I have just finished reading a book by Dr. Stephen Sinatra (a cardiologist) and Dr. Jonny Bowden called "The Great Cholesterol Myth." I think that anybody considering using statins, whether for MS or for any other reason, should read it. The book discusses many of the side effects caused by statins. For example, it states that cholesterol is important for the healthy functioning of the brain and that if total cholesterol drops lower than 165 ...

High-dose simvastatin (Zocor) significantly reduced brain atrophy and slowed advancement of disability for 2 years in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, researchers said here.

In a 140-patient randomized trial, patients receiving 80 mg/day of simvastatin had an annualized rate of brain volume loss of just 0.298% compared with 0.589% among those given placebo (P=0.003), reported Jeremy Chataway, MA, PhD, of University College London in England.

Significant reductions in disability progression, as measured by ...

Naturally, I was particularly interested in the statins/diabetes connection. Apparently, statins raise blood sugar, increase insulin levels; chronic elevated insulin levels increase inflammation:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/artic ... _DNL_art_1

So much for that idea.


http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/731025

Simvastatin interferes with process outgrowth and branching of oligodendrocytes.

Abstract

Statins have attracted interest as a treatment option for multiple sclerosis (MS) because of their pleiotropic antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.

However, contradictory results have been described when they are applied to oligodendrocytes (OLGs), the cell type predominantly affected in MS. In this study we focus on the in vitro effect of statins on process outgrowth in OLN-93 cells, a well-characterized OLG-derived cell line, and ...

My general physician has me on 80mg of statin, Carlson's fish oil, and a 1000mg of niacin. According to him, studies have shown that this combination has decrease the risk of a heart attack or stroke by 90 percent.

I always been on a high dose of statin since I found out that I have MS. I added the fish oil and niacin almost 3 months ago. What has been interesting is that I think ...

I am going for a Stem cell transplant next week. I have been on Lipitor for at least 4 years, to decrease the inflammation in my brain (and decrease my CRP) My question is , should I stop it so that the stem cells recognize where there is inflammation and damage?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 094253.htm

--Frank