Taking a Statin? Read This Now
Thanks to everyone who wrote in with their opinions on taking supplemental testosterone. This Friday, we’ll dive into the mailbag and publish a few responses (anonymously of course).
In the meantime, if you’re taking a statin (or know someone is who is), please read on.
Fatigue. Liver damage. Digestive Distress. Memory Loss. Muscle pain.
The potential side effects of statins aren’t pretty. And while statins are quite efficacious at lowering cholesterol levels, all available data do not indicate statins are efficacious for actually reducing the risk of death.
I recently convinced my father to stop taking his statins. Based on all available research, it appears they do more harm than good.
If you do take statins, however, you must make sure your Vitamin D levels are in the optimal range.
New research published just this past January in the journal Atherosclerosis looked at the incidence of muscle pain, the most common statin side effect, and blood levels of vitamin D among 5,907 people over the age of 40.
The average vitamin D level of all the participants was 23.6ng/mol, indicating that most adults in the study could stand to increase their Vitamin D intake.
While the Institute of Medicine considers 20-30ng/mol to be within the healthy range, the Vitamin D Council and the Endocrine Society prefer levels between 30-50ng/mol.
But even more importantly, the researchers discovered that participants with the lowest vitamin D levels (less than 15ng/mol) had significantly higher odds of experiencing musculoskeletal pain compared to non-statin users. In fact, they were almost 2 times as likely to report having muscle pain.
The researchers concluded that their results indicate vitamin D deficiency could increase the risk of muscle damage as a side effect of statin use.
If you take a statin, and especially if you experience muscle pain, you must get your Vitamin D levels tested and make sure they are optimal. Also, you should talk to your doctor about supplementing with CoQ10, as it’s well known that statins deplete CoQ10 levels in the body.
Even if you don’t take a statin, everyone can benefit from getting their D levels in the optimal range. It seems new research is coming out every week about how important this nutrient really is.
The best way to get Vitamin D is to get outside for 15-20 minutes every few days and expose your bare arms. If you can’t do that, or live in the northern hemisphere, you’ll probably need to supplement to get your D levels up.
Look for a product that uses the D3 form, as it’s the active form in your body. D2 isn’t quite as effective.
To Living Well,
Jasmine LeMaster
Source:
Vitamin D status modifies the association between statin use and musculoskeletal pain: a population based study. Atherosclerosis. 2015 Jan;238(1):77-82. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2014.11.012.
View More Free Articles
The $1000 Weight-Loss Secret Your Body Makes for FREE
Weight-loss drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have become household names. These injectable GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) drugs have captured widespread attention, with celebrity endorsements and social media success stories highlighting their dramatic results. But here’s what those glossy headlines aren’t telling you… GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone released by your gut. It acts as...
Brain Fog? Your Thermostat Could Be the SURPRISING Culprit
Cranking up the heat in winter or blasting the AC in summer can send your utility bills soaring. So, it’s no surprise that many of us choose to grit our teeth and endure it. But that could be a huge mistake. New research reveals that extreme indoor temperatures don’t just make you uncomfortable—they could be...
Nature's Powerful COVID-19 Defense REVEALED
While Big Pharma scrambles to cash in on new COVID-19 treatments, Mother Nature already has powerful allies waiting in the wings. A groundbreaking review in the journal Nutrients revealed a secret that Big Pharma won’t advertise—common herbs and supplements could ease mild COVID-19 symptoms. And the best part? You won’t need a prescription or to...
Women, Don’t Ignore These 5 Signs!
I’ve spent decades in medicine, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that women are tough as nails. They’re pros at pushing through discomfort and brushing off warning signs. But that strength can also be their biggest health risk. Feeling tired? Well, of course—after all, you’re juggling a million things! Short of breath? It...
5 Warning Signs Men Should NEVER Ignore!
Men—listen up. I know you pride yourself on being tough. You insist on pushing through and refuse to make a fuss about “every little ache and pain.” But here’s the cold, hard truth… That tough guy act? It could KILL you. As a doctor I get an unwanted first-row seat to some hard-learned lessons. Hardly...
Mailbag: Is Your Gut Secretly Attacking Your Joints?
“Can a leaky gut cause sudden onset arthritis? My wife has developed arthritis over a 2-month period that is almost debilitating at this point, and she has constant diarrhea. Are these symptoms connected in some way?” -Leaky and Lost Hi Lost, When my patients ask me about leaky gut, my answer is always the same: “It’s...
“Brain Brew” SLASHES Dementia Risk
If you’re a regular Living Well Daily reader, you know I’m a coffee fan. There are plenty of good reasons to stay that way. In fact, I shared a reason just last week. But I’ve also made room in my life for another hot beverage—and that’s green tea. Now, new research suggests it was a...
Nature's New Mood Booster? (It's Already in Your Kitchen!)
Scientists uncovered something surprising hiding in plain sight in our kitchens. And it might turn out to be nature’s answer to fighting depression. The best part? You’re probably already eating it… Let’s find out. An exciting new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders reveals that naturally occurring spermidine could help keep the blues...
Coffee Mug Hack Could Head Off Cancer
If you’re a coffee lover, it doesn’t get much better than that first cup of morning coffee. But before you reach for your favorite mug, I have some news that might make that java taste EVEN better. A new study finds your coffee habit could protect you from one of the world’s most common cancers…...
WALK Away from Cancer? Study Says “Yes!”
When you’re battling cancer, the LAST thing you need is more questionable advice. Yet a parade of well-meaning folks will insist you must do everything from running marathons to moving to a Greek island in order to outsmart the disease. But what if something as simple as a daily walk could give you the extra...