Coronary artery calcification has been found to be associated with cardiovascular events. In other words, there are more cardiovascular events when there is a higher coronary artery calcification score. The coronary calcium score can be measured with a coronary CT scan or a coronary intravascular ultrasound scan. Coronary scans are frequently ordered by cardiologists and primary care physicians. If the coronary calcium score on the CT is elevated, the doctor is most likely to prescribe a statin medication. You might think that a statin medication, if it was effective at treating and preventing heart disease, would be shown to decrease coronary calcium burden. Well, you would think wrong.
Statin drugs are the most profitable drugs in the history of Big Pharma. Presently, over 28% of all U.S. adults take a statin drug. Statins are prescribed by doctors to treat high cholesterol levels and heart disease. Furthermore, the Powers-That-Be proclaim that statins will prevent a healthy person from getting heart disease.
Remember, just because the Powers-That-Be continue to make the above statements does not make them true. In my new book, The Statin Disaster, I showed that statins fail nearly 99% who take them. For the vast majority who take them, statins do not prevent nor do they treat heart disease. However, the Powers-That-Be will go to any lengths to convince everyone that statins are effective for treating and preventing heart disease. A new study shows the fallacy of statin medications and the lengths the Powers-That-Be will go to convince us that statins do, in fact, work.
The study was reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2015:65:1273-82). Researchers studied eight prospective randomized trials using coronary intravascular ultrasound looking for serial changes in the calcium burden in the coronary arteries. The authors grouped the subjects into three groups; those treated with high-intensity statin therapy, low-intensity statin therapy, and no-statin therapy.
The scientists found that all three groups—no statins, high-intensity and low-intensity–were found to have significant increases in coronary calcium scores when the groups were compared to baseline. The high-intensity group had the largest calcium increase and the low-intensity statin group was next in line followed by the no-statin group.
Physicians have been testing untold numbers of patients for their coronary calcium score. When the score is too high, they are told that they are at an increased risk for a cardiac event. At this point these patients are prescribed statin medications and frequently told to undergo further testing to evaluate the coronary arteries.
Let’s recap here: If you have a high coronary calcium score, you are told to get further tests and take a statin drug. Yet, this study showed that taking statin drugs increased the coronary calcium burden. Folks, I can’t make this stuff up.
If you are confused, so am I. How do the Powers-That-Be get out of this one? They state that the increased coronary calcium observed from statin use is due to the ‘stabilizing’ effects of statins. Somehow, statins cause more calcium in the coronary arteries, yet this is a sign of plaque stabilization. The accompanying editorial in the Journal of the American Academy of Cardiology said that the findings were “somewhat controversial”.
I say, give me a break! Either coronary calcium is a good thing or it is a bad thing. I think it is wise not to have calcium in your coronary arteries, since calcium does not belong in the arteries. If statins are causing an increase of coronary calcium levels, then that is another reason to avoid them. Remember, overall, statins fail in preventing heart attacks in nearly 99% who take them. This study is an indication of why statins fail so many and should be another nail-in-the-coffin for statin recommendations.
More information about statins can be found in my new book, The Statin Disaster.
Great article Dr. Brownstein. Have you heard about Vitamin K2 promoting calcium to be taken from the blood stream and placed in the bones and teeth? Of course Vit D is important too. I think in the near future, we are going to be hearing a lot about Vit K and how important this vitamin is especially in menopausal women when their estrogen levels fall and their risk for CVD increases.
there is a lot of evidence that magnesium is one of the nutrients for proper calcium metabolism, that is, keeping calcium from depositing in the heart and blood vessels. Most of us are evidently magnesium deficient, even though mg is central to the chlorophyll molecule, and should thus be present in fresh fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, the industrial farming process is depleting magnesium or making it unavailable.
Link above only works on emails…try this link to listen
http://archives2015.gcnlive.com/Archives2015/apr15/PowerHour/0410152.mp3
Here’s a link to Dr. Brownstein’s radio show from last week…if the link doesn’t work, I’ll edit or add another way to listen on my next reply.
Show Archives
April 10, 2015 (hour 2) – Guest Dr. David Brownstein
Conventional doctors tell us not to use salt, salt is bad. Is it? Or do our bodies require real salt to function optimally? DR. DAVID BROWNSTEIN, board certified family physician and holistic practitioner shares the truth about salt with us today, what kind we should be using and what it really does for us.
Site of mention: http://www.icimed.com – International College of Integrative Medicine
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* Salt: Your Way to Health by David Brownstein, M.D.
* The Guide to Healthy Eating by David Brownstein, M.D.
* The Miracle of Natural Hormones 3rd Edition by David Brownstein, M.D.
* Drugs That Don’t Work and Natural Therapies That Do by David Brownstein, M.D.
* The Guide to a Gluten-Free Diet by Dr. David Brownstein
* Overcoming Arthritis by David Brownstein, M.D.
* Overcoming Thyroid Disorders by David Brownstein, M.D.
* The Soy Deception by David Brownstein, M.D.
* Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It by David Brownstein, M.D.
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David Brownstein says:
Jerry,
This is not the U.S. Government’s fault–well, not all their fault. I would question why so many doctors blindly follow what Big Pharma tells them to do.
DrB
…………………………………….
The reason is if their patients get heart disease and the doctor hasnt prescribed statins, in our present ambulance chasing litigous society he could be sued, and his insurance refuse to defend him for not using standard approved protocol and he is ruined…
I am a pharmacist and wholeheartedly agree with the article and averil. I’m the heretic that they didn’t want to let through pharmacy school despite being near the top of my class. Too many of my classmates swallowed everything they were fed without ever asking why or demanding proof. In 4 years of school we spent less than 10 minutes combined from all classes talking about exercise and only briefly talked about the DASH diet in relation to JNC7. Unfortunately most of my patients just want a magic pill and all the commercials on tv convince them they can have it.
The next time you fill your scrip for Lipitor, ask the pharmacist for the box the drug came in. The box warning clearly states that the drug has not been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. Lately the “powers that be” have backed off on avoiding foods containing high levels of cholesterol. They admit that the liver makes up the difference anyway so foods high in it simply tell the liver to cut back on production. Cholesterol is used for everything in the body. It makes up the bulk of the cells and even the brain is comprised mostly of cholesterol. I find it amazing that men who take the stuff also must take Viagra in order to get an erection caused by low cholesterol. Stark insanity IMHO.
I am a dentist with a large patient pool. I review their medical histories at every appointment. I am sad to say that MANY of my patients are on statins, including my own family members. They have reported experiencing many side effects, such as muscle weakness, memory loss, diabetes, etc. I am trying to educate my patients about the evils of statin drugs and encouraging them to have some dialogue with their physicians about safer alternatives. This usually falls on deaf ears. Some patients are so completely brain washed that they refuse to question their doctors. Some patients do see the validity of my concerns yet their doctors do not. I find this incredibly frustrating and feel completely useless and disregarded by the patients and/or their physicians. When their doctor finds out it was a dentist that is bringing this issue to light I usually get feedback along the lines of “she is just a dentist and doesn’t know about such things”. I have become accustomed to the medical profession looking down on the dental profession. They forget that the mouth is connected to the rest of the body and that we are mindful of our patients overall health. I cannot stand to continue to watch my patients decline!! I am helpless but I continue to try to educate anyone who will listen. Dr. Brownstein, please advise.
Averil,
You aren’t the only one who is ignored and ridiculed. Welcome to the club. At least we can say our club is growing.
DrB
Please check out the videos of Youtube with Dr. Stephanie Seneff, PhD. regarding statins AND Roundup.
This woman has delved into the situation deeply.
Deficiency of boron causes calcium to be in the muscles and blood, addition of boron and magnesium puts the calcium back in the bones. Vitamin D also is better than statins. Look up Dr Jonathan Wright, another brilliant man.
Please add NOT in your sentence…does NOT make it true
Thanks Dodie. My bad.
DrB
Thanks for this blog as well as the previously replies. It gives one answers to pass along.
I have high cholesterol but I have appreciated doctors who are willing to take a stand against Big Pharma. I am lost trust in the medical people who prescribe and treat medical conditions with drugs, rather than diet and lifestyle interventions. Have they read this info about Statins?? If so, why are they wasting people’s money and risking their patient’s health. Of course not every doctor is incompetent..but so many are not doing the right thing for their patients.
Hi Wendy:
Good points. Looks like you’ve done some homework. I heard some experts suggest caution with EDTA chelation particularly if a person’s brain/blood barrier is compromised. The release of toxins from chelation could affect the brain negatively. Not sure what you mean by LDN (would that be Low Dose Naltrexone?).
I have been so glad I was strong and educated enough to actually ask my doctor to NOT prescribe a statin drug when my cholesterol was just a little “high”. I had done some research at that point & knew I would not fill a prescription.
Now, I am not even sure what high actually is since that seems to be manipulated to increase the spread of this disaster.
If you have doubts, do check Google plus PeoplesPharmacy.com newsletters.
I’m reading The Statin Disaster. Very enlightening to say the least. I intend to provide a copy to my VA doctor who has been trying to get me to take a statin for quite some time since my LDL is in her mind too high at about 148. They want it under 100 for me. I doubt giving her the book will have any serious impact on her. Many doctors think their patients can’t possibly know more than they do. And get this, I’m Type 2 diabetic which, as Dr Brownstein points out in the book can exacerbate or cause diabetes. To appease the doctor I took the statin briefly but then threw them out and told the Doc no more. I told her that since my C Reactive Protein was good, I was OK with regard to inflammation. She had to agree. My BP is about 110 / 70.
In my mind this is another reason not to trust the government…such as the VA, with your health care. I’m sure the VA doctor has a treatment protocol she is required to follow….and probably believes in. So if we reach a point under government control where no independent medical thought is permitted….such as Dr B, we would all be unwittingly condemned to treatments that kill us. Our government frightens me. It has bought into this statin nonsense completely.
Jerry,
This is not the U.S. Government’s fault–well, not all their fault. I would question why so many doctors blindly follow what Big Pharma tells them to do.
DrB
Thank you for all that you do Dr. Brownstein!!! This is another excellent post full of information. I wish my Dad would be more open but I will keep forwarding!
Wendy-wow!!!! What an incredible amount of information, a lot of which I whole heartedly agree with. Statin drugs do lower cholesterol but choloesterol is not a problem. Vitamin C can be taken to bowel tolerance to fight infection, and prevent lots of illness and disease-check out Dr. Cathcart, Dr. Linus Pauling and the Orthomolecular Journal.
Interesting and informative article. I will be sure to check into “The Statin Disaster”. I struggle with my primary care doctor all the time. I have slightly elevated levels and my doctor keeps insisting I need to go on statins. I keep saying know. This article has reaffirmed my desire to stay away from statins.
Again, thank you.
Hi, EDTA IV chelations or Serrapeptase or EDTA suppository may remove Ca.. Vit K2 along with Vit D3 may put Ca into the bones and not the tissues. Hair tests show Ca and other minerals in tissues and heavy metals. Statin drugs lower Cholesterol made in the liver and coenyzme Q10 the spark plug for cells. Low thyroid due to gluten may cause higher cholesterol. Mg citrate 400mg and Osteoprocare Ca/Mg and cofactors may help heart muscles. Hawthorn/carnitine/Vit C/2000mg of fish oil (thins blood), Vit D3 5000IU,….zinc/dairy free probiotic/Se and enough iron (not too much that would make free radicals) may help T4 go to T3 for thyroid and give energy to the heart cells. HCl and enzymes may help digest food better and Vit B12 methylcobalamin may help raise oxygen, MTHF folate may help circulation. Eating no gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO may help heart disease. No gluten may help intestines heal and help minerals/nutrients absorb so cells are made better to work better and burn more oxygen and help brain/body/heart. GMO corn may hurt the gut lining like gluten. Cholesterol may help the brain and hormones.
The 28% of people who take Statin drugs… may be undiagnosed Celiac and low thyroid. Gluten may make antibodies to the thyroid. Tests may not work to diagnose Celiac and TSH should not be used for thyroid. Free T4 and Free T3 may help for thyroid dose. An organic granny smith apple a day seems to help my gums be more rubbery and help my skin/blood vessels look better. LDN may help block hidden gluten. Any food in a box/bag/premade/certified gluten free (may have 20ppm)/some spices/meat basting/nuts not sold in the shell/lotions/make up and more may have hidden gluten.