Top-Selling Wonder Drugs in America!

 

Yes, I am Talking About…

Statins!!

Facts and Stats

Statins are the most commonly prescribed medicines in the United States since their introduction back in the ’80s. The fact that they have been called “Wonder drugs” or “Miracle drugs”, explains the popularity of the drugs among both doctors and patients. The tendency of our cultural diet pattern also contributed to the need for these medications. In 2016, the global statin market was almost 20 billion dollars and approximately 40 million Americans (1 every 5 adults) were taking them.

Currently, cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death in America, claiming over 350,000 deaths every year, medical communities and the pharmaceutical industry are claiming that statins help reduce the risk of CVD-related deaths by lowering bad cholesterol.

But the Statins are safe and effective?
Would the answer be Yes or NO?

While thinking about that, let’s do some fact-checking!

Controversies

While they are effectively working for a certain population that might be at cardiovascular risks, there seem to be some flaws in the claims and statistics regarding the effectiveness and the methods that were used to measure the risk reduction rates and percentages.

The following expert review that was published on “Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology” in 2015 discusses the deception of overinflating the benefits of drugs involving the difference between ARR (Absolute Risk Reduction) and RRR (Relative Risk Reduction). The article also discusses the incidences of side effects including cancers, myopathy, neuropathy, mood and cognitive disorders.

• “How Statistical Deception Created the Appearance That Statins are Safe and Effective in Primary and Secondary in Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease.”
• The safety, Life-saving efficacy of statins have been exaggerated, says the scientist. (Science Daily)

 

Side Effects

It is hard not to discuss side effects when talking about pharmaceutical drugs. While there is no doubt that statins lower the serum cholesterol and LDL (bad cholesterol), they are far from safe in my opinion for the reasons and evidence that will be explained later on this blog. But the pharmaceutical industry and medical establishment have been successful at making them appear as safe and effective drugs. A Physician in the UK, John Reckless, MD (I did not make the last name up!) suggested that their drinking water should be statin-fortified!! Here is the link in case you want to confirm and read about it.

Statin-Fortified Drinking Water?

While cholesterol is known as a foe to our health, it is in fact a vital part of our body as it is a precursor of many hormones and nutrients such as bile acid, sex steroids; estrogen, testosterone, corticosteroids, vitamin D, etc.

Since the statins suppress the production of an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase that is involved in cholesterol synthesis, the production of a vital mitochondrial antioxidant called coenzyme Q10 is also suppressed due to the lowered level of HMG-CoA reductase. This will lead to the following side effects because coenzyme Q10 plays a vital role in mitochondria that are cellular powerhouses responsible for producing ATPs and energy.

• Fatigue/lethargy
• Weakness
• Muscle aches/joint pain
• Myopathy
• Neuropathy
• Heart failure/Diabetes (Since the mitochondria are dense in the heart and play a critical role in insulin sensitivity)
• Cognitive impairment
• Pancreatitis

Other less common side effects

• Liver dysfunction
• Skin infections
• Decreased libido/sexual dysfunction
• Rhabdomyolysis
• Hemorrhagic stroke

 

What We Came to Know…

Here are some more facts that came to be known as below. Most of these studies show some evidence in reducing CVD-related events in the pupulation without heart disease but do not demonstrate the reduced mortality.

• Statins lower cholesterol and moderately decrease the risk of CVD-related deaths in a certain population.
• There is little or no evidence that they increase life-expectancy
• Statins don’t benefit healthy people (reference 1, 2, 3)
• Stains don’t increase the likelihood of the survival in elderly (reference 1)

 

Better tests?

Other than classic lipids panels, the following tests will reveal the size and characteristics of the lipids as the smaller sizes of the lipoproteins are more dangerous and pose more risks. These tests are available for me to order if needed.

• Lipoprotein(s)
• Low-Density Lipoprotein particle number (LDL-P)
• Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 Activity (PLAC®)
• Cholesterol/HDL or Triglycerides/HDL ratios (The ratio is an important predictor of the risks, classic lipid panel)

 

Alternative/Natural Options to Statins?

• Antioxidant-rich colorful vegetables and fruits
• Omega-3, EPA-DHA, Coldwater fish – Omega Superb, Super EPA Pro
• Monounsaturated fat: avocados, olive oil
• Soluble fiber – FiberMend
• Plant sterol – Foresterol
• Niacin – Niacin CRT
• Berberine – Berberine-500
• Red Yeast Rice Extract – Choleast, Choleast-900

 

Additional Useful Link

“Dangers of Statin Drugs: What You Haven’t Been Told About Popular Cholesterol-Lowering Medicines”

 

Hope you find this blog helpful!

Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

 

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Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products mentioned on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The content in this blog should not be used as a substitute for the professional advice and/or recommendation of qualified healthcare practitioners or licensed physicians. The content presented in this blog is intended for information purposes only. Consult your doctor or healthcare practitioners for your current conditions.