Considering Statin drugs for cholesterol? Reconsider...

If you are considering taking a Statin drug, i.e. Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor et al... RECONSIDER!

Consider renting or buying the movie "Statin Nation" instead!    There is a link to the right and down a bit on this website where you can see a trailer and also order it directly.  

The Perfect Christmas Gift!

If ANYone you know is taking or considering taking one of these drugs for the supposed benefits of "cholesterol lowering", consider this:

" People who are diagnosed with cataracts or diabetes in their fifties or sixties are frequently told that they "are just getting older." With age comes chronic health problems like muscle aches and pain, diabetes and cataracts. What people may not be told is that atorvastatin or simvastatin (or any other statin) might be contributing to those aches and pains, elevated blood sugars or cataracts.
We recognize that many people benefit from statins, especially those who have had a heart attack or a stent placed in a coronary artery. But the benefits of statins for what is called primary prevention are now highly controversial. When a medicine that is supposed to prevent chronic health problems down the road actually contributes to them, we get concerned."

The above is from The Peoples Pharmacy , feel free to read the rest of the article, and accompanying testimonials.  Other side effects?

The most common statin side effects include:

• Headache
• Difficulty sleeping
• Flushing of the skin
• Muscle aches, tenderness, or weakness (myalgia)
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Abdominal cramping and/or pain
• Bloating and/or gas
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Rash

Statins also carry warnings that memory loss, mental confusion, high blood sugar, and type 2 diabetes are possible side effects. It's important to remember that statins may also interact with other medications you take. 

This is from www.Webmd.com   The article goes on to list some MORE side effects!  

Which Statin Side Effects Are Serious?

Statins are associated with a few rare, but potentially serious, side effects including:

• Myositis, inflammation of the muscles. The risk of muscle injury increases when certain other medications are taken with statin use. For example, if you take a combination of a statin and a fibrate -- another cholesterol-reducing drug -- the risk of muscle damage increases greatly compared to someone who takes a statin alone.
• Elevated levels of CPK, or creatine kinase, a muscle enzyme that when elevated, can cause muscle pain, mild inflammation, and muscle weakness. This condition, though uncommon, can take a long time to resolve.
• Rhabdomyolysis, extreme muscle inflammation and damage. With this condition, muscles all over the body become painful and weak. The severely damaged muscles release proteins into the blood that collect in the kidneys. The kidneys can become damaged trying to eliminate a large amount of muscle breakdown caused by statin use. This can ultimately lead to kidney failure or even death. Fortunately, rhabdomyolysis is extremely rare. It occurs in less than one in 10,000 people taking statins.

"Since their arrival on the market, statins have been among the most prescribed drugs in the U.S., with about 17 million users."

I would suggest that, rather than spend the money on statins, you first spend $15 and watch this movie!  Just go to the right, and scroll down a bit to order.  SAVE YOUR HEALTH, or the health of a loved one!  Change diet and exercise rather than "pill popping"!

PJ