Statins are the most common category of drugs prescribed to prevent heart attacks by lowering cholesterol. How well do they really work?
Statins are very effective at lowering cholesterol levels. But this only protects you from heart attacks if cholesterol causes heart attacks. You might be surprised to know that the idea that heart attacks are caused by high cholesterol is just a theory, called the cholesterol theory of heart disease. Doctors like myself learn this theory as if there is no alternative theory. In 2002, I started finding evidence that the cholesterol theory–which I was led to believe was based in solid science–was never actually proven and in fact may be entirely incorrect.
If that is the case, then what do we accomplish by taking statins to lower cholesterol? That’s a question that’s bothered me for quite some time, especially when I see people suffering from side effects of statins.
On this page, I will be compiling some of the most science-backed presentations by MDs and PhDs exposing how the American Heart Association, drug companies, and other aspects of healthcare keep the cholesterol theory alive while simultaneously exaggerating statin benefits and downplaying the harms of taking statins. This post and this video describe the origin of the theory and why the AHA started leaning toward this theory back in the 1950s. just getting started here and more videos will be added as I get a chance to compile all the great information coming out.
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Lauren Smith
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I would like to thank you for literally saving my life. Back in February, I had to be hospitalized while on vacation in Phoenix with an A1C of 11% and had to start taking 2 types of insulin and 2 other meds. I read the Fatburn Fix in April, and followed the program to a tee, and I’m down by 15 pounds, 6.8 A1C, and only one once weekly diabetes medicine.
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The alternative theory is that oxidation causes atherosclerosis. This theory is not new. It’s been quietly running in the background since arterial plaques were first discovered over 100 years ago. I discuss this theory and how it changes the dietary dogma in this post.
British Cardiologist Explains Statins Don’t Do Much Except Make People Feel Bad
This clear and insightful presentation covers a lot of ground. He starts with a case where, due to being started on statins after suffering a small heart attack, the patient’s mental and physical deterioration forced him to stop taking the drug against the advice of all his doctors. In the second half, he shows how the statins-are-great sausage is made. He even says doctors who do not inform patients of the realities are practicing unethically. No you di’int!
I totally applaud the point he makes because it is unethical to start people on a lifetime potentially of drug taking when you have not familiarized yourself with the risks you’re exposing patients to by giving them a prescription.
The problem is, doctors have very few unbiased resources to turn to that can help us see the real truth in the science. Unless your doctor happens to follow someone like this British Cardiologist on social media, or one of the other doctors I’ve included here (or me), then he’s operating under the influence of drug companies.
I would also like to add that, here in the US, if doctors knew the truth many would be too afraid to change their practices. We get sued for everything, whereas over the pond it’s slightly easier to be an ethical MD.
(The only thing I have to take off points for is that the root cause of insulin resistance is not carbs, it’s seed oils. But this is an under-appreciated reality because it’s still just my theory. But it’s based on solid science and I explain the link in The FATBURN Fix)
Easy-to-Understand Presentation of Statin Side Effects
The JJ Med Ed Channel was created by a medical resident who has now graduated and still creates videos
Statin Side Effect Summary Part 1
Statin Side Effect Summary Part 2
Low Carb Diets Often Raise Cholesterol Is That A Problem?
Cardiologist Ali Nadir, MD Investigates the Evidence
Professor David Diamond’s Answer May Surprise You
Reports of Death by Cholesterol Are Greatly Exaggerated
Professor David Diamond explains how a 1 percent benefit gets magnified into 400 percent benefit
Dr. Daimond is from USF Departments of Psychology and Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology.
Why Statins Don’t Actually Help
Our model of cardiovascular disease is based on an outdated theory called “the cholesterol hypothesis.” In this model, cholesterol is the cause of heart attacks. This idea helps to sell a lot of drugs so we never hear about the better model that is supported by science. That theory is called the oxidation theory.
For some basic principles on this topic and why cholesterol-lowering is the wrong goal, you can read this series of articles.
The Anti-Statin Side
Medical Doctor Calls Statin Science “Bullcrap” and Shows Why
Medical Doctor Exposes Statin History
Scientist and Journalist Faces Challenges Relaying Statin Side Effects (2019)
Medical Doctor Fears Her Symptoms Mean Alzheimer’s
Personal Statin Nightmare Story (2014)
The Pro Statin Side
You’ll notice these guys tend to come from high-profile universities. At these well funded institutions, if they didn’t get in line with the party line they would lose their jobs.
Mayo Clinic Doctors Defend Statins (2019)
Surprisingly, this Mayo Clinic Cardiologist admits that statins only work if you also exercise and follow a healthy diet!
Featured Image Credit:
https://unsplash.com/@jamesyarema
Just a note that there are a lot of empty spaces on this webpage. Perhaps it is not loading correctly? I believe they were to be links to videos. I can only see the first few. (None after the heading “ Low Carb Diets Often Raise Cholesterol Is That A Problem?” are displaying for me. I am using an iPad Pro.)