Dangers of Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs

Dangers of Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs

According to a study published June 10, 2013, in the Journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, antidepressants and cholesterol-reducing drugs are the two categories of prescription drugs most widely used among patients ages 50 to 64, and their use is likely to increase as that cadre ages into Medicare eligibility.

One in four boomers has a statin prescription.

The study, by a team of researchers from the Mayo Clinic and the Olmsted Medical Center, looked at a year’s worth of prescription drug data from the clinics’ Minnesota home county. Within the boomer age group, 30% of men and 22% of women had prescriptions for “antilipemic agents,” the category of drug that includes the cholesterol-fighting drugs statins (among which Lipitor and its generic equivalents are the biggest sellers). That made such drugs the most widely used medications in that age group. Meanwhile, 26% of women and 13% of men had prescriptions for antidepressants during the period studied.

http://blogs.marketwatch.com/encore/2013/06/19/boomer-drug-of-choice-it-might-be-lipitor/ 

What are the Side Effects of Statin Drugs?

1. Muscle problems are the best known of statin drugs’ adverse side effects, but cognitive problems and pain or numbness in the extremities are also widely reported.
2. Blood glucose elevation. A spectrum of other problems, ranging from blood glucose elevations to tendon problems, can also occur as side effects. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/06/12/unintended-statin-sideeffect-risks-uncovered.aspx
3. Kidney problems. Taking statins in high doses increases the risk of emergency hospital treatment for kidney damage, warn researchers. They found patients taking high potency statins had a 34% higher risk of being hospitalized for acute kidney injury, compared with those taking low doses. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2295971/Stronger-doses-statins-increase-risk-kidney-damage-THIRD.html
4. Violent behavior. Patient 1 wanted to kill someone. Normally even-tempered, the 63-year-old man found himself waking with an uncontrolled anger and the desire to smash things. His violent impulses started after he began taking the cholesterol-lowering statin Lipitor and they vanished within two days of quitting the drug. Patient 2 developed a short fuse after he started on Zocor*, another popular statin. The 59-year-old felt an impulse to kill his wife, and once tried, unsuccessfully, to do so. His violent tendencies subsided within a few weeks of stopping Zocor. Patient 3, a 46-year-old female, became unusually irritable while taking Lipitor, repeatedly blowing up at her husband for no reason. Like the others, her uncharacteristic behavior disappeared after she quit taking statins. Physician Beatrice Golomb at the University of California-San Diego has collected thousands of anecdotes like these through her website,.  She’s convinced that these drugs—taken by one in four Americans over the age of 45—can provoke severe irritability and violence among a subset of users.

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2011/11/lipitor_side_effects_statins_and_mental_health_.html

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2295971/Stronger-doses-statins-increase-risk-kidney-damage-THIRD.html#ixzz2WyRNm6VH

You Can Naturally Lower Your Cholesterol and Improve Your Mood

• Chinese red yeast rice can help balance cholesterol. Red yeast rice contains substances called monacolins, which are converted by the body to make a chemical inhibiting the production of cholesterol. One monacolin known as lovastatin has been extracted from this yeast and used in popular statin drugs. Extracting the active ingredient from the rice and using it in a drug formulation amplifies its effects, but may produce both muscle and kidney injuries. Supplies of red yeast rice supplements sold in the USA at this time do not contain any of the active ingredient to reduce cholesterol levels since the FDA banned its use.

• Green tea contains various compounds that lower LDL cholesterol levels. A study performed in Brazil where people consumed green tea extract in capsules resulted in a 4.5 percent lowering of LDL cholesterol levels.

• Regular consumption of nuts, particularly walnuts and almonds, may help reduce LDL cholesterol levels.

• Niacin or vitamin B-3 helps lower LDL cholesterol levels as much as 10% and raise HDL cholesterol levels by 15% to 30%. Niacin does have side effects and should only be used under supervision.

• Artichoke leaf extract can help lower cholesterol levels by limiting synthesis in the body. Additionally, the extract may increase the flow of cholesterol excretion from the liver.

• Soluble Fiber can slow the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. Eat more oats, legumes, prunes, apples, pears, carrots, broccoli and yams, all high in soluble fiber. Five to 10 grams daily can produce a 5 percent reduction in LDL cholesterol.

• Watercress juice. Studies show watercress has been linked to lowering high cholesterol levels. In a 2008 study, rats who were given watercress every day for 30 days reduced their triglycerides by 43 percent; decreased their cholesterol by 37 percent; lowered their LDL (bad cholesterol) by 49 percent; and raised their HDL (good cholesterol) by 16 percent. The rats were able to normalize their triglycerides, cholesterol levels, and LDL, while raising their HDL. There is watercress juice powder in our Garden’s Best Genesis Superfood Juice Powder.  http://www.medicaldaily.com/benefits-watercress-lower-blood-pressure-and-6-other-conditions-it-can-399859

• Drink 1 to 2 glasses of green juice a day. This has been helpful for a number of people who lowered their cholesterol.

• Liver cleansing. A congested liver can contribute to high cholesterol. Join the 30-Day Detox program that starts Monday. Week 2 is Liver Cleanse and Parasite Cleanse. Many people find that their cholesterol levels improve after cleansing the liver.

Karen lowered her cholesterol by almost 100 points. 

“I bought the juicer you recommended. My doctor told me that she wanted me to go on medicine for my cholesterol like the rest of my family.  She said that I could only reduce my cholesterol by 10 percent at the most by diet. After one month of juicing an 8-ounce glass of green juice a day (celery, carrot, kale, parsley, apple, ginger) my cholesterol dropped from 214 to 127!!! Now I have my whole family juicing to get off their cholesterol medication! Thank you so much for listening to our wonderful Lord! I love eating His way!”

Today’s Recipe

Watercress Detox Soup

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 cups sweet onion, diced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 1 teaspoon Celtic sea salt, or to taste
• 4 medium zucchini, diced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond butter
• 2 cups watercress, chopped
• Freshly ground pepper to taste
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

In a medium to large soup pot over medium heat, heat the oil and sauté the onion and celery with half of the salt for about 5 minutes, or until translucent. Add the zucchini and sauté for 3 minutes.

Add the vegetable broth and the other 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir in the almond butter until well combined. Increase the heat to high, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 5 minutes or until the zucchini is tender. Add the watercress and simmer for about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat, and cool the soup slightly. Stir in the lemon juice.

If you want a creamy soup, pour it into a blender in batches and puree until smooth and creamy. Return the soup to the soup pot, season to taste, and warm over low heat.

Today is the last day of the Esther Fast. You are welcome to join the prayer call at 4 pm ET. Sign up here.