Jun

15

Heart Breakthrough Reducing Inflammation with Statins? Don’t Bet on It

June 15, 2009 | 2 Comments

Posted by: k daniel

steth4As studies increasingly show that lowering cholesterol doesn’t save lives, drug companies are focusing on the inflammation lowering effects of their popular “statin” (Crestor, Lovastatin, Lipitor, etc ) drugs. Statins do reduce some inflammation – and inflammation, produced by toxicity, stress, low grade infections or food sensitivities, and an unbalanced diet – does play a role in heart and circulatory disease – and accelerates aging! However, it’s not necessarily as stunning a breakthrough as they suggest. How are statins now suddenly, again, a “blockbuster” offering “potent protection” with enormous “public health benefits” in reducing death from heart disease? Results show that some people receive short-term benefit, but as statin users taking biannual liver function tests know, most everyone is at increased risk for compromising their vital detoxifying, nutrient-synthesizing, glycogen- producing liver function. And, lest we forget, our brains need cholesterol - memory problems are common in statin users. For women, statins increase our risk of breast cancer. Among other things, with 46 million uninsured Americans, shouldn’t we be focusing health care resources where lifestyle interventions are known to be effective?

According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vitamins C (2000 mg) and E (400 IU) each reduce CRP by over 30%, almost as much as Crestor. Add vitamin D (2000 IU), a good place to start – and pocket the annual $1100 difference. If you do decide to take a statin, add coenzyme Q10 – a crucial energy nutrient vital for all muscles – including the heart, depleted by statins. And talk with a cardiologist who sees the bigger picture. Cardiologist Stephen Sinatra recommends statins sparingly in special cases and at a low dose. Learn more about cholesterol myths and lowering cholesterol naturally, and about how cholesterol works in your body.

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Comments

2 Comments so far

  1. Melodee Patterson on June 20, 2009 10:49 am

    Thanks for the important info. My hs-CRP levels have been at 7.0 for a few years, but since all my other indicators are fine, my doctor doesn’t seem too concerned. I’m looking into ways to reduce my inflammation myself…

  2. k daniel on June 22, 2009 7:34 am

    Stay tuned! Posting on inflammation is on our post-list. It underlies so much of chronic disease, aging, you name it. Thanks for your comment.

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