are we against you taking them, apart from the fact that you don’t need them (which is enough reason on its own)? First, statins decrease the levels of CoQ10 in your body, which is an essential nutrient for heart health.
Second, the side effects of statins are staggering and should make you wary of taking them. Here is a partial list:
- Muscle pain, inflammation, and weakness
- Liver damage
- Neurological problems
- Digestive issues and ulcers, including diarrhea and/or constipation and cramping
- Increased blood sugar and type 2 diabetes
- Memory loss and mental confusion
- Rhabdomyolysis, extreme muscle damage that can damage the kidneys
- Insomnia and drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Skin flushing and rash
If you’re on additional medications, chances are at least one is to counteract a side effect of statins.
If you came to us and we determined that your cholesterol was indeed too high, the first thing we’ll do is dramatically reduce the sugar in your diet. Sugar is poison to your system, and high cholesterol is one of its effects.
At CNH, we understand the importance of checking more than just cholesterol. In fact, we will perform additional, crucial tests that are dependable indicators of cardiovascular risk, as well as create a plan for you.
Right now, you can start improving your health by using two key supplements:
- high quality fish oil
- ground flaxseeds
These are great for maintaining healthy cholesterol, and they both contribute to the overall health of your body.
After we do our testing, if we give you anything to take, it will be a natural cholesterol-reducing supplement, with ingredients such as policosanol, guggulipid extract, green tea extract, or turmeric extract. These herbs have proven cholesterol-lowering ability. You will know exactly what you are taking and how it works in your system.
If you’re interested in doing your own research, try Googling “the case against statin drugs” for some interesting reading from a variety of sources.
If you’d like to learn more about healthy alternatives to statins, let us know.
