When Carol Smith’s doctor called her with lab results from her yearly physical she wasn’t expecting the news. As a matter of fact, she was shocked. She prided herself on her lifestyle; she watched her weight and followed what she thought was a healthy diet. So when she heard her cholesterol number was 230 mg/dl – 30 points above the 200 mg/dl recommended range – she was dumbfounded.
As many doctors are inclined to do, Carol’s doctor told her she was at increased risk for heart disease and her best course of action would be a statin drug to lower her cholesterol. That’s because statin drugs have been shown to lower cholesterol levels rather effectively, sometimes by 50 points or more. Based on that alone, one would think that these drugs are actually beneficial.
However, that is not the case. Not at all.
There is overwhelming evidence pointing to potentially detrimental side effects that begin to show up months after statin therapy. This evidence isn’t based on a few random tests but on a whopping 900 studies that show statin drugs are potentially hazardous to your health. Here’s what they revealed:
Possible Consequences of Statin DrugsWhen taken for an extended period of time, statins have been shown to cause the following:
- Sexual dysfunction
- Neuropathy
- Cataracts
- Cognitive loss
- Frequent fevers
- Anemia
- Acidosis
As if that’s not bad enough, there are even more serious and possibly life-threatening side effects that include:
- Liver dysfunction
- Depressed immune system
- Muscle degeneration
- Pancreatic dysfunction
- Increase in cancer risk
A review published in the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs states the damaging effects depend on dosage, and a number of factors may amplify your health risk. These factors include:
- Other drugs that could adversely interact with statins to increase the potency
- The presence of thyroid disease
- Metabolic syndrome
What Statins Can Do To Your MusclesThe most common complaint of statins is muscle pain and weakness. One reason this occurs is because statin drugs deplete your body up Coenzyme Q10 – a compound essential for normal cell function. In the absence of Coenzyme Q10, fatigue, soreness, muscle weakness, and ultimately heart failure results.
In addition, skeletal muscles’ ability to repair and regenerate is compromised. In some cases, muscle cell proliferation is reduced by 50% per day. Obviously, this has a negative impact on your skeletal muscles’ ability to heal. The outcome could be eventual incapacitation.
A Far Better AlternativeWhy didn’t Carol’s doctor tell her about another option, one that does not involve popping a pill loaded with negative side effects? When you think about it, one has to wonder why any doctor would prescribe these drugs when the documented consequences are so detrimental… especially when there is a far better, natural alternative.
Lower Your Cholesterol The Natural WayIf you’ve been told you need to lower your cholesterol there’s no reason to take statins and leave yourself open to the consequences. Here are some simple guidelines that can lower your cholesterol naturally and there are no dangerous side effects to worry about.
The first step is to make changes in your diet. A diet rich in soluble fiber can actually soak up cholesterol before your body can absorb it. And don’t forget your antioxidants. They help prevent plaque formation and buildup, so it’s important these disease-fighting substances are a part of your daily food intake.
“Power” foods such as flax seeds, oatmeal, beans, almonds, apples and garlic should be incorporated as well.
As you surely know by now exercise is essential for good health. Just 30 minutes of brisk exercise a day can help out with your cholesterol problem. Riding a bicycle and walking increase blood flow, which decreases inflammation and plaque buildup.
And finally, if you smoke, quit. Enough said.
Don’t gamble with your health and your life. By making smart changes today, you may never have to worry about what your blood tests may say.
