Disastrous Side Effects from Statins

Disastrous Side Effects from Statins:article posted in the Davidson Family Chiropractic
June 17th, 2010
http://maxhealthradio.com/tag/coenzyme-q10/

Doctors and patients are being warned again about the dangers of cholesterol lowering medications (also known as statins).  After analyzing data from more than 2 million people in a six year period, new research shows that cholesterol lowering medications cause even more side effects.  The British Medical Journal May 20, 2010 provided the following list of new side effects from statins: liver problems, acute kidney failure, muscle weakness and cataracts.

A paper published in the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs 2008;8(6):373-418 provides citations of 900 studies that show the adverse side effects associated with statin medications.  One of the best known are muscle problems, but also included in that list are the following: elevated blood glucose (diabetes), tendon problems (muscles detaching from bone), cognitive problems (Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease) and pain or numbness in the arms and legs (carpal tunnel & sciatica).

Most side effects do not show up immediately from the medication.  When taking these medications more long term side effects begin to show up.  Cataracts, sexual dysfunction, acidosis, anemia, frequent fevers, increase cancer risk, immune system suppression, severe degenerative muscle tissue condition (rhabdomyolysis), pancreatic dysfunction and hepatic dysfunction.
Probably the scariest thing about Cholesterol medications is the warning label on them that states that this medication has been proven to lower overall cholesterol, but has NOT been proven to prevent heart attacks or prevent early death.  Translation, you will not live longer, you will just die with a lower cholesterol!

If you are on statins, you must take the supplement CoQ10.  CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) is depleted from statin medications.  The depletion has be linked with impaired cardiac function, which translates to heart problems, loss of cell energy, increased production of free radicals and mitochondrial DNA damage.  High blood pressure and diabetes are linked to higher rates of mitochondrial problems, which means that the risk of statin complications are even higher!
Leading experts say that total cholesterol will tell you virtually nothing about your risk of heart disease unless it is 330 or higher.  It is important to understand that cholesterol is not the cause of heart disease.
If you become overly concerned with trying to lower your cholesterol level to some set number, you will be completely missing the point.

Important heart disease markers
HDL percentage is a very potent heart disease risk factor. Just divide your HDL level by your cholesterol. That percentage should ideally be above 24 percent. Below 10 percent, it’s a significant indicator of risk for heart disease.  You can also do the same thing with your triglycerides and HDL ratio. That percentage should be below 2.  A highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) assay to detect hidden inflammation.  According to American Heart Association, hs-CRP levels lower than 1.0 mg/L are good; hs-CRP levels higher than 3.0 mg/L are cause for concern.