
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
Four Carbs that Could Add YEARS to Your Life
You’ve likely been avoiding carbs like the plague. Health gurus, fitness influencers, and diet books have convinced you that carbs are the enemy—that they spike your blood sugar, pack on pounds, and fast-track you to diabetes. So you’ve eliminated bread, sworn off pasta, and feel guilty just touching a piece of fruit. But what if...
Upgrade from Bananas and Apples to These Powerhouse Fruits
I’m often asked which fruits are the best. So, let’s talk about it. I’ll cut right to the chase: berries win this contest hands down. If you’re limiting your options to apples and bananas, you’re missing out on a universe of superior antioxidant power. Those everyday fruits are like bringing a knife to a gunfight...
The REAL Reason Americans are Getting “Fatter”
You’ve heard it a thousand times: “Americans are getting fatter because we’re lazy.” We sit at desks all day. We binge-watch Netflix instead of hitting the gym. We’ve traded physical labor for sedentary lifestyles. It’s a tidy explanation for why obesity has skyrocketed in developed countries. There’s just one problem—it’s completely wrong… A groundbreaking Duke...
Mailbag: Room Won't Stop Spinning? Do THIS First
“I’m dealing with vertigo issues, lightheadedness, and dizziness. As recently as this last Saturday I had multiple occurrences throughout the day. Is there anything I can do for this? I’m 69 and in good health. I work out 4 to 5 times a week.” —Spinning Hi Spinning, When patients approach me with similar complaints, I...
Hidden Number Secretly Sabotages Male Performance
Guys (and gals that love them), we should talk. You know how we’ve always been told that bedroom troubles are just part of getting older—that we just need to live with them? Well, it turns out that’s not true. Scientists recently wrapped up a six-year study that followed over 100 healthy men, and the findings...
Shocking Study Links Kids' Snacks to Dangerous Early Puberty
Kids are growing up in a world vastly different from the one we knew. Back in our day, if a child wanted something sweet, it was a piece of candy or a homemade cookie. Today’s kids are surrounded by products filled with artificial sweeteners that didn’t even exist when we were raising our own children....
Outdated Vitamin Guidelines Put Your Brain at Risk
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about vitamin B12—until your doctor mentions it during a routine blood test. But new research published in the Annals of Neurology suggests we need to pay closer attention to this crucial nutrient—especially as we age. Turns out, current guidelines for this essential nutrient might be...
The TRUTH About Supplement "Liver Dangers" REVEALED
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about liver damage from supplements—so, let’s talk about it. Reports of supplement-induced liver injuries have some folks wondering, “Could my natural remedy actually be harming me?” But before you toss all your supplements in the trash, let’s separate fact from fear—and talk about how to use supplements safely....
The 10,000 Steps LIE That's Ruining Your Health
I’ll be honest—I’m a little sick of the 10,000-steps theory. You know, the one that insists you need to take at least that many steps daily to stay healthy? You won’t believe where that claim originally came from. The 10,000-steps theory wasn’t handed down from the fitness gods on stone tablets. It originated from a...
“Brain Games” Failed You? Try THIS For Better Memory Instead
You know all those brain-training apps, supplements, and “miracle” memory-boosters that promise to keep your brain sharp as you age? Here’s the truth… There IS evidence they support brain health—and that’s why I’ll be the first to recommend them. But they aren’t the most powerful brain-boosting tool available to you. Another surprising solution has earned...