With Christmas approaching we can almost taste the flavorful turkey, green beans and sweet pumpkin pie. While enjoying the holiday season, the company of family and friends, and a delicious feast, save some room for something a little different this year. I’m not referring to dessert but to knowledge. Surely you’ll have room for that.
Last month I wrote about cholesterol’s contribution to our body’s functioning and how hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) is a contrived disease of the 21st century.
People with supposed high cholesterol are put on statin drugs. Common brand names are Lipitor, Mevacor and Zocor. They’re used to lower cholesterol and they do this very well. Except they rob the body of essential nutrients resulting in internal body changes that can have dangerous, far reaching effects.
Lowering total cholesterol, in most cases, isn’t justified. Since cholesterol is part of every cell membrane, depletion causes our cells to leak. This is an emergency as far as our bodies are concerned and they go into repair mode sending cholesterol to patch up the leakage. Since statin drugs lower cholesterol our bodies are left without the necessary tools to properly repair themselves.
Coenzyme-Q10 is an essential nutrient that supports muscle function, protects from heart disease, cancer, heart attacks and heart failure. It’s frightening to know statin drugs deplete this nutrient. Side effects as a result of this depletion include: muscle pain or weakness, pain and tingling in the hands, difficulty walking, loss of feeling in the lower extremities, liver failure, cognitive decline and heart failure. Many people never fully recover from these side effects. The damage has already been done.
Awareness about statin drugs and their side effects makes it apparent this treatment is not ideal. I’m not advocating that you dismiss what your doctor may tell you. I’m advocating awareness about these harmful drugs and their alternatives. With the abundance of information available there’s no reason to be uninformed. There are numerous websites and chat rooms with information and first hand accounts from people who have experienced these effects. As you enjoy your Christmas feast remember to leave room for knowledge about cholesterol and statin drugs. It may save your health.
Let Women’s Health Advantage help you become informed and find the path to true vibrant health.
For more information, please contact Jill Redfern RN, enzyme and digestive health specialist at 661-310-7373 or womenshealthadvantage@msn.com .
