Consider Alternatives to Statins, Top Doc Says

Newsmax Health contributor Dr. Erika Schwartz says the recent move by the Food and Drug Administration to issue warnings that cholesterol-lowering drugs may contribute to diabetes and memory loss shows the agency is re-evaluating “the most popular drug in America.” The medications, known as statins, are pitched by the mainstream medical establishment as a panacea for heart disease and other ailments, she says. However, the drugs can cause questionable side effects, and instead of popping a daily pill, patients can take other action to reduce their cholesterol, including changing their diet and exercising, she says. What’s more, Schwartz says the decrease in heart disease among men in the last 20 years can likely be attributed to diet and lifestyle changes, and consumption of supplements, not statin use. “No one has been able to scientifically tie it to the statins,” she says. Late last month, the FDA announced the warnings, saying they were based on its review of clinical trial data, medical literature, and reports of adverse events. "I wouldn't point to any one thing," FDA spokeswoman Erica Jefferson told Reuters Health at the time. "We've been looking at all the information for some time. It's part of our ongoing surveillance." FDA officials also said people taking statins, who number more than 20 million in the United States, should not be afraid to continue taking the drugs, including Lipitor, Crestor, and Zocor, because of the new warnings. However, Schwartz points to side effects brought on by statins, like muscle pain and other muscle problems. In fact, she has seen patients who had to be hospitalized because they were suffering from rhabdomyelosis, a breakdown of muscle fiber that can lead to kidney damage. Taking statins is a risk factor for rhabdomyelosis. “There are a lot of problems with these drugs,” she asserts. “Statins are not the only way to lower cholesterol.” Instead, she recommends: • Decreasing intake of animal fat and dairy products • Cutting back on alcohol • Eliminating sugar substitutes • Increasing exercise • Taking the supplements red yeast rice and niacin • Drinking more water