Many experts argue that Statins, ‘cholesterol-fighting’ drugs – are over-prescribed, with potentially dangerous side effects.
With many of our community members and ‘Healthy Heart Challenge‘ participants looking for answers – we’ve decided to curate topics here on the blog to continue the conversation.
We will aim to add information here on this page along with commentary. Please join in on the conversation too, in the comments.
“In my view, statins are among the most ineffective and dangerous drugs on the market, largely because the doctors who prescribe them haven’t done their homework.”
Dr Armon B. Neel, Jr, author of “Are Your Prescriptions Killing You?”
“The biggest problem with statin cholesterol drugs is not that they hardly do anything, but that doctors think that efforts to prevent heart disease can end at a statin drug and low-fat diet.”
Dr William Davis, Cardiologist & Author of ‘Wheat Belly’
When you ponder Dr. Davis’ quote – this means that many traditionally-trained doctors appear to ignore or neglect the DOZENS of other powerful strategies that you could adopt that dramatically reduce, even eliminate, your for heart disease.
How Do Statins Work?
Statins lower your LDL levels by interfering with the liver’s ability to produce it. (The liver produces about 75 percent of the cholesterol that circulates in our blood; the rest comes from our diet.)
If you’re taking a statin, your doctor probably placed you in one of two treatment categories — primary prevention or secondary prevention.
In the first case, you likely have high cholesterol but no known coronary artery disease; your doctor’s assumption is that the statin will help prevent
In the second classification, you’ve probably received a diagnosis of coronary artery disease and may have even had one or more heart attacks. Your doctor believes the statin will help stave off another cardiac event.
What Your Doctor May Not Have Told You About Statins.
According to Dr Armon B. Neel, Jr., author of “Are Your Prescriptions Killing You?”
- Statins may not reduce your risk of death.
- Statins can destroy your muscles.
- Statins can cause serious cognitive problems.
- Statins increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes
- If you’ve had a hemorrhagic stroke, taking a statin drug may increase your risk of having another one.
- Statins can interfere with your ability to metabolize other drugs.
- That Statins are a ‘Category X’ Drug, capable of causing birth defects. Studies have shown that not only do doctors negligently prescribe them, but the pharmacists fill the prescription without asking.[1]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14996249
Dr . Stephanie Senneff on Statins
We have a number of videos we wish to share with you, however, this particular interview with Senior Research Scientist at
The Story that ‘Broke’ ABC Catalyst
Dr. Maryanne Demasi was headhunted by the ABC ‘s Catalyst program in 2006 and gained a reputation for reporting on relevant and sometimes controversial medical stories. In this speech, she uncovers that Statins are not as ‘evidence-based’, proven, or safe – as you may have been led to believe.
Too Much Medicine & The Great Statin Con – Dr. Aseem Malhotra
Know the ‘Number Needed to Treat’ and the Side Effect Rate before taking Medication.
Deception in Cholesterol Research: Separating Truth From Profitable Fiction – Dr David Diamond
Dr David Diamond, who has a Ph.D. in biology and 40 years of experience as a neuroscientist, spoke on a topic that drew his interest later in his career: cholesterol science and the various forms of deception apparent in research on cholesterol-lowering statins.
Diamond developed an interest in cholesterol and statins in 1999 after being diagnosed with familial hypertriglyceridemia, a genetic anomaly that causes triglyceride levels in the blood to become elevated and leads to additional health complications such as obesity.
After following the dietary recommendations — reducing his saturated fat and meat consumption while consuming greater quantities of carbohydrates such as oatmeal and beans — Diamond had succeeded only in raising his triglycerides, lowering HDL cholesterol, and gaining weight.
His doctor recommended that he begin taking statins. Diamond recalled the moment when he said, “Well, I’ve got a Ph.D. in biology. The least I can do is read about what is a triglyceride and what I should do about it.”
After delving into the medical research, he realized, “Damn! It’s the bread, and the potatoes, and the sugar I’ve been eating. I’ve been so happy eating bread without butter, and … it’s the bread that’s driving up my triglycerides.” He continued, “I was struck by this epiphany that I’d been given the wrong information.”
After his epiphany, Diamond began investigating how his doctor and the dietary guidelines could have gotten the science on cholesterol so wrong.
Diamond continued to review cholesterol science and statin research, and his first epiphany was followed by many more. For instance, contrary to the dogma, “People with high cholesterol have a significantly lower rate of cancer, infectious disease, and live [an] overall normal lifespan,” he explained. During his talk, Diamond also explained the methods of statistical manipulation researchers and drug companies use to inflate statins’ effectiveness for lowering heart disease risk while downplaying the drugs’ adverse effects.
Diamond cited a quote from his colleague Paul Rosch, published in the Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal: “That belief that coronary atherosclerosis is due to high cholesterol has been perpetuated by powerful forces using tactics to preserve the profits and reputations of those who promote the doctrine.” Diamond concluded, “The only person that potentially can benefit from a statin is someone that really wants to depend more on medication than a lifestyle change.”
We’ve previously shared Dr. Diamond’s story, and it worthwhile checking that out too!
MORE COMING SOON!
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