Cholesterol in the News

Myles B. Astor

Myles B. Astor

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Maybe they will stop trying to get everyone on satins. Twelve years or so ago I was in agony from Lipitor. All my joints ached, my lower back was killing me, and I hurt all over. I read an article in Business Week, of all places, about some guy with the same issues, and he said he got better after quiting Lipitor. I Googled it and found out Lipitor was the drug from hell. It was a satan, not a satin. Anyway I stopped and felt better a week later. I decided to forget cholesterol testing since my diet was fine, and the doctor said my body just naturally created higher numbers.
 
Here is what I have learned over the years:At some point in time, everything is labeled as being bad for you. A few years go by and the scientific opinions are reversed and what was bad is now good. A few more years go by and what was bad and then determined to be good is labeled as being bad again. A few more years go by and the same products are labeled as good again. You only have one liver, and if you ruin it because of statin drugs, what difference does it make what your LDL/HDL levels are??
 
Well we know we had the debate about the use of statins and their side effects over on another unnamed forum and certainly everyone had their opinion. Let's put it this way: clinically it's debatable if statins protect against heart attacks but the evidence definitely shows they do help against a secondary event. And yes, statins do have their side effects and I've seen the same thing that Bud experienced in a few of my clients taking statins. And even more in terms of muscle issues and especially pulls in active clients. These side effects are being more and more documented and there's not some really good reasons why these are happening in patients taking statins.

That said, everyone should always consult with their doctor and if one drug doesn't work, your physician may recommend alternative agents.

In the above piece, the take home message is about those small dense LDL particles because they appear to be more prone to oxidation ergo, that sort of unifying theory that many diseases such as CHD, diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disorders, arthritis, Alzheimers, etc. are linked to chronic low levels of oxidative stress in the body. Then we get to the topic of of course, the effects of omega 3 FA (and new drugs such as Lovaza) vs omega 6 FA or even omega 9s and foods such as olive oil.
 
Do you guys read Michael Pollan? My thoughts about diet are largely in line with his from what I read in his book "In Defense of Food". It's an easy and entertaining read as well if anyone is interested. It discusses the industrialization of food, the related marketing and subsequent health effects, and offers alternative wisdom about diets differing from the common tendency to focus on specific fats/nutrients/vitamins etc.


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Aren't salt, sugar, and fat the three dietary staples?
 
This really doesn't relate to the "news", but I have found that having Cholesterol problems can be traced back to familial hypercholesterolaemia. My wife who has been a health nut for as long as I have known her and her brother ( joggers, bikers, healthy eating, non smokers, or drinkers) both have high cholesterol. Their father had high cholesterol and his father both died of heart problems. Heck, I'm 30+ lbs overweight (non-smoker), since my knee surgery and I don't exercise as much, due to swelling in my knee. My total cholesterol score is 195 mg/d. and my wife hates it, hers is 255. The wife started on Lipitor but it made her weak, muscle cramps and nausea. The doc changed her to Crestor and all of those side effects are gone and the meds seem to be working. Neither my father or mother or their parents had cholesterol problems. My grandparents lived up to 93. My father who is still alive is 87 and my mother is 81.

I guess my point is that your family history can play a major role in the diseases you could encounter with your health as you age.
 
Myles B. Astor said:
The three food groups! :)
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"Beans, Bacon, Whisky and Lard" - per this

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but seriously...

Lipitor sucked. I moved on to Simvastatin and I have no problems

The key to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol is and will only be exercise. It also helps reduce triglycerides and reduce the overall total cholesterol levels.

Food and diet only contributes about 20% to your overall cholesterol levels. Genetics accounts for the rest.

So why keep taking it if your levels are OK? If you have a heart problem (I get atrial fibrillation on occasion if I overdo the drink or have caffeine or excess chocolate) then it is supposed to keep plaque from building up. But with the new guidelines then I guess even this comes into question.
 
BobM said:
but seriously...

Lipitor sucked. I moved on to Simvastatin and I have no problems

The key to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol is and will only be exercise. It also helps reduce triglycerides and reduce the overall total cholesterol levels.


Food and diet only contributes about 20% to your overall cholesterol levels. Genetics accounts for the rest.

So why keep taking it if your levels are OK? If you have a heart problem (I get atrial fibrillation on occasion if I overdo the drink or have caffeine or excess chocolate) then it is supposed to keep plaque from building up. But with the new guidelines then I guess even this comes into question.
Click to expand...


I have 2 stents in one of my arteries, so I'm going to take my pills.
 
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