Lately statins, a class of drugs utilized to reduce levels of fats, including cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, have become big news. Why? Because they are so amazing and save lives? Actually, quite the opposite. It is the dangerous side effects of statins that are making headlines everywhere from major news outlets in Great Britain, to NPR in the US.
Statins are a pharmaceutical used to treat heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the US. According to the CDC, more than 600,000 people die of cardiovascular disease (CVD) each year; in fact, 1 in 4 deaths in this country are caused by it.1
Statins are big business. As many as 1 in 4 Americans take this cholesterol lowering drug to prevent the risk of coronary artery disease. Pharmaceutical companies make $29 billion annually from statins which are marketed under brand names such as Lipitor, Zocor, Mevacor, and Crestor to name just a few.
Potential Side Effects Caused by Statins
So, what is the problem with these cholesterol lowering drugs? It is the numerous side effects they cause. Over the years many studies have reported on a very wide range of negative side effects caused by taking statins. Below are just a handful of these disconcerting findings which span from neurological issues to diabetes.
1. Inhibit Neurological Health
Statin users have a higher incidence of neuropathy, memory loss, and depression2
2. Inhibit Omega-3 Fatty Acid Production
Statins increase the production of omega-6 fatty acids which compete with omega-3 fatty acids through various pathways, yet, studies demonstrate that it is omega-3’s that are protective against the risks of CVD3
3. Weaken the Immune System
Statins interfere with the body’s use of CoQ10, a substance which supports the immune, nervous, and musculoskelatal systems, and at its most base level is absolutely critical for mitochondrial health 4
4. Increase Insulin Resistance
One study found that a variety of statins impact carbohydrate metabolism negatively, and increase the incidence of new onset diabetes (NOD)5
5. Reduce Quality of Sleep
A study by the American Heart Association found that the statin Zocor caused such severe muscle pain in some of its users that it disrupted their sleep patterns.6
Millions of Americans who haven’t been diagnosed with heart disease are taking these drugs to lower slightly elevated cholesterol. Personally, I’m very glad I dodged this bullet. My cholesterol is over 200 and as a middle aged woman I am the perfect candidate for this class of drugs. When offered to me I turned statins down as I was told side effects could include muscle aches, flu-like symptoms, and more. I had no interest in compromising my daily quality of life for an unclear long term gain.
As someone diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a severe neurological disorder, I am very fortunate that I said no to statins. Why? Because the brain is 2% of the body’s weight, but contains 25% of its cholesterol.7 In my continuous, ongoing investigation to heal this condition and rebuild my myelin sheaths, I have found that I need more fat, not less!
So how do I ensure my cholesterol levels are healthy? I went on a Grain Free diet in 2001 which has helped me maintain low levels of triglycerides, ranging between the 30’s and 50’s. It is thought that a Paleo diet can help to reduce triglyceride levels because it is free of grains, and therefore very low in omega-6 fatty acids.
In 2014, I went on a high-fat Keto Diet which has helped my neurological issues, given me more energy, and has not increased my cholesterol levels whatsoever.
Numerous studies and articles such as the ones I have linked to above show that statins may be dangerous for your health. Do you take statins? If so, what side effects (positive or negative) have you experienced? If you don’t take statins, why did you say no?
Howard says
Just my 2 cents worth as a transplanted Englishman in the United States. After 25 years of living here one major difference I’ve noticed is that the American Healthcare system is more of a symptom management system. Doctors seem to make no attempt to heal but more to move pills from manufacturer to consumer. Who’s fault is it ? Well, I guess all players are guilty. Everyone I know from the youngest to oldest American is on some kind of drug while, in most cases, continuing the lifestyle that led them to “need” the drug in the first place. People have the power to fix themselves through diet and better lifestyle choices yet all marketing from the Healthcare industry seems to tell them otherwise. Also, why do drug companies market pills to consumers? “Talk to your doctor and ask if ABC is right for you”. Shouldn’t my doctor be talking to me about how to avoid needing ABC ?
Elana says
Howard, great points! Thanks for your feedback about the US healthcare system!
Debi says
Howard, thank you for your points. I’ve long believed this about the US healthcare system. I resist outright when my physician wants to treat my “whatever” with medication without discussing alternative treatments as modifying my eating or exercise first.
Elana says
Debi, you also make great points. Many drugs are absolutely fantastic, but I think it’s critical to maximize return on lifestyle changes prior to implementing pharmacological therapies. That may not be happening quite enough with statins in this country, and I’m so grateful we’re having a discussion about that here on my website :-)
Dev says
I have very high tryglicerides (over 400) & the doctor put me on a statin. I’m also diabetic and take meds for that too. I ran out of my statin meds and was unable to get it refilled for a good month. I was so utterly amazed that within 1-2 weeks my glucose levels went so low I stopped my diabetic meds & did fine without them! Then had blood work done & my tryglicerides were sky high again. Had to go back on the statins & my glucose levels went back up! I feel like the stating have been giving me diabetes, but if I don’t take them, then I could have a stroke from the elevated tryglicerides. I have been getting bad “Charlie horses” in my feet, I rarely sleep thru the night bc of the cramps & burning in my feet. I feel so trapped. The levels are genetic, my dad had to take a statin too. He passed away at 80 of a lung infection. If I knew a special diet would lower my levels, I would drop the statin ASAP! It would be a win win bc the diabetes would go away as well. Oh what to do, what to do!
Caroline says
Hi Dev!
I think a good naturopath should be able to take you off the statins. I know someone who added 2 eggs a day back in their diet to help regulate the cholesterol their body was making. It helped them off statins. This might work for you, but hook up with a naturopath in your area that can monitor your levels. I have both a “regular” western medicine doc and a naturopath. I prefer to work with the naturopath, even for my terrible sinus infection (which she successfully healed with garlic, not antibiotics) Ask around to see if your friends know a good one, and grab a free local health magazine, I see them at the door of the gym, bank and health food stores all the time. You might find an advertisement in there and can look up reviews on the ND. Good luck! Keep me updated, I’d be interested to hear your story as I can see you’re motivated. Caroline, valleystretching@gmail.com
Faith says
Thoughts from a pharmacist who enjoys your recipes.
Millions and millions of people take statins without experiencing side effects.
Personally I had muscle pain from a statin after 4 years and switched to another. I have not had any more problems. Most doctors and pharmacist know that certain statins are more prone to cause side effects. Statin doses should be started low and titrated upwards. Starting with high doses can predispose patients to side effects.
Also, do not forget that your cholesterol levels are due mostly to genetics, not diet.
I have been on a grain free, low carb diet for 2.5 years and my cholesterol levels have increased about 20% without any changes in my statin dose.. The only improvement has been in HDL.
I enjoy you website, but i would prefer you keep your medical posts limited to you own experience and facts that you are well versed in – like MS.
Lesia says
I am an R. N., and believe there are many people with side effects from statins. Physicians discourage patients from reporting these side effects and believe the benefits from these drugs far outweigh the side effects. I’ve personally experienced many side effects with multiple family members, muscle pain and weakness, memory loss as well as elevated glucose levels. All of these side effects occurred with different members of my family not all blood related. I don’t believe the members of my family are different from the general population.
SherriS. says
My husband had a physical last April and was put on a statin. I was concerned since I had read many scary things about these drugs. He only took the statin for 4 days and each day I could see a difference in his walking! He stopped after the 4th day because of pains in his leg and weakness. It took months and a lot of research to find a solution for him. His doctors would not say his problem was from side effects, they sent him to physical therapy and blamed his knee and back. The answer was ubiquinol and vitamin D supplements that I read online after weeks of research. These drugs will cause millions of people to have neurological problems!
Shirley says
SherriS,
Did the Ubiquinol and Vitamin D help the cholesterol?
Cass Watters says
I have had side effects from two different ststins, ranging from vertigo, dark urine, sore throat and runny nose Snr dry cough. I’m going wheat free Feb. 1 and know it will be tiugh, but I’m otherwise reasonably healthy for my age.
Judy says
They have tried more than once to get me on statins. I have taken several of them. One gave me blinding headaches, another gave me the shakes/a palsy type head-bob and my hands trembled, another constipated me. Yes, my cholesterol are above the NEW normal. Normal use to be 250 to 350 for total cholesterol and they haven’t changed anything about the way they do the test.
Here is another oddity the doctors can not explain to me or my siblings. My father died of congested heart failure at 69, he had his first heart attack at 57. His cholesterol numbers and ratios were perfect. Mother had high blood pressure, enlarged heart and high cholesterol and the ratios were bad she lived to be 80. The three of us have concluded that the crappy cholesterol numbers we inherited from Mother have nothing or very little to do with heart disease.
Oh, and one more point, the real cause of death in everyone is your heart quits beating, i.e. heart failure.
Mari Y says
My father in law was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was in a wheelchair, needed assistance transferring into and out of bed, and a doctor recommended considering a nursing home. He quit his statin drugs, and within a week his muscle weakness began to improve. Today he drives, makes firewood, and is quite ambulatory.
The FDA says “Some drugs interact with statins in a way that increases the risk of muscle injury called myopathy, characterized by unexplained muscle weakness or pain. Egan explains that some new drugs are broken down (metabolized) through the same pathways in the body that statins follow. This increases both the amount of statin in the blood and the risk of muscle injury.” (See http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm293330.htm#4). At least some acknowledgement is being made of these side effects; one of his own doctors refuses to believe that his symptoms were caused by the statin drugs.
Beverly says
No don’t take these drugs not with celiac and one kidney. My numbers were high at one time and I refused the drug. I follow Paleo and your receipes and it is around 201 now and Dr is pleased I suffer enough with all the side effects of celiac I sure don’t need the side effects of statans. Thank you for all your information. I follow all your interesting reading.
Rob says
What irritates me is, as soon as the doctor sees you have high LDL’s they immediately prescribe a statin. Since there are “good” cholesterol particles (the larger, fluffier ones) and “bad” cholesterol (the small, denser ones), why do they want to reduce everything without determining the makeup of one’s LDL? I believe this can be done when obtaining a lipid panel by specifying a test for lpa. Further, if you have no calcium build up, or plaque, are your cholesterol numbers really that significant? A simple, very inexpensive, and non-invasive heart scan would show this and give you a calcium number to monitor. If you all could, would you please discuss this with your doctor at your next exam and report here what they say? I’m going to insist on the above on my next visit or I will find another doctor who will address this issue.
Elana says
Thanks Rob! Fantastic points, and so simple to execute :-)
melissa s says
My triglycerides are high also. The doctor tried to get me to take statins but I have heard how bad they are and said no way, They did a cardiac test and i have no plaque buildup. I mill my own wheat and it is all natural, only salt, yeast, honey,oil and wheat in it. I use it right away to keep all the nutrients. I wonder if eating this kind of bread is ok with high triglycerides. I have lost 10 lbs eating it! I am not over weight and fairly active but not a lot. Any thoughts on the bread? I am trying to change my diet.
Elana says
Hi Melissa, I haven’t had wheat or gluten since 1998, when I was diagnosed with celiac disease; and haven’t had even a drop of grains since I went grain-free in 2001. However, if I was going to eat wheat, I would be doing exactly what you are doing, milling my own wheat and baking my own bread :-)
Katie says
I am a mostly primal/paleo eater with a daughter who has had Celiac Disease for about 13 years. I am pretty much grain free now and have been wheat free for the duration of her diagnosis. My husband eats a paleo/primal diet fairly often but will occasionally eat wheat and more often will eat a really good quality GF steel cut oats combined with other quality GF grains for breakfast. He, like you wants his grains to be quality and more healthy. I told him that “eating a good quality grain is like smoking cigarettes made from organic tobacco”; he still eats the grains:).