It is estimated that over 12 million Americans are taking statin drugs to lower their cholesterol. However, taking any statin drug is not safe. The most commonly-reported side effect of taking a statin drug is muscle pain and weakness, a condition called rhabdomyolysis, most likely due to the depletion of Co-Q10, a nutrient that supports muscle function. This can result in destruction of muscle tissue. In addition, statin drugs have been associated with liver damage, an increased risk of cancer and suppression of the immune system.
Statin drugs have also been linked to memory loss. After muscle pain and weakness, cognitive problems are the second-most common side effect. Hundreds of cases of statin-induced memory loss and TGA have been reported to MedWatch, the FDA's system for filing adverse drug events.
My mother, who recently passed away, had been taking Lipitor. After being on it for only a few months, she began noticing some cognitive decline. I warned her about the Lipitor/memory loss issues, which I had heard about on the news and read about online. However, despite my warnings, she continued to take Lipitor. She was on the highest dose prescribed, until she began having liver problems. She eventually was diagnosed with dementia; a year before she passed away, she was considered to be legally mentally incapacitated. She also experienced severe muscle weakness in both legs and was confined to a wheelchair for the last year of her life. I truly believe all of her symptoms were the result of being on Lipitor.
If you're not sure if you're taking one, statin drugs are manufactured under the following names: Advicor® (niacin extended-release/lovastatin) Altoprev® (lovastatin extended-release) Caduet® (amlodipine and atorvastatin) Crestor® (rosuvastatin) Lescol® (fluvastatin) Lescol XL (fluvastatin extended-release) Lipitor® (atorvastatin) Mevacor® (lovastatin) Pravachol® (pravastatin) Simcor® (niacin extended-release/simvastatin) Vytorin® (ezetimibe/simvastatin) Zocor® (simvastatin)
There are natural alternatives to taking statin drugs; niacin, red rice yeast, fish oil, flaxseed oil, and aloe vera have been shown to improve unhealthy levels. Also, a diet rich in raw vegetables and fruit and high in fiber, as well as regular exercise, will also help.
If you're currently taking a statin drug to lower your cholesterol, I urge you consult with a naturopathic healthcare practitioner as soon as possible. The risks of taking statin drugs far outweigh the benefits.
My mother, who recently passed away, had been taking Lipitor. After being on it for only a few months, she began noticing some cognitive decline. I warned her about the Lipitor/memory loss issues, which I had heard about on the news and read about online. However, despite my warnings, she continued to take Lipitor. She was on the highest dose prescribed, until she began having liver problems. She eventually was diagnosed with dementia; a year before she passed away, she was considered to be legally mentally incapacitated. She also experienced severe muscle weakness in both legs and was confined to a wheelchair for the last year of her life. I truly believe all of her symptoms were the result of being on Lipitor.
If you're not sure if you're taking one, statin drugs are manufactured under the following names: Advicor® (niacin extended-release/lovastatin) Altoprev® (lovastatin extended-release) Caduet® (amlodipine and atorvastatin) Crestor® (rosuvastatin) Lescol® (fluvastatin) Lescol XL (fluvastatin extended-release) Lipitor® (atorvastatin) Mevacor® (lovastatin) Pravachol® (pravastatin) Simcor® (niacin extended-release/simvastatin) Vytorin® (ezetimibe/simvastatin) Zocor® (simvastatin)
There are natural alternatives to taking statin drugs; niacin, red rice yeast, fish oil, flaxseed oil, and aloe vera have been shown to improve unhealthy levels. Also, a diet rich in raw vegetables and fruit and high in fiber, as well as regular exercise, will also help.
If you're currently taking a statin drug to lower your cholesterol, I urge you consult with a naturopathic healthcare practitioner as soon as possible. The risks of taking statin drugs far outweigh the benefits.
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5 comments:
Statins also cause heart muscle damage believe it or not. I had a heart attack last fall, and refuse to take any of these drugs. I'm keeping my cholesterol down through diet and will start an exercise program soon. My cholesterol levels were all within normal range to begin with, yet my Dr. wanted to put me on Crestor, the scariest of them all. Thanks for posting.
Sue~
Jane, first I want to say how sorry I am about your mother. My mother is 83 and about 2 yrs. ago, she was taking Lipitor. We noticed that she was having sudden difficulty in walking. Around Christmas that year, she had almost completely lost her ability to walk. My nephew who is a physical therapist immediately asked her if she was taking a statin drug, and she said yes. He said STOP IT NOW and see your doctor. She did that and regained some of her ability to walk with intense physical therapy. They did alot of neurological tests and diagnosed her as being unable to take statin drugs. She has some muscle damage as a result and must walk on a cane. It's very sad, but we're thankful for what mobility she does have. The statin drugs NEED to be taken off the market in my opinion.
Thank you for posting this information. My doctor put me on crestor a few years ago and I took it for just two weeks before I decided to stop. The information I kept reading about statins scared me silly.
Thank you for posting this Med. Alert! My condolences to you with the loss of your mother. My husband has been on Crestor for 2 yrs now. He suffers daily from aches & pains. He has tried all kinds of therapy to relieve the pain. And he is on pain medication. I believe this info. could very well be the answer we have been looking for. Thanks again,
Blessings,
Lisa
Thank you for the comments. Many doctors know that statin drugs are dangerous, yet they continue to prescribe them. I am glad to know that people are becoming more proactive with their health and questioning taking these dangerous drugs.
Jane
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