With statins, what you don't feel can hurt you

by Barry Artiste | August 28, 2009 at 05:11 am

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Barry Artiste Op/Ed

As a Health Physicist, what I can tell you what this story leaves out is statins, derived from mold, particularily Penicillium citrinum, formed from mycotoxins from rice, wheat, barley etc (Who Knew eh?) has a few more proven side effects which can be disastrous, for one loss of short term memory function. For someone such as teachers and mathematicians who need a sharp mind in order to do their job, statins can be a deal breaker. I was on statins for a year, and working as a Health Consultant on Stargate SG-1, within a month, I experienced short term memory loss, forgetting even the simplest things such as formulas and equations needed to evaluate human health risk assessments, so I was always referring to my medical books, thus slowing my abilities in assessing Actors and Crews health effects under hot lights, Vocs from closed sets and special effects from chemicals to explosives used in the making of the film. Luckily, I had reference tabs throughout medical manuals enabling me to make quick decisions on peoples health which is a big part of my job. Then there is muscle loss, I noticed it after a month, after a few months of stopping my daily dose of Zocor my faculties came back, thank christ. I now use diet and exercise to treat my cholesterol, and after losing 30 pounds over the course of a year, my health is in back in check.

Though many with heart disease attributed to high levels of LDL, the benefits far outweigh the risks. Many people with heart disease also have fatty livers in which body fat is marbled all over the liver, like a Grade AAA Prime Rib, preventing the liver functions. Statins help remove the fatty deposits.

Lastly, since Penicillium citrinum, a mold, has other serious side effects, such as memory loss, one benefit of this statin has shown an improvement in patients suffering from Dementia. So all in all you are damned if you do take statins and damned if you don't take it, but if it means the difference between life or death, Statins are worth the risk.

With statins, what you don't feel can hurt you
By Alan Cassels, Times ColonistAugust 28, 2009 2:05 AM

t's a hot summer and time to relax. With most of us lucky to take some time to chill out, life couldn't feel better. Right?

Well, not so fast. New research adds more heft to that old adage: If you are feeling fine, you just haven't had enough tests.

A study published last month in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that muscle weakening, one of the most common adverse effects related to drugs to lower cholesterol (statins like Crestor, Lipitor or Zocor) can be found in patients who have no apparent symptoms.

The fact that some patients taking statins experience muscle pain or cramps is not exactly groundbreaking news.

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Roy C

at 07:21 on August 28th, 2009

TrackYourPlaque is an excellent site run by a cardiologist in Bend, Oregon. They recommend a heart scan and then use a variety of supplements to get your blood lipid profile in line with what will reduce your chances of a coronary or stroke substantially. As the plaque of arteriosclerosis gets reversed, you can document it with another scan.

Part of the approach is to use a variety of agents because you minimize the side-effects of any one give approach.

I use the supplements that they recommend:

Omega-3 oils: help boost anti-inflammatory prostaglandins and reduce inflammatory processes in the body, which get worse as we age. The inflammation precedes a lot of scarring and sets us up for conditions from Alzheimer's to colon cancer.

Policasonol: a derivative of cotton seed waxes, it lowers triglycerides and cholesterol with fewer of the side effects of statins.

Pomegranate extract: the best anti-oxidant protecting LDL fats ever.

Co-Q10: important in energy metabolism and makes Vit E work better. It also helps with the feeling of muscle weakness and fatigue of statins themselves. Everyone on statins should be using Co-Q10.

Turmeric: the active ingredient in the Indian spice responsible for the lower GI cancer rate in India. It helps reduce inflammation.

Niacin: TrackYourPlaque recommends Slo-Niacin. They claim the No-Flush variety does not increase HDL enough. I get it at Walgreens.

Right now, my HDL is a little low, but I eat a low-fat diet and that can be normal. My HDL/LDL ration is very good, especially since my LDL is very, very low. My cholesterol is below 160. My blood pressure is now around 115/75, though it varies depending on the situation.

My C-reactive protein level is very low, a good sign about my body's condition as regards inflammation.

My triglycerides were a bit high. I needed to lose weight. I used Garcinia Cambogia, the Indian Ayurvedic fruit extract, to slow carbohydrate absorption. It works well. So does Irvingia. I have an article on that here at NowPublic.

a211423

at 08:05 on August 28th, 2009

Thank you both for sharing this great information

Barry Artiste

at 14:19 on August 28th, 2009

Thanks Roy for the assist, much appreciated

QueensHart

at 08:00 on August 28th, 2009

Just when I decide I do not want to be at this liberal, bash America place I see a worthwhile

article. Thanks.

When you read a study do you look at or can you see who paid for it Barry? Thank you for

such good information.

I take all of those Roy listed > : )

Barry Artiste

at 14:24 on August 28th, 2009

From what I gather QH, the study was certainly not paid for by Big Pharma! HA. What a lot of stuff Roy says is good advice, but one caveat, is before taking these off the shelf products (no prescription required) check with your doctor, especially if you are also taking other medication, as it could have dire and even fatal consequences for you. For instance NEVER take STATINs with GRAPEFRUIT JUICE, if you do, you could have the CORONER Notifying your Next of KIN!

Barbara McPherson

at 09:36 on August 28th, 2009

Really interesting and informative article.

bettermaker (not verified)

at 11:10 on August 28th, 2009

Cholesterol causing heart disease is still a theory. The whole concept of cholesterol is complicated. The body needs it, and will make it if it isn't consumed by the diet, which is why vegans could still have "high" cholesterol. Statins are powerful drugs that can cause harm, and yet are prescribed heavily because a theory yet to be proven.

Barry Artiste

at 14:27 on August 28th, 2009

Plaque in your arteries near your heart brought on by Cholesterol, certainly is not a theory, but a Fatal proven fact. In fact you can live a productive life with your arteries 90 percent blocked, the problem being if a piece of plaque breaks off and makes it to your heart, you are hooped, sometimes permanently.

Amy Judd

at 11:33 on August 28th, 2009

I had no idea about any of this, wow, thank you for sharing.

israeli.agent

at 12:06 on August 28th, 2009

Have one relative, who is 95 years old, still retains all 32 of his teeth and does not wear a spectacle. His life style goes like this.

Wakes up early in the morning (05:00). Brushes his teeth with lukewarm water, one spoon of common salt added (Sodium Chloride). Does not use any tooth paste, but neem leaves.

05:20 Half an hour light Yoga exercises - 12 Sun Salutation (otherwise called Surya Namaskar), 15 minute brisk walk. Drinks one glass of plain water with one teaspoon of honey added after the exercise, half an hour reads the morning news paper.

08:00 Bath in regular, cold water taken from the well.

08:30 , light break fast. Including boiled rice, non spicy curry.

9:00 onwards goes out, takes care of the day-to-day stuff of his farm. That involving lot of walking around.

11:00 One glass of hot milk with a teaspoon of turmeric paste. Drinks lot of plain water

12:30 Lunch in any combination of Rice, Wheat, salads, curd, veg soups, fish or omelets (no yoke), fruits. This is the heaviest food he takes.

16:30 A glass of hot 'turmeric' milk (not the skimmed one). Office work continues till 17:30.

18:30 Bath in hot water. Says this removes all the toxins formed in the body during the day's work. Listens to radio, reads books, writes letters. He does not watch TV. Says it corrupts the mind.

20:30 Dinner. Vegetables, fruits, coconut, nuts (not the right wing type..lol ) etc.

21:30 Sleeping time. Takes one glass of plain water or milk - depends upon the mood.

He never takes tea or coffee. No soft / hard drinks. No smoking. Occasionally he devours on read meat like chicken / mutton / beef (say once in a month or so - similarly once in a month fasts for a day so that the body gets time to recycle / reboot itself).

He had never ever taken an injection or modern tablet, according to him. For small stuff like common cold or seasonal fever he takes only ayurvedic medicine.

He plans to live till the age of 140 it seems..!!

.Agent.

Barry Artiste

at 14:36 on August 28th, 2009

IA your relative most likely will live to `140, many Doctors and researchers in the last couple of decades derided home remedies, especially from East Asia, course one can only assume the detractors were Big Pharam believers. As for me, Asian medicine, especially medicine used thousands of years beats many Big Pharma hands down, and it is cheaper too, British COlumbia has a ton of East Indian farmers toiling their fields here, and from the looks of them, they are quite spry, and at least approaching their 70s. With age comes wisedom.

Thanks for the story

jazzyzazzy

at 12:51 on August 28th, 2009

Cant beat Poridge for a great start to the day. Different strokes for different folks. However it is good to be aware of the effect of stalins forewarned is forearmed.