A brief discussion of the high cholesterol myth and the dangers of statin drugs

by Tony Isaacs

(The Best Years in Life) High cholesterol in and of itself is not dangerous and is largely a myth created to sell statin drugs and medical treatments.  High cholesterol levels may be a warning sign of poor cardiovascular health, but you won't improve your cardiovascular system or prevent heart attacks by artificially suppressing the warning signs with drugs that cause the body to perform unnaturally and which have dangerous side effects. Besides, the body needs cholesterol to function properly.

When you lower cholesterol with drugs you may well be putting yourself in harm's way. On the other hand, when you address cholesterol naturally you will likely improve your natural cardiovascular and other health in many ways.

From "The Truth about Lowering Cholesterol":

"While it is true that high cholesterol has been associated with heart attacks and other problems, no cause and effect relationship has been established. There has been no proof that high cholesterol itself causes heart attacks or other problems, nor has there been any proof that merely lowering cholesterol with drugs prevents such problems. The medical myth of cholesterol being evil sells lots and lots of drugs, but those drugs do not promote better health. In many instances such drugs actually lead to health problems.

"The body needs cholesterol. Cholesterol is a vital component of every cell. Without cholesterol the body cannot make vital hormones such as estrogen, testosterone and cortisol. Cholesterol is a precursor to the hormone known as Vitamin D, which is vital for good health. In fact, too low a cholesterol level can increase a person's risk of death.

"Statin drugs work by inhibiting a liver enzyme that is necessary for the production of cholesterol. In the process, they deplete the body of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) which is necessary for heart health, energy and muscle function. Depletion of CoQ10 leads to fatigue, sore and weak muscles, and eventually to heart failure or cancer. The sore and weak muscles that characterize statin use are a very serious sign and can be life threatening. This condition is rhabdomyolysis, and it can lead to muscle atrophy including atrophy of the heart muscle. Weak and sore muscles can also be a sign that body tissues are breading down, a condition that can lead to kidney damage.

"Statin drugs have been associated with weakened immune system, liver disease, and increased risk of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease)."

What you really have to watch out for is arterial plaque, high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat.  To naturally guard against such problems more safely and effectively than statin and other mainstream medications, take magnesium, silica, CoQ10, cayenne pepper and hawthorn berry syrup/extract - along with plenty of healthy veggies (juiced is great) and some healthy fruits. And of course, exercise - or at least plenty of regular physical activity. I do all of those, with the exception that I need to set aside time to get in more exercise on a regular basis (I am still searching for a remedy that will help severe the cyber umbilical chord the keeps me locked in to my computer - lol).

To learn much, much more:

"The Truth About Lowering Cholesterol"

"Naturally Prevent and Remove Dangerous Arterial Plaque"

"High Cholesterol"

"The truth about blood pressure and the dangers of blood pressure medicines"

"Healing and Preventing Heart Disease with Nutrition"

The bottom line to me is that you could not pay me to take statin drugs. Like so many other instances where unnatural drugs are used to artificially mask symptoms of underlying disease, nature offers far safer and more effective solutions.

Note: If you are already taking statin drugs, it might be unhealthy to try to quit cold-turkey. Instead of stopping abruptly, gradually wean yourself - preferably under the supervision of a qualified naturopathic professional.

Photo courtesy of colros' photostream - http://www.flickr.com/photos/73416633@N00/