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Some of what I have learned...
As we age, cholesterol levels increase and the low density to high density cholesterol ratios can get out of balance. Anyone who has such problems has probably become quite aware of many issues.
Statin drugs are useful for controling cholesterol levels. These change some enzyme processes in the liver to change how much and what kinds of cholesteral is produced by the liver.
Diet changes alone are not sucessful for many because the amount of cholesterol in the food that you eat is minor compared to what you body produces.
So back to the liver. The processes that produce cholesteral are also neccessary for the production of co-enzyme Q10 aka CoQ10. It is well known that statin drugs shut down much of the production of CoQ10. CoQ10 is essential for proper fuctioning of the mitochondria bodies within the cells of the body. CoQ10 deficiencies can create muscle pain or permanent damage and accerated aging. Those who take statin drugs are told to inform their doctor if they have any problems with muscles for this very reason.
These muscle problems can be life threating as the heart muscles can be affected. Persistant low level problems might make statin drugs a trade of heart failure instead of heart attack (clots).
So those on statins should take CoQ10! This is available in most places where vitamins are sold. CoQ10 was discovered during trials and research on statin drugs as something in the blood was seen to decrease. I can't recall what drug company did this. They ended up selling the knowledge of CoQ10 and its synthethis to Japanize companies or one(?). They also patented the combo of statins and CoQ10 in the same pill, and that stops anyone else from providing this, and they sit on it and no statin drugs are available which are balanced with CoQ10. Some call this a consipracy; you can form your own opinion. You will not see anything from the statin manufactures informing you of the fact that a CoQ10 deficiency is created by these drugs. One can wonder what informed choice means. Some progressive doctors might steer you straight. Some will not know this stuff either.
CoQ10 is also relatively costly as far as things go on the vitamin shelves. (most of it comes from Japan)
There are alternative to statin drugs with none of the downsides. Policosanol is a natural material extacted from plant waxes. These are high molecular weight alchohols. You can get 150 doses on the Walmat vitamin shelves for $6.86. So a one year supply of this might be a fraction of the copay for statin drugs for some. No CoQ10 problems or any other know negative effects. Some policosanols are more costly. The one at Walmart is suplied by Rexall. Policosanols have been shown in several studies to be an effective as some statin drugs. These natural materials cannot be patented by drug companies, so they are not interested in these. With what is spent promoting statin drugs, one is not going to hear much about anything else.
There are other things that you can do to lower cholesterol by what you eat etc. You need to research and read up on these things if you want to use these alteratives.
Don't stop your statin drugs unless you are working with your doctor on this, but do use some CoQ10! Some use (stack) policosanol with statin medications. You don't want to lower total cholesterol too far, as that creates other health risks. "Cholesterol levels below 180 cause an increased risk of mortality and levels below 150 may be very dangerous."
And cholesterol is not the sole marker for problems in your arteries. Inflamation processes are very important and the levels of CRP in the blood are a very important marker for that. This is not part of a standard blood analysis, but more and more doctors are geting this info. High CRP can be a higher risk factor than high cholesterol. Cholesterol is only one piece of the puzzle.
If you care for some links and other info, you can use my email link. I have been reading and researching these and other issues... hours per day.
Dean
03 9-5 Aero, 46K
posted by 68.95.119...
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