Lowering cholesterol does not always get to the root of heart diseases. In fact, statins are linked to a higher risk of diabetes and other health disorders. Are statins bad for you? In many ways, yes. They do what they are supposed to (lower cholesterol), but that may not be worth the risk of problems such as diabetes.
Statin use has gone up at least 80% in the last 20 years. A controversial new study found that high cholesterol does not shorten life span and that statins are essentially a “waste of time,” according to one of the researchers. Previous studies have linked statins with an increased risk of diabetes. Statins are among the most commonly prescribed drugs. Did you know that 1 in 4 Americans over the age of 40 take statins and the drug accounts for more than $20 billion in spending each year?
Statins may lower cholesterol, but they do not address the underlying cause of heart disease, which is typically chronic inflammation. Some people are even genetically predisposed to cardiovascular disease. The body uses cholesterol to repair arteries damaged by inflammation—the primary cause of heart attacks and strokes. The vast majority of people who have heart attacks have normal cholesterol. In fact, lower cholesterol in elderly patients is linked to a higher risk of death compared to high cholesterol.
If you want to get to the root cause of heart disease, consider the following:
- Your nutrition!
- Movement: Releasing feel-good endorphins on a regular basis through exercise (endorphins are anti-inflammatory).
- Identifying and addressing the root causes of your inflammation. Inflammation may be due to high blood sugar, poor thyroid function, an undiagnosed autoimmune disorder, chronic bacterial, fungal, or viral infections, leaky gut, or a brain imbalance, such as from a past brain injury.
Lifestyle changes may require more work than just popping a pill, but they will address the root cause of your disorder rather than ignoring it. This means you will feel better and function better! Ask our office how we can support your progress.
