Posted on 09/26/2015 6:30:32 PM PDT by Swordmaker
Fears are growing over the side effects of cholesterol-lowering pills
Scientists have found the heart disease drug badly affects our stem cells, the internal medical system which repairs damage to our bodies and protects us from muscle and joint pain as well as memory loss.
Last night experts warned patients to “think very carefully” before taking statins as a preventative medicine.
A GP expert in the field said: “They just make many patients feel years older. Side effects mimic the ageing process.”
The new research by scientists at Tulane University in New Orleans has reignited the debate about statin side effects which many doctors say have been played down.
They include memory loss, muscle pain, diabetes, cataracts, liver dysfunction, diabetes, fatigue and memory loss. Millions of Britons currently take statins to combat the risks of heart attacks
Professor Reza Izadpanah, a stem cell biologist and lead author of the research published in the American Journal of Physiology, said: “Our study shows statins may speed up the ageing process.
“People who use statins as a preventative medicine for heath should think again as our research shows they may have general unwanted effects on the body which could include muscle pain, nerve problems and joint problems.”
"This research reinforces what has long been suspected. The side effects of statins mimic the ageing process." —Dr Malcolm Kendrick, GP
The scientists who treated stem cells with statins under laboratory conditions found that after a few weeks the cholesterol-busting treatment had a dramatic effect.
Statins prevented stem cells from performing their main functions, to reproduce and replicate other cells in the body to carry out repairs.
The researchers found the statins prevented stem cells from generating new bone and cartilage.
They also found they increased ageing.
Professor Izadpanah said: “People at high risk of heart disease can reduce this risk by taking statins. However, considering the adverse effects of these drugs and their association with so many side effects, it is crucial people are fully aware of the risks before they take the treatment.” Vanessa Redgrave survives severe heart attack thanks to answer...
Dr Malcolm Kendrick, a GP in Macclesfield, Cheshire, who has studied heart health and statins, said: “Statins just make many patients feel years older. This research reinforces what has long been suspected. The side effects of statins mimic the ageing process.
“I observe patients on statins slowing down. Some are not affected, for some it is a relatively subtle process, but for many it is a serious side effect and one which disturbingly helps us confirm what we have long suspected.” The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says the findings could save lives
Millions of Britons currently take statins to combat the risks of heart attacks, but a 10-year NHS plan has already been introduced to prescribe the drug to low-risk patients with only a 10 per cent chance of a heart attack within a decade.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence claims this could save thousands of lives.
But critics say much of the trials data has never been made public and more work is needed to ensure routine use is not harmful.
red rice yeast is a statin. It is just not regulated for purity or dosage.
Correction: my HDL went down as I did more exercise.
For some stupid reason, my liver counts have always been just a little high. When I say "a little high" that means by a point or two.
We didn't discover that until I'd been on Lipitor for a few months. Doctor ran a blood panel to check my liver counts and saw them just a little high. Took me right off the lipitor for a few months and re-ran a liver blood panel. Same counts as when I was on the lipitor.
Ended up having a liver ultrasound which confirmed I have a fatty liver. Nothing I can do about it, it just is what it is. At least we now know why my liver counts are a little high and it's not because of the Lipitor.
I am also posting for later reading. Hubby just had cabg2.....he is on Lipitor.
I’ve been on statins for 17 years. Absolutely no side effects. I have a great lipid profile.
And forty or more years of flawed dietary advice.
There is no evidence that the plaque built up in the arteries is prevented or helped by statins, the cause, or affected by diet. They do not know why cholesterol would suddenly stick to artery walls at all. There is evidence that such disease is related to oral spirochetes, a bacteria, that gets into the body via bleeding gums. . . and which is related to all plaque related diseases.
That’s true. But it works for me without side effects and is much cheaper than a prescription drug, so I’m happy.
I wish it could cure Afib.
I believe you’re mixing up your HDL and LDL
HDL is good LDL is bad.
If you have made it to 89, you've won the lottery. If I were you, I wouldn't change what you are doing.
That HDL is too low though. Try walking to get it up.
Well, be careful w/ niacin (extended release or not) because it can increase sugar levels. It is mediocre at best for lowering cholesterol and the side effected - increase sugar levels, hot flashes, headaches, etc. really aren’t worth taking the drug (from the prescribed higher dosing). It is hardly every prescribed anymore.
Seriously, thanks for pointing out the error.
Cholestoff works for me…made from pine bark.
My HDL and LDL have been upside down for the 30 years.
In those 30 years i played tennis 5 - 6 days a week.
Have always been a walker, and dancer.
Just had those tests and my Doc said no changes required.
The dental office I help manage (now that I am semi-retired) is involved in an international study that we were involved in initiating which found some very interesting corrections about age related dementia. . . as well as all other plaque related diseases such as Coronary Artery Disease, Peripheral Artery Disease, Adult Onset Diabetes, Alzheimers, Age Related Dementia, etc.
You will find a lot of information in a thread I posted four years ago, Alzheimer's Disease—a neurospirochetosis—by Dr. By Judith Miklossy, MD, Director of the European Alzheimer's Prevention Association, when it was determined with a greater than 95% probability that Alzheimer's Disease is caused by Oral Spirochetes, a finding that has been swept under the rug. . . because it means there is an inexpensive preventative protocol the drug companies don't want promoted, because they cannot make money from it, which, in fact would cut off a profitable product line other manufacturers already have.
We've had our video's showing the bacteria, oral spirochetes, responsible actually deleted on YouTube anytime we mention the connection or the hygiene protocols to prevent it, as Google gets huge amounts of advertising from drug and consumer health companies! So our doctors are very careful to NOT mention them, so the videos don't get censored.
Click on the link above. You will find I have included full details of the preventative protocols developed by our office in concert with doctors who are participating in this study.
Note, the protocols are NOT a cure for anyone who has already been struck with a plaque related disease, as the onset of these diseases take twenty to thirty years, but can prevent people from getting them in the first place. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms appear, the damage has been done.
“The requested document does not exist on this server.”
The link in your post came back “404 Error. Page not found”. I am interested in learning more however.
She also mentioned diabetes twice. She could have saved space by just calling it duobetes.
My mother's cholesterol levels were extremely high. . . as are mine. She was said to suffer from hypercholesterolemia, with readings from 450 to over 600. Mine have been in that area. It is, as you say, genetic. My mother never took a statin in her life and lived to the ripe age of 95 ½! I cannot tell you anything about the cholesterol levels of her parents, but they each also lived to be over 95. . . as did their parents.
The good news for you is that the latest research shows that persons with the highest cholesterol have the longest longevity. . . contrary to expectations.
I too have undergone four heart catherizations, two balloon angioplasties, had a heart attack twenty years ago (for which one of the angioplasties was used), from which my cardiologists tell me I have completely recovered, and my veins and arteries are now completely clear.
Before I had the heart attack and before I found out what to do about it, my diet was atrocious. I was a carbohydrate addict.
My cholesterol levels are down to around 230 to 250, which I am quite happy with. I accomplished that be losing 154 pounds, and going on a low carb lifestyle, which includes lots of protein such as beef, chicken, etc. I also eat more fat than I have ever eaten before in my life, including real butter, whipped cream, cheese, etc. I am almost 6 feet tall, and where I once had a 54 inch waist, I now maintain a 40" waist and have been able (occasionlly) to get into 38" pants. If you had told me when I was a beached whale that someday i would be a trim 200-210, I would have said you were crazy. Because I have an extremely bad spine, where I once could truly be described as a couch potato, I don't do much exercise, just my usual work but I could be called a couch carrot. My daily meals include 60 grams of carbs only . . . and under 1000 calories.
THAT is what keeps my cholesterol down. I don't make much.
I've also followed the protocol to prevent plaque disease as outlined in the post from 2011 I posted on FR, although my mother and I were among those 10% of the population who naturally do not have any oral spirochetes in our mouths, but I am not going to take any chances.
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