Hi Gang! Dr C (Dr. Coppola) and Dr. M. (Dr Monteiro) here. Are you on a cholesterol lowering medication known as a Statin drug?

If you have elevated cholesterol, arterial blockages or have suffered a heart attack then chances are you have been prescribed a statin medication. Statin drugs are a group of medications that lower cholesterol in the blood by reducing the production of cholesterol by the liver. It does this by blocking an enzyme in liver that is responsible for making cholesterol.

Statins are very effective at lowering the levels of your LDL cholesterol, otherwise known as the ‘Bad Cholesterol’, but did you know that your statin medications do much more than simply lower LDL’s. They will often lower your HDL cholesterol levels. This is your good cholesterol. Your HDL protects you from heart disease and heart attacks.

1 out of 4 Americans over the age of 45 are now taking Statin medications, that’s literally tens of millions of Americans. Statin medications include:

• Lipitor (atorvastatin)
• Crestor (rosuvastatin)
• Zocor (simvastatin)
• Pravachol (pravastatin)
• Altoprev (lovastatin)
• Livalo (pitavastatin)
• Lescol (Fluvastatin)
• Advicor
• Vytorin

There has been mounting evidence over the past 10 years showing that Statin medications do not actually prevent heart attacks and come with a very DISTURBING list of side effects. Study after study has been published in highly credible journals such as, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), American Journal of Phsysiology, the Journal of Neurology, the Lancet, Journal of Clinical Oncology, and the European Journal of Pharmacology. These are just a few of the journals that numerous research studies have been published in warning of the dangerous side effects from Statin medications.

6 Reasons You Should Not Take Statins

1. Statins Reduce CoQ10

Statins deplete your body of CoQ10, which is used for energy production by EVERY cell in your body. Therefore, CoQ10 is vitally necessary to maintain good health, maintain energy and longevity. Research reveals that depleting your body of CoQ10 raises your risk of heart attacks.
You Must Take Coq10 If You Are Taking A Statin Medication

2. Statins Reduce Vitamin K2

A new research study published in 2015 in the Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology revealed that statin drugs increase atherosclerosis (plaques in arteries) and heart failure.

Vitamin K2 protects your arteries from calcification. Without K2 the plaques in your arteries worsen. K2 deficiency brought on by statins also increases your risk for developing Osteoporosis, Brain disease, Heart disease, Strokes and Cancer.

If you are on a statin medication, make sure to take vitamin K2

3. Statin Medications Induce Peripheral Neuropathy

Research has shown that the vast majority of people who take statins for 2 years or more develop peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is a condition where damage has occurred to nerves that run to the feet and legs and hands and arms. Symptoms typically start as mild but within 12 months can become severe and debilitating. Symptoms can include numbness, tingling, burning, pins & needles, cramping, sharp pain, muscle weakness in the feet and legs or hands and arms. Even a loss of balance can occur, resulting in falls and serious injuries.

A study published in the Journal of Neurology revealed that statin drug users have a 16-time greater risk of developing peripheral neuropathy.

If you suspect you may have peripheral neuropathy and would like to learn more click here.

4. Statins Increase your Risk of Diabetes by Close to 50%

Most recently a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine revealed that statins increase the risk of diabetes for postmenopausal women by 48%.

Another study published in the Journal of Neurology showed that people of any age group or sex taking statin drugs for 2 or more years have a 26-time higher risk for developing diabetes.

5. Statins Increase the Risk of Cancer

Research shows that women on statin meds for 10 years or longer have double the risk of developing breast cancer.

A study published in The Journal of Clinical Oncology revealed that use of any statin drug, even in small amounts, was associated with a significant risk increase for prostate cancer.

6. Statins Use Increases Brain Diseases

Multiple studies have concluded that statin use has been associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases.

To find out more about Statin medication dangers click here.