STATINS - A review of the Evidence and Side Effects

This is a summary of all my research, but links go into detail exploring these concepts - I have spent over 6 months looking into the research, listening to cardiologists on both sides (pro-statin and anti-statin), reading the research myself, and using my brain to think logically. I have linked my LinkedIn posts exploring these concepts. 

I have extensively researched this topic, but before I actually break down the research let me explain a few things about how this research is conducted. 

If you have no idea what cholesterol even is, you can watch my youtube video [I have also explained the role of LDL in heart disease] or read my articles on cholesterol - article 1 (what is cholesterol); article 2 (hdl and ldl are not good and bad) Once you understand what cholesterol is, you will understand that it cannot be bad for you.

What is a statin?

It is a poison extracted from poisonous mushrooms, which is produced to kill animals. The mechanism by which mushrooms kill animals is by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis. If you understand what cholesterol is and how important it is for animal life, you can see why inhibiting cholesterol synthesis will kill you. It was discovered by a Japanese scientist Mr Akira Endo (who later was recommended the drug by his doctor, but he politely refused). Initial drug trials on lovastatin showed increased risk of severe muscle problems.

STATIN TRIALS - FRAUDULENT research which should be taken with a pinch of salt.

1. Most of the research on statins is produced by scientists who are paid off by the Pharmaceutical Industry (Pfizer etc). The prestigious group of scientists from Oxford are called the CTT (Cholesterol Treatment Trialists). There is a major conflict of interest here.     
2. Raw data from the trials has not been independently analysed by any scientists, and is concealed from the public! [BMJ article to this here]
3. The CTT produces meta-analysis of trials which exclude trials with poor outcomes [paper exploring this here]. These papers are repeatedly cited in the literature, so that the mistakes carry over.
4. Trials show inconsistent benefits. Many trials show increased death in the treatment group. There are a total of  around 8 Primary Prevention and 28 Secondary Prevention Trials. Out of 28 trials, only 4 trials show a mortality benefit, and all 4 are pre-2004. [LINKEDIN ARTICLE ON PRIMARY TRIALS here, SECONDARY TRIALS here]
5. If you split the trials on statins into pre-2004 and post-2004, the benefits of statins completely disappear. This is because post-2004, there were new rules and regulations in place to improve transparency of data, because pharma companies had a poor. This means that the data is inconsistent and irreproducible - which means it is poor science, and any trial pre-2004 should not be taken seriously. [Figure below, LINKEDIN ARTICLE here.] If you look at figures below, all the trials done after 2004 show INCREASED CARDIOVASCULAR DEATH in the treatment groups. This is dodgy.

STATIN SIDE EFFECTS (NOTE THAT MANY OF THESE SIDE EFFECTS including memory loss are listed in the british national formulary)

Cholesterol is produced in the liver using a pathway as shown here. Cholesterol is the precursor for various important biological components - vitamin D, bile acids, steroid hormones, antioxidants etc. I cannot even imagine how dangerous it can be to inhibit the synthesis of such important by products - it would have devastating effects on every cell & organ system in the body.

Generalised weakness, dizziness, discomfort : 

• The main reason that many patients feel tired, weak and dizzy is due to the fact that statins deplete an essential nutrient in the body called CoQ10. This is an essential enzyme needed to produce ATP (Energy) in the body, by every single cell. Therefore, you literally have LOW energy! It's also important to note that CoQ10 is an antioxidant needed to prevent LDL from becoming oxidized! This is why statins worsen your cholesterol panels.

Brain and Nervous System including Psychiatric Problems & Dementia

• Memory Loss or dementia like symptoms are a listed side effect.
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Aggression, Depression Homicidal tendency
• Parkinson's like symptoms.
• Sleep disorders.
• LINKED IN ARTICLE ON NEUROPSYCHIATRIC SIDE EFFECTS.

Statins - WORSEN DYSLIPIDAMIA.

• They worsen DYSLIPIDAEMIA. Dyslipidaemia is the condition that is associated with increased heart disease risk, characterised by high TG, low HDL and oxidised LDL.
• They increased oxidised LDL, which can turn into foam cells that form plaque
• They increase Lp(a), an inflammatory marker. Conventional medicine claims that Lp(a) is very bad for health and causes heart attacks. YET THEY RECOMMEND A STATIN WHICH INCREASES LP(A) THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.
• Alot of contradicting evidence suggests that they increase plaques and calcification [evidence as presented by cardiologist Nadir Ali]
• They increase heart attacks in those without dyslipidaemia (aka those with high HDL. Often statins are given to those with high LDL irrespective of HDL levels) - LINKEDIN ARTICLE SHOWING INCREASED HEART ATTACKS ON THOSE WITH A STATIN WITH HIGH HDL.
• Linked In Article on statins and what they actually do to your cholesterol levels here.

MSK and bone health: Most of my patients tell me they get muscle cramps due to statins, but they put up with it and do not question it because they are scared they will die if they stop the medicine. I even had a 90 year old patient tell me that after stopping a statin, he has been walking properly for many years. And no, I DO not think he is making up the symptom in his head - I believe him. I have had hundreds of patients tell me this. I have had patients tell me that family members had to start using a walking stick the day after starting a statin.

• Evidence that statins destroy muscles on a molecular level, check out my LinkedIn article: ARTICLE ON STATINS DESTROYING MUSCLE.
• This article shows that elderly patients on a statin have a reduced mobility. Often due to muscle cramps. I have explored this study here: LINKEDIN ARTICLE - STUDY ON ELDERLY PATIENTS MOBILITY ON STATINS.
• One study has shown that skeletal muscle mass function declines by around 30% with statin administration! [Link to study here]
• If it destroys your skeletal muscle, would it destroy your heart muscle? Logic would mean yes - and evidence suggests this too. Statins INCREASE hstroponin levels and cause heart failure as a side effect, which is reversible by stopping statins and supplementing COQ10.
• Osteoporosis is a side effect - because vitamin D is made from cholesterol, and your muscles get destroyed.

Heart side effects

• Diabetes is a side effect, which is the most important risk factor for heart disease
• Statins directly cause heart failure. They destroy your muscles (surprise - the heart is a muscle) This study shows that stopping a statin can reverse heart failure. [explore article here]. 
• TROPONIN LEVELS: Regular troponin blood test is NOT a sensitive test. (I see this quite often in patients with infections, emotional stress etc. Many patients will have increased troponin but no heart attack) Evidence suggests that statins increase cardiac troponin levels indicating damage to the heart. hs-cTns is a test that is the most sensitive test to detect heart damage. This study (which received no external funding) explores the mechanisms of how statins damage the heart.
• Increased heart attacks in healthy people
  LINKEDIN ARTICLE ON STATIN AND DIABETES

Gastrointestinal Problems

• diarrhoea, constipation and reflux (bile acids are made from cholesterol which aid in digesting food and help with gut health)
• liver damage - statins directly damage liver - very common side effect.

CANCER/IMMUNITY

• Many trials show increased cancer in statin treated patients. Cancer is a metabolic disease where mitochondria act abnormally, and statins directly damage mitochondria.
• Those with high LDL-C have almost 0 risk of cancer. LDL itself is a part of the innate immune system which fights cancer and inflammation. 
• People with high LDL-C have low risk of dying from infections, viruses, COVID etc,
• ARTICLE ON STATINS AND CANCER/IMMUNITY.

BENEFITS OF STATINS:

• If you consider the pharmaceutical trial data to be legitimate (I do not), an analysis of studies show they extend your life by around 4-5 days. This comes at a cost of all of the abovementioned side effects. [STUDY published in British Medical Journal here]
• A small anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory benefit. It also increases Nitric Oxide release from the blood vessels, which has benefits. These benefits are attained through other drugs such as aspirin, omega-3 fatty acids, anti-clotting agents, and nitrate tablets. Lifestyle measures such as low-carb anti-inflammatory diet, green leafy vegetables, sunlight exposure/red light therapy/sauna, exercise and meditation also have similar benefits. Given the side effects, this small benefit is not worth it in my clinical opinion.
• The benefit mostly holds for those who have a condition called DYSLIPIDAEMIA (most patients with heart attack and stroke do, so there definitely is a benefit for these patients). But note that dyslipidaemia is easy reversible using a low carb diet and lifestyle. And once again, the benefit is small. Also note that many patients with high LDL cholesterol DO NOT HAVE DYSLIPIDAEMIA, And WILL NOT benefit from a statin. 
• Statins show no mortality benefit for women. They show some benefit for men around the age of 50. I repeat, WOMEN do not benefit from statins.

If you are still terrified of cholesterol, take a water soluble low dose statin called ROSUVASTATIN. 5 mg, no more.

THE ILLOGICAL nature of the cholesterol hypothesis: Read my article on why cholesterol-hypothesis makes no sense from a logical point. LINKEDIN ARTICLE

FURTHER CONTRADICTORY EVIDENCE TO THE LDL-CHOLESTEROL HYPOTHESIS:

• Dapagliflozin is a diabetic drug which is becoming increasingly popular. It has been shown to reduce mortality in those with heart failure and coronary disease. It reverses plaques, and even reduces dementia risk by 30%. It increases your LDL cholesterol. Evidence is explored in my linkedin article on SGLT2i. But it does not make sense that a drug that shrinks plaques and treats heart problems INCREASES your cholesterol, yet that high cholesterol is bad for you. This is the most compelling evidence against the hypothesis.
• The fact that statins increase Lp(a), a marker that is associated with increased risk of heart disease. Cardiologists claim Lp(a) will kill you, yet you should take a statin that will increase Lp(a), and follow a low-fat diet which also increases Lp(a). Saturated fat decreases Lp(a). I watched this video by Stanford cardiologists on Lp(a), and I am shocked and disappointed with the brainwashing power of systemic education. Even Harvard trained cardiologists cannot use logical thinking and reasoning, especially if they are paid $$$ by Pharma! YOUTUBE VIDEO HERE. I am working on my Lp(a) research.
• People with high cholesterol live longer. Studies on 12.8 million people, 154 countries, and even on centenarians have shown this. Studies linked.
• PCSK9 inhibitors - a class of drugs that reduces your LDL to almost 0, shows no benefits as per the research. Read my article on PCSK9 here.
• Patients who have LMHR phenotype and LDL as high as 400 have no plaques on angiogram after following up for 5 years. This simply does not make sense. LINK HERE.