Statin drugs are one of the most commonly used classes of drugs in the world. Drugs like rosuvastatin (Crestor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor) and more have been used for decades in millions of people. I think this approach has been catastrophic.
Here are 18 reasons why I don’t recommend statins (and a supplement I DO recommend).
1. Memory Loss and Cognitive Decline: Some studies suggest statins may be linked to memory loss or cognitive decline, potentially due to the reduction of cholesterol, which is crucial for brain function. Aside from stealing brain cholesterol, the fluoride in many statin drugs may be factor.
2. Liver Damage: Statins often cause elevated liver enzymes, indicating liver stress or damage. Given the fact the liver is so vital to health and wellness, drugs that cause liver inflammation are not good.
3. Depletion of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): Statins reduce levels of CoQ10, a critical antioxidant that supports cellular energy production, particularly in heart and muscle cells, potentially leading to fatigue, muscle weakness and cardiomyopathy.
4. Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Statins often raise blood sugar levels and increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, especially in those predisposed to insulin resistance.
5. Muscle Damage and Pain: Statins can cause muscle pain, tenderness, and even severe muscle damage, a condition known as rhabdomyolysis, which can lead to kidney failure. Many people do not recover from this, even after stopping the drug.
6. Hormone Disruption: Cholesterol is a building block for steroid hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol. Statins can disrupt hormone production, potentially affecting mood, energy levels, and reproductive health. Statin drugs LOWER testosterone.
7. Risk of Neuropathy: Prolonged statin use has been linked to peripheral neuropathy, causing nerve pain, tingling, or numbness, particularly in the hands and feet. This study found 4-14x the neuropathy risk in statin users.
8. Increased Risk of Cataracts: Studies indicate that statin use increases the risk of developing cataracts, possibly due to changes in cholesterol levels in the eye’s lens.
9. Heart Failure Risk: There are many possible mechanisms of statin induced cardiomyopathy (heart failure) including lower CoQ10 and lower Heme A production. This study with over 100 patients found that stopping statins led to improved heart function in people with heart failure. Study participants also received CoQ supplementation.
10. Gut Microbiome Imbalance: Statins impact the gut microbiome, altering its balance, with the end result of less butyrate production. Butyrate is very important for colonic and cardiac also. Additionally, by changing the composition of bile acid secreted by the liver, digestion and the microbiome are impacted.
11. Decrease in Prenylated Proteins: Statins inhibit the production of prenylated proteins, which play a role in cellular function and signaling. This inhibition can disrupt normal cellular processes, particularly in the muscles and nervous system.
12. Reduced Heme A Synthesis: Heme A is a component of the electron transport chain in mitochondria, essential for cellular energy production. By interfering with HMG CoA reductase, statins can reduce heme A levels, potentially impairing energy production, especially in the heart.
13. Increased Risk of Movement Disorders: Statins may contribute to an increased risk of developing movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease due to their impact on brain cholesterol and CoQ10 levels, both of which are essential for brain function and neuroprotection. See this study.
14. Impaired Immune Function: Cholesterol is necessary for the production of immune cells. By lowering cholesterol levels too much, statins may weaken immune function, leaving the body more vulnerable to infections.
15. Increased Risk of Depression: Statins can reduce cholesterol in the brain, which is linked to mood regulation. Low cholesterol levels have been associated with higher rates of depression and irritability.
16. Vitamin K2 Deficiency: Statins may disrupt the synthesis of vitamin K2, which is crucial for directing calcium to bones and away from arteries, potentially increasing the risk of arterial calcification and heart disease.
17. Impact on Adrenal Function: Cholesterol is essential for adrenal hormone production, including cortisol, which is crucial for stress response, metabolism, and inflammation regulation. Statins may indirectly impair adrenal function by lowering cholesterol.
18. Reduced Cellular Resilience: Statins interfere with the production of selenoproteins, which are essential antioxidants. This reduction can lower the body’s antioxidant capacity, making cells more vulnerable to oxidative stress and damage over time.
3 more points I would like to make.
- Statins don’t work. Sure, they lower numbers down, but that doesn’t matter. When you take a drug, you want to know will it lower your risk of heart attack, stroke or dying. A 2022 meta-analysis of statins for primary and secondary outcome prevention show minimal benefits. Remember, the goal is not to reduce annual heart attack risk from 2% to 1.8%. The goal should be to reduce risk to 0%. Statins don’t do this. I think the 100 Year Heart Method at Natural Heart Doctor does.
- Statins lead to a false sense of security. Take a statin and eat, live and think however you want. Just eat fast food, sit on the couch, and watch TV all night. Pop a Lipitor and you’re good. This is a DEATH strategy.
- Heart attacks are not from a statin drug deficiency. The cause of heart attacks is from violations of the 100 Year Heart Method- Eat Well, Live Well, Think Well.
In the end, choose health or choose sickness. Statins, like the rest of the prescription meds for chronic disease, are choosing sickness.
If you would like an all-natural and effective statin drug alternative check out our 7 nutrient ingredient choice at OptiLipid.com
