Dr. M... Excellent list and post. Have been pitching this for years. A couple of notes to consider with these items:
Statins ("cholesterol" meds) are one of the most over-prescribed meds on the planet (and, most lucrative) and many here are probably taking these things. These meds block K2 uptake and block Coenzyme Q-10 production (an en…
Dr. M... Excellent list and post. Have been pitching this for years. A couple of notes to consider with these items:
Statins ("cholesterol" meds) are one of the most over-prescribed meds on the planet (and, most lucrative) and many here are probably taking these things. These meds block K2 uptake and block Coenzyme Q-10 production (an energy molecule in muscle) - both vital for heart health. I would argue that it is malpractice to put people on these things without CoQ-10 supplementation. Their use potentially increases Type II diabetes more than 30%, but may extend your life 1-3 days as an absolute benefit! They do seem to have anti-inflammatory effect and that may be their main positive effect. Oh... They block testosterone formation in males. There is NO benefit for an 80 year old to be taking these drugs! Years ago I had an elderly patient break down in my exam chair one day decrying the fact that she could not afford food because of the money needed for her meds -- one was a statin that was about $300/month. They will not make you live longer and healthier.
Metformin (used for diabetes and ovarian cystic disease) blocks B12 absorption and that can lead to tremendous neural dysfunction. Monthly B12 injections are the best way to cope...
My doc prescribed B12 supplement to treat insulin resistance. I take Methylguard, a methylated form that improves absorbtion. I have an ApoE4 mutation that disrupts processing so we're keeping my blood levels of B12 very high. My insulin resistance has pretty much resolved, along with improved diet, and my homocystene decreased, but remains a little higher than I want, so I'm increasing weightlifting exercise to work on that. So many variables.
I was on two statins and had worsening cardiovascular "disease" which I have reversed with diet and lifestyle changes. I'm off the statins, but still take a coq10 supplement, just in case. They're cheap. I get blood tests several times a year, and my coq10 levels only normalized when I cut the carbs. Carb overdoses is the root of many epidemics.
Perfection is more imortant for patients who are entirely dependent on their docs. I treat mine as partners at best, usually as employees. They have a job to do and need varying amounts of supervision. But the results are entirely my responsibility.
I take PQQ (PyrroloQuinoline Quinone) with Coq10 because this encourages mitochodrial regrowth inside the cells. My dentist told me about this. After my open heart surgery (2009), my eject fraction was 45%. Normal is 55% - 60%. A month ago it measured 53%, so I think the PQQ - Coq10 works. I am also diabetic. Recently I stopped eating grains, but still eat fruit and resistant starch vegetables like peas and beans. It helps my blood sugar. You may want to check into this.
Looks interesting. Thanks. I'll study that some more. Like most supplements, apparently it's available with fruits and vegetables, so a good diet should provide whatever we need. But sometimes, more is better, so it's always worth a look.
I assume you've read Esselstyn. He has successfully treated heart patients, even reversing fairly serious conditions, with very low fat diet. No oils, nothing with a mother. If the muscle itself is damaged, apparently that won't heal, but function can be improved with diet and lifestyle, as you have seen. I followed his guidance, monitored by a live cardiologist, for 2 years. Lost a lot of weight (BMI 30 to 20), heart condition improved a lot, still had some problems, but much less. The biggest change for me was ditching carbs. That maintained my prior gains and cleaned up the other labs. The theory that seemed to work for me was described by Saladino in Carnivore Code.
Hasn’t a paper recently been released showing that too low of cholesterol levels are causing/ contributing to depression and other mental issues? Natural health professionals have been warning against cholesterol lowering drugs for a long time. I try to avoid all seed & vegetable oils and get my fats from quality sources of (cold pressed) olive & coconut oils, & grass fed butter & meat.
The brain makes its own cholesterol, but statins can disrupt that. Two kinds of statins, hydrophilic, like crestor, and more conventional lipophilic like atorvastatin. There's a natural barrier called the blood brain barrier that prevents many toxins from seeping into the brain, which the body goes to great lengths to protect. Some statins in lipophilic class can penetrate the blood brain barrier, reducing cholesterol production where we need it most -- in the brain. Our cholesterol fetish has driven statin use to almost universal. At the same time, we've has an increase in dementia conditions. Not "proven" causation, but close enough for me.
Good Calories Bad Calories (Taubes) and Carnivore Code (Saladino) make a good case that arterial plaques aren't caused by cholesterol, but by insulin. And no studies have ever shown that statins increase lifespan. But they significantly increase profits for pharma and prescribers. It's another scam by the medical industrial complex.
There has also been an explosion in congestive heart failure cases around the country that seems to follow the use patterns of these agents. We even have special clinics clinics in some cities! I suppose the coming tidal wave of vaxxx-related myocarditis/pericarditis cases will make these centers wildly profitable.
I developed left side heart failure after a year on statins; this was diagnosed with echocardiogram, and I was told there was no treatment. Since the pharma companies have a patent of statin compounded with Co-Q10, but do not produce it, I started treating myself with the Co-Q10, later with ubiquinol. An echo 5 years later showed zero evidence of disease, and my arteries completely clear. I think the ubiquinol might be extremely useful to improve mitochondria in the cardiac muscle after any damage.
Yes. You are correct. IMO, it is malpractice to put anyone on a statin without insisting they take CoQ-10. Proud that you took command of your own health!
Cholesterol is vital to good body function and needed by every organ, especially the brain - where 25% of the cholesterol in your body is located. Glial cells in your brain actually make cholesterol to help your neurons create connections with one another. Your ability to think, form memories and learn and all of your mental functions are dependent on this process happening smoothly. However, statin drugs harm your glial cells and repress cholesterol production.
There you have yet another ignorant 'faux pas' or perhaps in some cases we could call it a crime by some in the medical fraternity to be so gung ho at prescribing statins which are only needed in a very limited number of cases. It's hard to imagine anything more illogical than prescribing statins for those with say, Parkinsons, or in my own family to someone with brain damage resulting from a cardiac arrest.
Leading "academics" still promote putting statins in the water supply! I hear this every few months... Quite incredible. The "finest minds" in medicine! LOL!
I avoid drinking tap water because I'm not sure they haven't put stuff in it that they didn't promote. Bottled water is also suspect but the odds seem better.
Virtually every water supply on the planet is contaminated with herbicides, pesticides, psych meds. All rain water - everywhere - is contaminated with aluminum, fly ash, and god-only-knows-what from the non-stop geo-engineering (spraying, weather warfare) that is going on 24/7/365 over the entire earth. Once again it is Davos man and the USG trying to dominate the galaxy. We use Berkey filters for our well water (it is clean, but we are in heavy ag area and I know there is some chemical soup) with carbon and fluoride filters in place.
A certain amount of Cholesterol is needed for the brain. Too little is not good. It was discovered Statins led to more dying and caused depression etc. instead of increased lives. Dr. Malone spoke of this in one of his posts.
Docs used to give B1/B12 injections to pull you back from an infection like a bad cold or flu. Then the "experts" decided they were worthless (too inexpensive?). I know I was given them twice and both times saw an almost immediate relief so....
Exactly! #Cholesterol is not the enemy, #statins are not the solution! There's an elephant in the room rearing on its two hind legs #Sugar & #SeedOils!
Paul Rosch, Zoë Harcombe, Malcom Kendrick (2016) Fat and Cholesterol Don't Cause Heart Attacks and Statins are Not The Solution
The statins and blood thinners I was prescribed nearly killed me. About a month in I was having memory issues. About the same time my blood pressure was so low I passed out. Got off of them over 20 years ago and have passed my annual cardiac exams, with slightly elevated cholesterol counts.
WOW. Thanks doc. Years of NOT taking statins recommended by EVERY doc I have seen in the last 20 years is vindication. These non-thinkers love to rely on their Am. Heart Assoc. model.
Do any of you think my mom, having recently been put on statins, might be suffering severe anxiety, depression and worsening mood disorder because of something the statin is doing to her brain? Just musing & curious about your thoughts. I know you’re not giving medical advice. I’m just trying to help my mom, since her doctors are not.
Statins inhibit cholesterol production, which is considered to be good for the heart, but cholesterol is essential for brain function. We have a "blood braIn barrier" that protects the brain from a lot of detrimental stuff, but not all. Many kinds of statins, some get through to the brain easier than others. If one statin seems problematic, they can try another.
I have the alzheimers gene so I'm especially cautious of anything that might make my brain unhappy. I quit statins, against my doctors' advice, and mitigated my cholesterol with diet changes. How we produce and use cholesterol is greatly affected by diet, a factor few doctors have much training in.
"Psychiatric adverse effects, altering mood, personality, and behavior, sometimes arise in patients receiving statins.
Statin psychiatric effects can include irritability/aggression, anxiety or depressed mood, violent ideation, sleep problems including nightmares, and possibly suicide attempt and completion."
I've found that informing my doctor what I want helps to find better solutions. The default of standard care is designed to provide best results for all patients, yet we're all different, so teamwork is important for tuning the treatments.
Thank you so much for this! She’s only 70 and was married to an MD for 30+ years (albeit one trained prior to WW II) so she takes my comments very lightly. She may not listen, but I will try…
Here's some more authoritative info that might help. From Dr Peter Attia, recommended to me by my cardiologist. This is the third of a 3 part series of articles on cholesterol and brain function, which describes the types of statins and their influence on the brain. A lot of his site requires a subscription, which is well worth the price, but I think these articles are freely available. Maybe you could give her a subscription for her birthday.
Thank you, Dr, Dotson, I appreciate all your input and agree. With all the comments, I lost track of what you are referring to here. Sublingual spray of which supplement? Thanks for your reply.
Dr. M... Excellent list and post. Have been pitching this for years. A couple of notes to consider with these items:
Statins ("cholesterol" meds) are one of the most over-prescribed meds on the planet (and, most lucrative) and many here are probably taking these things. These meds block K2 uptake and block Coenzyme Q-10 production (an energy molecule in muscle) - both vital for heart health. I would argue that it is malpractice to put people on these things without CoQ-10 supplementation. Their use potentially increases Type II diabetes more than 30%, but may extend your life 1-3 days as an absolute benefit! They do seem to have anti-inflammatory effect and that may be their main positive effect. Oh... They block testosterone formation in males. There is NO benefit for an 80 year old to be taking these drugs! Years ago I had an elderly patient break down in my exam chair one day decrying the fact that she could not afford food because of the money needed for her meds -- one was a statin that was about $300/month. They will not make you live longer and healthier.
Metformin (used for diabetes and ovarian cystic disease) blocks B12 absorption and that can lead to tremendous neural dysfunction. Monthly B12 injections are the best way to cope...
My doc prescribed B12 supplement to treat insulin resistance. I take Methylguard, a methylated form that improves absorbtion. I have an ApoE4 mutation that disrupts processing so we're keeping my blood levels of B12 very high. My insulin resistance has pretty much resolved, along with improved diet, and my homocystene decreased, but remains a little higher than I want, so I'm increasing weightlifting exercise to work on that. So many variables.
I was on two statins and had worsening cardiovascular "disease" which I have reversed with diet and lifestyle changes. I'm off the statins, but still take a coq10 supplement, just in case. They're cheap. I get blood tests several times a year, and my coq10 levels only normalized when I cut the carbs. Carb overdoses is the root of many epidemics.
You have a great doc. A keeper.
A doc who prescribed statins = "a great doc?"
I have no idea who prescribed the statins,. Prescribing B12 is what I keyed on. The odds of that happening are tiny.
Great docs are never perfect.
Exactly... and, they are comfortable with that. The worst pf the profession are "perfect" - Dr. Fauci being a shining example.
Perfection is more imortant for patients who are entirely dependent on their docs. I treat mine as partners at best, usually as employees. They have a job to do and need varying amounts of supervision. But the results are entirely my responsibility.
I take PQQ (PyrroloQuinoline Quinone) with Coq10 because this encourages mitochodrial regrowth inside the cells. My dentist told me about this. After my open heart surgery (2009), my eject fraction was 45%. Normal is 55% - 60%. A month ago it measured 53%, so I think the PQQ - Coq10 works. I am also diabetic. Recently I stopped eating grains, but still eat fruit and resistant starch vegetables like peas and beans. It helps my blood sugar. You may want to check into this.
Looks interesting. Thanks. I'll study that some more. Like most supplements, apparently it's available with fruits and vegetables, so a good diet should provide whatever we need. But sometimes, more is better, so it's always worth a look.
I assume you've read Esselstyn. He has successfully treated heart patients, even reversing fairly serious conditions, with very low fat diet. No oils, nothing with a mother. If the muscle itself is damaged, apparently that won't heal, but function can be improved with diet and lifestyle, as you have seen. I followed his guidance, monitored by a live cardiologist, for 2 years. Lost a lot of weight (BMI 30 to 20), heart condition improved a lot, still had some problems, but much less. The biggest change for me was ditching carbs. That maintained my prior gains and cleaned up the other labs. The theory that seemed to work for me was described by Saladino in Carnivore Code.
Thanks, will invedtigate.
You’re right- so many variables!
wondering if phenylalanine/tyrosine makes sense for increased coq10 synthesis, le Chatelier
I have no idea. Of course, watch phenylalanine use if potential/history of PKU.
Hasn’t a paper recently been released showing that too low of cholesterol levels are causing/ contributing to depression and other mental issues? Natural health professionals have been warning against cholesterol lowering drugs for a long time. I try to avoid all seed & vegetable oils and get my fats from quality sources of (cold pressed) olive & coconut oils, & grass fed butter & meat.
Yes to all. One of the most destructive things in American diets is all the processed vegetable oils.
The brain makes its own cholesterol, but statins can disrupt that. Two kinds of statins, hydrophilic, like crestor, and more conventional lipophilic like atorvastatin. There's a natural barrier called the blood brain barrier that prevents many toxins from seeping into the brain, which the body goes to great lengths to protect. Some statins in lipophilic class can penetrate the blood brain barrier, reducing cholesterol production where we need it most -- in the brain. Our cholesterol fetish has driven statin use to almost universal. At the same time, we've has an increase in dementia conditions. Not "proven" causation, but close enough for me.
Good Calories Bad Calories (Taubes) and Carnivore Code (Saladino) make a good case that arterial plaques aren't caused by cholesterol, but by insulin. And no studies have ever shown that statins increase lifespan. But they significantly increase profits for pharma and prescribers. It's another scam by the medical industrial complex.
Excellent.
There has also been an explosion in congestive heart failure cases around the country that seems to follow the use patterns of these agents. We even have special clinics clinics in some cities! I suppose the coming tidal wave of vaxxx-related myocarditis/pericarditis cases will make these centers wildly profitable.
I developed left side heart failure after a year on statins; this was diagnosed with echocardiogram, and I was told there was no treatment. Since the pharma companies have a patent of statin compounded with Co-Q10, but do not produce it, I started treating myself with the Co-Q10, later with ubiquinol. An echo 5 years later showed zero evidence of disease, and my arteries completely clear. I think the ubiquinol might be extremely useful to improve mitochondria in the cardiac muscle after any damage.
Yes. You are correct. IMO, it is malpractice to put anyone on a statin without insisting they take CoQ-10. Proud that you took command of your own health!
Is there a publicly traded company that specializes in heart centers?
Cholesterol is vital to good body function and needed by every organ, especially the brain - where 25% of the cholesterol in your body is located. Glial cells in your brain actually make cholesterol to help your neurons create connections with one another. Your ability to think, form memories and learn and all of your mental functions are dependent on this process happening smoothly. However, statin drugs harm your glial cells and repress cholesterol production.
There you have yet another ignorant 'faux pas' or perhaps in some cases we could call it a crime by some in the medical fraternity to be so gung ho at prescribing statins which are only needed in a very limited number of cases. It's hard to imagine anything more illogical than prescribing statins for those with say, Parkinsons, or in my own family to someone with brain damage resulting from a cardiac arrest.
Leading "academics" still promote putting statins in the water supply! I hear this every few months... Quite incredible. The "finest minds" in medicine! LOL!
I avoid drinking tap water because I'm not sure they haven't put stuff in it that they didn't promote. Bottled water is also suspect but the odds seem better.
Virtually every water supply on the planet is contaminated with herbicides, pesticides, psych meds. All rain water - everywhere - is contaminated with aluminum, fly ash, and god-only-knows-what from the non-stop geo-engineering (spraying, weather warfare) that is going on 24/7/365 over the entire earth. Once again it is Davos man and the USG trying to dominate the galaxy. We use Berkey filters for our well water (it is clean, but we are in heavy ag area and I know there is some chemical soup) with carbon and fluoride filters in place.
I drink distilled almost exclusively because of arsenic in the local water
I think statins are the most profitable class of drugs in history.
A certain amount of Cholesterol is needed for the brain. Too little is not good. It was discovered Statins led to more dying and caused depression etc. instead of increased lives. Dr. Malone spoke of this in one of his posts.
Absolutely. We need insulation on all of those little neurons between our ears!
Docs used to give B1/B12 injections to pull you back from an infection like a bad cold or flu. Then the "experts" decided they were worthless (too inexpensive?). I know I was given them twice and both times saw an almost immediate relief so....
E.g. how low?
Exactly! #Cholesterol is not the enemy, #statins are not the solution! There's an elephant in the room rearing on its two hind legs #Sugar & #SeedOils!
Paul Rosch, Zoë Harcombe, Malcom Kendrick (2016) Fat and Cholesterol Don't Cause Heart Attacks and Statins are Not The Solution
The statins and blood thinners I was prescribed nearly killed me. About a month in I was having memory issues. About the same time my blood pressure was so low I passed out. Got off of them over 20 years ago and have passed my annual cardiac exams, with slightly elevated cholesterol counts.
They may as well place those prescription statin meds in a "PEZ" dispenser.
At least you could start collecting those cute characters you knew as a child for some fun.
I hear the Superman "Pez" from the 50s is highly prized as rare. Batman too.
(Statins are the original "Billion Dollar" industry) dished as though there were miracle candy
(Pssst.....it's all about the profit marketing....#NOTABOUTYOURHEALTH!)
WOW. Thanks doc. Years of NOT taking statins recommended by EVERY doc I have seen in the last 20 years is vindication. These non-thinkers love to rely on their Am. Heart Assoc. model.
Do any of you think my mom, having recently been put on statins, might be suffering severe anxiety, depression and worsening mood disorder because of something the statin is doing to her brain? Just musing & curious about your thoughts. I know you’re not giving medical advice. I’m just trying to help my mom, since her doctors are not.
Statins inhibit cholesterol production, which is considered to be good for the heart, but cholesterol is essential for brain function. We have a "blood braIn barrier" that protects the brain from a lot of detrimental stuff, but not all. Many kinds of statins, some get through to the brain easier than others. If one statin seems problematic, they can try another.
I have the alzheimers gene so I'm especially cautious of anything that might make my brain unhappy. I quit statins, against my doctors' advice, and mitigated my cholesterol with diet changes. How we produce and use cholesterol is greatly affected by diet, a factor few doctors have much training in.
Yes!
"Psychiatric adverse effects, altering mood, personality, and behavior, sometimes arise in patients receiving statins.
Statin psychiatric effects can include irritability/aggression, anxiety or depressed mood, violent ideation, sleep problems including nightmares, and possibly suicide attempt and completion."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5005588/#:~:text=Key%20Points%20Psychiatric%20adverse%20effects%2C%20altering%20mood%2C%20personality%2C,including%20nightmares%2C%20and%20possibly%20suicide%20attempt%20and%20completion.
Find anther doctor!
I've found that informing my doctor what I want helps to find better solutions. The default of standard care is designed to provide best results for all patients, yet we're all different, so teamwork is important for tuning the treatments.
Thank you so much for this! She’s only 70 and was married to an MD for 30+ years (albeit one trained prior to WW II) so she takes my comments very lightly. She may not listen, but I will try…
Apologies, but the discussion of statins is in the second article of Attia's three parter.
https://peterattiamd.com/does-low-cholesterol-cause-cognitive-impairment-part-ii/
Here's some more authoritative info that might help. From Dr Peter Attia, recommended to me by my cardiologist. This is the third of a 3 part series of articles on cholesterol and brain function, which describes the types of statins and their influence on the brain. A lot of his site requires a subscription, which is well worth the price, but I think these articles are freely available. Maybe you could give her a subscription for her birthday.
https://peterattiamd.com/low-ldl-cholesterol-and-neural-development/
The injection is better absorbed, but sublingual spray is much better than pills.
Thank you, Dr, Dotson, I appreciate all your input and agree. With all the comments, I lost track of what you are referring to here. Sublingual spray of which supplement? Thanks for your reply.
B12
Absolutely! Never stop!
Would you say that a "quick dissolve" tablet held under the tongue might be as effective as a sublingual spray?
Similar, IMO. The real issue is pills you swallow as metformin actually blocks uptake.
BTW,,,, Nothing I post here is medical advice, simply the musings of an eccentric. :-)