The fact that statin drugs are two-edged swords is known to few. It is no wonder doctors are confused about this class of drugs.
When a statin reduces cholesterol, it is, at the same time, reducing synthesis of CoQ10, dolichols, selenoproteins, Rho, glutathione and normal phosphorylation by a similar amount. This, I believe, is the cause of the thousands of side effect reports largely unknown to the medical community.
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Study after study has shown the benefit of statin drugs in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Almost buried in this barrage of positive results, however, is the growing research evidence that this reduction of cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality from statin use has occurred independently of cholesterol lowering effect.
Adding to cholesterol's innocence is its vital role in our bodies - mediator of synaptic transmissions, precursor of vital hormones and the most abundant biochemical in our brains.
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From the titles of the articles and books I have written, I can understand the concern that I may be anti-statin. Nothing could be further from the truth. Statins' anti-inflammatory action is the most effective treatment there is for atherosclerosis and lowering of cardiovascular risk in high risk individuals.
I am increasingly though a proponent of low, anti-inflammatory dosing of statins not the current cholesterol lowering dosing now that cholesterol no longer appears to be the villain.
However, it must be noted that my personal side effects from statins came from doses that would today be considered low.
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My own experience with the statin drug Lipitor is covered in detail in my book and summarized in the article Lipitor Thief of Memory.
My personal introduction to the incredible world of transient global amnesia (TGA) occurred six weeks after Lipitor was started during my annual astronaut physical at Johnson Space Center. My cholesterol had been trending upwards for several years.
All was well until six weeks later, when my wife found me walking aimlessly about the yard after I returned from my usual walk in the woods. I "awoke" six hours later in the office of the examining Neurologist with a diagnosis of transient global amnesia, cause unknown.
My Statin Story has recently been updated to sadly report my continued decline in physical health. Duane Graveline MD MPH
Former USAF Flight Surgeon
Former NASA Astronaut
Retired Family Doctor
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