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Statin side effects worse than thought
By Edward Martin on 07/14/2010
Remember how "well-tolerated" those cholesterol drugs were supposed to be?
Turns out, not so much.
A new study in the British Medical Journal links statins to an alarming number of life-wrecking side effects, confirming the evidence that's been mounting for years: These meds will destroy everything from your muscles to your kidneys.
Researchers looked at records of 2 million patients in England and Wales, all between the ages of 30 and 84. Of those, 225,922 lost the drug lottery: They were new statin users.
I guess no one told them how unnecessary and dangerous these drugs are... so many of them had to find out the hard way.
The researchers say that for every 10,000 high-risk women treated with statins, there are 307 new cataract patients, 74 additional cases of liver dysfunction, 23 new cases of kidney failure, and 39 extra cases of myopathy--or those famous muscle problems that are among the most painful side effects of any drug.
High-risk men have similar numbers, but are much more likely to suffer from myopathy. The researchers estimate 110 extra cases of the condition.
The word "myopathy" can't begin to describe the pain if you've never experienced it yourself. Let me put it this way: It's not your run-of-the-mill muscle ache, and a little Ben-Gay won't make it disappear. In fact, it can be permanent.
Some of the people who suffer from it say the simplest movements can reduce them to tears of agony.
It really is that bad... and some statin users have an even higher risk of coming down with this condition. The researchers say black men have eight times the risk, women with type 1 diabetes have five times the risk, and women with type 2 diabetes have double the odds of myopathy.
The researchers also said that while the risks were highest in the first year, they could happen at any time during treatment, which is supposed to last for the rest of your life.
Don't expect to hear about any of this in your doctor's office!
It's maddening--because there are better, safer ways to control your cholesterol levels and lower your risk for cardiovascular problems, and it all begins with what you eat.
It's pretty simple: Swallow good food and you won't have to swallow these risky meds. Lose weight, get some steady movement and your cholesterol levels will come down on their own.
For an extra boost, add a fish oil supplement. Then, make a little room in your life for some plant sterols and a handful of nuts a day.
Do yourself and your body a favor: Do this the right way. Your eyes, muscles, liver and kidneys will thank you.
Big Pharma probably won't.
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Edward Martin writes House Calls, a daily letter chronicling the most cutting-edge alternative methods for beating diabetes and cancer, to the latest FDA foul-ups and Big Pharma conspiracies.
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Comments
Nancy
I used simvastin (zocor) and quit after two months: I suffered from hot flashes and rheumatoid arthristis symptoms. However, your statement that diet, weight loss and exercise is all you need is faulty. They will lower it some but not enough if you have high cholesterol to get it down under the desired 200 (I have taken it down from 273 to 237 but cannot get it lower). Everyone in my family has high cholesterol so it does appear to be hereditary. My brother was able to get his down by taking a Metamucil type product daily but that did not help me.
Anonymous
Nancy,
Cholesterol is not our enemy. Life is not possible without it. Mothers' milk has plenty of it, because it is important for the development of the brain of the child. The problem that one faces is that too much cholesterol may result in some of it being oxidized, becoming plaque that could be coating the interior of the arteries. Of course, the pharmaceuticals keep lowering the number for the "ideal" cholesterol. The lower it is the higher the number of people caught in the trap.
Dr William Campbell Douglass warns people to keep their cholesterol above 200 to avoid massive strokes. As we age, we need more cholesterol, not less, to avoid strokes.
Mega doses of vitamin C (bowel tolerance) will keep the arteries free of plaque. A Scottish optometrist proved it with photographic evidence.
I proved it myself. I went through FOUR heart attacks within a month and a half of each other. I take no medications, but take vitamin C to bowel tolerance. NO ANGINA.
Anonymous
It is also important to have thyroid function checked. Hypothyroidism can have an effect on cholesterol. Be sure to have T3 measured as well as T4; that's critical and the former is usually ignored.
Lynnette
Test FREE T3 & T4 levels. These values tell the real story.
eescobar
The almost perfect way(natural, body friendly) to manage cardiovascular problems at
any level: clogged/hardened arteries, hi-cholesterol problems, painful heart (angina), high BP, out of step heart (arrhythmias),
hi triglycerides, failing heart etc., you can find it at The Pauling's
Heart Therapy web page. So, go ahead and give new life to your
cardiovascular system and your general health including anti-cancer
posibilities and body rejuvenation. EEO,MD
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