This cholesterol-lowering drug that is handed out like candy, can cause a disease, which itself is a major risk factor for the very thing the drug is trying to prevent.
One small constructive comment: Strictly speaking, CoQ10 and Heme B produced from FPP are not proteins, but cofactors for the proteins and complexes within the ETC. Discerning readers will interpolate what you mean, but I’d hate for mainstream critics to dismiss your ideas simply because of a category mistake.
I’ve been found to have high cholesterol for 20+ years. Tuned it out mostly and always refused statins.
I had uncomfortable heart disturbances within the six months after taking the COVID shot and one booster. Standard EKG normal. Three next level cardiac tests normal—performed because I pushed for answers. Finally an angiogram, which showed some blockages deemed not surprising for my age (58 then, 61 now) and not a present peril. It seems obvious that the initial problem was a reaction to the COVID shots, but of course we’re not allowed to talk about that.
They pushed statins afresh, which I again declined. After some personal research, I said I’d be willing to try high-dose niacin. The cardiologist looks at my lipid levels annually. There’s improvement by his standards, but he wants it drastically lower. Three months ago I reduced my dosage of niacin by a third due to reactions I was experiencing. Comfortable now. I plan to keep taking the niacin, but not more than my body stays comfortable with.
Are you suggesting that the entire concept of moderating cholesterol is a fool’s errand, or that the danger is in the particular way that statins do the job?
Yes, indeed. Good job. Your writing skills are excellent. 👏
My personal anecdote: a dozen years ago my primary care doctor prescribed statins because my cholesterol was high (by medical standards). I declined year after year. One year I said “what are my other risk factors for heart disease?” I am on zero medications and have no diagnosed conditions other than this “high cholesterol”. Not overweight. Excellent diet. Primary care doc said you should go to a cardiologist for a work up to see what all is going on with your heart. I went. Cardiologist said you need a statin based on cholesterol alone. I said “but we don’t even know if my cholesterol particles big and fluffy (harmless) or small and supposedly harmful. Can we test for that first?” Doc said “again, it’s about the level of cholesterol” . That told me standard of care has dumbed the recommendation down to a single number. I had already read the book The Cholesterol Con and others.
I asked the cardiologist what the side effects were. She said “muscle pain. But if that happens we can lower the dose.” I said “I understand it can cause diabetes.” Her exact response was “ Oh, you’ll definitely get diabetes.”
(When were you going to tell me that????)
I said I’m not comfortable with a statin. She barked “Stop watching television!”
I left and haven’t been back to any doctor since, except once in 10 years I went to urgent care for an allergic looking face that swelled up.
I really don’t fault the doctors or providers. They are only allowed to provide standard of care advice every 15 minutes or be fired after they invested 8-10 years of every aspect of their lives into medicine. They were all duped. Except you, Foundational Health, who found the courage and grit to carve a new path. The system is messed up from the top down.
Note- I really don’t know if the cardiology provider I saw was a MD, DO, NP, PA, or ARNP. No telling, but it’s hard to find an MD or DO in my area.
I still have “high cholesterol “ . Zero other conditions. Excellent blood pressure, blood glucose, weigh 110 at 5’1, vitamin D level of 71, age 61, never-smoker, stopped the 2 glasses of wine per week years ago (neurotoxin!), and I’m active. But not rock climbing or triathlete active. 😁
Foundational Health, you do us a solid every time you write. Thank you.
I doubt anyone with a low FPG and A1C becomes diabetic from a statin, even if there is mechanistic plausibility to nudge them that way. Coupled with exercise and a proper diet (always recommended), people with ASCVD risk will benefit from a statin nonetheless. The people who become diabetic are one jelly donut away on their own and would have become diabetic anyway.
These people were going to become diabetic with or without a statin. Correlation is not causation and epiphenomenon is a significant confounder for ASCVD and T2D. When these same people develop hypertension (and they almost always will), is that from the statin too? If they take an antihypertensive and then have a heart attack, do we blame the antihypertensive drug?
Everyone is looking fr someone or something to blame. Unhealthy people are unhealthy for a reason the majority of the time. Bad diet, no exercise, bad genetics are usually to blame. Sure, some people may be tipped over the edge by an intervention, but they need to climb all the way up the ISI curve to fall off and see FPG and A1C rise to T2D territory. That’s basic stuff. I’ve developed both statins and antidiabetics and understand full well that it’s a lifestyle disease for the most part.
Maybe, but they don’t make a metabolically healthy person diabetic by itself. On balance, at the population level, they do more good than harm, especially in people with prior ASCVD events (MI, stroke).
With so much evidence that statins aren’t a good idea, it’s a shame that the brainwashing is so strong. Forwarding your article to a few people in case more words will help their decision making parts start working.
And doctors have been pushing these for years!
Excellent analysis per usual.
One small constructive comment: Strictly speaking, CoQ10 and Heme B produced from FPP are not proteins, but cofactors for the proteins and complexes within the ETC. Discerning readers will interpolate what you mean, but I’d hate for mainstream critics to dismiss your ideas simply because of a category mistake.
Good clarification.
I must admit my writing can definitely helped by some proofreading, and I thank all the readers for helping in this endeavor.
No worries! Glad to help :)
Great article, very helpful.
I’ve been found to have high cholesterol for 20+ years. Tuned it out mostly and always refused statins.
I had uncomfortable heart disturbances within the six months after taking the COVID shot and one booster. Standard EKG normal. Three next level cardiac tests normal—performed because I pushed for answers. Finally an angiogram, which showed some blockages deemed not surprising for my age (58 then, 61 now) and not a present peril. It seems obvious that the initial problem was a reaction to the COVID shots, but of course we’re not allowed to talk about that.
They pushed statins afresh, which I again declined. After some personal research, I said I’d be willing to try high-dose niacin. The cardiologist looks at my lipid levels annually. There’s improvement by his standards, but he wants it drastically lower. Three months ago I reduced my dosage of niacin by a third due to reactions I was experiencing. Comfortable now. I plan to keep taking the niacin, but not more than my body stays comfortable with.
Are you suggesting that the entire concept of moderating cholesterol is a fool’s errand, or that the danger is in the particular way that statins do the job?
Yes, indeed. Good job. Your writing skills are excellent. 👏
My personal anecdote: a dozen years ago my primary care doctor prescribed statins because my cholesterol was high (by medical standards). I declined year after year. One year I said “what are my other risk factors for heart disease?” I am on zero medications and have no diagnosed conditions other than this “high cholesterol”. Not overweight. Excellent diet. Primary care doc said you should go to a cardiologist for a work up to see what all is going on with your heart. I went. Cardiologist said you need a statin based on cholesterol alone. I said “but we don’t even know if my cholesterol particles big and fluffy (harmless) or small and supposedly harmful. Can we test for that first?” Doc said “again, it’s about the level of cholesterol” . That told me standard of care has dumbed the recommendation down to a single number. I had already read the book The Cholesterol Con and others.
I asked the cardiologist what the side effects were. She said “muscle pain. But if that happens we can lower the dose.” I said “I understand it can cause diabetes.” Her exact response was “ Oh, you’ll definitely get diabetes.”
(When were you going to tell me that????)
I said I’m not comfortable with a statin. She barked “Stop watching television!”
I left and haven’t been back to any doctor since, except once in 10 years I went to urgent care for an allergic looking face that swelled up.
I really don’t fault the doctors or providers. They are only allowed to provide standard of care advice every 15 minutes or be fired after they invested 8-10 years of every aspect of their lives into medicine. They were all duped. Except you, Foundational Health, who found the courage and grit to carve a new path. The system is messed up from the top down.
Note- I really don’t know if the cardiology provider I saw was a MD, DO, NP, PA, or ARNP. No telling, but it’s hard to find an MD or DO in my area.
I still have “high cholesterol “ . Zero other conditions. Excellent blood pressure, blood glucose, weigh 110 at 5’1, vitamin D level of 71, age 61, never-smoker, stopped the 2 glasses of wine per week years ago (neurotoxin!), and I’m active. But not rock climbing or triathlete active. 😁
Foundational Health, you do us a solid every time you write. Thank you.
I doubt anyone with a low FPG and A1C becomes diabetic from a statin, even if there is mechanistic plausibility to nudge them that way. Coupled with exercise and a proper diet (always recommended), people with ASCVD risk will benefit from a statin nonetheless. The people who become diabetic are one jelly donut away on their own and would have become diabetic anyway.
These people were going to become diabetic with or without a statin. Correlation is not causation and epiphenomenon is a significant confounder for ASCVD and T2D. When these same people develop hypertension (and they almost always will), is that from the statin too? If they take an antihypertensive and then have a heart attack, do we blame the antihypertensive drug?
you gotta address-and ideally refute--remnants' arguments man.
otherwise you make your own view look WORSE lol
Not true.
There is ample evidence.
Patients and family included in my own personal experience.
Nice anecdotes.
I present to you a collection of meta-analyses, clinical trials, mechanisms, and cases both clinical and personal…and this is your response?
Thank you for the reminder of why God told Isaiah not to worry about those who cannot see/hear.
Everyone is looking fr someone or something to blame. Unhealthy people are unhealthy for a reason the majority of the time. Bad diet, no exercise, bad genetics are usually to blame. Sure, some people may be tipped over the edge by an intervention, but they need to climb all the way up the ISI curve to fall off and see FPG and A1C rise to T2D territory. That’s basic stuff. I’ve developed both statins and antidiabetics and understand full well that it’s a lifestyle disease for the most part.
saying its mostly a lifestyle disease can be true but it does not refute any argument that statins do hard (or more harm than good) to the body
Maybe, but they don’t make a metabolically healthy person diabetic by itself. On balance, at the population level, they do more good than harm, especially in people with prior ASCVD events (MI, stroke).
Nice anecdote.
Fat unhealthy people get diabetes…….and also need statins. Shocker! Like I said, I doubt anyone gets T2D from statins alone.
"Like a good [compliant, docile] patient [cult member], you take the drug [Kool Aid] as instructed."
Great article, keep charging!
American Murder Association
With so much evidence that statins aren’t a good idea, it’s a shame that the brainwashing is so strong. Forwarding your article to a few people in case more words will help their decision making parts start working.
I know! I’m thinking if only the people I know would listen!
Excellent as always.