Of course, we all know that drugs have side effects… often serious ones. But you certainly wouldn’t expect the drug you are taking to prevent a certain disease to actually make it worse. Or even cause the disease itself! But in fact, that is what many of them do.
Depression drugs can cause depression and even suicidal thoughts. The FDA continues to demand warning labels on certain antidepressants.1
And we know that chemotherapy and other cancer drugs can actually cause cancer.2
Now, new research shows that one of the most popular and profitable of all drugs – statin medications – can cause symptoms of heart disease. We’ve warned you about statin drugs before. Yes, they’re bad for you. But now the new research – published just last month – proves they are even worse than we imagined.
People take statins to lower the level of cholesterol in the blood.3 This prevents plaque build up in arteries. And in turn prevents chest pain, heart attacks, and strokes.
But that’s not all they do…
Statins come with a laundry list of side effects – muscle problems, dementia, depression, chronic fatigue, hypertension, and stroke. Even worse? They create the problem they are supposed to be fixing and preventing… heart disease!
“Our study shows for the first time that statins actually appear to promote calcification in patients with longstanding type 2 diabetes, despite optimal lipid levels and regardless of prior heart and vascular disease,” said Dr. Aramesh Saremi.
Dr. Saremi, from the Phoenix VA Health Care System, led the study that was recently published in the journal Diabetes Care.4 For the study, researchers assessed 197 type 2 diabetics on statin drugs. 36 of the patients used statins less frequently, while 161 reported more frequent use.
You see, doctors often prescribe statins to diabetics. That’s because diabetes can raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. And LDL cholesterol can form plaque and cause the risk of heart disease to increase.
But in the study the frequent statin users had significantly more coronary plaque advancement. That’s right… The research shows that statins caused the very problem they were supposed to prevent.
Makes you ask why doctors continue to prescribe them, right?
We’ve been wondering that for years.
And the recent study on statin drugs increasing arterial calcification comes just months after a study at Harvard revealed a 50% increase in the risk for developing diabetes in people taking statin drugs.5
And that’s not even all…
A paper co-authored by Dr. Beatrice Golomb published in American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs cites nearly 900 studies on the adverse effects of statin drugs.6
One adverse effect found…weakening of the heart. Again – more proof that statins are making the problem they are supposed to fix even worse!
Now that’s serious… To us at least. But not to the people handing the pills out.
Statin drugs are a dream come true for Big Pharma. Statins alone are a $28 billion a year industry.7
About one in four Americans over age 45 takes a statin, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. And most don’t even need it. People with normal cholesterol are given them as a “preventative” measure. But they aren’t preventing anything. They’re causing the calcification they’re supposed to prevent.
So, what can you do?
First, don’t take statins. Second, change the way you eat.
A poor diet can result in inflammation.
Strive for a diet low in trans and saturated fats. Eat foods rich in omega-3 type fats.
But most of all…
Watch your sugar intake. Sugar converts to fat. And sugar or refined carbohydrates (white food) lowers good cholesterol.
A sedentary lifestyle can also cause inflammation. So get moving. You don’t have to be a gym rat. But get your heart rate up a bit.
Think twice before popping one of the many statin drugs on the market. It may cost you your life.
Diet and exercise can go a long way. And add years to your life. A healthy diet and physical activity won’t hurt you. But you can’t say the same about statins.
[Editor’s Note: There are plenty of natural, safe, and effective ways to protect your heart. Our researchers pinpointed one substance that can help decrease heart risk by up to 15% in just three months – and 13 specific foods give you more of it. They’ve uncovered a powerful vitamin that can help cut your risk of heart attack by up to 33%. And they’ve tracked down a 10-minute test that has been shown to help pinpoint your risk of heart attack death – so you can take action now. If you want to protect your heart, I urge you to learn more now.]References:
1http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/UCM096273
2http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nm.2890.html
3http://www.medicinenet.com/statins/article.htm
4http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22875226
5http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/9926963-418/statin-heart-drugs-linked-with-small-diabetes-risk-in-women.html
6http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090127090735.htm
7http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/why-cholesterol-may-not-b_b_290687.html