This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

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 mg/dL that it can cause symptoms of memory and cognitive impairment. Moreover, it describes cases of transient global amnesia associated with statin use.

Statins can also interfere with hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and vitamin D as these are made from cholesterol. In addition, by lowering cholesterol too much statins can interfere with cell to cell communication. Cells have dense regions of the plasma membrane known as lipid rafts which are enriched in cholesterol and sphingomyelin. Many receptors important in signal transduction tend to aggregate in these lipid rafts. Lowering cholesterol can disrupt the lipid rafts and interfere with these signal transduction receptors. Lastly, statins inhibit the production CoQ10 which is a critical molecule for the heart and other muscles.

Here is Dr. Sinatra's website which discusses the book.
http://www.heartmdinstitute.com/

In addition, both Dr. Sinatra and Dr. Bowden were interviewed in a recent episode of the People's Pharmacy. The podcast (mp3 recording) of this interview will be freely available for the next 3 weeks at http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2013/03/ ... erol-myth/

Again, please read this book before using a statin as they could cause symptoms which may be indistinguishable from MS.


NHE

Dr. Jonny Bowden and Dr. Stephen Sinatra appeared on The Dr. Oz show on 12/18/2012; they were discussing the book, The Great Cholesterol Myth, and most importantly the Particle Size Test for LDL:


Video #1 http://www.doctoroz.com/episode/doctors ... erol-wrong
Video #2 inflammation, NOT chol, causes heart disease; statins = BAD
http://www.doctoroz.com/episode/doctors ... ideo=16021
Video #3 "Particle Size Test for LDL"
http://www.doctoroz.com/episode/doctors ... ideo=16022

Cholesterol article: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/cholesterol-fact-sheet
Anti-inflammatory recipes: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/anti-inf ... your-heart
Cholesterol Facts vs Myths: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/choleste ... age=2#copy

_________________
My hypothesis: excess insulin (hyperinsulinemia) plays a major role in MS, as developed in my initial post: http://www.thisisms.com/forum/general-discussion-f1/topic1878.html "Insulin – Could This Be the Key?"

Other problems with statins from the People's Pharmacy...

Did Lipitor (Atorvastatin) Trigger Lou Gehrig's Disease?
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2013/03/ ... s-disease/

Did Cholesterol Drug Cause Man Boobs?
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2013/01/ ... man-boobs/

Another statin side effect...

Kidney injury or failure with high dose statins.

http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2013/03/ ... de-effect/

Canadian researchers tracked over 2 million patients from seven Canadian provinces as well as subjects in the U.S. and England. These were people put on statins between 1997 and 2008. Over 600,000 were receiving what are classed as high dose or high-potency statins.

The Canadian investigators discovered that when people were exposed to these "high-dose" or "high-potency" statins compared to either no statin, niacin, lower doses or lower-potency statins, they experienced an increased risk for kidney injury or failure. The damage was detectable within the first 4 months of treatment and remained elevated for at least two years. To be specific, those on high potency statins (as defined above) were 34% more likely to be hospitalized with acute kidney injury compared to the control patients.

High Dose or High-Potency Statins Defined:

Atorvastatin (Lipitor): 20 mg or more
Simvastatin (Zocor): 40mg or more
Rosuvastatin (Crestor): 10 mg or more

Possible link between statins and arthritic joint pain.
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2013/04/ ... s-trigger/

The FDA acknowledges memory deficits due to statin usage.
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/Consume ... 293330.htm

Decreased muscle strength and endurance linked to statin use.
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2013/05/ ... ld-you-so/

Decreased muscle mitochondria due to statins.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23583255


Increased risk of diabetes due to statin usage.
http://www.bmj.com/highwire/filestream/ ... /bmj.f2610