OHHHHH don't get me started on statins! But, you did so.....

Statins (Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, Pravachol) only prevent cardiovascular events in a small population. Studies have shown that the only people who really benefit from statin use are older men who have already had a heart attack. Everyone else is popping evil little pills that are causing more harm than good.

From the book The Great Cholesterol Myth by Jonny Bowden, PH.D. and Stephen Sinatra, M.D. (Chapter 6) here are a few more downsides (all parenthetical comments are my own):

1. The benefits of statins have been widely exaggerated.
2. Statins deplete coenzyme Q10 - this depletion can cause muscle pain, weakness, and fatigue (If you are taking a statin at the very, very least you should be supplementing with CoQ10 - preferably Ubiquinol which is the active form).
3. The brain depends on cholesterol to function optimally (can you say dementia?)
4. Statins lead to a reduction in sex hormones (Viagra anyone?)
5. Statins interfere with serotonin receptors (depressed much?)
6. There are indicators that statins may be associated with a higher risk of cancer and diabetes (as Hive account@conficker mentioned above.)
7. A majority of doctors dismiss complaints of side effects from statins and do not report them.
8. Statins should not be prescribed for the elderly or for the vast majority of women (OF WOMEN like Hive account@confickers mom who didn't even have high cholesterol!)
9. Research shows that with rare exceptions - any benefit from statin drugs is seen only in middle-aged men with documented coronary artery disease.

In addition to the above points, it needs to be noted that advanced cholesterol testing is now available. When looking at cholesterol levels it is no longer enough to look at HDL, LDL and Triglyceride levels. What we need to know is the size and "fluffiness" of these particles.

If you have high LDL and the majority of them are the large and fluffy kind then you don't have to worry. Now if the majority are the small dense particles that burrow under your arterial walls and create plaques - then worry.

If your triglycerides are through the roof - it's your sugar (carbohydrate) consumption. HDL low? Have some red wine and do a little exercise.

There are other markers like LpPla2 which indicates active cardiovascular disease that need to be considered. Many cardiologists put a lot of weight on this particular marker and if it's in range then pharmaceutical interventions are not prescribed.

It is unfortunate (criminal?) that they have changed the guidelines of where to give statins especially without requiring more advanced testing to really justify their use.

If your physician has prescribed a statin for you please do your due diligence and demand more advanced testing like the BostonHeart or ClevelandHeartLab. Diet changes are ALWAYS your best first line of defense.

In my opinion, statins are currently being over-prescribed which only lines the pharmaceutical companies fat wallets and are wreaking havoc on the populations' health.

Just my .$02

In Peace, Love, and HEALTH!
~T