Cholesterol Medication 

Medications to Lower Cholesterol & Their Nasty Side Affects

 Cholesterol Medication to Lower Cholesterol

Statin drugs such as lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, and atorvastatin are commonly prescribed to over 15 million Americans to help reduce cholesterol levels under their various trade names; Lipitor, Zocor, Nevacor, etc. Statins inhibit an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. Statin drugs reduce cholesterol by slowing down the production of cholesterol, and by increasing the liver's ability to remove the LDL-cholesterol already in the blood. Statins also reduce elevated triglyceride levels and produce a modest increase in HDL-cholesterol.

However, the side effects of cholesterol medication can end up being very debilitating unlike the natural cure for high cholesterol.

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The November 2003 issue of Smart Money Magazine reported that the St. Thomas Hospital in London found that 36% of people on the cholesterol medication Lipitor, reported side effects that consisted of muscle pain and weakness, a condition called rhabdomyolysis. This is most likely due to the depletion of CoQ10, which supports the muscle structure and function of the heart from taking this statin drug to lower cholesterol.

Rhabdomyolysis is a process in which dying muscle cells cause the toxic buildup of certain substances in the blood, such as creatine, myoglobin, aldolase, potassium, and lactate dehydrogenase. Left untreated, rhabdomyolysis can cause life-threatening damage to body organs, including kidney failure.

Dr. B Glolam from San Diego California, conducted a series of studies on the side effects of statin drugs. Dr. Glolam, in one study, found that 98% suffered from muscle pain and weakness. 38% of the patients on Nevacor reported the same side effects from taking this drug to lower cholesterol. However, the drug companies claim that only 2 to 3% of the people taking Lipitor suffer any side effects.

Motor skills and coordination also are reported as a side effect of cholesterol medication after a period of time, usually 3 years or more. Nerve problems are also a common side affect after 2 or more years and increase the risk of polyneuropathy 14x to the 14 power compared to controls.

Polyneuropathy is a neurological disorder in which there is swelling of nerve roots and destruction of the fatty protective covering known as the myelin sheath over the nerves. This disorder causes weakness, paralysis and/or impairment in motor function, especially of the arms and legs. Sensory loss may also be present causing numbness, tingling, or prickling sensations. The motor and sensory impairments usually affect both sides of the body, and the degree of severity may vary.

Dr. D Graveline in his report; Statin, The Memory Thieves", reported that memory loss is a very common side effect from taking statin drugs.

In July 2005 in the Orange County register, and article titled; "Statins may Raise Risk for Diabetes". In the study conducted and as reported in this article, patients are twice as likely to die of stroke as well as contract diabetes.

In the July issue of Worst Pills Best Pills Newsletter by Dr. Sidney Wolf, he reported that the most dangerous cholesterol medication was Crestor. The major side effect was rhabdomyolysis that can lead to muscle weakness, kidney failure, and death. This side effect was seen in clinical trials before the drug was approved.

If you go and do an Internet search for rhabdomyolysis, you will come up with a long list of people that have this, and a long list of trial lawyers suing the manufacturer because of it. All these side effects can be avoided if you treat the cause of high cholesterol with safe and natural means that addresses the structure and function of the body.

It may appear that today's cholesterol medication may be worse for you than good doesn't it? I think you would be better served by checking out the natural cures and try that instead. But then, that is just my opinion.

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