New Cholesterol Research And Heart Disease Prevention
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-06-12/new-cholesterol-research-and-heart-disease-prevention
In the 30 years since they were approved by the FDA, cholesterol-lowering drugs called “statins” have cut in half Americans’ death rate from heart disease. Today, more than 20 million Americans take a statin drug like Lipitor or Zocor. Many of these people have high cholesterol but no sign of heart disease. There is growing evidence that statins provide little or no benefit for healthy patients and can trigger dangerous side effects. And new studies question whether there really is any link between cholesterol levels and heart disease. Diane and a panel of guests discuss the latest cholesterol research and what it means for heart disease prevention.
Guests
Sharon Begley
senior health and science correspondent at Reuters and contributing writer to The Saturday Evening Post; author of "Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain"; and the co-author (with Jeffrey Schwartz) of "The Mind and the Brain."
Dr. Barbara Roberts
director, Women's Cardiac Center at Miriam Hospital in Rhode Island; associate clinical professor, Brown University's Alpert Medical school; author of "The Truth About Statins."
Dr. David Pearle
clinical cardiologist at Georgetown University Hospital, and professor in the department of medicine at Georgetown University.
Comments
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Previous studies have found Niacin helped lower bad cholesterol and the risk of stroke; However a recent NHLBI study found that a time-release version of Niacin (Niaspan) when combined with the statin simvastatin (Zocor) increased the risk of strokes and cardiovascular incidents so the study was halted. Some suggest dropping Niacin others say its too early to tell. Have your guest reviewed this study and if so can they comment on its findings? Thanks.
Aspirin?
Science News just reported in May 2012 that statins have an array of benefits from reducing heart disease to reducing recurrence of breast cancer. There are benefits beyond the heart disease connection--it would be great if you could ask guests about some of these other benefits (as well as side effects).
What about triglycerides? Are statins effective and/or appropriate for treating high numbers? Are triglycerides risk factors for heart disease?
Diane did you know that Airline Pilots are not allowed to consume aspartame because of the risk of sudden cardiac death?
I think not enough focus is on the cause of heart attack. I do not know that there is any association of aspartame and high cholesterol but I do know that aspartame affect the conduction system of the heart does cause muscle pain.
Diane did you know that Airline Pilots are not allowed to consume aspartame because of the risk of sudden cardiac death?
I think not enough focus is on the cause of heart attack. I do not know that there is any association of aspartame and high cholesterol but I do know that aspartame affect the conduction system of the heart does cause muscle pain.
Many people now have no choice and must take statins in order to qualify for so-called "enhanced" health insurance. Refusal to take statins means you pay much higher copays, higher deductibles, etc. Shouldn´t these studies prompt a change in these policies?
I have read that statins reduce the production of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in the human body. CoQ10 according to the University of MD Medical Center website (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/coenzyme-q10-000295.htm) states "Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a substance that' s found naturally in the body and helps convert food into energy." It goes on to say that there is some research that:
"There is some evidence it may reduce side effects from conventional treatment with cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins, which reduce natural levels of CoQ10 in the body. Taking CoQ10 supplements can bring levels back to normal. Plus, studies show that CoQ10 may decrease the muscle pain associated with statin treatment. Ask your health care provider if you are interested in taking CoQ10 with statins."
I have been taking a statin for one month now and do not see much research along the lines of how the chemistry of this drug effects ones body.
Would you please ask your guests to comment on this.
Thank you
I have read that statins reduce the production of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in the human body. CoQ10 according to the University of MD Medical Center website (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/coenzyme-q10-000295.htm) states "Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a substance that' s found naturally in the body and helps convert food into energy." It goes on to say that there is some research that:
"There is some evidence it may reduce side effects from conventional treatment with cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins, which reduce natural levels of CoQ10 in the body. Taking CoQ10 supplements can bring levels back to normal. Plus, studies show that CoQ10 may decrease the muscle pain associated with statin treatment. Ask your health care provider if you are interested in taking CoQ10 with statins."
Would you please ask your guests to comment on this.
Thank you
No one has mentioned the natural statin Red Yeast Rice, which lowers cholesterol without side effects,
Also, no one has mentikoned the importantce of taking CoQ10 with a statin.
Would your guests comment about Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for persons taking statins?
Great show, thanks!
My husband suffered a heart attack at age 48 (no pre-existing condition or risk factors) and had emergency stent surgery. After, despite cholesterol in "normal" ranges, as a result of the heart attack, he was placed on statins. Within a very short time, he began to suffer numerous serious side effects, including muscle pain/weakness (especially in his feet), signs of liver damage, and possibly worst of all, major depression. He was switched to a different statin with the same result. Internet research revealed endless first-person narratives of similar experiences. He refuses to take statins ever again.
After suffering muscle pains and memory fuzziness I stopped using statins about five years ago and then conducted my own reviews of the clinical trials on statins for primary prevention and came to the same conclusion as your guests on the lack of benefit from statins.
My doctor agrees with the weak evidence on the benefit of statins but says he must prescribe them to comply with AMA guidelines and protect himself legally in case I one day suffer sudden cardiac death.
I have a number of friends and family who have all suffered side-effects using statins sufficient to lower their quality of life.
My father was "prescribed" statins which he perceived as "permission" to eat what he wanted and not exercise. He died of a massive heart attack. I am a healthy 49 year old woman and for the past 3 years my doctor has encouraged me to take statins, and given the experience of my father, I insisted that I would control my cholesterol with diet and exercise and would be open to natural drugs or supplements. After trying Welchol, Niaspan, with no success, I started taking Plant Stanols and Plant Sterols, and my cholesterol dropped 50 points to 220. Can the panelists comment on plant stanols and sterols?
How prevalent is the Dr/Pharmaceutical Co. relationship in the prescribing of statins?
When I found out some of the risks of statins, I talked to my Dr about stopping taking them. He told me the studies showed benefits and thought I should continue taking them, but said he would leave it up to me. Now that I see studies that don't necessarily support the benefits of statins, especially for women, I wonder if my Doctor's recommendation is influenced by any incentives or relationships with pharmaceutical reps or companies.
What about those of us with familial elevated LP(a)?
Are there tests to determine how at risk I am for cardiac problems?
I am 53 and my LDL cholesterol is 164 on a recent test. This results means that my insurance will charge me $30 more per month (their limit for everyone is 145) and my doctor thinks I have a genetic disposition for high cholesterol and wants to put me on a statin. He is giving me several months to try red rice yeast and Policosal from the health food store. I already have a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
please ask about the relationship between HMG reductase and co Q-10 and statins and the implications for other problems (energy, memory, neuro in general) and also, please ask why the liver will increase release of cholesterol.
Who is conducting these studies on statins? If they are sponsored by drug companies, shouldn't we consider this as a high enough bias to require, in the name of effective scientific method, other non-biased studies before we come to conclusions about the safety and efficacy of statin drugs?
I have a bias -- a client and good friend of mine, at age 60, took Lipitor and soon developed progressive muscle weakness, lost his ability to walk w/o great difficulty, and eventually his ability to speak clearly.
Does high HDL "balance out" high LDL?
how is "total" cholesterol calculated - in my case, my total hdl+ldl add up to less than my total "cholesterol number'
Please comment on Caldwell Esselstyn's diet. My husband started his diet January 1, 2012. He is now off all statins and has not had chest pains since January 23rd.
What about CoEnQ10 for treating muscle pain? It works for me.
Could you reply as to the effectiveness of plant sterols in reducing cholesterol levels by reducing cholesterol absorption in the digestive tract.
Do these 100 mg/ day plant sterols work?
Thank you,
George W.
Diane - About seven years ago I was diagnosed with high cholesterol. My total cholesterol was 425, which is apparently perfect cholesterol numbers for a polar bear. Anyway, my doctor has tried many different statins and statin combinations. However, he never suggested that I change my diet. About a year ago, after watching a documentary, I decided to do an experiment. I stopped taking my medication completely and changed my diet to a whole food plant -based diet. After 60 days, I went back to my doctor and had my cholesterol checked. My total cholesterol was now 221. Granted, it was still high, but the reduction was amazing. I have maintained a whole food plant-based diet for a year and I am now taking a much much lower dose of statins. It would appear that, for whatever reason, I am particularly sensitive to what I eat. I understand that my switching to a plant-based diet (no meat, no cheese, no eggs, no dairy) might seem radical to some - but, in truth, it's not near as radical as open heart surgery and I would suggest that it is not near as radical as taking mega-doses of statins. I would like to hear what your guests think about the importance of diet and why we don't hear more about it from our doctors.
In 1989, there was an article in Atlantic magazine titled “The Cholesterol Myth,” by Thomas Moore. As I recall, one point of the article was that the then existing data did not justify the use of cholesterol-lowering drugs whose long term side effects at that time were unknown. The author discussed how the AMA developed its definitions of “high” cholesterol levels from the results of autopsies on soldiers killed during the Korean War. Yet another point was that, if you took blood samples from the same person at different times during the day, the results varied widely. I have looked but haven’t found any follow-up to this article. Has anyone else? Thanks.
BIG BIG fan of Mediterranean diet in all its glory. Also a big believer in flaxseed oil every day. Just a quick note to point out that I personally do not agree that Mediterranean is 'vegetarian', as it features lots of chicken, lamb, beef and fish. I personally tried to vegetarian for 8 weeks, eating home made veggie chilis, greek yogurt for protein, etc. and I personally gained over 13 pounds in that amount of time. I just do not believe that vegetarian equals healthy, as for one, it is very very high in carb content and crashed my sugar through out the day. Now I live on a daily diet of kale salads with artichoke, asparagus, beets, broccoli and brussel sprouts, low fat/drained beef, chicken, fish, (no pork), turkey, lamb, with a few eggs a day (including yolk, I do not believe an egg yolk will give you a heart attack), and basically I eat way more vegetables every day, with flaxseed oil dressing, (cook with olive oil), and have some peanut butter, and eat almost no dairy. I have lost not only those 13 pounds, but an additional 24 pounds to total 37, which was over 19% of my highest body weight, and brought my BMI from obese, past overweight, and into normal. I realize this is just a side topic, but I become increasingly irritated when I hear everyone promote vegetarian as the healthiest way to go. It is very, very difficult to get the right amount of protein without a healthy, lean meat source. (If however a person chooses vegetarian from a moral standpoint, that I totally understand and truly wish I could follow suit! Unfortunately in this life, I will be asleep and overweight constantly if I try it again!) So just a note about the Mediterranean diet... it isn't considered 'vegetarian' by just about anyone I know... although it is GREAT in every sense of the term: yummy, weight and heart healthy!
Jcjriscochran - EXACTLY!!
All of you folks who are taking medicine for high cholesterol should read The China Study. Forget all of these toxic, expensive drugs: your DIET plays THE biggest part in your cholesterol levels and by following a vegan diet (eliminating all animal protein - and that includes fish) you are virtually guaranteed to improve not only your cholesterol levels but will reduce your risk for cancer and diabetes, too. The "Mediterranean Diet" they were discussing doesn't go far enough - don't eat ANY animal products. Plants do not have cholesterol in them - only animal products. Being vegan is not a diet of deprivation. (Look for Earth Balance buttery spread in your grocery store - it's a plant-based margarine that's cholesterol free and delicious. Really good non-dairy ice creams and cheeses exist, although you should limit processed foods like this and stick to cooking with grains, veggies, and fruits!)
Eating a whole foods, plant based diet is the best thing you can do for your health AND there aren't any of these nasty side effects that were discussed with these drugs. The drug companies are out to make a profit and they don't have your best interests at heart. If you're on medicines for heart problems and you're not eating a vegan diet, you're not really serious about getting healthy.
Kat - That's great that you're losing weight, but please educate yourself about veganism. You do NOT need to get protein from "a healthy, lean meat source". Humans can get all the protein they need from plants. Suggested reading: "Vegan for Life: Everything You Need to Know to Be Healthy and Fit on a Plant-Based Diet" and "The China Study" - and watch the documentary "Forks Over Knives." Plants have fewer calories in them so you need to eat more plant based foods to have enough energy (perhaps that's why you were tired when you tried to eat vegetarian). Aside from dairy being terrible for you, the egg and dairy industries are awful - but this discussion is about our health - not the animals. No matter why someone eats a vegan diet, the point is that it's absolutely THE most healthy way to eat.
Has any data been gathered on how long after discontinuing statins, someone suffering muscle pain has a reduction or total cessation of muscle pain?