Here we have a must read for anyone with an over active doctor who likes dispensing "Cholesterol Pills". Dr. Graveline first describes some rare and not so rare side-effects of cholesterol lowering drugs on the mind [memory loss, poor fuzzy thinking]. Then there are some of the more debilitating physical effects of these drugs from the reduction of CoQ10, the vital energy producer and "catalytic converter" of every nerve and muscle cell. Then there is more cancer in older people ..
As statins lower cholesterol, they also lower in lock-step some truly vital body chemicals [CoQ10, squalene and other important products]. Being aware of such side effects may prevent damage that can result.
Graveline then suggests that this may all be worth it IF THERE WOULD BE A BENEFIT in survival from taking statin drugs like Lipitor or Zocor, but there is no such clear benefit. In fact, all statins trials combined may NOT have extended the life of a single woman! [British Medical Journal, Oct. 18 2003:933] Three of the latest massive trials either showed no heart disease benefit [ALLHAT] or no improved survival in anybody [ASCOT, PROSPER, and again ALLHAT].
The author gives important warnings, but the book goes further in describing what really underlies the decline of artery health [and you're only as young as your arteries].
He debunks the CHOLESTEROL MYTH and presents SIMPLE PREVENTION STRATEGIES with B vitamins that lower the "natural blood toxin" homocysteine. He then proposes to leave the "low fat and cholesterol" high starch and refined junk flour products on the shelf and to eat less refined products, even if they are higher in fat and cholesterol in their natural state [high nutrient products].
Buy this book if you're on a statin [it's cheaper than a week's worth of Lipitor] and then give it to a doctor since they are the ones that either prescribe the drugs, or propose sensible alternatives.
Drugs are NOT the underlying cause of heart disease and there is little evidence they can fix arteries after they are damaged -and long-term harm to the mind, to muscle [weakness], to nerves and from cancer may well await those not paying attention to the side effects. This book may help you prevent such harm.
