There are only three days left of our 10% sale on my new book, The Statin Disaster. This book will show you:
- How Big Pharma manipulates the statistics of statin studies to make them appear better than they are
- How statins disrupt normal thyroid functioning
- How the cholesterol = heart disease hypothesis is wrong
- How you can protect yourself from becoming a heart patient
- Statins have never been shown to affect the mortality rate of women
- Statins are associated with a host of adverse effects including congestive heart failure, neuropathy, ALS, mental confusion, brain fog, muscle aches and pains, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes
- What you can eat to prevent a heart attack
- Why statins fail 99% of those who take them
- Why you should refuse a statin medication
I had a fourth year medical student (with four days left in her medical schooling) in my office this week. When I asked her to name a positive study on statins, she said, “The JUPITER study.” I asked her why she picked JUPITER and she said, “I was just in the internal medicine clinic {of Wayne State School of Medicine} and the head of the office told me that JUPITER proved that statins significantly benefit healthy people. He claimed that taking Crestor (a statin drug that was used in the JUPITER study) reduced the risk of heart attacks by 50% and therefore everyone should be taking a statin drug.”
I was more than happy that she used JUPITER to support her opinion as I dissected the JUPITER study in The Statin Disaster. I printed JUPITER article and we reviewed the details together. After showing her how Big Pharma manipulates the data of statin studies in order to make them appear more beneficial than they actually are, I asked her to properly evaluate the study. Her analysis of JUPITER showed that Crestor failed 99.9% of those who took it. At the end of our discussion, she looked at me with a puzzled look and said, “Wow, medical school was one big scam.” (At that point, I talked her down off the ledge and told her it wasn’t all a scam and that there is a lot of good and bad associated with the practice of medicine.)
I feel statin drugs will be the class of medications that will most likely bankrupt our medical system. They provide little benefit and are associated with a host of serious adverse conditions and they are expensive. If you are already taking as statin medication, I suggest educating yourself on what I have written.
With that knowledge, you will be able to make a better health care decision when it comes to whether you or a loved one should be using a statin medication.
DrB
In response to your statement about using conventional medicine for an acute heart attack is fine, except that after you’re released from the hospital (provided you live) you are then chained to several medications. Now that we’re being followed in everything we do, there’s no way NOT to take these drugs, unless you know of a way that others do not. This was happening even 10 years ago because my brother had a heart attack (or so the doctors said) which I think was a mere panic attack caused from his stress levels. Then he developed diabetes – which I think was a direct cause of all the heart medications. See, this is a planned strategy by the modern medical religion, IMO.
Dr. B, I refer you to many and follow you. Love to hear your views.
I have learned to Look beyond studies….remove the drugs from the equation and study only endocrine function in relation to foods, toxins and infectious disease then consider how these effect endocrine function and other organs…cholesterol and estrogen linked by biosynthesis ? I have low testosterone and so does my son I ? relationship to diabetes or liver abnormality, my son actually has a great physique for a young man and has since his youth, my other children were different and gained weight, but they ate well. According to this site http://lsresearch.thomsonreuters.com/maps/849/ suggests that there are connections but I am not advanced with my knowledge of this. I say maintain hormones to control cholesterol and I am attempting to do so by maintaining my blood glucose levels under 100.
I am questioning if cholesterol can help with testing for breast cancer or other horomone related cancers, what are your thoughts……also.do you believe in genetic dispositions of the endocrine system such as MEN ??? Hope to read your book in the near future and Hope your Mother is status quo !
Dr. Brownstein,
A question relating to your new book on heart disease, if you have time:
What is your opinion on the relationship between ascorbate status/intake and the development of atherosclerosis, as put forward by the Pauling-Rath CVD Hypothesis? Do you believe it holds any water?
In a nutshell, if memory serves me, Pauling-Rath stated that plaque formation, at least in part, is due to lowered levels of Vitamin C. Because, among many other reasons, lowered C compromises the body’s ability to synthesize healthy collagen. Given that collagen is a constituent of arterial tissue, and given the obvious importance of arteries holding together, the body responds to collagen (ascorbate) shortage through plaque deposition (made largely of cholesterol), which shores up arterial weaknesses (at the price of narrowing and, eventually, blockage).
Plaque deposition, through this lens, is seen not so much as some defect of the body’s machinery — to be corrected, if Pharma is to be believed, by taking statin drugs that break off cholesterol production — but as an intelligent response to a immediate problem (the dam’s going to break).
Thomas Levy, MD is one retired cardiologist who’s gathered evidence supporting the Pauling theory. Of course, there are many other factors at play. But I was just wondering if this idea was discussed/dissected at any length in your new book?
Thanks again for your skeptical but open-minded approach to practicing holistic medicine. It’s no doubt helped a lot of people.
Best,
Justin
Justin,
I like the Pauling-Rath hypothesis. I don’t think it explains everything related to heart disease, but I think it is a valid hypothesis.
DrB
What about doing a blog are what is really GOOD about allopathic medicine. I find so many things to be bad but I do know there are good things – just would love to hear what you say they are.
Elaine,
There are many good things about conventional medicine including:
.Acute treatment of heart attacks
.GI endoscopies for bleeding
.Its’ ability to diagnose illnesses
.using antibiotics to fight bacterial infections like pneumonia
Those are just a few things that come to mind. There are more.
DrB
Dr. B, I am the only one in my family that is not taking statins. We all have the higher cholesterol levels, which I think is just genetics, since we have had a relatively healthy diet and lifestyle all our lives. My father died of CHF, after two bypass operations. My 88 year old mother is still on Pravachol and has dementia. She had the blotches and bad muscular aches with the other statins her physician tried. Currently, her Dr. said she could take it only 2x a week and he didn’t know if even that was necessary. This article is my cue and I am taking those two pills OUT of her pill box!
My relatives look at me as if I am crazy when I say I am not taking statins! I also refuse to take the osteoporosis meds after having very bad side effects for a few years on those. I noticed my gynecologist had “non-compliant” in my chart concerning her many recommendations that I take the osteoporosis drugs. Oh well!
Thank you for writing these books and your blogs that keep us informed. We appreciate you.
Thanks Christina. I write my books to educate you so that you can make better health care choices.
DrB
Thanks so much Dr. Brownstein for writing your book on statins, many other doctors have written books against the use of statins, such as Dr. Sherry Roger’s great book a couple of years ago entitled “Is Your Cardiologist Killing You” and Wayne Gravelin’s great book a few years ago entitled “Lipitor, Thief of Memory”. You are absolutely right on in condemning them, they are probably the biggest scam in American history and as you know big pharma pretty much controls medical schools and our press who are too ignorant to know any better. Thanks for writing the book and hopefully lots more people will become educated on what a collosal scam the whole cholesterol thing is.
I am are a rare physician who is already aware of most of what Dr. Brownstein is saying about statin. I frequently provide my patients an article published, believe it or not, in The Archives of Internal Medicine which exposes this sad scam. Dr.
Brownstein is truly courageous to help expose this and other damaging products. I often see patients who are on statins prescribed by physicians who honestly feel they are doing what is best for their patients. Those doctors just like the medical student have also been scammed. Unfortunately when word gets back to them that I have suggested that statins are bad, I am labeled the bad guy.
I live in France I have followed you ( Dr Brownstein) for many years I would like your book on Statins but at $25 handling thats a bit steep is it not possible you could make it available as a download.
Regards Ted Johnson.
Ted,
We are working on a download for that one. Stay tuned,
DrB
COULD YOU PLEASE POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR THE BEST RESEARCH ON WAYS TO KEEP YOUR HEART HEALTHY IN THE FIRST PLACE
Lara,
Please read my books, Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It and The Miracle of Natural Hormones.
DrB
I just ordered the DVD version of ‘The Statin Disaster. I researched statins a long time ago and always knew I would never them, but I just wanted a book with all the pertinent information in one place. I have what physicians think is an elevated cholesterol (around 215) but the HDL level is great and the triglycerides are phenomenally low. I sonogram a few years ago showed no blockages at all, as did another sonogram with a stress test that I passed with such excellence (the cardiologist’s choice of words) for my age that the cardiologist was amazed.
No blockages, passed the stress test, and the physicians still want me to take statins when they see my cholesterol numbers. Having studied holistic nutrition and other alternative modalities my cholesterol numbers do not concern me one bit ,but they sure get physicians blood pressures up! By the way the tests were done due to palpitations that turned out to be due to low potassium levels and histamine intolerance reactions.
I have already read your Thyroid and Drugs that do not work books, and am soooo looking forward to this statin book.
Keep up the great blogs and books Dr. B, because the public out there deserves to know the truth!
A follow up to above post.
She had her thyroid removed because of cancer. That is why she is on a fairly high dose.
Based on my wife’s experience, the best cholesterol drug is desiccated thyroid.
After starting it at about 4 grains a day, her cholesterol dropped form 225 to 145. She made no other changes.
Dr. B., I took statin drugs (Lipitor) for about 12 years- quit about 1 year ago. What do I do now???
Yep, I feel I was scammed with nursing school as well. I remember as a student, I’d hear comments from doctors that alternative medicine practitioners were quacks so I got brainwashed. Yes, it still goes on. It wasn’t until many years later when I needed answers as to why I was having severe joint pain at age 45, that my beloved allopathic world left me high & dry! I didn’t have a Celebrex defiency. 8 yrs of research & I figured out it was gluten & years of poor nutrition. I researched the “quack” thing as well & I guess mainstream & holistic did use to complement each other until someone in the AMA got greedy.
I am thankful to be out of the field now. Seems like everything I learned is the exact opposite as to what I subscribe to today!
I applaude your courage to tell the truth!
Wow great article Dr. B. Just ordered the book! All the best JD
My husband was put on a statin three years ago. He now has congestive heart failure, neuropathy, , mental confusion, brain fog, muscle aches and pains, and diabetes. He is almost dead…The doctor quick took him off the statin after a three stay in the hospital. I could sue, but would never be able to prove it.
Dr Brownstein,
Of course after needing an aortic valve replacement and having the surgery, on my way out the door of the hospital, they handed me a script for simvistatin and told me that I needed it because of the heart surgery. I didn’t know any better and as a result I now have mitochondrial myopathy which I was told was the trigger for the myopathy. Thanks for the info.
Thank you Doctor B. for all you do. I was prescribed Crestor and did take it for a while, felt not well on it at all, and stopped taking it. Yes it was expensive too. There are other just as dangerous drug out there being pushed by most doctors, one is the Osteoporosis drugs, which I refuse as well.
the less prescription meds in your life, the better life is.
Sandy,
You are correct; the less drugs you take, the better you do. My book, Drugs That Don’t Work and Natural Therapies That Do, covers osteoporosis drugs and the problems associated with them.
Drb
Hi, Yes…my friend got large red blotches on her legs from a statin drug and my father got a heart attack eventually. My dad had 100% clogged blood vessels and had heart pace maker/2 bypasses and statin /coundamin and thought he was getting the best care. He was afraid of Alternative medicine and EDTA IV chelations that help unclog blood vessels. He thought they were doing natural help…talked about Red Yeast Rice etc. He did not change his diet, but it was not too bad. Gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO hurt me. My dad at eggs/bacon etc. I don’t know if no gluten would have helped my dad, but it may have lower inflammation. Heated oils and saturated fat hurt me. My dad could not take vitamins…they interacted with his drugs that cost $450 a month or more. I told him how coenzyme Q10 production maybe lowered with statin drugs, but I think he said his statin drug had that in it. I don’t know, but it was sad how he died. He wanted 10 more years which Alternative medicine may have given him. How can a heart pace maker help if a person has 100% clogged blood vessels. The doctors ran out of things to help him, but still my dad did not want to try Alternative medicine which I do and love which works awesome.
To me low thyroid due to gluten making antibodies to it may cause heart beat issues and cholesterol may go up. No gluten may prevent more thyroid destruction and Amour thyroid may give the heart oxygen and energy to beat. No gluten may lower inflammation and help more nutrients absorb in intestines so cells are made right to work right.
Coenzyme Q10 is very important. I have Lyme Disease and a drug for that can block coenzyme Q10. I don’t want to take that drug. I would love natural only help for the Lyme also.
Thanks for writing a book about Statin drugs and alternatives. People are getting the wrong kind of help. Statin drugs instead of thyroid medicine.
I got diuretics instead of thyroid medicine when I was in the hospital for Lymes. They withheld thyroid medicine….. and antibiotics and Lyme bacteria etc coinfections lower Mg and iron which may help the thyroid hormone. Antibiotic wipe out the good bacteria needed to change T4 to T3 and other Lyme medicine lowered minerals needed to change T4 to T3. I have seen Conventional medicine withhold what I need too many times. I almost died and they would have said we did all we could to help her when they were withholding what I knew I needed and proved I needed for 30 years. People trust Conventional medicine and are very loyal when a person died like the doctors tried all they could to save their life. Alternative medicine saved my life, but Conventional doctors scare people away from Alternative medicine. People trust them since they think the doctor is smart/wise/experienced/trustworthy, but I would not have survived without Alternative help which helps the root cause and not just cover symptoms. Thanks for educating people in Alternative medicine.
A number of years ago my doctor was probably thinking about ordering a statin drug. I specifically asked him not to do that.
I had read some of the side effects and decided I did not want to take one.
Since that time, more and more even deadly possible side effects are surfacing like ALS, for one.
I was raised in The Netherlands and moved to Chicago in 2004. I went to the doctor not too long after my move for a medical because of a new job and the doctor said my lipid panel was off and I really needed statins. I told him nobody ever told me that my lipids were off and I had check ups before so I let him know that I was not interested in medication. I told him my father always had high cholesterol and lived to be a very old happy man. That was not what he wanted to hear. He basically let me know that it was dangerous to refuse medication and in a way I felt that I could drop dead any minute. Then he said that I was on my own.
This is now 10 years ago and I still feel fine, actually better than ever. Just say no!
Thank you for your courageous voice.
I’m glad you shared this. First, thanks for shedding some light on the misinformation on statins.
Second, thank you for presenting the information in a rational way – “(At that point, I talked her down off the ledge and told her it wasn’t all a scam and that there is a lot of good and bad associated with the practice of medicine.)”
I think so many people have views of alternative health practices and mainstream medicine than are extreme. Most people think that everything that’s mainstream is bad, and only alternative health practices work – or that no alternative health practices work, and only mainstream medicine works.
The reality is it’s a combination of both, and it really depends on the situation.A lot of times what results in the best quality of life is a combination of both.
Frank,
I agree. There is a lot of good in conventional medicine–such as the treatment for an acute heart attack.
DrB
Thank you Dr. B., book is ordered; I will give it to my brother in law. He takes a statin drug because “the doctor recommended it”. Every question I asked was answered with “My doctor said it’s good”.
My life experience (I am 75) has taught me that people believe what they WANT to believe, no matter what – and they please don’t want to be confused by facts.
Sad state of affairs indeed.