Statin Drugs and Cancer

Who has not heard of cholesterols these days? Everyone is being warned about the dangers of bad cholesterol and the need to take in more good cholesterol. This cholesterol talk is especially important when you speak of proper diet.

But what is cholesterol?

Simply put, cholesterol is a fatty lipid that is not susceptible of being dissolved in water. You can find cholesterols in certain parts of the body especially the brain, liver, reproductive organs, adrenal glands, and the spinal chord. Once cholesterol is synthesized, it signals the production of hormones and vitamin D3. Collection of bad cholesterol plaque builds up in the blood vessels and ultimately results in atherosclerosis – a primary cause of major heart diseases. It is common for physicians to prescribe statin drugs to patients who are at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases due to high level of cholesterol in their body.

The Use of Statin Drugs – Muscle Breakdown and Cancer

Basically, you hear it everyday. Your doctor keeps telling you after every checkup, “You need to lower your cholesterol. If you don’t want to have a heart attack in the near future, you have to do something about your alarmingly high cholesterol.” And after your checkup, you’d end up with a bunch of prescription for statin drugs.

Unfortunately, there have been numerous reports on death resulting from the long-term use of statin drugs. In 2001, Bayer’s Baycol was removed from the market after reports of numerous deaths resulting from rhabdomyolsys, a condition characterized by collapse of muscle tissues. The condition was allegedly caused by the long-term Baycol intake. Doctors have also recommended the removal of Crestor from the market when the rhabdomyolsys has been reportedly caused by Crestor intake.

In 1996, the American Medical Association published a report on the findings of the cancerous effects of long-term statin drug use. Apparently, the use of cholesterol lowering drugs like fibrates and statins causes cancer to rodents. Further studies are needed, however, to determine if the findings are applicable to humans as well. However, it is advised that intake of these drugs should be avoided unless the patient is at high risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Other side-effects of long-term use of statin drugs include:

1. Poor attention span.
2. Decreased reflexes.
3. Memory loss.
4. Confusion.
5. Forgetfulness.
6. Disorientation.
7. Peripheral neuropathy.
8. Loss of sensation.
9. Muscle weakness.
   

All these symptoms have been primarily manifested by patients that have been regularly taking Lipitor, a very popular statin drug. What these people do not know is they are at a high risk of developing several life threatening illnesses from long term intake of Lipitor. These illnesses include cancer, heart disease, neuropathy, memory loss and depression. Unfortunately, it is not too often that doctors are able to diagnose these symptoms as problems relating to the drug itself.

Therefore, you should take note of muscle aches and weakness especially if your doctor cannot seem to diagnose the cause. It is advisable that you stop your statin drug intake immediately. Also, if you are regularly taking Lipitor or other statin medications, it would be best to take supplements that would protect your liver.

You can find numerous statin drugs in the market. Ironically, you don’t have to actually resort to these medications to regulate or lower your cholesterol. You merely need to adjust your diet and exercise regularly in order to lower your cholesterol. Your diet should mostly consist of fruits and vegetables coupled with proper water intake. With regard to exercise, you don’t have to go to the gym. Walking around the block would be a good form of exercise.

-- copyright not mine although I wrote this.